Exclusive Alone In St. Mark's & Doge's Palace Tour
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.
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Verified Customer reviews
Verified ratings
4.8 /5
based on 660 Walks’ customer ratingsOverall rating
4.8 /5
660 reviewsRating summary by category
Latest reviews
Excellent
Shannon was awesome, super funny, personable; she definitely seemed well informed of the history of the city, architecture, and artwork
Tripadvisor customer · Kevin · Mar 29, 2026 Excellent
This is an absolutely amazing tour, experiencing the Doges Palace and St Marks basilica whilst empty is stunning. Shannon our guide was excellent and I would thoroughly recommend both her and the tour- full of information, historical facts, put across in a very friendly manner- one of the best tours I have ever done! Many thanks
Viator customer · Neil · Mar 29, 2026 Excellent
Felipo was an excellent guide. He was knowledgeable, good sense of humor ans every engaging. This tour was a wonderful way to see St. Mark’s and Doge’s Palace without all the crowds.
Viator customer · Gail · Mar 27, 2026 Great
It is a great evening, and very memorable to see St. Marks at our leisure. We will never forget sitting in a darkened basilica as the lights gradually came on. Especial thanks must be given to our excellent, informative, and entertaining guide, Valentina S. We have been to St. Marks many times, but we learned so much which was new on this visit. One problem - a little one, to be sure, but it made for an unsettling start to the evening. We had booked tickets for a tour starting at 7.45. We were then asked if we could instead start at 8.45. That was no problem at all, and we were given plenty of warning. All my later messages from Viator, however, continued to say that the tour would still start at 7.45. We therefore decided to be cautious, and arrived in time for 7.45, to find - no one. Another group booked for this tour had also turned up then, and were just as perplexed as us. Well, it all turned out right. We all went off for a pleasant drink together, and reassembled at 8.30, to find everything ready. But I do wish that you could have amended your later messages to me, so that we could have bèen spared this confusion!
We were glad to wear coats - it is not that warm on a March evening. I would say, too, that inevitable there are stairs to climb. Fine for us, but people with mobility issues should know.
Viator customer · Robin · Mar 25, 2026 Excellent
This tour was truly special! Being the only group inside the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s was magical. Our fantastic and fun guide, Filippo, made the experience even better!
Verified · Cecilia · Italy · Female · Mar 23, 2026FAQs
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.
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'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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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