Legendary Venice: St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Tour

4069 reviews

3 hours

Max 20

Why take this tour?

Highlights

  • Enjoy a truly VIP experience in and around the famed St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco).
  • 8 am time slot only: Take advantage of early access to the Doge's Palace before it opens to the public, a VIP experience arranged specially for our groups.
  • Skip the long lines and earn privileged access into St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace.
  • Drink in the surrounding views over Venice with exclusive access to the terraces of St. Mark's Basilica.
  • Let an expert local guide lead you through Venice's opulent history and culture—subjects they truly have a passion for.
  • Marvel at mosaics of gold, frescoes by Veronese and Tintoretto, and masterpieces around every turn.
  • Traverse the Bridge of Sighs, the Doge's apartments, the Armory, and the New Prisons.
  • Sites Visited
  • St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)
  • St. Mark's Basilica (Exclusive Balcony Access)
  • Bell Tower in St. Mark's Square (exterior)
  • Marciana Library (exterior)
  • Doge’s Palace
  • New Prisons
  • Bridge of Sighs
  • Tour Includes
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Skip-the-line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica
  • Exclusive access to the balcony of St. Mark's Basilica
  • Pre-reserved ticket to the Doge's Palace
  • Headset (when necessary)

Immerse yourself in centuries of Venetian lore.

Book Now

Total Customer Reviews: 4069

Verified Ratings
4.7 /5
based on 2812 Walks’ customer ratings
Rating summary by category
Guide
4.8/5
Guest Support
4.7/5
Latest reviews
Excellent
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour of St Marks Basilica and Doges Palace in Venice.Mose made the history of these 2 buildings come alive.He was friendly and very informative.
Verified · Abigail · Mar 15, 2024 · United Kingdom · Female · 55 to 64 years
Excellent
Nico was a fantastic guide! He was so knowledgeable and attentive. Loved all the information he provided on the beautiful city of Venice. I would not hesitate to recommend a tour with him. Absolutely wonderful!
Verified · Tonya · Feb 03, 2024 · USA · Female · 35 to 44 years
Excellent
Our guide, Virginia (?), was excellent. Very friendly, knowledgeable, and a proud Venetian.
Verified · Thomas · Dec 27, 2023 · USA · Male · 45 to 54 years
Excellent
We have just spent over a week cruising from Athens through Greece, Croatia, Slovenia and ending in Venice. In all honesty, this was the best tour we have taken over the last 12 days. Although there were a few impressive locations in Croatia, everything about this tour starting and end with our guide, Mark, was remarkable. This is the only way to see the Doge's Palace before the public hours begin. So worth it. I learned so much about the history of Venice from Mark who provokes you to think about the politics and the culture that resulted from the society that they created. St. Mark's Basilica viewing was also a private entrance while several hundred people waiting outside. Great commentary here too.
Verified · Karen · Oct 31, 2023 · USA · Female · 65 to 74 years
Excellent
Elisabeta was an excellent tour guide. She explained hundreds of years of Venice history in 3 hours with great insight and enthusiasm.
Verified · Rosemary · Oct 30, 2023 · USA · Female · 45 to 54 years

Meeting Point

Meeting Point Map ⟶

Meeting Point
Museo Correr, Piazza San Marco, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy. Meet your guide under the portico just outside the entrance of the Correr Museum (Museo Correr). Your guide will be holding a green Walks sign.      

Please meet 15 minutes prior to the tour start time.

FAQs

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?
No. Unfortunately, due to site restrictions we cannot accommodate wheelchairs on this tour. If you use a wheelchair and book this tour by accident, we are happy to offer you credit for a future tour that is wheelchair accessible anywhere in the world, or a full refund.
What can I bring with me on this tour?
St. Mark's Basilica has very tight rules about what you can and cannot bring inside. Anything bigger than a purse - including backpacks or luggage - is NOT allowed inside the Basilica. There is no coat check either, so do not bring any bags larger than a purse with you.
Can I take a bag with me into St. Mark's Basilica?
You can only take small bags into St. Mark's. Anything bigger than a purse - backpacks or luggage - is prohibited. There is no coat check either, so do not bring any large bags with you.
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.
Does St. Mark's Basilica have a dress code?
Yes. Because it is a holy place, St. Mark's Basilica insists that both men and women wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. They can and will refuse entry to anyone who does not meet this standard and we can't do anything about it, so come prepared.
Does the Doge's Palace accommodate wheelchair users?
The Doge’s Palace is not wheelchair-friendly. Some parts are accessible, but the Secret Rooms, Prisons, and Armory and not. Our route, in particular, is not wheelchair-friendly so we do not recommend that wheelchair users take this tour.
Is this tour accessible to people in wheelchairs?
Unfortunately the terrace of St. Mark's Basilica, the prisons, and the armory of the Doge's Palace are not wheelchair-accessible, meaning we can't accept wheelchair user on this tour. For those interested in wheelchair friendly tours in Venice, please contact our Customer Care team at [email protected].
Do guests always see the sights on this tour in the same order?
No. Sometimes the tour runs in reverser order. However, we never take any sights out of the itinerary so you are always going to see St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark’s Square, Doge’s Palace (general access rooms), New Prisons, and Bridge of Sighs.
What's so special about the 8:00 am tour time?
The 8:00 AM tour time offer a unique and exclusive benefit - enter St. Mark's Basilica before it opens! With just your small group you enter through a side door and spend time alone in the Basilica. A truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, and created for Walks guests only. The 8:00 AM tour time is the only time with this special access, although the later times are also skip-the-line!

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