Doge’s Palace Secret Itineraries Tour with Casanova’s Cell, Bridge of Sighs & St. Mark's Basilica

874 reviews

3 hours

Max 20

Why take this tour?

Highlights

  • Explore the more impenetrable parts of the Doge's Palace, including torture chambers and interrogation rooms
  • Learn more about the people who passed through this building, such as the famous Casanova
  • Acquaint yourself with the long and fascinating history of Venice through stories told by your expert guide
  • Skip the long lines into St. Mark's Basilica to discover the treasure trove of incredible art inside
  • Sites Visited
  • Casanova’s prison cell
  • Torture chamber
  • Secret archives
  • Hall of the Great Council
  • Courtrooms
  • Sala della Scrutinio
  • New Prisons
  • Bridge of Sighs
  • St. Mark's Basilica
  • Tour Includes
  • VIP Doge’s Palace Secret Itineraries tickets
  • Skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
  • Skip-the-line Doge's Palace tickets
  • Expert local guide

Take a walk through hidden torture rooms, cells and council rooms

Book Now

Verified Customer reviews

Verified ratings
4.7 /5
based on 682 Walks’ customer ratings
Overall rating
4.7 /5
682 reviews
Rating summary by category
Guide
4.8/5
Guest Support
4.7/5
Latest reviews
Excellent
This tour was amazing. Eliana is a great guide. She is very informative and knowledgeable and keeps you engaged. If youre going to Venice I definitely recommend this.
Verified · Eric · USA · Male · May 20, 2026
Excellent
Very informative tour. The guide was especially knowledgeable about the art work. Probably more than I would like but my spouse found this very enlightening.
Verified · Mark · USA · Male · May 17, 2026
Excellent
Did Venice tour with our guide Francesca, who is very engaging and has an obvious command of the history of the sights and art we saw. Very interesting and fun experience and would highly recommend this tour!
Verified · Peter · USA · Male · May 17, 2026
Excellent
This tour covers both the lightless prison cells of commoners both in the palace and later across the bridge of sighs, as well as the opulent receiving rooms of the doge and the senate. Our guide, Virginia, really helped to bring the history alive. We had already been to the cathedral as part of a night tour, but Virginia covered slightly different information, and it was nice to see it in daylight.
Tripadvisor customer · tmoore48 · May 17, 2026
Excellent
Our guide was amazing. Her knowledge and all the stories she was able to tell were incredible. My favorite of all the tours we took in Italy.
Tripadvisor customer · Marilyn · May 16, 2026

FAQs

Is there air conditioning?
There is no AC which means the narrow passages featured throughout can become quite hot over the course of the tour.
Do I need to bring my passport/ID with me?
Yes! All guests (including children) must bring a government-issued ID/passport on the day of their tour. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument. The full names of all participants are required at the time of booking and must match the names on their ID/passport. Name changes are not permitted.
Is this tour wheelchair accessible?
No. Unfortunately, due to site restrictions we cannot accommodate wheelchairs on this tour. Guests should be prepared for a moderate level of physical activity, including standing for extended periods and climbing stairs, which may not be suitable for travelers with certain health conditions or mobility limitations.
Are the Doge's Palace Secret Itineraries Wheelchair accessible?
No, unfortunatley they are not. But tours to general-access areas are.
Can I bring a stroller into the Doge's Palace?
No. The Doge's palace is full of staircases and narrow corridors. Strollers are not allowed inside.
What happens if there's a private event at the Doge's Palace and/or St. Mark's Basilica?
On rare occasions access may be restricted due to private events inside the Doge's Palace and/or St. Mark's Basilica. Unfortunately this is a situation beyond our control. Our tour guides will make modifications to ensure you still have an excellent experience, but no refunds will be issued. We appreciate your understanding.
Can I bring children on the Secret Itineraries Tour?
Children under the age of 6 are not allowed to visit the Secret Itineraries of the Doges palace, so unfortunately they cannot take this tour.
What can I bring into the Doge's Palace?
You are permitted to enter the Doge's Palace with handbags and small backpacks. But any large backpacks or luggage are not permitted inside. You have to check them in the cloakroom.
Will the tour route be modified in the event of high tide/"acqua alta"?
If the local municipality restricts access due to high tide and there are no walkways available, it is the client’s responsibility to bring appropriate footwear (e.g., boots). The guide will modify the itinerary to include alternate dry paths whenever possible. No refund will be provided if high tide prevents certain parts of the tour, but adjustments to the route will be made for client safety and comfort.
Does this tour run when it rains?
This tour runs rain or shine. However, occasionally the Doge's Palace is closed to the public, without previous notice, due to high tides or particular festivities. In these cases we endeavor to contact customers as soon as possible to arrange a suitable alternative.

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