K
Fantastic
Luigi a was fantastic! No, I spoke, engaging, energetic, cheeky.
Doge's Palace small group or private tour with a local guide
+8 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Price from
- $72 / person
- Location
- Venice, Italy
- Rating
- 4.8 / 5 · 16 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- TUI Musement
- Meeting point
- Meet your guide between the two big columns in the square (Colonne di San Marco and San Todaro). Please be at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before the start of the tour. The guide will hold a TUI sign.
Description
Ready to channel your inner Sherlock? Step into the UNESCO-listed Doge’s Palace, a stunning symbol of Venetian power and grandeur. Gothic vibes, lavish decor, and spine-tingling secrets await—especially as you cross the eerie Bridge of Sighs to the New Prisons. “It’s not just a name,” says Illaria, one of our local guides, “it’s where prisoners caught their last glimpse of Venice.” Start with insta-worthy shots of the courtyard, grand façade, and quirky lion mouth letterboxes—the old Venetian complaint system. Inside, marvel at the Golden Staircase, statues of Hercules and Atlas, and incredible ceiling art. Wander through the Great Council Hall, where Tintoretto’s Paradise demands a selfie. Next, dive into the Armory—portraits, swords, armour—and the luxurious Doge’s Apartments. Finally, cross the Bridge of Sighs and hear thrilling tales, including Casanova’s legendary escape. A real-life adventure through Venice’s dramatic past!
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM
- Next available
- Mon, Oct 26
- Adult (ages 18+)
- $72
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $383.
Larger groups pay less per person.
Out at sunset: the 3:00 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 4:56 PM in the coming weeks.
In demand: 49 of the next 137 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 21.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Palazzo Ducale
Visit, with a private guide, the stunning palace that has represented the center of the Venetian political power for centuries.
Brace yourselves for spine-tingling secrets as you cross the Bridge of Sighs to the New Prisons, where prisoners took their last peek at beautiful Venice.
What's included
Included
Entrance to St Mark's Square Museum
2-hour private tour
Friendly and local guide
Tickets and guided visit inside the Doge's Palace including the New Prisons and the Bridge of Sighs
Not included
Transportation to the meeting point
Guided visit inside St Mark's Square Museums
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.8
16 reviews
How it compares in Venice
- Starting price $72 is 42% below the typical $124 for tours of similar length in Venice
Excurgo comparison of 1,975 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- For security reasons sacks, bags or backpacks are not allowed inside Doge’s Palace
- 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
- You will visit in a small, shared group of up to 10 people. The small-group size gives you a personalized experience away from the crowds. Alternatively, you can opt for a private tour
- This ticket includes entrance to all St Mark's Square Museums (Correr Museum, Archaeological Museum, Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana) which you will be free to explore after the guided tour has finished.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Doge's Palace small group or private tour with a local guide take?
Doge's Palace small group or private tour with a local guide lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 2 stops.
How much does Doge's Palace small group or private tour with a local guide cost?
Prices start at $72 per person for this Venice experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $383. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Doge's Palace small group or private tour with a local guide run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM.
Does Doge's Palace small group or private tour with a local guide sell out?
It can: 49 of the next 137 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Doge's Palace small group or private tour with a local guide for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Meet your guide between the two big columns in the square (Colonne di San Marco and San Todaro). Please be at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before the start of the tour. The guide will hold a TUI sign. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Doge's Palace small group or private tour with a local guide offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 10 travellers can book together.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Doge's Palace small group or private tour with a local guide worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 16 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by TUI Musement.
Reviews(16)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
R
Fantastic guide
Luigia was fantastic. Enjoyed the tour.
6
Gina’s tour!
Very nice and patient. Gina is very familiar with the Palazzo! Treated kids great also.
S
Best guided tour with Eugenia!
Had an amazing tour which ended up being. A private tour for myself and our family. Eugenia was very nice and informative. Loved the experience, a must do!
C
Excellent experience
Excellent tour, we learnt a lot about the Doges palace and Venice. Our guide Ilaria was very knowledgeable and helpful.5⭐
A
We were with Tulia on a visit to the palace and it was excellent
The visit to the palace was guided by Tulia, who wonderfully described the history of Venice, the works of art as well as the context of events that took place in the past
P
Doge’s Palace…a must see for visitors to Venice
We had a wonderful tour of the Doge’s Palace. Our guide, Alexia, was outstanding! She provided excellent information and allowed plenty of time for questions and to take in the magnificence of Doge’s Palace. Her knowledge of her subject matter was superior. This tour is a must see for visitors of Venice. The information shared by our guide was invaluable in understanding Venice’s history and the political climate that existed at the time of the Doges. The Palace is breathtakingly beautiful.
T
Venice with Hilaria!
Hilaria was very good articulate friendly and very learned. I advise people to book her as guide!
Operator response
Dear Guest, thank you very much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that Hilaria was such a wonderful guide—articulate, friendly, and highly knowledgeable. Her ability to combine clear explanations with a warm approach truly enhances the experience, and your recommendation is a great recognition of her professionalism. Thank you again for sharing your feedback with us! Kind regards, Customer Service Team
A
Doge Palace
Luigina offered excellent explanations of Doge Palace. You can see her love of Venice through her words.
Operator response
Dear Guest, thank you very much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that Luigina provided excellent explanations of the Doge’s Palace. Her deep knowledge, combined with her genuine love for Venice, truly helps bring the city’s history to life, and your words are a wonderful recognition of her passion and dedication. Thank you again for sharing your experience with us! Kind regards, Customer Service Team
J
Amazing intimate tour with tons of information
An absolutely perfect experience! Tour was small and intimate and learned things we never would’ve without our guide.
Operator response
Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that the experience felt perfect from start to finish. A small, intimate group really makes a difference, and we’re thrilled that your guide helped you discover things you wouldn’t have learned otherwise. We hope to welcome you back for another great tour soon! Warm Regards, Customer Service Team
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from$72
4.8(16) Free cancellation