Legendary Venice: St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Tour
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 (Exclusive Balcony 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.
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Total Customer Reviews: 3937
Verified Ratings
4.7 /5
based on 2680 Walks’ customer ratings
Rating summary by category
Latest reviews
Excellent
First trip to Europe. Did a great deal of research since everything was new. The description of the walks tour was exactly as promoted. Group size was just right, tour guide Matteo was an amazing art, historian and super engaging. Mic’s and earphones Amplified the presentation perfectly throughout the tour. Excellent length content, and accommodations for the entire group. Booked for different travel tour companies, and by far walks has been the best across-the-board..
Verified · Jeffrey · Aug 30, 2024 · USA · Female · 55 to 64 years
Excellent
Iola was friendly, answered all the questions. Great experience with her.
Verified · Marcela · Aug 28, 2024 · Canada · Female · 55 to 64 years
Excellent
I took this tour with my partner. The entire tour was incredibly well organised, but I particularly want to acknowledge our amazing tour guide Martina. Martina was the most relaxed, knowledgeable, warm and at times amusing tour guide we have ever had. I am sure all the guides are fabulous, but know that if you book, and turn up to find Martina is your guide that you are in for an amazing experience.
Verified · Scott · Aug 27, 2024 · Australia · Female · 45 to 54 years
Excellent
We really enjoyed the St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Tour. Our guide, Giuliano, was knowledgeable and friendly providing historical significance and other background information during the tour.
Verified · Richard · Aug 12, 2024 · USA · Male · 55 to 64 years
Excellent
Giuliano C. really made the history of Venice come to life. Even our 15 and 9 year olds were enthralled and never complained of boredom. The early tour was magical. We highly, highly recommend this tour.
Verified · Gueorgui · Aug 10, 2024 · Germany · Female · 45 to 54 years
FAQs
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.
Is this tour wheelchair accessible?
No. Unfortunately, due to site restrictions we cannot accommodate wheelchairs on this tour. If you use a wheelchair and book this tour by accident, we are happy to offer you credit for a future tour that is wheelchair accessible anywhere in the world, or a full refund.
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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