Doge's Palace Secret Itineraries Tour

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Highlights

  • View of secret prison chambers & archives of Doge's Palace

  • Skip-the-line access and exclusive tour limited to 20 people

  • Special visit to Casanova's prison cell & torture chamber

  • Route including the best general access areas and apartments

  • Hear fascinating stories of Venice's history from your guide

Summary

Go behind the scenes on a 2.5-hour tour of the Doge’s Palace and discover the secret itinerary of the rulers of the Venetian Empire. See the secret archives, offices, and torture chambers, as well as the palace attic and top-security prison cells.

Tour info

Duration
2 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
15
Pricing (From)
Adult (15+): (15-99 years)
€95.00
Child (6-14): (6-14 years)
€89.00
Commentary
English
Meeting Point

Museo Correr, Piazza San Marco, Venice, 30124, IT

Dropoff location

St.Mark's Basilica. , Venice, IT

Why take this tour?

A visit to Venice wouldn’t be the same without delving into its long and fascinating history as the world’s oldest republic. Go beyond the traditional route, stepping behind the scenes of the Doge’s Palace to explore the secret archives, offices, torture chambers, and the palace attic, home to top-security prison cells, including that of the famed Casanova!

See parts of the Doge's Palace that most visitors and many Venetians don't even know exist on this special access tour. Open to just 20 people at a time, this exclusive tour explores secret prisons, archives, offices, and even a torture chamber in Palazzo Ducale to reveal a darker side of history.

For those with an interest in art, history, literature, or scandal, the Doge's Palace is by far the most interesting building in Venice. Home to the world's oldest republic, it's quite literally a repository for its greatest secret and artworks all laid bare on this in-depth tour, offering a much more detailed picture of life in the Republic of Venice.

With your guide, a Venetian art expert and historian, enjoy skip-the-line access to the Doge's Palace and make a beeline for backstage. After a guard opens a special door, enter the hidden side of the palace to see the prison cell where Casanova was held, hear the unlikely tale of his escape, and visit the archives to learn how secrets were kept.

See hidden council rooms to learn of the system of checks and balances that made Venice the world's oldest republic and enter the best general access areas such as huge audience rooms, ballrooms with incredible paintings by Veronese and Tintoretto, and the private apartments of the Duke of Venice. Your VIP experiences ends with crossing the famed Bridge of Sighs to see the New Prisons on this small-group tour.

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What’s included?

  • Special access to the Doge’s Palace Secret itineraries

  • Skip-the-line Doge's Palace tickets

  • Expert Walks of Italy tour guide

  • Small group of maximum 20 pax

  • Gratuities

  • Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off

Things to know

Before you book

  • Due to Doge's Palace regulations, children under the age of 6 are not permitted inside the secret itineraries and therefore cannot take this tour.

  • The prisons and secret itineraries are not wheelchair-accessible, nor is the route suitable for those with walking disabilities or for pregnant women.

  • The tour not suitable for people who are claustrophobic.

  • Walks / Devour complies with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up-to-date information.

Before you go

  • The tour meeting time is 15 minutes prior to the start time. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows.

  • There is no air conditioning in the secret passages, meaning the narrow spaces can get very hot in summer.

  • All guests (including children) must bring ID on the day of their tour.

  • Due to Doge's Palace regulations, children under the age of 6 are not permitted inside the secret itineraries and therefore cannot take this tour.

  • Backpacks are prohibited inside the Doge's palace. Free storage is available but please note you must return to the entrance to pick up your items at the end of the tour.

  • The tour not suitable for people who are claustrophobic.

  • For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.

Cancellation Policy

    Cancellations received greater than 24 hours prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 24 hours of tour commencement are nonrefundable. Amendment requests are subject to availability and price changes. Late arrivals and no shows are nonrefundable. This is applicable to any tour participant that fails to arrive, or arrives after tour departure.

Redemption information

    Mobile tickets will be accepted
    Your voucher will be collected or scanned on redemption
Operator Website

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About operator:

Walks (takewalks.com, walksofitaly.com) began over a decade ago (2008, to be exact) in Rome, Italy. We quickly became the premier walking tour company in 7 countries - Italy, Spain, France, the UK, Greece, and Portugal. Our US cities include San Francisco, NYC, Boston, Chicago, and New Orleans.

In 2021, we joined The Hornblower Group (cityexperiences.com) expanding our reach and working alongside this powerhouse travel brand.

Our tour products vary but predominantly we #takewalks, exploring the world by foot - we believe, the best way to get into the heart of a city and its incredible people. From introductory strolls to food tours, day trips, cooking classes, and below the surface, in-depth tours, we have our hand in everything a traveler could want. Oh, and we also like to give our clients exclusive access to the biggest attractions in the world...

Despite the big changes in our brand over the years, our focus has remained simple - to relentlessly create tours with the client experience at the forefront and anchored upon the dedicated, intelligent, and above all, passionate local guides who want to share their cities with you.

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