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

4138 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: 4138

Verified Ratings
4.7 /5
based on 2881 Walks’ customer ratings
Rating summary by category
Guide
4.8/5
Guest Support
4.7/5
Latest reviews
Excellent
Our tour guide Elena made this tour above average. St. Marks Basilica and the Doges palace are amazing artistically and culturally, but as a born and raised Venetian, her in depth knowledge and passion was unparalleled!
Verified · Charles · Apr 15, 2024 · USA · Female · 55 to 64 years
Excellent
Our tour with Moses was just amazing. His depth of knowledge in Art history was incredible. I believe you wont find anyone better. He was clear and well versed in English, answered all our questions, and his occasional witty humor made the tour extra special. The tour was worth every minute.
Verified · Claudia · Apr 15, 2024 · USA · Female · 45 to 54 years
Excellent
This was an amazing tour. We were all alone in the Doges Palace so really was able to see everything.
Verified · Cynthia · Apr 14, 2024 · USA · Female · 55 to 64 years
Excellent
Being in the Doges Oakace before it opened was very special. Our guide, Roberta, was easy to understand in English and very knowledgeable. She made negotiating the crowd at San Marco Basilica easy on us. The tour was a trip highlight!
Verified · Friancia · Apr 12, 2024 · USA · Female · 65 to 74 years
Excellent
Outstanding tour! Wish I could remember our guides name - she was wonderful. Definitely highly recommended!
Verified · Jennifer · Apr 04, 2024 · 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

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.
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 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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