Exclusive Alone In St. Mark's & Doge's Palace Tour
1661 reviews
3.5 hours
Max 25
Why take this tour?
Highlights
Private access to St. Mark's Basilica after hours, only for Walks groups - no crowds, no lines!
Experience being inside St.Mark's Basilica like almost no one else… Alone! Illuminated mosaics are even more breathtaking at night.
Enter the Doge's Palace after closing time - on this tour you will see Venice's most famous sites in the best possible way!
Explore both centres of Venice's power: church and politics!
Enjoy the intimacy of our small groups with your enthusiastic, English-speaking guide.
Sites Visited
St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)
St. Mark's Basilica
St. Mark's Crypt
Pala d’Oro Altarpiece
Bell Tower in St. Mark's Square (exterior)
Clock Tower on St. Mark's Basilica (exterior)
Marciana Library (exterior)
Doge’s Palace
New Prisons
Bridge of Sighs
Tour Includes
Local English-speaking guide
Expertly guided walking tour
Exclusive access ticket for St. Mark's Basilica (after closing)
After-closing ticket to the Doge's Palace
Headset
Take a flashlight! Explore both St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace after-hours.
Book Now
Verified Customer reviews
Verified ratings
4.8/5
based on 667 Walks’ customer ratings
Overall rating
4.8/5
667 reviews
Rating summary by category
Guide
4.8/5
Guest Support
4.7/5
Latest reviews
Excellent
Well organised and worthwhile with a good guide
Verified·Gertjan·Spain·Male·May 27, 2026
Excellent
A wonderful experience! Our guide was knowledgeable and informative. Being there after hours was magical. Would absolutely recommend!
Tripadvisor customer·Melanie·May 23, 2026
Excellent
This was an excellent tour. Our tour guide, Shannon, was very knowledgeable and well spoken. She was also very considerate of travelers with special needs. I would highly recommend this tour to others.
Verified·Kathleen·USA·Female·May 22, 2026
Excellent
Nico was an incredible tour guide. He clearly knows his stuff and his enthusiasm was infectious. Seeing this excursion after hours made it so much more special than with thousands of people. Highly recommend
Viator customer·6h2696yq4g·May 22, 2026
Excellent
Nico was an excellent guide! Very knowledgeable and engaging. He communicated very clearly to educate us about the extraordinary history of the Venetians. Great tour and worth the extra cost for a less crowded experience.
Tripadvisor customer·Audrey_FNP·May 21, 2026
Reviews from our guests
Exclusive Alone In St. Mark's & Doge's Palace Tour
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.
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.
Are there any breaks on this tour?
During this tour there is a short break (15 to 30 minutes) in between visiting the Doge's Palace and entering St. Mark's Basilica.
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.
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 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.
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.
What's the cancellation policy for my St. Mark's Basilica tour?
This experience is refundable up to 7 days before your tour. Thank you for understanding.
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.
Explore St. Mark's Basilica after closing time and spend an enchanting, intimate evening getting to know one of the world's most unique churches with an expert guide.
Take a step off the normal tourist path on the Doge's Palace Secret Itineraries Tour: An all-access adventure into the rooms Venetian dukes tried to hide.