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 662 Walks’ customer ratingsOverall rating
4.8 /5
662 reviewsRating summary by category
Latest reviews
Excellent
I cannot say enough positive things about this tour. This was our fifth trip to Venice and we still hadn’t seen The Doge’s Palace or St Mark’s Basilica - the crowds had always put me off. Before arriving this time I saw this tour and decided to book. So glad I did as it was amazing - by far one of the best tours I’ve done. Our tour guide was Marina, she was an expert in Renaissance art, and so we were set up for a fabulous evening - despite the howling wind and rain. To be able to walk through both places, unhurried, and not bothered by other people jostling for photos was refreshing. Marina brought the Palace and the Basilica to life. We walked across the Bridge of Sighs and learnt its history, we sat in St Mark’s as they turned off every light and then slowly relit every part of the Basilica. If you only do one tour in Venice, I truly recommend this one to you.
Verified · Patricia · Australia · Female · May 12, 2026 Excellent
Wonderful experience! The Palace was extremely interesting and Nico was a great guide that was obviously passionate and knowledgeable about his job. Visiting the Basilica was breathtaking and a highlight of our trip. There are no words to describe the experience when the lights come on and the gold glistens. Seeing the mosaics on the ceiling and the beauty in the floors was unforgettable. It is a long evening with lots of walking and stairs, but worth every minute.
Tripadvisor customer · Jennifer · May 09, 2026 Excellent
Excellent!! Super relatable & knowledgeable.
Tripadvisor customer · Paula · May 08, 2026 Excellent
Micro was amazing with his history, very interesting and tour flowed very well. Highly recommend this tour
Tripadvisor customer · Irene · May 08, 2026 Excellent
Good overview with mixed pacing as needed
Tripadvisor customer · Edward · May 08, 2026
Reviews from our guests
Exclusive Alone In St. Mark's & Doge's Palace Tour
of Walks customers highly recommend this tour to friends or family Source: Walks Customers' Post-Tour Net Promoter Score Survey
Verified rating
4.8 /5
based on 662 Walks’ customer ratingsTotal guest reviews
:
1627
guest reviews
Excellent 1448
Great 155
Good 17
Average 3
Poor 4
Latest reviews
Excellent
I cannot say enough positive things about this tour. This was our fifth trip to Venice and we still hadn’t seen The Doge’s Palace or St Mark’s Basilica - the crowds had always put me off. Before arriving this time I saw this tour and decided to book. So glad I did as it was amazing - by far one of the best tours I’ve done. Our tour guide was Marina, she was an expert in Renaissance art, and so we were set up for a fabulous evening - despite the howling wind and rain. To be able to walk through both places, unhurried, and not bothered by other people jostling for photos was refreshing. Marina brought the Palace and the Basilica to life. We walked across the Bridge of Sighs and learnt its history, we sat in St Mark’s as they turned off every light and then slowly relit every part of the Basilica. If you only do one tour in Venice, I truly recommend this one to you.
Verified · Patricia · Australia · Female · 65 - 74 years · May 12, 2026 Excellent
Wonderful experience! The Palace was extremely interesting and Nico was a great guide that was obviously passionate and knowledgeable about his job. Visiting the Basilica was breathtaking and a highlight of our trip. There are no words to describe the experience when the lights come on and the gold glistens. Seeing the mosaics on the ceiling and the beauty in the floors was unforgettable. It is a long evening with lots of walking and stairs, but worth every minute.
Tripadvisor customer · Jennifer · May 09, 2026 Excellent
Micro was amazing with his history, very interesting and tour flowed very well. Highly recommend this tour
Tripadvisor customer · Irene · May 08, 2026 Excellent
Good overview with mixed pacing as needed
Tripadvisor customer · Edward · May 08, 2026 Excellent
Excellent!! Super relatable & knowledgeable.
Tripadvisor customer · Paula · May 08, 2026 Excellent
It really is something special to see these places without all the crowds, I highly recommend it. Our tour guide was Elena and she was very fun and engaging all throughout. We also learned a lot of interesting facts about the city itself, which made us enjoy our walks even more.
Tripadvisor customer · alex · May 06, 2026 Excellent
Our tour guide named Shannon was fabulous! She answered all questions and gave us all great commentary that was sometimes quite funny and loved her!
GetYourGuide customer · GetYourGuide · May 05, 2026 Excellent
unique access with and incredible guide was invaluable.
GetYourGuide customer · GetYourGuide · May 05, 2026 Excellent
Elena was funny and knowledgeable and made the whole two were great. It was amazing to be in there without the crowds, beautiful artwork, but Elena really made the stories come to life.!
Tripadvisor customer · love_to_travel_jma · May 04, 2026 Excellent
Elena was knowledgeable fun and engaging. We've learned so much about Venice
Tripadvisor customer · Robin · May 04, 2026FAQs
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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