Venice: St Mark's Basilica After-Hours Tour with Optional Doge's Palace
Description
Enjoy the luxury of avoiding the crowds and explore St Mark’s Basilica on an after-hours tour. Include an optional visit to Doge's Palace (if selected at the time of booking). Inside St Mark’s Basilica, admire treasured mosaics and a Byzantine altarpiece, and then follow your guide into the crypt where St Mark himself is believed to rest. Upgrade for late access to the Doge’s Palace by selecting the upgrade option at time of booking. With this option learn about the Higher Council Hall, the Doge's apartments, and the Bridge of Sighs as you explore. Please note that there may be a break of up to 1 hour between your Doge’s Palace tour and your exclusive After Hour Visit, due to temporary earlier closing time at the Doge’s Palace. Your guide in this case will provide bar/restaurant recommendations
Tour Options
Itinerary
Piazza San Marco
Exterior view & Photo stop
Basilica di San Marco, Veneto The best way to see St Mark's Basilica is without the crowds. Inside, take a deep breath. You’re experiencing St. Mark’s empty! No standing elbow-to-elbow with other tourists, no seeing the church as if through a strobe light from hundreds of popping flashbulbs, no noise from the crowds. Instead, you’re alone with your guide and the custodian. So you can experience the basilica as it should be experienced: in tranquility and peace.
The Doge Palace visit is included only when selecting the St. Mark's with Doge's Palace option at time of booking. Upgrade for late access to the Doge’s Palace by selecting the upgrade option at time of booking. With this option visit the armory, New Prisons and incredible council rooms and frescos of Palazzo Ducale. Travelling in small groups of 15 people or fewer, you’ll enter the Palace at the last entry time, finding one of Venice’s most popular attractions much quieter than at other times during the day.
The Torre d'Orologio is included with the Doge Palace option only.
The Bridge of sights visit is included with the Doge Palace option only. On this guided tour you’ll have the opportunity to explore the massive armory, and the spooky prisons. Finish with a visit inside the Bridge of Sighs, where your guide will tell you why it’s not quite as romantic as you thought.
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.
- 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.
- 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: This tour offers multiple options. Take a moment to choose the one that best suits your interests.
Reviews(1,502)
Romy gave an enthusiastic and detailed narration of the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Passionate and knowledgeable about the history of her city, Romy was born and grew up in Venice and attended the University of Venice as an art major, all of which informed the tour, including where to have a quick bite in San Marco Sq. during the break. The after-hours tour was peaceful and unhurried. An extraordinary experience in places usually quite crowded.
Denise was such a lovely guide. Our flight was delayed and we literally ran through Venice to make our tour time- and SO glad we did. Everything is empty! What a treat! We did the Doge Palace and St. Marks Basilica. Be aware that women have to have shoulders and knees covered in the church - I had to buy a scarf in the square.
Was an amazing experience. Our guide Denise was so passionate and truly new all the history of Doges Palace and St Marks. The after dark experience without the crowds is one that I will not forget. Amazing!
Denise was a very excellent guide! Absolutely loved how you could tell she is very passionate about her city and her buildings. Tour was extremely engaging and informative. She took the time to get to know each of her guests on a personal level, and made everyone feel welcome and appreciated.
Denise was AMAZING! You can tell she loves her home city and that she enjoys sharing all about Venice!
Valentina S was wonderful! Very informative and interesting.
Our experience tonight with Denise as our guide was amazing. She was knowledgeable, personable, and everything else we could want in a guide. On top of our wonderful guide, the actual time spent in Doge’s Palace and then alone in St. Marks is one we will never forget. Thank you!!
Very informative and gave tons of information about the history of Venice and the Doge and church. Valentine S was great.
Magical. Denise is a charming story teller. Well delivered, worth every minute of our preciois short time in Venice.
Valentina S was amazing. Great history lesson, but funny and approachable.
