Venice Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica
Description
Combined guided tour the Saint Marks Basilica and the Doge's Palace: 1. Our guide will provide you with a wealth of information regarding Saint Mark's Square and then accompany you on a detailed tour of the Golden Basilica, once the private chapel of the Doge of Venice, admire the golden mosaics and impressive marble inlay flooring. 2. During the second part of the tour your guide will accompany you to the Doge’s Palace. Once inside, you will visit the halls where the Duke (Doge) and his Council controlled the fate of the Serene Republic. You will be able to admire the paintings realized by some of the most important artists of the Italian Renaissance, amongst them, the world's largest oil painting by Tintoretto. Passing through the famous Bridge of Sighs, you will reach the new prisons.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your guide will provide you with a wealth of information regarding Saint Mark's Square and then accompany you on a detailed tour of the Golden Basilica from Saint Mark's square, once the private chapel of the Doge of Venice, the only one of its kind in Italy, thanks to the sumptuous golden mosaics and impressive marble inlay flooring.
During the tour you will be able absorb the atmosphere whilst listening to your guide who will describe the biblical scenes represented throughout the building, together with history and particularities of this ancient Basilica. Visit Saint Mark's Basilica first floor museum and see the famous horses and admire Saint Mark's Square from the Basilica's terrace.
Continue your tour and skip the line inside the Doge's palace. Once inside the Palace, you will visit the halls where the Duke (Doge) and his Council controlled the fate of the Serene Republic, whilst surrounded by hundreds of artistic masterpieces and discover the political history of Venice and its people. You will be able to admire the paintings realised by some of the most important artists of the Italian Renaissance, amongst them, the world's largest oil painting by Tintoretto.
Passing through the famous Bridge of Sighs, you will reach the new prisons. The bridge was given its name by the English poet Lord Byron, probably referring to the last breath of the prisoners, who had their last view of the lagoon and of Venice from the window of this bridge, before they were to be imprisoned.
At the end of the tour, keep your Doge's Palace ticket to visit on your own: Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale and Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana in Saint Mark's square, opposite side of the Saint Mark's Basilica.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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 refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- Backpacks are not allowed inside the Basilica and the Doges Palace
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- 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 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.
- 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.
Reviews(192)
Great tour rich with history. So much too see. Famous landmarks and beautiful architecture. A must see
Small group and quick access with no waiting at all! Everything we wanted. We save a lot of time for the rest of the stay. Be sure to bring water before leaving! 2 hours non-stop (except for bathroom breaks)
The St. Mark's tour was lovely. Our guide was knowledgeable and spoke clearly so the entire group could hear her as we walked through the church. I will say I felt the tour could have been shortened by not spending quite so much time on tiny, less important details. The big things like the flood in the 60s, the restoration in early 70s, etc., those were very interesting. Some time to snap some pics and enjoy looking around, and we were ready to move on. Unfortunately due to some medical limitations in my family group, we didn't get to stick around for the Doge's Palace portion of the tour.
Hello Lisa, Thank you for your feedback. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
Very informative and fun. Our guide explained and shared with the group facts that you would not have on your own.
Thank you for your feedback. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
Our guide Gloria was very experienced and knew how to make the tour exciting, even for our children. Venice is an extraordinary city and this tour is a must if you can do it!
Bonjour Maud, Nous vous remercions pour votre merveilleux commentaire et sommes très heureux d'apprendre que vous avez apprécié l'activité. Merci d'avoir choisi l'une de nos visites guidées, et nous espérons vous accueillir à nouveau à Venise à l'avenir. Cordialement, L'équipe Venice Events
The two guides, very knowledgeable and prepared and very friendly, with a very good level of Spanish, made the visits very interesting. Fully recommended
Hello Joan, Thank you for your kind and thoughtful review. It means so much to the Team. Thank you and sending kind regards from Venice. We hope to welcome you again in the future. Team Venice Events
To start when we got to the meeting place our tour almost left without us The guide didn’t even acknowledge us. Another guest told us the tour was leaving. Then to add insult to injury I was denied entrance into the church because they didn’t like how much knee I was showing yet they let another guest go in showing the same amount of knee. We could not participate in the tour and when contacting viatoir they refused the refund Worst tour ever!
Hello Jacqueline, Thank you for your kind feedback. At the time of booking all rules are explained and guests must take note as these are the rules of basilica. Thank you for your kind understanding. Sending kind regards, Team Venice Events
Giuseppina is a passionate and exciting guide.... So many anecdotes, and history, choosing it allows you to discover the cathedral and the Doge’s Palace with a different perspective, and quickly understand the history of Venice, from its creation to its decline. All in perfect French!
Hello Michael, Thank you for your kind and thoughtful review. It means so much to the Team. Thank you and sending kind regards from Venice. We hope to welcome you again in the future. Team Venice Events
Amazing tour! Our guide was knowledgeable and fun! So grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the rich history of Venice!
Hello, Thank you for your kind and thoughtful review. It means so much to the Team. Thank you and sending kind regards from Venice. We hope to welcome you again in the future. Team Venice Events
The tour guide was fantastic. She went at a good pace for the group. She was very knowledgeable and her English was excellent and easy to understand.
Hello Melvin, Thank you for your kind and thoughtful review. It means so much to the Team. Thank you and sending kind regards from Venice. We hope to welcome you again in the future. Team Venice Events
