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Go behind the scenes on a special access tour of the Doge’s Palace and discover the secret itinerary of the rulers of the Venetian Empire. See secret archives, offices, torture chambers, and more.
About this activity
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
- Reserve now & pay later
- Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
- Duration 2.5 hours
- Check availability to see starting times
- Skip the line through a separate entrance
- Live tour guide
- English
Highlighted reviews from other travelers
Mose, the tour guide was exceptional, funny, well informed and answered all the questions. The tour was very nice, specially the secret passageways to the prison cells and Casanova's cell. Well worth it.
Superb guide , extremely knowledgeable and personable A very interesting tour
Select participants and date
Itinerary
Starting location:
Museo Correr
Doge's Palace
Visit, Guided tour, Sightseeing (2.5 hours)
Finish at:
Piazza San Marco, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Main stop
For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.
Highlights
- View of secret prison chambers & archives of Doge's Palace
- Skip-the-line access and exclusive tour limited to 20 people
- Special visit to Casanova's prison cell & torture chamber
- Hear fascinating stories of Venice's history from your guide
- Explore the lavish Ca'Rezzonico at your own pace after your tour
Full description
See parts of the Doge's Palace that most visitors and many Venetians don't even know exist on this special access tour. Open to just 20 people at a time, this exclusive tour explores secret prisons, archives, offices, and even a torture chamber in Palazzo Ducale to reveal a darker side of history.
For those with an interest in art, history, literature, or scandal, the Doge's Palace is by far the most interesting building in Venice. Home to the world's oldest republic, it's quite literally a repository for its greatest secret and artworks all laid bare on this in-depth tour, offering a much more detailed picture of life in the Republic of Venice.
With your guide, a Venetian art expert and historian, enjoy skip-the-line access to the Doge's Palace and make a beeline for backstage. After a guard opens a special door, enter the hidden side of the palace to see the prison cell where Casanova was held, hear the unlikely tale of his escape, and visit the archives to learn how secrets were kept.
See hidden council rooms to learn of the system of checks and balances that made Venice the world's oldest republic and enter the best general access areas such as huge audience rooms, ballrooms with incredible paintings by Veronese and Tintoretto, and the private apartments of the Duke of Venice. Your VIP experiences ends with crossing the famed Bridge of Sighs to see the New Prisons on this small-group tour.
Say goodbye to your guide in St. Mark's Square and continue exploring Casanova's Venice at Ca’Rezzonico, the grand Baroque palace where Casanova lived in 1756. Your ticket is included in the price of your tour and you'll be able to wander its lavish halls at your own pace. Just a short walk from the Doge's Palace, Ca’Rezzonico is now a museum dedicated to 18th-century Venetian life and offers a glimpse into the opulent world Casanova navigated. From palace to another, it's a perfect end to your tour of Venice.
For those with an interest in art, history, literature, or scandal, the Doge's Palace is by far the most interesting building in Venice. Home to the world's oldest republic, it's quite literally a repository for its greatest secret and artworks all laid bare on this in-depth tour, offering a much more detailed picture of life in the Republic of Venice.
With your guide, a Venetian art expert and historian, enjoy skip-the-line access to the Doge's Palace and make a beeline for backstage. After a guard opens a special door, enter the hidden side of the palace to see the prison cell where Casanova was held, hear the unlikely tale of his escape, and visit the archives to learn how secrets were kept.
See hidden council rooms to learn of the system of checks and balances that made Venice the world's oldest republic and enter the best general access areas such as huge audience rooms, ballrooms with incredible paintings by Veronese and Tintoretto, and the private apartments of the Duke of Venice. Your VIP experiences ends with crossing the famed Bridge of Sighs to see the New Prisons on this small-group tour.
Say goodbye to your guide in St. Mark's Square and continue exploring Casanova's Venice at Ca’Rezzonico, the grand Baroque palace where Casanova lived in 1756. Your ticket is included in the price of your tour and you'll be able to wander its lavish halls at your own pace. Just a short walk from the Doge's Palace, Ca’Rezzonico is now a museum dedicated to 18th-century Venetian life and offers a glimpse into the opulent world Casanova navigated. From palace to another, it's a perfect end to your tour of Venice.
Includes
- Special access to the Doge’s Palace Secret itineraries
- Skip-the-line Doge's Palace tickets
- Expert Walks of Italy tour guide
- Small group of maximum 20 pax
- Ca'Rezzonico tickets (self-guided visit)
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick-up and drop off
Not suitable for
- Children under 6 years
- Pregnant women
- People with mobility impairments
- Wheelchair users
Meeting point
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.
Open in Google MapsImportant information
What to bring
- Passport or ID card
- Comfortable shoes
- Long pants
- Long-sleeved shirt
Not allowed
- Shorts
- Oversize luggage
- Luggage or large bags
- Sleeveless shirts
- Backpacks
Know before you go
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- Guests should be prepared for a moderate level of physical activity, which may not be suitable for travelers with certain health conditions or mobility limitations.
- Due to Doge's Palace regulations, children under the age of 6 are not permitted inside the secret itineraries and therefore cannot take this tour.
- This tour is not suitable for people who are claustrophobic.
- 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 the Doge's Palace, we cannot be held responsible. This is a situation beyond our control. No refund will be issued.
- This tour is in English.
- Please note that the museum is closed on Tuesday; on these days, you will receive the ticket for the next days
