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(5,793)
Louisa our guide was great. She had an exceptional knowledge of the history and art and shared it in an informative, interesting manner. A few anecdotal stories of the people in history would have bought the tour ‘to life’. Great tour Louisa !
We had Luisa as our guide. She knew her art and history. Very informative. Would definitely recommend this tour. Loved it.
What a great tour with the best guide, Roberta. She was so knowledge, kind, and passionate. This was a great way to see the basilica and learn about Venice’s political and religious history. Highly recommend. Also- this basilica was the only one in Italy that actually made me cover my knees.
Beautiful tour by Roberta! She knew the history very well!
This trip involves a tremendous amount of walking and a lot of stairs. The time of year was problematic because it was extremely hot and the venues are not air-conditioned. Our tour guide, Francesca was amazingly knowledgeable and had a doctorate in archaeology. She was amazing. We were extremely hot and really wanting to go back to our air-conditioned hotel.
Tour was absolutely worth the money and early morning wake up. Eleonora was a fantastic guide, spoke English well, and it was great to see the palace and St Marks without the crowds early in the morning.
Roberta was a fantastic guide. Very friendly and engaging to everyone in the group; kids and adults. She taught us SO much about Venetian history, St. Mark’s Cathedral, and Doge’s Palace.
Grazia was very knowledgeable and explained in details about all the important places and spots. The tour included entrance to 2 major museums. I will for sure recommend.
It was a great tour! Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the church and the palace. She really had everyone engaged from start to finish. The art work was incredible! I would highly recommend this tour. You will not be disappointed in anyway.
Excellent morning. Great value to have a guide explaining what we were looking at to bring it to life. Also an easy way to get direct access to the facilities.
