Venice in A Day: St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace & Gondola Ride

4.6
(693 reviews)
Venice, Italy

6 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English

This Venice tour is built for travelers who want the city’s major sights and quieter corners in one efficient day. Pre-reserved tickets help simplify entry for St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, two of Venice’s most important landmarks, while your guide connects the city’s golden mosaics, maritime power, council halls, and old prisons into one clear story. Between the headline sites, you’ll follow narrow lanes and tucked-away courtyards toward the Rialto Bridge, seeing a side of Venice many visitors miss when they stay only in St. Mark’s Square.
The experience also includes a 30-minute shared gondola ride, so you see Venice from the canals as well as on foot. With timed-entry tickets, a guided walking route, and free time for lunch, this tour gives you a practical, well-paced way to cover Venice’s essential sights in a single day.

What's Included

Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of Doge’s Palace
Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica (€12)
Walking tour of Rialto Bridge and Venice’s quieter areas
Expert English-speaking guide
30-minute shared gondola ride
Free time for lunch
Lunch
Guide tips

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
Colonna di San Todaro

Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early. Your guide will meet you between the two big columns in St. Mark’s Square (columns of San Marco & San Teodoro) located on the south side of the square, near the canal. A representative will be there holding a sign with ''The Tour Guy'' on it.

End point
Doge's Palace

Itinerary

Duration: 6 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Piazza San Marco

    Your tour begins in St. Mark’s Square, Venice’s central public plaza. Meet your guide and learn about the history of this iconic piazza, home to St. Mark’s Basilica.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Basilica di San Marco

    Known as “The Church of Gold”, St. Mark’s Basilica’s elaborate design features gold mosaics and marble slabs. Use timed entry tickets and learn about the basilica’s storied history during a guided tour of the stunning Basilica.

    30 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 3
    Ponte di Rialto

    After your visit to the basilica your journey continues into the hidden back alleyways of Venice, guided by a knowledgeable local. Learn about the history and legends surrounding the Rialto Bridge, a magnificent architectural gem that spans the Grand Canal.

    25 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Grand Canal

    Check off a bucket list item as you board a shared gondola with others from your group (max 5 guests). Drift through canals for 30 minutes and see the postcard views Venice is famous for.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 5
    Venice

    Enjoy 1.5 hours to choose your own lunch nearby. Grab a quick panini or enjoy some cicchetti, and ask your guide for a few local recommendations.

    1 hour 30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 6
    Doge's Palace

    After lunch, explore the fascinating Doge's Palace with an expert guide and timed entry tickets. This Palace used to be the home of Venice's public administration. At the same time, it operated as a prison, where some of Venice's criminals saw their last days. Explore the fascinating artwork of the Doge's Palace, and get a glimpse of the famous Bridge of Sighs, the bridge that connects Doge's Palace to its prison.

    2 hours Admission ticket included

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • The order of stops may change due to timed entry schedules, crowds, or operational reasons, but you will still visit the same key sights listed.
Supplied by The Tour Guy
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Tags

Half-day Tours
Private and Luxury
Cultural Tours
Walking Tours
Gondola Cruises
City Tours
Water Tours
Likely to Sell Out
Viator Plus
Excellent Quality
Top Product
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate
Curated Catalog
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

4.6 Based on 693 693 reviews
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Likely to sell out
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