Exclusive After-Hours Tour of Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica
From€279
2 hours
Venice, Italy
About this activity
Experience Venice's iconic landmarks after hours with an exclusive small group tour, including skip-the-line access and expert guidance.
Highlights
- Skip-the-line access to Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica
- Explore the Doge's Palace's opulent rooms and chambers
- Discover the secrets of the Bridge of Sighs
- Admire the intricate mosaics of St. Mark's Basilica
- Enjoy a small group experience with personalized attention
Full description
Step into the heart of Venice's rich history with this exclusive after-hours tour of Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Skip the long lines and delve into the opulent rooms of the Doge's Palace, uncovering tales of power and intrigue. Cross the famed Bridge of Sighs, once the last view of Venice for prisoners. Then, marvel at the intricate mosaics and architectural splendor of St. Mark's Basilica, all under the guidance of an expert historian. With a maximum of six participants, this intimate tour offers personalized insights into Venice's treasures, making it an unforgettable experience for history enthusiasts and culture seekers alike.
Included / Excluded
- Skip-the-line access to Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica
- Guided tour with an expert historian
- Small group experience (maximum 6 people)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour operates in English; ensure you understand the language.
- The tour is not wheelchair accessible due to the historic nature of the sites.
- The tour is not suitable for children under 12 years old.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes as the tour involves walking on uneven surfaces.
- Bring a valid ID for entry into the basilica.
- Photography is allowed, but without flash inside the basilica.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- There is no photography permitted inside St Mark’s Basilica.
- Please note that tour starting times are subject to change based on ticket availability
- Due to the highly variable nighttime opening and closing times of Doge’s and St. Mark’s, your tour may need to take up to a 1.5 hour break between the two sites, in which case your guide will recommend a local restaurant or bar in which to wait. In some cases, however, there will be no break. In all cases, the total duration of the guided tour will ALWAYS be three hours, regardless of the break time.
- An original, valid photo ID is required for entry to St. Mark's Basilica. Photocopies are not accepted.
- Please provide the full names of all travelers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with all travelers’ full names at the ticket office prior to entry may result in denied entry to the attraction.
- Admission to St. Mark’s Basilica is included (valued from €50 per person).
Traveler reviews
5.0119 reviews
5
116
4
2
3
0
2
1
1
0
Great tour guide
Lara was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Great tour guide
donnabD1293SMSep 20, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Excellent tour!
Tullia was very knowledgeable about both the history of the Basilica and of the religious stories as told by the incredible mosaics on the ceilings. If not for this tour, many aspects would have been missed by us. At 3.5 hours the tour was a little too long.
Y9425JNtimbSep 16, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Doge’s Palace and St. Marks in the evening with Nico
This was our final tour of a 2 week trip across Italy, and so glad we did the evening tour of Doge’s Palace and St. Marks. Not only were most of the crowds gone, but our guide Nico was a wealth of great information. It’s clear that Nico has a true passion and love for Venice and its culture and history, Highly recommend!
jeremymI3057SUSep 12, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Great tour, wonderful guide
The small group after hours tour of the St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge Palace was such a great tour. So much wonderful information and beautiful artwork. Nico was our guide and he was the BEST. If you have the pleasure of having Nico as your guide you will have the best tour!!
jessicahD2131MSSep 11, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Venice Toue
Lara was great and so knowledgeable. Wonderful trip
801marvinwSep 10, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Additional information
On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
There is no photography permitted inside St Mark’s Basilica.
Please note that tour starting times are subject to change based on ticket availability
Due to the highly variable nighttime opening and closing times of Doge’s and St. Mark’s, your tour may need to take up to a 1.5 hour break between the two sites, in which case your guide will recommend a local restaurant or bar in which to wait. In some cases, however, there will be no break. In all cases, the total duration of the guided tour will ALWAYS be three hours, regardless of the break time.
An original, valid photo ID is required for entry to St. Mark's Basilica. Photocopies are not accepted.