Have you ever wondered why it’s so easy to get lost in Venice? There’s a historical reason for that. With the exception of the iconic buildings you will see on the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica tour, this dreamlike city of palaces, bridges, canals, and ultra-narrow lanes was designed to look the same throughout. Why, you may ask? Well, it was so that potential foreign invaders would not be able to find their way, but locals would know exactly how and where to flee.
Anyone who has spent even a day in this singular city, which feels like it something built in the imagination of the gods, can certainly relate to this. Today the only lost invaders are the tourists who descend upon this fantastical city with heroic regularity. Venice may be too attractive and charming for its own good but people will never stop coming.
Why Choose a Night Tour
All the more reason why it’s a very good investment to reserve your spot on a guided tour. For example, the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica tour pairs you with a local expert. This gives you a valuable and rewarding dose of historical backstory on Venice (so you’ll understand it and appreciate it even more). It also takes you into Venice’s two most iconic structures at night, a time when you’ll be able to walk through these illuminated architectural masterpieces with just you, your small group, and your guide. That’s an experience not many people can say they’ve done.
But, as a primer, here are some interesting things to know about St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.
The Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s were officials who were elected by Venice’s noble families and ruled the city. This gorgeous 14th-century palace, a wonderful example of Venetian Gothic architecture, with its intricately pointed arches, is where they lived. It also included offices and a jail. Built in the early 9th century, the palace underwent renovation into its Gothic form in the middle of the 14th century. In 1923, it became a museum.
It will be here where your enchanting evening would start if you’re doing a small-group, expert local-led tour of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. There’s one thing that won’t be here in the evening: a line to enter the Doge’s Palace.
St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)
Continue the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica tour in Saint Mark’s Square, one of the most recognizable public spaces in Europe. The structures surrounding Piazza San Marco are some of the greatest examples of Renaissance architecture in Italy. The arcades, designed with the exact same symmetry and proportions, are the foundations of Renaissance architecture.
St. Mark’s Basilica
Situated on the pigeon-strewn square of the same name, St. Mark’s Basilica was consecrated around the end of the 11th century. Its ornate, art-crammed interior, much of which is plated in gold, reflects the wealth of the erstwhile Venetian Republic. They had a mafia-like control over nearly all the towns and regions surrounding the Adriatic Sea for centuries.
The interior contains enough mosaics to cover one and a half football fields. And the 500 columns on the interior are awe inspiring. But be sure to take some time to marvel at the Pala d’Oro. This altar in the church contains 1,300 pearls, 300 sapphires, and 300 emeralds, among other precious stones.
If you take the evening Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica tour in which you get special access to the basilica, the illuminated ceiling and the Pala d’Oro will be a stunning site. Plus, if you come during the day, you’ll have to face the hours-long wait to get in. Come at night, and you’ll be able to just stroll right in.
You’re only in Venice once. Or, if you’re lucky, twice. Make the most of it, by getting a true (and literal) inside look at two of the city’s most important and iconic buildings: the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. This fascinating tour will offer you a true souvenir in the form of a deeper appreciation of this unique city.
Why This Specific Take Walks Tour?
Within the city of Venice, there are numerous walking tours a visitor can take. But are there any others that allow you to enter the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica at night? When the buildings are not open to the public and you’ve got them all to yourselves? Answer: no. You’ll get a unique perspective on two of the city’s most famous buildings. Plus, you will have one of the most memorable experiences of your trip to Venice.
FAQs – Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica Tour
Can you visit St. Mark’s Basilica at night?
There’s only one way to do this – with Walks. The only walking-tour company in Venice that has access to the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica at night. You can find out more here.
Is the Doge’s Palace worth a visit ?
The iconic Doge’s Palace right at St. Mark’s Square is supremely easy on the eyes. The medieval facade stirs the imagination. But to see the real wonder of the palace, you should step inside. And to to that, the best way is to take this evening tour of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. Not only will you get skip-the-line-access, you’ll see the palace in a whole new (illuminated) light.
Is the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica tour suitable for first-time visitors to Venice?
As the Italians would say, “Si!”. If it’s your first time in this oft-beguiling city, you’re going to benefit from having a local guide. After exploring the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica at night, you’ll have a strong and deep sense of these two famous buildings..
For what other reasons should you take a guided tour of Venice?
You could walk around Venice on your own (i.e. literally get lost) and look up at the buildings and try to guess how the architecture may be significant. Or you can amble around with a local expert who will give you a true insider’s knowledge about some of Venice’s most important buildings and landmarks, such as the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica at night, putting everything into a historical context.
What time does the tour start and how long does it last?
The tour lasts for three and a half hours, so make sure you slip on your most comfortable walking shoes. It starts at 6pm, ending at 9:30pm.
What is the best time to go to Venice?
Taking weather and crowd size into consideration, the best time to go to Venice is in the shoulder seasons, April and May, September and October. In the summer, temperatures can get into the 80s F and in winter as low as the 40s F. Also, one thing to keep in mind, a winter visit to Venice might have fewer tourists, but it’s also the rainier season when the city tends to flood on occasion.
Ready to experience Venice at its most magical? Don’t just see the city, step inside its story. Secure your place on this exclusive night tour of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica and enjoy rare after-hours access, expert storytelling, and an atmosphere few travelers ever get to experience. With no daytime crowds, illuminated masterpieces, and a local guide bringing centuries of history to life, this is Venice at its most unforgettable. Book your tour now and make one extraordinary evening the highlight of your trip