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!
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Verified Customer reviews
Verified ratings
4.7 /5
based on 965 Walks’ customer ratingsOverall rating
4.7 /5
965 reviewsRating summary by category
Latest reviews
Excellent
Roberta was amazing with her knowledge. The gondola ride was fun. The tour of St Marks Basilica and Doge Palace was amazing.
Verified · Alan · Italy · Male · Mar 23, 2026 Excellent
Roberta was so knowledgeable and engaging and gave a great tour.
Verified · Janet · Canada · Female · Mar 23, 2026 Excellent
Our guide shannon was very friendly and knowledgeable.
Tripadvisor customer · Cruiser35464699649 · Mar 23, 2026 Excellent
Our tour guide was a local resident, she was very friendly, knowledgeable and easy to understand. This is a perfect tour to take if you have a short visit to Venice!
Viator customer · Barbara · Mar 23, 2026 Excellent
Blessed with sunny weather and an excellent guide in Michele it gave us a great introduction to Venice with the range of activities at a pleasant pace.
Viator customer · Robert · Mar 23, 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 965 Walks’ customer ratingsTotal guest reviews
:
4286
guest reviews
Excellent 3809
Great 434
Good 25
Average 12
Poor 6
Latest reviews
Excellent
Roberta was amazing with her knowledge. The gondola ride was fun. The tour of St Marks Basilica and Doge Palace was amazing.
Verified · Alan · Italy · Male · 45 - 54 years · Mar 23, 2026 Excellent
Roberta was so knowledgeable and engaging and gave a great tour.
Verified · Janet · Canada · Female · 45 - 54 years · Mar 23, 2026 Excellent
Our Venice walk with Mikhail was absolute magic from start to finish, easily the best tour we’ve taken in Europe. His knowledge of the city is incredible, but he shares it through vivid stories and fun anecdotes rather than dry facts, making every stop come alive. He tailored the route to our interests, guiding us through quiet backstreets, hidden courtyards, and peaceful canals far from the usual crowds. Along the way he pointed out small details—symbols, carvings, and traces of old Venice—that we never would have noticed on our own. The pacing was perfect, he was warm, funny, and patient, and by the end we felt like we had truly connected with the real Venice. If you book only one tour in Venice, make it a walk with Mikhail—you will come away with unforgettable memories and a whole new appreciation for this extraordinary city.
Tripadvisor customer · Nomad48854457517 · Mar 23, 2026 Excellent
Giuliano was an amazing guide! His passion for Venice brought every site to life. He provided the perfect balance of educational stories and free time, making the trip unforgettable. He has a great sense of humor that made the long day of walking feel light and fun. He made sure everyone was well taken care of and offered help every step of the way. We thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Tripadvisor customer · Phyllis · Mar 23, 2026 Excellent
Our tour guide was a local resident, she was very friendly, knowledgeable and easy to understand. This is a perfect tour to take if you have a short visit to Venice!
Viator customer · Barbara · Mar 23, 2026 Excellent
Blessed with sunny weather and an excellent guide in Michele it gave us a great introduction to Venice with the range of activities at a pleasant pace.
Viator customer · Robert · Mar 23, 2026 Excellent
Great tour, led with confidence and expert knowledge by Shannon.<br /><br />You COULD do the tour on your own, but you will miss a wealth of information that bring the tour alive...
Tripadvisor customer · Darren · Mar 23, 2026 Excellent
Our guide shannon was very friendly and knowledgeable.
Tripadvisor customer · Cruiser35464699649 · Mar 23, 2026 Excellent
Shannon was the best guide we had after a week full of guides in Italy. Her knowledge and communication skills really brought Venice to life for us.
Tripadvisor customer · Rod · Mar 23, 2026 Excellent
Excellent walking tour! The experience lasted about four hours, and our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the history. He was also very accommodating to guests of all ages including our teens and abilities, which made the tour enjoyable for everyone. He brought the history to life in a fun and engaging way. Don’t miss it!
Tripadvisor customer · Michelle · 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can I take a gondola ride if I use a wheelchair?
No. Unfortunately, gondolas are not wheelchair accessbile.
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.
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.
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