Legendary Venice Express: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica
2 hours
Max 20
Why take this tour?
Highlights
- Explore the Doge’s Palace and uncover its legendary history at the center of Venice's power.
- Walk across the Bridge of Sighs, following in the footsteps of Venetian prisoners to uncover the darker side of Venetian politics.
- Dive straight into the Doge's Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica without waiting in long lines.
- Gaze at the shimmering golden mosaic ceiling of Venice’s most famous church, St. Mark's Basilica.
- Maximize your time with a perfectly planned route that lets you see the best of Venice in just two hours.
- Sites Visited
- Doge’s Palace
- New Prisons
- Bridge of Sighs
- St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)
- St. Mark's Basilica
- Tour Includes
- Local English-speaking guide
- Skip-the-line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica (St. Mark's Basilica 12€)
- Pre-reserved ticket to the Doge's Palace (25€)
- Headset (when necessary)
Experience the best of Venice in just 2 hours at the Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica.
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Verified Customer reviews
Latest reviews
Excellent
Mateo was a wonderful guide. He is extremely knowledgeable and shared the knowledge with us in a funny way keeping the whole experience extremely engaging. I would definitely recommend this tour.
Viator customer · Prantika · Jan 26, 2026 Excellent
It was a great experience with Mateo! It was just my boyfriend, myself, and him. It felt more private and awesome! We enjoyed getting to see parts of the city we wouldn’t have seen otherwise. It was also cool to have a break in between and go on the gondola and see the city another way other than via our feet. Mateo is super informed about everything and made sure we got all the information we needed. Would recommend to all of our friends heading into Venice!
Viator customer · Clare · Jan 25, 2026 Excellent
We did this tour a couple of years ago. Wonderful tour. Stopped briefly at all the famous sites in the area. Highly recommend. Tour guide was exceptional and highly knowledgeable.
Viator customer · Usha · Jan 15, 2026 Excellent
Merveilleuse expérience ! Notre guide M. G. s'est assuré que nous étions aux endroits parfaits pour les photos, a tout expliqué en détail et s'est assuré que nous restions au sec pendant la marée haute. Il nous a promenés à travers les meilleures parties de Venise et a apprécié une grande cuisine italienne. Donc heureux que nous ayons choisi cette visite et passé la journée avec un guide si sympathique et compétent.
Viator customer · Krystal · Jan 07, 2026 Excellent
Notre guide touristique, Givanni, était super. Nous avons beaucoup appris sur la ville et son histoire. On nous a accordé des pauses adéquates.
Viator customer · Susan · Jan 03, 2026FAQs
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.
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 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].
What happens if there's a private event at the Doge's Palace and/or St. Mark's Basilica?
On rare occasions access may be restricted due to private events inside the Doge's Palace and/or St. Mark's Basilica. Unfortunately this is a situation beyond our control. Our tour guides will make modifications to ensure you still have an excellent experience, but no refunds will be issued. We appreciate your 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.
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.
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.
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