Venice in a Day with St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, & Gondola Ride
6 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, the heart of political power in Venice
- 8:30am tour: Enjoy a relaxed 6-hour guided tour of Venice with a break for lunch (not included although your guide will share recommendations) with max 20 people
- 8:15am tour: If you're short on time, choose the 8:15am tour when booking to visit all of Venice's highlights in just 4 hours (without a lunch break) and with max 25 people
- Sites Visited
- St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)
- Skip-the-Line Access to St. Mark's Basilica
- Gondola ride
- Doge’s Palace
- New Prisons
- Bridge of Sighs
- Rialto Bridge
- Rialto Fish Market
- House of Marco Polo (exterior)
- Tour Includes
- Local English-speaking guide
- Expertly guided walking tour
- Skip the line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
- Pre-reserved ticket to the Doge's Palace (25€)
- Gondola Ride
- Headset
Take a day to explore Venice; by land & water!
Book Now
Verified Customer reviews
Verified ratings
4.7 /5
based on 955 Walks’ customer ratingsOverall rating
4.7 /5
955 reviewsRating summary by category
Latest reviews
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
Valentina S. Was such a great tour guide. We learned so much more than I could have imagined. I definitely would recommend this tour!
Tripadvisor customer · Mobile67022052738 · Jan 05, 2026 Excellent
Today’s guided walk in Venice with Valentina S was one of the highlights of our trip. Our guide was professional, warm, and deeply knowledgeable, with a lovely way of storytelling that made Venice feel alive and intimate. We appreciated the relaxed pace, the hidden corners, and the thoughtful explanations. It felt less like a tour and more like a meaningful walk with a local friend. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to experience Venice more deeply.
Tripadvisor customer · XWANG · Jan 05, 2026 Excellent
Valentina S was an excellent guide. We learned a lot, and enjoyed ourselves greatly. We absolutely recommend this tour
Tripadvisor customer · Aaron · Jan 05, 2026 Excellent
Valetina S was amazing. Made the experience truly special and memorable and it was a wonderful way of learning about the history of Venice. Totally recommend this tour and Valentina made it just right- with the amount of history and anecdotes.
Tripadvisor customer · Gayathri · Jan 05, 2026
Reviews from our guests
Venice in a Day with St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, & Gondola Ride
of Walks customers highly recommend this tour to friends or family Source: Walks Customers' Post-Tour Net Promoter Score Survey
Verified rating
4.7 /5
based on 955 Walks’ customer ratingsTotal guest reviews
:
4163
guest reviews
Excellent 3689
Great 431
Good 25
Average 12
Poor 6
Latest reviews
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
Valentina S. Was such a great tour guide. We learned so much more than I could have imagined. I definitely would recommend this tour!
Tripadvisor customer · Mobile67022052738 · Jan 05, 2026 Excellent
Valentina S was an excellent guide. We learned a lot, and enjoyed ourselves greatly. We absolutely recommend this tour
Tripadvisor customer · Aaron · Jan 05, 2026 Excellent
Valetina S was amazing. Made the experience truly special and memorable and it was a wonderful way of learning about the history of Venice. Totally recommend this tour and Valentina made it just right- with the amount of history and anecdotes.
Tripadvisor customer · Gayathri · Jan 05, 2026 Excellent
Valantina (Valantina S) was an amazing guide, she was funny, kind and bubbly, made the whole tour interesting and was very clearly, quite passionate about what she does!!
Tripadvisor customer · Romesh · Jan 05, 2026 Excellent
Today’s guided walk in Venice with Valentina S was one of the highlights of our trip. Our guide was professional, warm, and deeply knowledgeable, with a lovely way of storytelling that made Venice feel alive and intimate. We appreciated the relaxed pace, the hidden corners, and the thoughtful explanations. It felt less like a tour and more like a meaningful walk with a local friend. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to experience Venice more deeply.
Tripadvisor customer · XWANG · Jan 05, 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, 2026 Excellent
Mr. G. Provided a great tour experience. His knowledge of the history of Venice, the local area and locales to visit made it that much more enjoyable! We would highly recommend this tour especially for first time visitors.
Tripadvisor customer · Krystal · Jan 03, 2026 Excellent
The trip was good, easy to find at the check-in in the beginning and very informative guide who was very knowledgeable. The gondola ride was also good
Tripadvisor customer · Dreamer20173167205 · Jan 03, 2026 Excellent
Pamela was an amazing guide. She was very informative and made the tour very enjoyable. Definitely recommend visiting here and being lucky enough to have her as a tour guide. We enjoyed the whole experience!
Tripadvisor customer · Amanda · Jan 02, 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.
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 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.
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.
Can I take a gondola ride if I use a wheelchair?
No. Unfortunately, gondolas are not wheelchair accessbile.
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.
Can I get a refund if, due to inclement weather, I choose not to participate in the walking tour on the day of?
If the client chooses not to attend the walking tour due to adverse weather, no refund will be issued. However, the client may still participate in the second part of the tour if they notify us in advance.
Will the gondola ride take place in inclement weather?
Safety is our top priority. Unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather (heavy rain, strong wind, high tide) many prevent the gondola ride from taking place. If the gondola ride cannot occur due to any operational or safety reasons such as these beyond our control, no refund will be provided.
Will the tour route be modified in the event of high tide/"acqua alta"?
If the local municipality restricts access due to high tide and there are no walkways available, it is the client’s responsibility to bring appropriate footwear (e.g., boots). The guide will modify the itinerary to include alternate dry paths whenever possible.
No refund will be provided if high tide prevents certain parts of the tour, but adjustments to the route will be made for client safety and comfort.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
You Can Also Experience These Similar Tours
Legendary Venice: St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Tour
Explore the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica and traverse the Bridge of Sighs as you become immersed in the story of the rise and fall of the Venetian Empire.
6611
3 h
20 max
Welcome to Venice: Walking Tour, St. Mark's Basilica & Gondola Ride
Take to the streets and canals of Venice in this walking (and floating!) tour that combines a tour of St. Mark's Basilica with some of the city’s top sites and a few of her hidden gems.
1379
3 h
18 max
Venice VIP Boat Tour on Grand Canal with Local Guide
Explore the winding canals of Venice in a private motorboat, taking in iconic landmarks like St. Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs, and more with a small group.
487
1.5 h
8 max
