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.
- 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. 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.
- 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 tour departures are 3 hours.
Reviews(5,581)
Roberta was an excellent guide. We learned so much and had such a wonderful experience.
Roberta gave us a wonderful tour of St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. She led us through all the different rooms and gave a fascinating historical tour. Thank you so much!
We had a wonderful experience! Our guide, Mosé, was fantastic!! He is so well-informed and such a great communicator, that he brought both the Basilica and the Doge Palace to life for us. Mosé has a deep appreciation, understanding, and love for the history of Venice and these incredible places, and his ability to weave together an overarching story to paint of picture of how/why these places were created and used made the entire tour very enjoyable!
Great guide, very knowledgeable English language was spoken well
Grazia was an amazing guide, very friendly and knowledgeable. We thoroughly enjoyed it!
Guide had encyclopedic knowledge and made tour very interesting. Best Italian tour
Susan the guide was wonderful and fully explained everything in clear detail. Worth booking this tour.
A fantastic tour of two beautiful and historical buildings. Marina was very well educated and shared many facets of these famous places; the architectural, religious, symbolic, political, economic, and even psychological techniques.
Susan was an amazing guide. Her knowledge was first rate and was able to engage the whole tour and was a fantastic story teller which made the information very relatable.
Paola was a fantastic guide. We were visiting during a massive heat wave and she made sure that we were prepared and that she paced the tour appropriately. We also had two teens and a seven year old and she kept her engaged in fun ways.
