St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride
Description
This tour pairs Venice’s two most important landmarks with a 30-minute shared gondola ride. Use timed entry tickets to enter St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace with an expert guide. Learn fascinating details as you explore, from the basilica’s mosaics to the palace’s political history and prison passages. Finally, board a shared gondola, for a classic and memorable Venetian experience.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Use time entry to tickets to enter St. Mark’s Basilica, go through the required security line, then spend about 20 minutes inside with your expert guide. Admire gold mosaics, domes, and marble floors while your guide explains how Venice’s seafaring empire shaped this sacred landmark.
Move from St. Mark's across the square to the Doge's Palace. Follow your guide inside with time entry tickets, skipping the general admissions line. As you explore the Doge’s Palace, learn about the wild ways of the Venetian Republic under the rule of elected magistrates. This tour not only showcases the interior of this ornate palace, but also goes in depth about the crime and legal system that was once in place in the city of Venice. Admire classic works of Venetian art and visit Doge’s Palace’s main sights, such as the Grand Staircase and the Bridge of Sighs.
Following your guided tour of the Doges Palace, your guide will introduce you to some other highlights surrounding St. Marks Square like the stunning bell tower (exterior visit) and adorning portico's surrounding the square. Then take a 20-minute break to grab a snack and relax.
Lastly, join a quintessential Venice activity, a gondola ride! Left in the care of a trusted gondolier, enjoy the beauty of Venice from the water. Glide through the panoramic canals in a shared gondola, each boat accommodating up to 5 participants.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women to enter St. Mark’s Basilica; entry may be refused otherwise. Please avoid wearing sandals, hats, shorts, skirts, or tops that expose your shoulders.
- A valid government-issued ID is required for entrance to St. Mark's Basilica. The name on your ticket (entered at check-out) must match the name on your ID, or you may be refused entry.
- Your gondola ride is a shared experience, with each boat accommodating up to five guests. A professional gondolier will operate the boat, but please note that this portion of the tour is not guided. The ride lasts approximately 25 to 30 minutes, including the time needed to board and disembark.
Reviews(1,213)
We booked this full day tour months ahead as we were only going to be in Venice for a day and a half Four days before our tour they emailed and canceled our booking and did not explain why and told us we could Do the half day one So we took that as what choice did we have When I asked about refund since it went from Full day to half day they told us refund would be $24 in total Told them there must be a mistake as half day from full day would be more than $24 They told me nope all we get back is $24 I would never book with Tour Guy again
This was a great tour. The guide was knowledgeable and very nice. Gave us a thorough explanation of everything we saw. The gondola ride was also fantastic and a definite highlight of Venice!
Roberta was knowledgeable and friendly. She knew answers to every question we asked. She made our experience a fantastic one, thank you!
The tour with Roberta exceeded expectations. She was extremely knowledgeable about Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s, as well as being very friendly and welcoming for questions. I would absolutely book with Roberta again - 11/10 experience.
Roberta was amazing!! Very knowledgeable guide and loved the experience!!
Excellent tour! Filippo was excellent vey informative!!
Our guide was stupendous-knowledgeable, kind and funny. The sights were spectacular. The artwork and architecture were brilliant and my children were fascinated by the weapons and the old prison cells. The gondola ride capped it all off. This tour is well worth it!
Our tour guide Filippo was fantastic. Knowledgeable, funny and kind. We learned so much.
Philippo was really informative and friendly. He wasn’t rushed and answered any and all questions. I would definitely recommend.
Fillipo was an excellent guide
