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 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 3 hours: Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide: French, English, German, Spanish, Italian
Private or small groups available

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

Shannon – Canada

It was very informative and interesting. Our guide was fantastic

Nicola – New Zealand

Great guide, however he needs to be mindful of the people who have come out of a long time relationship & don’t need to be constantly reminded that Venice is the city of love. As sometimes tours are booked before breakups occur 😠😠😰

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

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 10853 reviews

Review summary

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

Customer photos

+525

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Our tour guide Francesca was amazing. She was super knowledgeable as well as very funny and engaging. I would absolutely book an other tour with her. The tour was only around 2.5 hours, not 3, but that was better. The price is a lot considering there were 20 people in the group and I imagine most of that money goes to the company and not the guide. Unfortunately, this is the nature of these tours.

Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access Tour