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

4006 reviews

3 hours

Max 20

Why take this tour?

Highlights

  • Enjoy a truly VIP experience in and around the famed St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco).
  • 8 am time slot only: Take advantage of early access to the Doge's Palace before it opens to the public, a VIP experience arranged specially for our groups.
  • Skip the long lines and earn privileged access into St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace.
  • Drink in the surrounding views over Venice with exclusive access to the terraces of St. Mark's Basilica.
  • Let an expert local guide lead you through Venice's opulent history and culture—subjects they truly have a passion for.
  • Marvel at mosaics of gold, frescoes by Veronese and Tintoretto, and masterpieces around every turn.
  • Traverse the Bridge of Sighs, the Doge's apartments, the Armory, and the New Prisons.
  • Sites Visited
  • St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)
  • St. Mark's Basilica
  • St. Mark's Basilica terraces (exclusive access)
  • Bell Tower in St. Mark's Square (exterior)
  • Marciana Library (exterior)
  • Doge’s Palace
  • New Prisons
  • Bridge of Sighs
  • Tour Includes
  • 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)

Immerse yourself in centuries of Venetian lore.

Book Now

Total Customer Reviews: 4006

Verified Ratings
4.7 /5
based on 2749 Walks’ customer ratings
Rating summary by category
Guide
4.8/5
Guest Support
4.7/5
Latest reviews
Excellent
Our tour guide Roberta was amazing! She made the day fantastic!
Verified · Sally · Mar 20, 2025 · USA · Female · 45 to 54 years
Great
For us, the guide IS the tour and Walks employs some of the very best. This time we had Giuliano - who was not only knowledgeable but also very entertaining with a brilliant sense of humor.
Verified · Eric · Mar 19, 2025 · USA · Male · 65 to 74 years
Great
Tiana was excellent. There was a delay at Doges palace and she managed it to the best of her ability since it was beyond her control.
Verified · Jennifer · Mar 18, 2025 · USA · Female · 55 to 64 years
Excellent
Toured St Marks Basilica and the Doges palace with our guide Nico . He was absolutely superb - incredibly knowledgeable, humorous , and bought the history to life . Showed us details that we wouldnt have seen - and the relevance to Venetian history. It was a brilliant 3 hours . Thankyou Nico .
Verified · Stephanie · Feb 26, 2025 · United Kingdom · Female · 55 to 64 years
Excellent
Our tour guide, Eleanora, was incredible! Super knowledgeable and engaging throughout the whole tour. We took the 8am tour which was great because Doge Palace was so quiet (St. Marks Basilica was definitely busy when we got there - this was our ending location). Definitely recommend this tour!
Verified · Eric · Oct 28, 2024 · USA · Female · 25 to 34 years

FAQs

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 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.
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.
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.
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.
What can I bring with me on this tour?
St. Mark's Basilica has very tight rules about what you can and cannot bring inside. Anything bigger than a purse - including backpacks or luggage - is NOT allowed inside the Basilica. There is no coat check either, so do not bring any bags larger than a purse with you.
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.
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.
Is this tour accessible to people in wheelchairs?
Unfortunately the terrace of St. Mark's Basilica, the prisons, and the armory of the Doge's Palace are not wheelchair-accessible, meaning we can't accept wheelchair user on this tour. For those interested in wheelchair friendly tours in Venice, please contact our Customer Care team at [email protected].
Do guests always see the sights on this tour in the same order?
No. Sometimes the tour runs in reverser order. However, we never take any sights out of the itinerary so you are always going to see St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark’s Square, Doge’s Palace (general access rooms), New Prisons, and Bridge of Sighs.
What's so special about the 8:00 am tour time?
The 8:00 AM tour time offer a unique and exclusive benefit - enter St. Mark's Basilica before it opens! With just your small group you enter through a side door and spend time alone in the Basilica. A truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, and created for Walks guests only. The 8:00 AM tour time is the only time with this special access, although the later times are also skip-the-line!

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