Legendary Venice: St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Tour

Highlights

  • Skip the line at two of Venice’s most visited sights.

  • Join a local Venetian guide for an incredible tour.

  • Go behind the scenes of St. Mark's Basilica.

  • Step out onto the basilica balcony for an exclusive view.

  • Visit the opulent Doge's Palace & the bleak New Prisons.

  • Admire spectacular frescoes by Veronese and Tintoretto.

  • Walk across the Bridge of Sighs from the inside.

Summary

Explore Venice’s top attractions—St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace—on an expertly guided tour complete with skip-the-line tickets and VIP access.  

Tour info

Duration
3 hours
Group Size
20
Pricing (From)
Adult (15+): (15-99 years)
€105.00
Child (2-14): (2-14 years)
€100.00
Infant (0-1): (0-1 years)
€0.00
See all pricing
Commentary
English
Dropoff location

Piazza San Marco, Venice, IT, 30124, IT

Why take this tour?

Delve into Venetian history on a tour showcasing the city's most iconic structures—St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace—as an expert guide sheds light on the stories behind both iconic attractions. Skip the line into the legendary St. Mark's Basilica, where you’ll wander through the mosaic-clad interior and even step onto the balcony overlooking Piazza San Marco—reserved for only a select few! Then, continue to the Doge's Palace and step into the political heart of a powerful empire.  

Combine the top two sights in Venice on one extraordinary tour led by an expert local guide. With pre-reserved tickets and skip-the-line access, you’ll head straight into St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace for an intimate small-group experience. 
  
First, step inside Venice's most important church—St. Mark's Basilica—and gain a full appreciation for its east-meets-west architecture and breathtaking gold mosaics. In the company of a local expert, you’ll get up close with some of the basilica’s greatest treasures, such as the millennia-old Quadriga of four gold horses. You’ll even have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to admire beautiful views from the balcony over St. Mark's Square. At every step of the way, you’ll hear the fascinating story of how most of the basilica's prized possessions ended up here by less-than-honest means. 
  
The second stop on your itinerary is no less beautiful. The Palazzo Ducale, or Doge's Palace, was home to the doge, or duke, of Venice and his seat of government. Skip the long line with pre-reserved tickets and walk straight inside to explore huge council chambers, incredible audience rooms, and a stunning ballroom with larger-than-life works by renowned Venetian masters such as Veronese and Tintoretto. Hear the intriguing history of this building that housed the world's oldest republic—as well as its fascinating government and even an incarcerated Casanova.  
 
To finish your morning of discovery, you’ll walk in the footsteps of many a less-fortunate Venetian from centuries past. Head over the Bridge of Sighs from the inside and into the grim New Prisons—a stark yet fascinating contrast to the opulent halls and galleries that lie within the palace just across the narrow canal. 
 
Exclusive Early Entry to Doge's Palace: Stand alone and take a breath in the Doge's Palace having had the door opened exclusively for your group - an hour before the general public arrives! Note: This is only possible with the 8:00 AM booking time.

What’s included?

  • Local English-speaking guide

  • Skip-the-line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica

  • Exclusive access to the balcony of St. Mark's Basilica

  • Pre-reserved ticket to the Doge's Palace

  • Headset (when necessary)

  • Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off

  • Lunch

  • Gratuities

Things to know

Before you book

  • Unfortunately, sections of St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace are not wheelchair accessible, therefore we're unable to accommodate wheelchair users or strollers on this tour.

  • Due to the religious nature of the Basilica, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. A scarf or shawl is acceptable. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.

  • Sites visited during this tour are subject to occasional closures due to holy observances, high tides, and/or flooding. If a site closes, your guide will tour the exterior of the site. If time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.

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

Before you go

  • This tour is in English.

  • Due to the religious nature of the Basilica, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. A scarf or shawl is acceptable. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.

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

  • Photography is not permitted inside St. Mark's Basilica.

  • Backpacks are prohibited inside St. Mark's Basilica.

  • St. Mark's Basilica can be subject to unforeseen closures due to liturgical celebrations. In this event, your guide will give the tour from the exterior of the Basilica.

  • This tour runs rain or shine but St. Mark's and the Doge's Palace are subject to closure due to high tides. In this event, we will contact clients as soon as possible to arrange a suitable alternative.

  • Sites visited during this tour are subject to occasional closures due to holy observances, high tides, and/or flooding. If a site closes, your guide will tour the exterior of the site. If time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.

Cancellation Policy

    Cancellations received greater than 72 hours prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 72 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


    Tickets will be held at the box office

Pricing

LEGENDARY VENICE - 9:30AM, 11AM AND 2PM DEPARTURES

Adult (15+): (15-99 years)
€105.00
Child (2-14): (2-14 years)
€100.00
Infant (0-1): (0-1 years)
€0.00

LEGENDARY VENICE - 8.00 AM DEPARTURE TIME

Adult (15+): (15-99 years)
€114.00
Child (2-14): (2-14 years)
€109.00
Infant (0-1): (0-1 years)
€0.00

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.