ART MUSEUMS · HISTORICAL

15 Art History Tours Worth Booking

29 tours  ·  from $23 a head

Every trip has one gallery day too few. These 15 art history tours justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get on with the rest of it.

Venice: St. Mark Basilica Ticket, Audioguide+History Gallery - Collecting your ticket near St. Mark’s Square
Art Museum Tours in Italy, Art Museums Around the World, Basilica and Church Tours, Historical Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Venice: St. Mark Basilica Ticket, Audioguide+History Gallery

1.St. Mark Basilica Ticket, Audioguide+History Gallery

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 4,780 reviews · from $23Our pick

Explore St. Mark’s Basilica for about an hour with priority entry and a downloadable audio guide, or join a guide such as Valentina, Andrea, Elena, or Francesco if that option is selected. Add a VR journey through Piazza San Marco and collect your tickets first at the Venice Tours office.

“A must! It was so beautiful inside! The skip the line ticket is worth it. Pay the extra to go on top! Well worth it!”

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Paris: Louvre Museum Entry with History of Mona Lisa - The short introduction before the entrance
Art Museum Tours in France, Art Museum Tours in Paris, Art Museums Around the World, Historical Tours, Louvre Museum Tours, Tour Reviews

Paris: Louvre Museum Entry with History of Mona Lisa

2.Louvre Museum Entry with History of Mona Lisa

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 2,823 reviews · 1 day · from $74

Meet a host at 162 Rue de Rivoli, use the priority entrance, hear a short introduction to the Louvre and Mona Lisa, then explore independently. Guides such as Jade, Emma, and Sofia have helped visitors find the painting and plan their route.

“Perfect. Our tour guide was the sweetest (I think his name was Jade). He was very helpful with a great sense of humor. We entered the Louvre very quickly and after that we were free to explore on our own.”

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Venice's Best: Basilica, Doge's Palace, Gondola & History Gallery - Doge’s Palace: the political heart of the Republic
Art Museum Tours in Italy, Art Museum Tours in Venice, Art Museums Around the World, Basilica and Church Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

Venice’s Best: Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Gondola & History Gallery

3.Venice’s Best: Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Gondola & History Gallery

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,478 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $129

Spend about 3½ hours exploring St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace with a guide, then ride a shared gondola through Venice’s canals. Guides such as Lucia, Valentina, Giada, and Alexander have led especially strong tours, while the included VR history gallery adds a clever extra.

“Wonderful experience of Doge’s, Gondola and St Marks. Our tour guide Giada personality was so vibrant.”

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Venice: Bell Tower & St Mark's Square History Gallery Ticket - The elevator makes this viewpoint easy
Art Museum Tours in Italy, Art Museum Tours in Venice, Art Museums Around the World, Historical Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Venice: Bell Tower & St Mark’s Square History Gallery Ticket

4.Bell Tower & St Mark’s Square History Gallery Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 910 reviews · 1 hour · from $44

Collect your ticket near St. Mark’s Square, watch a short VR presentation about Venice, then ride the elevator 98 meters up the Campanile. You get skip-the-line entry, panoramic views, a History Gallery visit, and time to explore the tower at your own pace. No guided tour is included.

“Nice views but maybe a bit expensive. Once in a lifetime is ok but don’t think I would do it again.”

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Madrid in a Day Tour:Royal Palace, Historic Center & Prado Museum - Walking through Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol
Art Museum Tours in Madrid, Art Museum Tours in Spain, Art Museums Around the World, Historical Tours, Prado Museum Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Madrid in a Day Tour:Royal Palace, Historic Center & Prado Museum

5.Madrid in a Day Tour:Royal Palace, Historic Center & Prado Museum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 628 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $119Top rated

Start at the Prado with a guided look at Goya, Velázquez, El Greco, and Bosch, then walk through Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol to the Royal Palace. Guides such as David, Ernesto, Anna, and Irene are praised for clear stories and strong art knowledge. Early Prado entry is available as an upgrade.

“We did a bunch of tours and we this one was by far the best thanks to Alfonso. Incredibly knowledgeable and personable throughout the entirety of the tour.”

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Basilica, Doge's Palace, History Gallery & Bell Tower Option - Doge’s Palace: power, paintings, and prison corridors
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Basilica, Doge’s Palace, History Gallery & Bell Tower Option

6.Basilica, Doge’s Palace, History Gallery & Bell Tower Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 586 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $116

Follow an English-speaking guide through Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and St. Mark’s Basilica in a group of up to 15. Add St. Mark’s Bell Tower for wide views over the domes, square, and lagoon, but note that this option replaces the basilica interior visit with an outside visit.

“This tour started with an excellent virtual experience and then a walking tour with historical information of all places. It was an excellent tour and I highly recommend it.”

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Rome: Colosseum, Vatican Museums & Historic Center in a Day - Your lunch break before the ancient ruins
Art Museum Tours in Italy, Art Museum Tours in Rome, Art Museums Around the World, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Tours

Rome: Colosseum, Vatican Museums & Historic Center in a Day

7.Colosseum, Vatican Museums & Historic Center in a Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 228 reviews

Cover Rome’s major sights in 7.5 hours with an English-speaking guide, small group, and reserved access. Walk through Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Venezia, and the Colosseum, then ride private transport to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.

“Great tour! We saw everything we were wanting to and more. Our tour guide, Camilla was very knowledgeable and added personal stories. Be aware there is a lot of walking. We walked nearly 9 miles on this tour. My husband walks with a cane so navigating some of the areas were difficult. He was able to complete the entire tour but it is a lot. A great tour but be prepared for navigating challenges for anyone with mobility issues.”

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Belfast: Best of Belfast History, Culture & Art Walking Tour - Meeting at Belfast City Hall
Art Museum Tours in the UK, Art Museums Around the World, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Belfast: Best of Belfast History, Culture & Art Walking Tour

8.Belfast: Best of Belfast History, Culture & Art Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 158 reviews · 3 hours · from $35

Walk central Belfast with local guides such as Mark, Steve, James and Chris, tracing its medieval beginnings, industrial rise, Titanic story, Troubles and creative present. Visit the Cathedral Quarter, historic Entries and Waterfront, with headsets, a short refreshment break and plenty of local tips.

“Steve was so knowledgeable and we had a small group as it was the off season. We had a really good time seeing the history of Belfast, but Steve also gave us a good perspective of the beauty within the chaos.”

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Bologna historical art walking tour with hidden gems and tastings - Piazza Maggiore sets the stage
Art Museum Tours in Italy, Art Museums Around the World, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Bologna historical art walking tour with hidden gems and tastings

9.Bologna historical art walking tour with hidden gems and tastings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 108 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $175

Join Riccardo Bacchi for a 3 to 4 hour English walking tour through Bologna’s art, architecture, food traditions, and lesser-seen corners. Visit major sights such as San Petronio and the Archiginnasio, explore the Quadrilatero market, and enjoy local tastings along the way.

“We gained a deeper appreciation for Bologna, its beauty and history. We discovered outstanding art and architecture throughout the city. Ricardo is a passionate ambassador of his city and shared his knowledge generously.”

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Prado Museum Art History Tour - About the Twenty-Five Works You Will Study
Art Museum Tours in Madrid, Art Museum Tours in Spain, Art Museums Around the World, Historical Tours, Prado Museum Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Prado Museum Art History Tour

10.Prado Museum Art History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Meet Jaime at the Goya monument for a 2.5-hour English tour of Madrid’s Prado Museum. In a group of no more than six, you’ll follow a carefully chosen path through works by Bosch, Velázquez, Goya, and other masters. Museum admission is not included.

“Jaime Sánchez had a very educative and interesting approach in the way he conducted the visit, apart from being available to our expressed thoughts and comments, as well as our queries and wishes, during the whole visit. Jaime told us about the chosen works, their authors and what made them (and the chosen work of art) special and renowned and how they came to be at the Prado museum. He really made us interested in furthering our knowledge of the history and characteristics of the works and artists he told us about”

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Madrid: Royal Palace, Prado Museum & Historic Center Tour - Starting with Goya outside the Prado
Art Museum Tours in Madrid, Art Museum Tours in Spain, Art Museums Around the World, Historical Tours, Prado Museum Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Madrid: Royal Palace, Prado Museum & Historic Center Tour

11.Royal Palace, Prado Museum & Historic Center Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 50 reviews · 4 hours · from $117

You’ll visit the Prado Museum and Royal Palace with skip-the-line entry, then walk through Plaza Mayor and the Barrio de las Letras. An English-speaking guide such as Daniel, Jamie, or Ernesto brings the art and royal stories to life. Choose early Prado access or a small group of up to 16 people.

“Our guide Daniel was fabulous. He was very knowledgeable, funny and made the Prado come alive. His explanation and stories around the historical centre was interesting. The Royal Palace was amazing especially with Daniels ability to take us on a wonderful journey through the centuries of Kings and Queens. Thank you Daniel.”

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Jerez de la Frontera History and Art Walking Tour - Plaza del Arenal, the tour’s starting point
Art Museum Tours in Spain, Art Museums Around the World, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Jerez de la Frontera History and Art Walking Tour

12.Jerez de la Frontera History and Art Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 49 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $26

Walk through Jerez de la Frontera with an English-speaking art historian, visiting the Old Town, Plaza del Arenal, Alameda Vieja, San Miguel Church, the Alcazar, cathedral, and Bertemati Palace. Guides such as Marta, Lucia, Luisa, Maria, and Rose bring local stories and art details to life.

“Very friendly and knowledgeable guides, a great introduction to the best Jerez has to offer. We will definitively be back”

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Pitti Palace and Palatine Gallery: A Royal Art and History Tour - Inside the Palatine Gallery
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Pitti Palace and Palatine Gallery: A Royal Art and History Tour

13.Pitti Palace and Palatine Gallery: A Royal Art and History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $93

Spend 90 minutes inside Florence’s Pitti Palace with an English-speaking guide, exploring the Palatine Gallery, Medici apartments, and Planetary Rooms. Guides such as Lara, Guido, and Tiziana are praised for bringing the art and palace history to life. Entry, reservations, and headsets are included.

“Excellent and informative. Francesca hit the high spots and at a pace I could handle (heart issues). Would highly recommend.”

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Key West Art History Private Tour - From museum exhibits to living artists
Art Museum Tours in the USA, Art Museums Around the World, Historical Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Key West Art History Private Tour

14.Key West Art History Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · from $59

Meet Lindsey or another local guide for a 90-minute private walk through Key West art and culture. Start with 35 minutes at the Custom House museum, then visit local galleries and shops before ending at The Studios of Key West. Museum admission is included.

“My husband and I wanted to get an insider’s perspective on the beautiful community that is Key West, and Lindsey totally delivered! We saw some beautiful art, both from past and present artists living on the island, we chatted with an artist at Read more”

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History and Van Gogh in Provence from AIX-EN-PROVENCE - Avignon: medieval power in a one-hour visit
Art Museum Tours in France, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Van Gogh Museum Tours

History and Van Gogh in Provence from AIX-EN-PROVENCE

15.History and Van Gogh in Provence from AIX-EN-PROVENCE

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $180

Spend nine hours following Van Gogh through Arles and Saint-Rémy, then add Roman Arles, medieval Avignon, and cliff-top Les Baux. Depart Aix at 9 a.m. in an air-conditioned vehicle with a guide-driver. Groups are capped at eight, and guides may include Paul, Jenny, Nathalie, or Nicholas.

“I saw this trip as I was booking a holiday to Aix-en-Provence and felt this would be a wonderful way seeing some of this an and countryside of Southern France. We did this tour on Easter Monday with Jenny and it lived up to the hype. As it turned out, it became a private tour since my group was the only one on the trip. The visit to Arles, Avignon, Les Baux-en-Provence and the monastery provided rich insight into Van Gogh’s trip through France and his inspiration for Starey Night. Jenny did an excellent job as our tour guide, pointing out key sights with great stories along the way. She…”

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Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Tours244Louvre Museum Tours364Uffizi Gallery Tours262Prado Museum Tours149Art Museum Tours in Italy813Art Museums Around the World1511
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Where the art is

Pick a collection, a city, or a way through the door.

The big collections

Vatican MuseumsThe LouvreThe UffiziThe AccademiaThe Prado

In Italy

RomeFlorenceVatican CityVeniceThe Borghese

Paris, Madrid, Amsterdam

ParisThe OrsayMadridAmsterdamVan Gogh Museum

Ways in

Skip the lineGuided toursAudio guidesGroups of sixCombined tickets