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SKIP THE LINE: Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica Tour

Top rated
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7
10998 reviews
Activity provider:
Bucintoro Viaggi
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SKIP THE LINE: Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica Tour
Likely to sell out
Top rated
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7
10998 reviews

Visit St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace on a group or private guided tour. See the Bridge of Sighs and New Prisons and, if the basilica is closed, the San Zaccaria Church or the Correr Museum.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 3 days in advance for a full refund
Duration 3 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
Italian, French, German, English, Spanish
Private or small groups available

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

5
5 out of 5 stars
L
Lisa – United States

Excellent! Our guide, Frederika, was very knowledgeable and did a great job explaining Venetian history.

5
5 out of 5 stars
A
Aaron – United Kingdom

Fredorica clearly had a lot of passion/patriotism for Venezia. So nice to hear someone so informative and humorous during the tour, it made the historic sights interesting and way more engaging. I cannot recommend this enough. Great start to our honeymoon Molto Grazie Fredorica!

Select participants and date

Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in the history of the Floating City with the help of your expert local guide
  • Miss the hordes with priority entrance for the Doge’s Palace
  • Choose from a private or shared group experience
  • See Venice’s Lagoon from the usually off-limits terrace at St. Mark’s Basilica
  • Hear anecdotes about how and why Venice was built on a lagoon in the 5th century and other fascinating facts

Full description

Delve deep into Venice’s history with a 3-hour guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge's Palace, either as a private tour or shared group experience. Take in two of the city’s most important landmarks while discovering the history of the one-time mercantile capital of the Mediterranean. 

Start by exploring St. Mark's Square with your guide before heading into the cathedral. From the first-floor terrace you’ll be able to admire views across the lagoon and see the famous bronze horses up close. Hear how they traveled all the way to Paris and back in Napoleon’s time.
St. Mark's Basilica sometimes closes to visitors without warning. If this happens, visit the Church of San Zaccaria or the Correr Museum instead, depending on availability. Take a tour of the beautifully ornate 15th-century church and its flooded crypt or learn about the art and history of Venice.

Next, you’ll use the priority entrance to reach Doge's Palace, formerly the residence of the leader of the Republic of Venice. Enjoy visiting the Chamber of the Great Council and courtrooms among other things. Highlights include frescoes by Tintoretto and the Giants’ Staircase. 

After this, cross the infamous Bridge of Sighs that links to the New Prisons. Learn how the bridge got its name and the purpose for its construction in the 17th century as you take in the amazing views of the canals.

At the end of your tour, feel free to stay and explore the Doge’s Palace with tips from your guide.

Includes

  • Guided tour with expert guide
  • Priority entrance to the Doge's Palace
  • St. Mark's Basilica first floor and terrace access ticket
  • Church of San Zaccaria and its crypt entry or Correr Museum entry (if St. Mark's Basilica is closed)

Not suitable for

  • Wheelchair users

Meeting point

Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

Important information

What to bring

  • Passport or ID card

Not allowed

  • Luggage or large bags
  • Backpacks

Know before you go

  • People with mobility impairments should be aware that the stairs to the upper part of the Basilica (Museum and Terrace) are steep and at times uneven
  • Shared group and private options do not always offer the same languages. Please check all languages of interest to find your preferred option type
  • St. Mark's Basilica is sometimes closed to visitors at short notice. If this is the case, you will visit the 15th-century Church of San Zaccaria and its crypt or the Correr Museum to learn about the art and history of Venice
  • You are welcome to explore the Doge's Palace at leisure after the guided tour
  • The Doge's Palace is asking visitors over 13 years old to show their passport/ID
  • As St. Mark’s Basilica is a holy place, people are asked to wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees
  • Backpacks or large bags are not allowed inside St. Mark's Basilica
Likely to sell out

From $146 per person

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5
4.7 out of 5 stars

based on 10998 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Transportation
    5/5
  • Value for money
    4.4/5

Customer photos

+566
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5
5 out of 5 stars
L
Lisa – United StatesJuly 11, 2025 – Verified booking
Excellent! Our guide, Frederika, was very knowledgeable and did a great job explaining Venetian history.
5
5 out of 5 stars
A
Aaron – United KingdomJuly 10, 2025 – Verified booking
Fredorica clearly had a lot of passion/patriotism for Venezia. So nice to hear someone so informative and humorous during the tour, it made the historic sights interesting and way more engaging. I cannot recommend this enough. Great start to our honeymoon Molto Grazie Fredorica!
5
5 out of 5 stars
B
Blake – United StatesJuly 10, 2025 – Verified booking
The tour was fantastic. Our tour guide explained the history of the St. Mark’s basilica, Doge’s Palace and the City of Venice so well. He had a true passion for telling the story of Venice. This tour is a must-do when in the City.

Product ID: 234117

Activity provider:
Bucintoro Viaggi

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