Venice in a Day with St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, & Gondola Ride
7.5 hours
Max 20
Why take this tour?
Highlights
Acquaint yourself with the history of the city
Explore the backstreets of Venice and marvel at the landmarks nestled within
Enjoy a 30-minute gondola ride through the city's canals
Tour St. Mark's Basilica and familiarize yourself with the story behind it
Explore the Doge's Palace
- Sites Visited
- St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)
- St. Mark's Basilica
- Gondola ride
- Doge’s Palace
- New Prisons
- Bridge of Sighs
- Rialto Bridge
- Rialto Fish Market
- House of Marco Polo (exterior)
- Santa Maria dei Miracoli (exterior)
- Tour Includes
- Local English-speaking guide
- Expertly guided walking tour
- Skip the line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica
- Pre-reserved ticket to the Doge's Palace
- Gondola Ride
- Headset
Take a day to explore Venice; by land & water!
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Verified Customer Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8 /5
based on 737 reviews
Rating summary by category
Latest reviews
Excellent
Martina was an excellent guide!! She was extremely passionate & informative on our full day Venice tour. We were only in town for a short time so this tour was the perfect overview of the city.
Ruth ·
Jan 31, 2023
· United States
· Female
· 45 to 54 years
Excellent
Nico, our guide, brought the city of Venice alive for us on a cold January day! He mixed in history, food, fun and laughter throughout the day.
He was able to adapt to our interests and point out things that took our fancy. We are interested in food and local culture and as a result he pointed out lots of interesting places to eat and specific local bites to eat along the way.
His knowledge and engaging nature meant we laughed a lot, talked a lot and learnt a lot.
Nico also gave us lots of ideas of other things to do while in Venice!
Thank you Nico!
John ·
Jan 31, 2023
· United Kingdom
· Male
· 45 to 54 years
Excellent
Great way to visit venice in one day anf to find out its secrets and hidden gems.
Early start is fantastic to avoid the crowds. Our guide was just perfect: very good English, super welcoming, funny, knowledgeable and ready to share her "being local" with us.
Venezia is such a unique place...u definitely need a guide to understand it better...
Very well organized and nice welcome staff...
Gondola ride just perfect...u really feel like a nobel?
Thank u so much Martina??
Federica ·
Jan 26, 2023
· United States
· Female
· 35 to 44 years
Excellent
This was an exceptional tour. It really gave us an opportunity to see Venice for the incredible city that it once was and currently is. Rich historical content provided by an exceptionally articulate, insightful and relatable tour guide, smooth entrance to the sights, and a look into the “real life” of the city!
Rebekah ·
Jan 12, 2023
· United States
· Female
· 35 to 44 years
Excellent
I highly recommend this tour! It was raining all day but it didn't matter because we were enjoying it so much. Susan was so fantastic, her knowledge and kindness made this day the highlight of my holiday.
Kirsty ·
Dec 12, 2022
· Australia
· Female
· 35 to 44 years
Meeting Point
Meeting Point
The first part of this tour meets outside of the entrance to the Church of "S. Giacometto", located in Campo San Giacomo di Rialto (also known as Campo San Giacometto). Your guide will be holding a green Walks sign.
The second part of the tour meets underneath the portico just outside the entrance of the Correr Museum in Piazza San Marco, 30124. The Correr Museum is directly opposite the entrance of St. Mark's Basilica.
Please meet 15 minutes prior to the tour start time.
FAQs
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.
Is lunch included on this tour?
No. But your guide is always happy to offer you plenty of recommendations for great places to eat in the vicinity that will suit any price point.
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 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.
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 if the weather is bad (rain, snow, hail, etc.) on the day of my tour?
Our tours run rain or shine so please dress for the elements. We also ask you to please remember hats and sunscreen if you are taking this tour in the summer as it might be very hot.
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 my guide accompany me on the gondola ride?
No. During your gondola ride you will be alone with maximum 5 other people and your Venetian gondoliere. This experience is much better as quiet time. Just sit back, relax and soak up the beauty of the city's canals.
Can I take a gondola ride if I use a wheelchair?
No. Unfortunately, gondolas are not wheelchair accessbile.
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