Private Venice in a Day: St. Mark's, Doge's Palace, & Gondola Ride
6 hours
Max 8 people
Commentary: Guide · en
Venice, Italy
About this activity
Live the magic of Venice in one unforgettable day. Skip the lines at St. Mark’s Basilica & the Doge’s Palace, walk the Bridge of Sighs, and glide through the canals on a private gondola ride.
Highlights
- Live Venice’s golden age in a single extraordinary day – From St. Mark’s Basilica to secret canals, experience the magic of Venice’s most iconic sites.
- Skip the lines & enter St. Mark’s Basilica like a VIP – Admire its 99,000 square feet of gold mosaics, a shimmering testament to Venice’s wealth & power.
- Step inside the Doge’s Palace & cross the Bridge of Sighs – Walk through lavish halls, hear stories of intrigue & follow the path of Venetian prisoners.
- Drift through Venice’s canals on a private gondola ride – Experience the city as nobles once did, gliding beneath ancient bridges & hidden passageways.
- Unravel the legends of Venice with a Walks of Italy expert – From masked balls to stolen relics, your private guide brings the city’s past to life.
Full description
A Journey Through the Majesty of Venice in Just One Day
Venice is a city like no other—a floating masterpiece of art, history, and intrigue. But with so much to see, where do you begin?
On this Private Venice in a Day Tour, you’ll explore the city’s most breathtaking landmarks with a dedicated Walks guide—no crowds, no waiting, just an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the golden glow of St. Mark’s Basilica to a gondola ride through quiet canals, this is the Venice visitors dream of—but rarely experience.
Skip the Lines & Enter St. Mark’s Basilica Like a VIP
No trip to Venice is complete without marveling at St. Mark’s Basilica—but on this tour, you won’t just admire it, you’ll step inside with priority access.
- Stand beneath thousands of shimmering golden mosaics – See how Venice’s power and wealth are reflected in its Byzantine grandeur.
- Uncover the secret of St. Mark’s relics – Hear how Venice’s most sacred treasures were smuggled from Egypt and hidden within these walls.
- Admire the Pala d’Oro, a dazzling masterpiece of gold & gemstones – A treasure few travelers take the time to appreciate.
Step Inside the Doge’s Palace & Walk the Bridge of Sighs
For centuries, the Doge’s Palace was the seat of Venice’s power. Today, it’s a breathtaking museum of art, wealth, and political intrigue.
- Explore the lavish halls where Venice’s rulers held court – Walk beneath grand frescoes by Veronese & Tintoretto.
- Follow the footsteps of prisoners across the Bridge of Sighs – Step into Venice’s eerie past, where Casanova himself was once imprisoned.
- See the hidden dungeons of the Doge’s Palace – A rare glimpse into the dark side of the city of canals.
Drift Through Venice’s Canals on a Private Gondola Ride
Experience Venice as it was meant to be seen—from the water.
- Escape the tourist-packed Grand Canal – Your gondolier will take you through hidden waterways and serene back canals.
- See the city’s timeless beauty from a new perspective – Glide beneath ancient bridges and past secret courtyards.
- Live out a Venetian dream – A moment of pure tranquility and romance.
Why Choose a Private Venice in a Day Tour?
- A seamless experience—no lines, no crowds, just awe – Unlike large group tours, you’ll move at your own pace with expert guidance throughout.
- A deeper, richer Venice – Hear the legends of the city’s masked balls, secret passageways & stolen treasures from a guide who knows Venice inside out.
- Perfectly planned & stress-free – From skip-the-line tickets to a private gondola ride, every detail is handled for you.
Important: You must provide the following details for every guests in your party at the time of booking: first and last name. All guests must bring ID on the day of their tour as it is required to visit the St. Mark's Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument. Name changes are not permitted. This experience is refundable up to 7 days before your tour.
Included / Excluded
- Local English-speaking guide
- Expertly guided walking tour
- Skip-the-line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
- Pre-reserved ticket to the Doge's Palace (25€)
- Gondola Ride
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
- Lunch
Meeting point
Start Location
255 Campo San Giacomo di Rialto, Venezia, IT
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets outside the entrance of the Church of San Giacometto at Campo San Giacomo di Rialto 255, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy.
Get directions →Important information
Know before you book
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- If access is restricted due to private events inside St. Mark's Basilica and/or Doge's Palace, we cannot be held responsible. This is a situation beyond our control. No refund will be issued.
- In case of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather (heavy rain, strong wind, high tide) conditions that prevent the gondola ride from taking place or any operational or safety reasons beyond our control it may be substituted for another experience, but no refund will be provided.
- This tour is in English.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty
- All guests must supply their full name that matches a valid ID at the time of the booking. Should you fail to provide these, your reservation will be canceled. Name changes are not permitted.
- Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Marks Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument.
- This tour is fully refundable up to 7 days prior to the event. Within 7 days, this tour is 100% non-refundable.
Know before you go
- Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time for check-in. Out of courtesy to other guests, we’re unable to wait for latecomers. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows.
- Due to the religious nature of sites on this tour, all individuals (regardless of gender) must cover their shoulders and knees. It is acceptable to bring extra coverings to put on just before entering a holy site. Walks cannot be responsible for anyone denied entry.
- Sites visited on this tour occasionally close due to holy days, high tides, and/or flooding. If the local municipality restricts access due to high tide and there are no walkways available, it is the client’s responsibility to bring appropriate footwear (e.g., boots). The guide will modify the itinerary to include alternate dry paths whenever possible.
- Lunch is not included on this tour. Your guide will give you recommendations and tell you where to meet after lunch but please be aware that it is your responsibility to arrive at the meeting point in time for your PM tour.
- If the client chooses not to attend the walking tour due to adverse weather, no refund will be issued. However, the client may still participate in the second part of the tour if they notify us in advance.
- Large bags and backpacks cannot be accommodated on this tour.
- All guests must supply their full name that matches a valid ID at the time of the booking. Should you fail to provide these, your reservation will be canceled. Name changes are not permitted.
- Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Marks Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument.
- This tour is fully refundable up to 7 days prior to the event. Within 7 days, this tour is 100% non-refundable.
- Please be aware that this tour involves extended periods of standing, which may not be suitable for travelers with certain health conditions or mobility limitations.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 7 days before the activity starts
Cancellations received greater than 7 days prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 7 days 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.
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Additional information
Ticket age ranges:
- Adult (15+)
- Child (2-14)
- Infant (0-1)
- Adult (15+)
- Child (2-14)
- Infant (0-1)