4.8(12 reviews)
Exclusive Alone In St. Mark's & Doge's Palace Tour
3.5 hours
Max 20 people
Commentary: Guide · en
Venice, Italy
About this activity
Explore St. Mark’s Basilica & the Doge's Palace after closing time, with exclusive after-hours access to both Venetian wonders.
Highlights
- Explore the two most famous sights of Venice in the most exclusive way. Enjoy a Doge’s Palace night tour when all visitors have left, then unlock the doors to enter St. Mark’s Basilica after closing time.
- Visit grand council rooms, the Doge’s apartments, and incredible frescos by Veronese and Tintoretto on our Doge’s Palace tour, then enjoy access to areas not usually seen by the public on our exclusive St. Mark’s visit.
- Travel in small groups of 25 people or less for a more intimate experience. And since this late entry time at St. Mark’s is exclusive to Walks of Italy, we can guarantee a max of three other groups inside the huge basilica during your visit.
Full description
Step behind closed doors to experience St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace after all the crowds have gone.
During the day, St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace are packed with visitors, making it difficult to fully appreciate the grandeur of these stunning spaces. That's not the case on this tour. We've worked with both sites to secure VIP access after closing time, giving you ample room to appreciate both of these gems of Venetian art and architecture in relative peace.
Enjoy a Doge's Palace night tour alone after the doors close to the public.
You’ll start your VIP evening at the Doge's Palace just as the doors close, leaving you almost alone to explore with your small group. What the Vatican is to Rome, the Doge's Palace is to Venice. For 700 years, this remarkable palace has been home to not only the Doge (the Duke of Venice), but to Venice’s independent government, courts, and even prisons.
During the day, St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace are packed with visitors, making it difficult to fully appreciate the grandeur of these stunning spaces. That's not the case on this tour. We've worked with both sites to secure VIP access after closing time, giving you ample room to appreciate both of these gems of Venetian art and architecture in relative peace.
Enjoy a Doge's Palace night tour alone after the doors close to the public.
You’ll start your VIP evening at the Doge's Palace just as the doors close, leaving you almost alone to explore with your small group. What the Vatican is to Rome, the Doge's Palace is to Venice. For 700 years, this remarkable palace has been home to not only the Doge (the Duke of Venice), but to Venice’s independent government, courts, and even prisons.
We’ll take you right to the heart of Venice’s power and history on our Doge’s Palace night tour, from the Doge’s own lavish apartments to the Hall of the Great Council, where the city’s all-important general assembly made decisions before beautiful paintings by Veronese and Tintoretto. Learn the secret behind why the painted series of doges is interrupted by a mysterious black veil, and discover what the Doge really did, who he was, and why you might not want the job yourself.
You’ll also get to explore the massive armory, with all the weapons you wouldn’t have wanted to face—and the spooky prisons, where you wouldn’t have wanted to end up! Cap it all off with a stroll through the interior of the Bridge of Sighs, which you’ll learn isn’t quite as romantic as you thought.
Enter St. Mark's Basilica after closing for the most exclusive visit available.
After a short break you’ll continue to St. Mark's Basilica where you’ll get the real treat—and the highlight of our night tour. Meet an official custodian of the Basilica, who will unlock the doors and usher your small group inside. This VIP access is only available to Walks of Italy, so you’ll see the Basilica almost alone!
After a short break you’ll continue to St. Mark's Basilica where you’ll get the real treat—and the highlight of our night tour. Meet an official custodian of the Basilica, who will unlock the doors and usher your small group inside. This VIP access is only available to Walks of Italy, so you’ll see the Basilica almost alone!
Enter this stunning space and take a deep breath. You’re seeing the Basilica as few visitors will ever see it—and as only the Doge himself was allowed to see it: empty! There won’t be any crowding, bustling or shouting during your visit. Just the peace and tranquility with which this basilica, one of the world’s most impressive, should be seen.
To take full advantage of our VIP visit, your guide will lead you to the Pala d’Oro, a stunning Byzantine altarpiece covered in over 1,900 gems and usually blocked by a very long line. You'll also have a special visit to the crypt, where our custodian friend will unlock the door for you. Above ground, get up close to the altar, where your guide will tell you the strange story of how the bones of St. Mark came to rest so far from where they originally lay.
And of course, be sure to look up. Night is the best time to admire the basilica’s 43,000 square feet of gold mosaics, shimmering through the dark.
Small groups, local guides & special access provide a truly VIP experience.
Traveling in small groups throughout your tour, you’ll find it easy to hear and engage with your guide—and to ask all the questions you can think of. Listen to tales of swashbuckling merchants who fitted the basilica with stolen jewels and precious stones, how Casanova escaped from the prisons of the Doge’s Palace, and how Venice managed to earn the title of the world’s oldest republic.
Traveling in small groups throughout your tour, you’ll find it easy to hear and engage with your guide—and to ask all the questions you can think of. Listen to tales of swashbuckling merchants who fitted the basilica with stolen jewels and precious stones, how Casanova escaped from the prisons of the Doge’s Palace, and how Venice managed to earn the title of the world’s oldest republic.
On this in-depth, exclusive tour, you won’t just see the two most important sights in Venice; you’ll explore and fully understand them. Handpicked for their knowledge, enthusiasm and friendliness, our local guides are the perfect hosts to help you get the most from your Venetian adventure.
Sites Visited
Private access to St. Mark's Basilica at night
Pala d'Oro
St. Marks' Basilica Crypt
St. Mark's Square
Doge's Palace (including the Hall of the Great Council and courtrooms; the Doge's apartments and Sala della Scrutinio)
Bridge of Sighs
Palace Armory
Prisons
Bell Tower (outside)
The Maricana Library (outside)
Torre d'Orologio (outside)
Sites Visited
Private access to St. Mark's Basilica at night
Pala d'Oro
St. Marks' Basilica Crypt
St. Mark's Square
Doge's Palace (including the Hall of the Great Council and courtrooms; the Doge's apartments and Sala della Scrutinio)
Bridge of Sighs
Palace Armory
Prisons
Bell Tower (outside)
The Maricana Library (outside)
Torre d'Orologio (outside)
Included / Excluded
- Exclusive access ticket for St. Mark's Basilica (after closing)
- After-hours ticket to the Doge's Palace
- Small groups of 25 guests maximum
- Expertly guided walking tour
- Local English-speaking guide
- Headset
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting point
Start Location
Museu Correr, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
Museo Correr, P.za San Marco, 52, 30124 Venezia, VE, Italy
Important information
Know before you book
- Our group tour utilizes multiple areas that are not wheelchair accessible. Those with wheelchairs should contact us so we can arrange your visit.
- Sites visited during this tour are subject to occasional closures due to holy observances, high tides, and/or flooding. If a site closes, your guide will tour the exterior of the site. If time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
- Walks comply with all local government regulations. You may need to wear a mask or provide proof of vaccination to enter certain venues. Please refer to Italy government guidelines for the most up to date information
Know before you go
- This tour is in English.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- The tour meeting time is 15 minutes prior to the start time. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows.
- If you cannot join your tour at the last minute (running late, etc), please contact us. We may be able to reschedule your tour with a small amendment fee depending on availability.
- Our group tour utilizes multiple areas that are not wheelchair accessible. Those with wheelchairs should contact us so we can arrange your visit.
- Due to the religious nature of St. Mark's Basilica, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. You can bring extra covering (scarves, etc) to put on just before entering St. Mark's. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.
- Sites visited during this tour are subject to occasional closures due to holy observances, high tides, and/or flooding. If a site closes, your guide will tour the exterior of the site. If time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
- Large bags and backpacks cannot be brought into St. Mark's Basilica.
- On certain days, due to our ticket time to enter St. Mark's Basilica, there may be a bit of extra time between your visit to the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica to visit a local cafe or shop.
- Walks comply with all local government regulations. You may need to wear a mask or provide proof of vaccination to enter certain venues. Please refer to Italy government guidelines for the most up to date information
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 72 hours before the activity starts
Cancellations received greater than 72 hours prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 72 hours of tour commencement are nonrefundable. Amendment requests are subject to availability and price changes. Late arrivals and no shows are nonrefundable. This is applicable to any tour participant that fails to arrive, or arrives after tour departure.
Reviews
4.8(12 reviews)
Théo
Sep 20264.0
Chutes mythiques et impressionnantes mais les explications de la visite sont parfois inutiles et servent à combler le temps.
Amélie
Sep 20264.0
Activité tout compris avec bateau et vue des chutes des tunnels, la guide était très sympathique et apporte des anecdotes à la visite , merci 🙏🏻
Robert
Sep 20265.0
If you’re gonna see Niagara Falls, this is the tour to do it on!