Venice Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Semi-Private Tour
From€189
2 hours
Venice, Italy
About this activity
Discover Venice's rich history on a semi-private tour of Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica, featuring skip-the-line access and expert guidance.
Highlights
- Explore Doge's Palace's opulent rooms
- Admire St. Mark's Basilica's golden mosaics
- Skip long lines with priority access
- Learn Venetian history from expert guide
- Enjoy intimate tour with small group
Full description
Step into the heart of Venice's history with an exclusive semi-private tour of Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Skip the long lines and delve into the opulent rooms of the Doge's Palace, once the seat of Venetian power. Marvel at the intricate golden mosaics and architectural splendor of St. Mark's Basilica, a testament to the city's rich heritage. With a maximum of six participants, this intimate tour ensures personalized attention from your expert English-speaking guide, making your Venetian adventure both informative and unforgettable.
Included / Excluded
- Skip-the-line access to Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Semi-private group of up to 6 people
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Itinerary
1
Your Doge's Palace and Saint Mark's Tour will begin in Saint Mark's square, where you will meet your guide and join your exclusively Small Group of MAX 6 people. Begin your adventure into two of Venice's most famous sites in this most iconic and picture perfect square, learning all about its architecture, history and anecdotes.
Duration: 20 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2
Your first official stop will be Saint Mark's Basilica. Enjoy exclusive and privileged skip the (long) line access, and enter straight into what is also known as the Golden Basilica. Here, your guide will show you and guide you through the interior of this incredible church, musing on its history, anecdotes, and the many eras it has seen in its hundreds of years of existence. You will surely be stunned by the thousands and thousands of square feet of pure golden mosaics that completely cover the basilica's interior. There is quite literally no other place like this! An original, valid photo ID is required for entry to St. Mark's Basilica. Photocopies are not accepted.
Duration: 40 minAdmission: YES
3
Exit the Basilica, and continue your tour by enjoying once again exclusive access to the Doge's Palace, seat of Venice's government for centuries. You will be amazed by the secret stories your guide shares as you walk through the Doge’s private, luxurious apartments and powerful halls such as the Hall of the Great Council. Continue to explore the palace with a visit to the scary, dark and gory prison. After seeing the impressive collection of weapons, you will then stop at the notorious Bridge of Sighs. Enjoy the view and snap some perfect pictures for your album at home.
Duration: 1h 30mAdmission: YES
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour operates rain or shine
- Photography may be restricted in certain areas
- Children under 6 are free but must be accompanied by an adult
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets
- Bring a valid ID for entry
- Dress modestly to respect religious sites
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. You may risk potential refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
- On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
- Please note that tour starting times are subject to change based on ticket availability
- Each traveler must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to St.Mark’s Basilica
- Please provide the full names of all travelers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with all travelers’ full names at the ticket office prior to entry may result in denied entry to the attraction.
- The ticket includes a cost to enter St. Mark’s Basilica valued at 30 EUR per person.
Traveler reviews
5.0205 reviews
5
201
4
1
3
3
2
0
1
0
Beautiful Surprise
Amazing tour. I didn't think I liked mosaic very much until I saw this masterpiece - my heart exploded. The history is so powerful. Our tour guide was excellent and, because she is from Venice, you could feel her passion for the history.
Roger_SMay 24, 2026VIATOR
Best tour guide. Funny, knowledgeable, and kind
Filippo was amazing. He was so kind and patient. He kept us entertained, shared amazing information, and was so funny and chatty. We would come back and book with him again.
W5605YGdmMay 23, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Great tour in Venice
Terrific tour with Nico. He is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic.
Z3444QNstevefMay 18, 2026TRIPADVISOR
This was an exceptional...
This was an exceptional experience. Our tour guide, Martina, was absolutely wonderful. She was kind and incredibly knowledgeable. I would highly recommend this for anyone who wants to enjoy Venice’s rich history and culture!
Patrick_WMay 17, 2026VIATOR
Venice
Excellent tour. Guide very knowledgeable and personable. Small group allowed us to see, hear and enjoy all of the sites.
Steven_WMay 16, 2026VIATOR
Additional information
A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. You may risk potential refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
Please note that tour starting times are subject to change based on ticket availability
An original, valid photo ID is required for entry to St. Mark's Basilica. Photocopies are not accepted.