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

Summary Description

Experience Venice’s two main sights on a private tour led by an expert local guide with skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.

Highlights

Skip long lines at St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace
Enjoy an intimate private tour with an expert local guide
Cross the Bridge of Sighs from the inside for rare views
Admire the dazzling Pala d’Oro and its precious gemstones
Take in sweeping views from the basilica’s balcony over Venice

Description

On this private tour, let Venice’s history reveal itself through its most iconic landmarks. With skip-the-line access, explore the Doge’s Palace, where the city’s rulers once governed a powerful maritime empire. Wander through grand halls adorned with masterpieces by Tintoretto, and cross the Bridge of Sighs to reach the palace’s eerie prison cells. Continue to St. Mark’s Basilica with 99,000 square feet of golden mosaics. Hear the remarkable story of how St. Mark’s relics were smuggled into Venice and admire the Pala d’Oro, a gem-studded masterpiece of medieval craftsmanship. Led by an expert private guide, this tour offers a deeper, more personal connection to Venice’s past.

Begin your private tour at the Doge’s Palace, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and once the seat of the Venetian Republic’s power. Step inside without waiting in line and walk through opulent council chambers where dukes and senators shaped the destiny of a maritime empire. Admire extraordinary works by Veronese and Tintoretto, including Paradise, one of the largest oil paintings in the world, as your guide shares stories of political ambition, artistry, and scandal.

Next, follow the path of prisoners across the Bridge of Sighs and into the palace’s New Prisons. As you explore the cells and corridors, you’ll be able to imagine what it was like to be imprisoned here like the legendary Casanova.

Your journey continues at St. Mark’s Basilica, the city’s most treasured monument. With skip-the-line entry, step inside to marvel at glittering mosaics. Hear how St. Mark’s relics arrived in Venice under daring circumstances, and admire the dazzling Pala d’Oro, an exquisite golden altarpiece adorned with precious stones. You'll also enjoy the rare opportunity to step onto the basilica's balcony for a privileged view of St. Mark's Square.

With a private guide and priority access, this tour reveals the people and placed that defined Venice, offering a richer understanding of the city’s enduring legacy. Perfect for couples, families or special occasions that give you the flexibility and privacy to explore Venice in the company of just your friends and family alongside a local guide.

Important: You must provide the following details for every guests in your party at the time of booking: first and last name. All guests must bring ID on the day of their tour as it is required to visit the St. Mark's Basilica. This experience is refundable up to 7 days before your tour.

Included / Excluded

Local English-speaking guide
Skip-the-line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica (St. Mark's Basilica + Museum 24€)
Exclusive access to the balcony of St. Mark's Basilica
Pre-reserved ticket to the Doge's Palace

Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Lunch
Gratuities

Start / End Locations

Start Location: Correr Museum (Museo Correr), Piazza San Marco, 52, Venice, IT

Start Location Notes: Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets at Correr Museum in Piazza San Marco 52. Your guide will be waiting under the portico just outside the entrance of the museum.

Start Location Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ggbKosvjgY1LVsz29

End Location: St. Mark's Square, Venice, Venezia Città Metropolitana di Venezia, Italy

Commentary

Guide : English

Important Information

Know Before You Book

Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
Due to the religious nature of St. Mark's Basilica, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. You can bring extra covering (scarves, etc) to put on just before entering St. Mark's. 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. 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). For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
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.
If access is restricted due to private events inside St. Mark's Basilica and/or Doge's Palace, we cannot be held responsible. This is a situation beyond our control. No refund will be issued.
This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
Due to limited terrace ticket availability, access to the Pala d'Oro (Golden Altar) will be offered on select dates instead. This adjustment ensures you avoid long queues and still enjoy the basilica’s most treasured highlights during peak seasons.
This tour is fully refundable up to 7 days prior to the event. Within 7 days, this tour is 100% non-refundable.
All guests must supply their full name that matches a valid ID at the time of the booking. Should you fail to provide these, your reservation will be canceled. Name changes are not permitted.
Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Marks Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument.

Know Before You Go

Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time for check-in. Out of courtesy to other guests, we’re unable to wait for latecomers. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows.
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. 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). For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
Large bags and backpacks cannot be accommodated on this tour.
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.
If access is restricted due to private events inside St. Mark's Basilica and/or Doge's Palace, we cannot be held responsible. This is a situation beyond our control. No refund will be issued.
This tour is fully refundable up to 7 days prior to the event. Within 7 days, this tour is 100% non-refundable.
All guests must supply their full name that matches a valid ID at the time of the booking. Should you fail to provide these, your reservation will be canceled. Name changes are not permitted.
Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Marks Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument.
Appropriate footwear recommended
Due to limited terrace ticket availability, access to the Pala d'Oro (Golden Altar) will be offered on select dates instead. This adjustment ensures you avoid long queues and still enjoy the basilica’s most treasured highlights during peak seasons.

Cancellation

Cancellation Cutoff: 7 days

Cancellation Notes: Cancellations received greater than 7 days prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 7 days 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.

Terms and Conditions

Before you travel, please read the "Know Before You Go" section for essential information, requirements, and possible disruptions regarding your tour.

Additional Information

Ticket age ranges:
- Adult (15+)
- Child (2-14)
- Infant (0-1)

Redemption Information

Tickets will be held at the box office

FAQ

Can I bring a bag into the Doge’s Palace?

Although you are unable to carry large backpacks around the Doge’s Palace, there is a free bag check at the entrance. Feel free to leave handbags and purses here too and collect them after your tour.

Operator Website

Operated by:

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.

Basic Information