Hotel Indigo Venice - Sant'Elena
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Local Experience in Venice

An exclusive selection of experiences and activities for our guests

Are you looking for hints and ideas to experience the city like an authentic Venetian?
Thanks to our accurate selection of fully customisable “local experiences”, you will be able to discover Venice in all its facets; you will connect with the most contemporary as well as the most traditional aspects of the lagoon city, but also with its most famous details and hidden ones, to immerse yourself in its history and culture.

Discover with us the selection of ‘unconventional’ local experiences reserved for hotel guests!

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Sunset aperitif on the Grand Canal
Jump on board an elegant private taxi and enjoy a romantic and exclusive tour of the Grand Canal, the most famous canal that runs through the historic centre of Venice to St Mark's Basin. You will admire the historical sites and beautiful palaces that surround you, such as the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, St Mark's Square and the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, while sipping a refreshing glass of Prosecco.
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Additional information
  • Duration: 1h
  • Price: 170 €
  • What's included: pick-up and drop-off from the hotel, 1h sunset tour by private taxi and a bottle of prosecco
  • Cancellation policy: the reservation can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 h before. Afterwards the cancellation fee is 100% of the amount.
    • Interesting facts
    The Grand Canal is Venice's 5th Avenue, a 'waterway' 3.8 km long, with a width ranging from 30 to 90 metres; it runs the entire length of the island and is crossed by four bridges that allow a practical connection between the different sestieri (districts) of the City. The most famous is undoubtedly the Rialto Bridge. The other three are the Accademia Bridge, the Scalzi Bridge and the Constitution Bridge. Today, more than 170 buildings of great historical or artistic interest line the Grand Canal: churches, banks, private noble residences, museums and art galleries that still hide priceless treasures.
    Minor Islands Tour: Murano, Burano and Torcello
    Be conquered by the most authentic side of Venice and discover together with Hotel Indigo Venice the lagoon and its islands, priceless 'fragments of Venice' where you can admire local traditions, nature, art and history. The tour will reach the three largest and best known islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello; you will be able to discover the unique features that distinguish each of them, either on your own or accompanied by an expert local guide, who will reveal the secrets of our lagoon.
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    Additional information
  • Duration: approx. 4h
  • Price: 140€/h minimum 2 hours | Supplement in case of guide
  • What's included: pick-up and drop-off at the hotel, tour of the smaller islands (Murano, Burano and Torcello) by private taxi with the possibility of being accompanied by a local tour guide
  • Cancellation policy: the reservation can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 h before. Afterwards the penalty is 100% of the amount.
    • Interesting facts
    With a total of around 60 islands, Venice's 'lagoon constellation' distinguishes our city and makes it even more unique. The most famous are known as the 'Sorelle Maggiori', among which Murano Burano and Torcello stand out. Then we find Giudecca, the island closest to the historic centre, Lido di Venezia, the Venetians' beach and the 'Orti della Serenissima', the two green oases of Sant'Erasmo and le Vignole. In the North and South Lagoon are the 'Minor Sisters': the most famous are San Francesco del Deserto, which houses an ancient convent of Franciscan friars, and San Giorgio Maggiore, with its Palladian church. But let us not forget San Servolo, Lazzaretto Vecchio and Lazzaretto Nuovo, the island-cemetery of San Michele, the former island-convent of San Clemente and finally San Lazzaro degli Armeni. Furthermore, there are also abandoned or even disappeared islands in the Venice lagoon, swallowed up by the sea, such as San Giorgio in Alga, Sant'Angelo della Polvere and Poveglia.
    Unconventional Venice' Tour with local city guide
    Enjoy a unique 'Uncoventional Tour' of Venice and discover the secrets of the lagoon city with an expert local guide. All itineraries start from the Hotel Indigo Venice...you choose the continuation! The itineraries are completely customisable and are designed according to your preferences: they can include the city's most famous points of interest, such as St. Mark's Square, its Basilica and the Doge's Palace, or delve into the hidden calli of the six sestrieri.
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    Additional information
  • Duration: min. 2h
  • Price: 95 € / h
  • What's included: hotel pick-up, customised tour with local city guide
  • Cancellation policy: the reservation can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 h in advance. Afterwards the cancellation fee is 100% of the amount.
    • Interesting facts
    Venice is also unique for its districts, called 'sestrieri'. The name originated from the fact that in ancient times the city wasn't divided into four areas, according to the Roman urban planning concept, but into six. Each sestiere in Venice has its own characteristic name:
  • Cannaregio is named after the reeds that covered its entire surface;
  • Castello, from an ancient fort that once stood on the island of San Pietro;
  • Dorsoduro, from its hard and slightly marshy soil;
  • Santa Croce, from the homonymous church destroyed after Napoleonic domination;
  • San Marco, from the Basilica d'Oro in the heart of the city;
  • San Polo, from the largest field in Venice, Campo San Polo.
    • My massage in Venice
    Just a few steps from the hotel, treat yourself to a moment of pure relaxation and well-being after a busy day exploring Venice. Sandra and Emmanuel, experienced professionals in the field, will welcome you to their peaceful sanctuary, offering personalized massages for couples, individuals, and special treatments for pregnant women. A unique experience to rejuvenate both body and mind.
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    Additional information
  • Duration: min. 1h
  • Price: 70 € / h
  • What's included: Welcome drink, towel, slippers, and disposable underwear, massage. Use of private changing room
  • Cancellation policy: the reservation can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 h in advance. Afterwards the cancellation fee is 100% of the amount.
    • Venice Dress up experience
    Experience the magic of Venice with a unique masked experience! Imagine spending a few hours wearing an elegant mask that transports you to another era. In the heart of Venice, we offer you a unique and authentic experience that will allow you to dive into the past and experience Venice like a noble from the 1700s, wearing a mask and immersing yourself in the culture of Carnival, one of the world’s most famous traditions. To capture this moment and make these memories unforgettable, beautiful professional photos will be taken. Don't miss the chance to experience Venice in a completely new way! Book your masked experience and let yourself be seduced by the charm of the city!
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    Additional information
  • Duration: approx. 1 hour
  • Cost: €75. A reduction of the 10% will be applied if booked through the Hotel
  • What’s included: Entrance, costumes, photoshoot
  • Cancellation policy: Once the booking is made, it is non-refundable
    • Kayak experience
    Rediscover the historic Venetian traditions with us and enjoy an unforgettable open-air kayak experience with Hotel Indigo Venice.
    In collaboration with a local sports association, we offer thrilling kayak outings through Venice’s canals and hidden waterways.
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    Additional information
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Cost: Kayak – €85 + VAT (total €103.70) per person
  • Includes: approximately 1-hour excursion and aperitif (kayaks provided by the association)
  • Cancellation policy: free cancellation up to 12 hours before the activity. After that, a 50% fee will be charged.
    • Interesting facts
    Kayaking is a recreational and sporting discipline that involves navigating rivers, lakes, or the sea in a small boat propelled by a double-bladed paddle. Originating from the Inuit peoples, kayaking has evolved into a widely practiced activity, both recreationally and competitively, in calm or rough waters. It is a full-body workout that improves balance, coordination, and endurance, and it’s suitable even for beginners. In urban environments like Venice, kayaking becomes a sustainable and quiet way to explore the city, offering an authentic experience in close contact with nature and local heritage.
    Private Yoga Class
    For all yoga enthusiasts, Hotel Indigo Venice offers the opportunity to attend private lessons tailored just for you! Our multilingual instructor will create personalised practices of restorative yoga/hatha yoga/vinyasa/face yoga of different levels, depending on your needs. Classes will take place in the beautiful location of our inner garden (in case of bad weather they will be moved to the adjacent pompeian) or in your room if you are staying in one of our beautiful and spacious suites.
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    Additional information
  • Duration: 1h
  • Price: €90 (1 person) | €150 (2 people)
  • Maximum number of participants: 2 people (18 years and over)
  • What's included: private yoga class (breathing and practice 60 min - rejuvenating/hatha yoga/vinyasa) with multilingual teacher, break time with tea and Venetian biscuits, equipment (mat and towels) provided by the hotel
  • Cancellation policy: the reservation can be cancelled free of charge up to 48 h in advance. Afterwards the cancellation fee is 100% of the amount.
    • Interesting facts
    Yoga is a practice that, according to archaeologists, originated in India some 5500 years ago; as evidence of its ancient origin, carved statuettes with human figures performing yoga postures have been found in the Indus Valley. The word yoga derives from the Sanskrit verb 'yuj-', meaning connection; the ultimate goal of yoga is in fact the union of body, mind and spirit. Today, there are many types of yoga; the best known and most practised are Hatha, Vinyasa, Kundalini, Anusara and Bikram, among others. All types derive from asanas (postures) and share the same purpose: awareness, relaxation, breathing, positive thoughts and meditation.
    A day on the beach at Venice Lido
    For your Venetian summer choose Hotel Indigo Venice and spend a relaxing day on the beaches of Lido di Venezia. A 12 km coastline of Blue Flag and Green Flag beaches along which unspoilt nature and elegant areas equipped with showers and toilets alternate. Let yourself be captivated by the timeless beauty of Venice Lido and discover its modern beach facilities dedicated also to those travelling with their families!
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    Additional information
  • Duration: full day
  • Price: from €35.00
  • What's included: access to the beach including sun umbrella and 2 sunbeds (transport and any extra services are extra)
  • Cancellation policy: your booking can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 h beforehand. Afterwards the cancellation fee is 100% of the amount.
    • Interesting facts
    During the summer, Lido di Venezia is one of the Venetians' favourite destinations. Its beaches, protected by the two dykes of S. Nicolò and Alberoni, are a place of great charm and elegance, and the gently sloping seabed allows even the youngest children to bathe in peace. At the end of each summer, the island of Lido di Venezia hosts the Venice Film Festival, the cinematographic event par excellence that each year presents films by emerging authors and established directors to fans, to preview the season's most interesting films.
    Workshop to learn how to decorate a Venetian mask
    Thanks to Hotel Indigo Venice, you can spend a fun family afternoon discovering Venetian traditions through a practical workshop on decorating papier-mâché masks for children of all ages. The original mask-making and decoration techniques will be explained to you, and then you will be left free to express all your creativity, with the support and guidance of the instructors, using absolutely safe materials and finishes!
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    Informations
  • Duration: 1h - 2h
  • Cost: starting from €45 per person
  • What's included: welcome and explanation of the history of Venetian masks and the various decoration techniques, 1 white papier-mâché mask of your choice from over 40 available models, tools, and materials to decorate the mask.
  • Cancellation policy: the reservation can be canceled free of charge up to 24 hours before. After that, the penalty amounts to 100% of the fee.
    • Curiosity
    Coloured, embellished, flashy or plain, Venetian masks are closely linked to the craft tradition of the mascareri. The charm of these particular ornamental objects arrived in Venice around 1200, handed down by the custom of women from Constantinople to walk around the city with their faces covered by a mask. It was not until the 15th century that the trade of the mascareri, craftsmen specialised in making papier-mâché masks that hybridised painting techniques with the work of the targheri, was officially recognised by the Serenissima. The masks, adorned with precious decorations, were associated from the beginning with the themes of freedom of expression, transgression of the rules, play, celebration and the possibility of becoming whoever one wanted to be.