Venice is one of the most iconic destinations in Northern Italy, famous for its canals and architecture, and for being built on over 100 islands. Pretty unique, isn’t it?
However, not many people know that Venice also hides a dark side, full of mystery and the supernatural. If you get a thrill from spine-tingling stories, the idea of ghosts wandering the empty streets of Venice at night, gory tales from the past, and the most horrific legends from the city of canals is going to fascinate you.
Ghost tours are some of the best Venice tours you can join if you’re ready to learn about ghostly apparitions, though beware – they’re not for the faint-hearted.
In this guide, we’ll spill the secrets of the very best Venice ghost tours. From private adventures to tales of murder and secret lovers, the top-rated activities are listed below.
Are you ready to explore the supernatural undercurrents of the city of canals? Read on!
Why can you trust me? I was born and raised in Bologna, Italy, and I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Venice many times over the years. On top of my personal experience exploring this unique city, I have more than 10 years in the travel industry, helping millions of people plan their dream vacations in Italy and the world.
In the past decade, I’ve developed a knack for identifying extraordinary activities, and those are the only ones you’ll find in my posts. You can expect the tours below to be high-quality, led by professionals, and to offer excellent value.
I generally rely on Viator and Get Your Guide to book tours around the world. I especially recommend them for their great cancellation policy. If your travel plans change, you can cancel most activities up to 24 hours in advance and get a full refund.
Limited time? These are the top tours:
| THE BEST TOUR | Venice: Mysterious Tales of Ghosts and Murders |
| PRIVATE TOUR | Venice Private Ghost Tour and Gondola Ride |
OUR PICK: The BEST Venice Ghost Tour
The Venice: Mysterious Tales of Ghosts and Murders is a 1.5-hour evening tour, as any good ghost tour should be!
You’ll set out after dusk, exploring dimly lit alleys after your guide, who’ll be your storyteller for the night as you discover the most gory stories that hide in every dark corner of the city.
You’ll walk along the canals, which look quite different at night, and then head to the back alleys and lesser-known streets of the city to set the ambiance. Trust me, you’ll be expecting a ghost apparition any time as you stroll along those spooky alleyways!
Your guide will tell you stories from real past events, tales of betrayals and murders in the city, as well as legends, reports of ghosts, eerie myths, and magic, bringing the darker side of the city to life.
The tour isn’t necessarily spooky (no ghosts will jump up at you, I promise!), and it’s very interesting if you enjoy learning about the secret history of places, or love a good dark story for the fun of it.
Why this tour? It’s simple and straight to the point. Your engaging guide will introduce you to the most famous ghost stories of Venice, as well as some unheard-of ones. All the while, you’ll be strolling around the city, passing by iconic locations. You’ll remember this tour for a long time!
Read what the reviews say:
“One of the best tours I have visited, Kiki was absolutely amazing: perfect energy, lots of knowledge of history, and very engaging. This tour really combined history of the city with unique facts and stories that only locals would know. We felt like we could touch the soul of the city, not the typical visit to San Marco. We loved it very very much.”
Lily – Read more reviews
This tour includes: A walking tour of the city, and a guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Other Venice Mystery Tours To Consider
▶️ Embrace eeriness on this Venice Ghost Tour: Haunted Legends of Rialto and Cannaregio. As the sun sets, your expert guide will lead you through the hidden nooks and crannies of Venice, telling you spine-chilling stories along the way.
You’ll wander around the dark alleys of the Castello district, visit the Malibran Theater, home to a tragic story of unrequited love and rumors of ghost apparitions, and make your way to Campo San Giovanni e Paolo square, where you’ll hear stories about betrayals, spirits, and tragic deaths.
Cap off this dark tour of Venice with a stroll along the waterfront, overlooking the San Michele Cemetery as you listen to even more haunting stories. The walk ends in the Cannaregio district.
This tour includes: A walking guided tour. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Venice: Legends, Anecdotes and Ghost Stories Walking Tour allows you to uncover the chilling secrets of the city. Explore gloomy streets, desolate squares, and hidden architectural gems as you hear eerie tales.
Follow your guide to the famous Bovolo staircase to discover the mysterious legends behind it. You’ll also visit a secret passageway, which a lady’s lover would use to reach her private apartments.
Pass by cemeteries hidden beneath the streets, and stroll along Calle dei Assassini (Street of Murderers). It’s truly a hair-rising ghost tour in Venice!
This tour includes: A guide, and a walking tour. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
The Best Private Venice Ghost Tours
▶️ Embark on a captivating Venice Ghosts & Legends Evening Private Walking Tour to delve into the city’s ghastly secrets.
With an expert guide fully dedicated to you and your group, wander off the beaten path, immersing in the city’s past and its ancient legends. Ghost stories, unsolved enigmas, and fascinating mysteries await in every corner!
Along the way, you’ll get to admire landmarks such as Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco from up close.
This Venice ghost walking tour includes: A guide and pick-up at your hotel. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Uncover the otherworldly side of the canal city on this exceptional Venice: Private After Dark Tour and Gondola Ride.
Led by an expert guide, you’ll be taken to back streets and hidden corners as you hear spine-chilling tales of ghouls and spirits from Venice’s past.
After exploring the haunted history on an immersive stroll, wrap up your adventure with a serene gondola ride along the canals.
This customized tour offers a glimpse into Venetian lore and legends, and accommodates large groups, so up to 15 of you can join in on the fun!
This tour includes: A private guide and a gondola ride. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
