Legendary Venice: Doge's Palace, St Mark's & VIP Terrace Access
Description
With skip-the-line tickets and an expert guide, you’ll explore Venice’s top two landmarks, St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, in just two unforgettable hours. Wander the gilded council rooms in the Doge's Palace, cross the Bridge of Sighs, uncover enthralling stories of power and politics, and marvel at the golden mosaic ceiling in St. Mark's Basilica. Note: If you select the Private Legendary Venice option (max 6 people) or Legendary Venice with Terraces option at time of booking, you’ll have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to admire beautiful views from the balcony over St. Mark's Square. These options have a tour duration of 3 hours.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Begin in the world-famous St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) and take a moment to appreciate the breathtaking space laid out in front of you. Your guide will lay the foundation for your experience, setting the scene of centuries of Venetian history under the famed arched portico.
Start your day at Palazzo Ducale, or Doge's Palace, home to the doge, or duke, of Venice and his seat of government. As your guide leads you through its grand chambers and council rooms, they'll point out paintings by renowned Venetian masters such as Veronese and Tintoretto. You'll hear how Venice was ruled from within these walls and about some of its famous prisoners, including Casanova. You'll even walk in their footsteps as you cross the Bridge of Sighs from the palace and into the grim New Prisons. Note: Step inside the Doge’s Palace before it opens to the public to wander the empty chambers—an exclusive early access experience only available on this tour’s 8AM departure. The 8AM tour also includes a tour of St. Mark's Basilica and special access to the terraces with incredible privileged views of St. Mark's Square.
It's a short walk next door to St. Mark's Basilica, Venice's most important church. Skip the long lines and marvel at a breathtaking blend of Eastern and Western architecture, specifically the magnificent shimmering golden mosaic ceiling. As you tour the basilica, your guide will reveal the fascinating (and often scandalous) stories behind the basilica’s greatest treasures, including how many were brought to Venice under mysterious circumstances. Note: If you select the Private Legendary Venice option (max 6 people) or Legendary Venice with Terraces option (9:30am tour) at time of booking, you’ll have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to admire beautiful views from the balcony over St. Mark's Square. These tour departures are 3 hours and do not include exclusive early entry to Doge's Palace; you will enter after the palace has opened to the public for the day.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- 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. 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). For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
- No refund will be provided if high tide prevents certain parts of the tour, but adjustments to the route will be made for client safety and comfort.
- 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.
- St. Mark’s Basilica can be subject to closures due to particular liturgical celebrations, especially during major religious holidays such as Easter or Christmas. In the event that the Basilica is closed, explanations will be provided from the outside.
- 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.
- Please note: This tour offers multiple options. Take a moment to choose the one that best suits your interests.
Reviews(5,772)
A wonderfully interesting tour, full of detailed historical information. Laura was a knowledgeable and engaging guide. We would definitely recommend this tour to others.
This tour started early but was worth the it. We missed most of the crowds and felt like calm exploration of Venice’s history. Mosè was an amazing guide with a wealth of information and a passion for the history of the city. Would highly recommend!
amazing experience with Roberta! plenty of times for breaks, local knowledge. she gave us recommendations for things to do in the area and was very pleasant!
Mose crafted an absolute amazing experience. Booking the first tour of the day is well worth the early morning. Having the doge to yourself is great.
This was an amazing tour. What made it special was Alex our tour guide. He was a wealth of knowledge and so enthusiastic about the history of Venice. He really made even my teenage kids interested in history. They had microphones that worked perfectly and you could actually hear everything which was a real added bonus. Highly recommend.
Mose was a great guide and storyteller. Excellent descriptions of what we saw as well as fun background and history. One of the best tours we have had anywhere! Thank you Mose!
The exclusive access to the Doge Palace was an incredible part of our time in Venice. 22 of us had the whole place to ourselves and the guide had the time and room to show the art and architecture and explain the inner workings of the Republic of Venice when it was a world power. The Cathedral with it's multitude of mosaics was amazing. We never would have worked out the sequence and enormity of the effort on our own. The access to the balcony was beautiful and gave us both a close-up of the art and amazing views of the square and the lagoon. Mosé was very a knowledgeable, articulate, and thorough guide. The extra access he had made this experience very worth our while.
Moses was an amazing guide . full on excellent & often humorous information about both buildings & the historical culture & events of the time. I would give it a 10- perfect score - the early morning tour was great as well were alone & it was not too hot yet. We had a break to grab a drink to cool off in the middle. Perfect tour..Loved Moses!!!
The exclusive access to the Doge Palace was an incredible part of our time in Venice. 22 of us had the whole place to ourselves and the guide had the time and room to show the art and architecture and explain the inner workings of the Republic of Venice when it was a world power. The Cathedral with it's multitude of mosaics was amazing. We never would have worked out the sequence and enormity of the effort on our own. The access to the balcony was beautiful and gave us both a close-up of the art and amazing views of the square and the lagoon. Mosé was very a knowledgeable, articulate, and thorough guide. The extra access he had made this experience very worth our while.
Mose was THE BEST GUIDE I've ever had on any tour! He was passionate, funny, and had exceptional knowledge.
