Best Of Venice: Saint Mark's Basilica, Doges Palace with Guide and Gondola Ride

4.6
(805 reviews)
Venice, Italy

3 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
Offered in: English

This tour pairs Venice’s two most important landmarks with timed-entry access, so you can fit St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace into a single half-day without wasting time in queues. With an expert English-speaking guide, you get clear context for what you see, from the basilica’s mosaics to the palace’s political history and prison passages. You finish with a 30-minute shared gondola ride, giving you a classic canal experience to match the sightseeing.

What's Included

Professional art historian guide
Time entry and tour of St. Mark's Basilica
Time entry and tour of the Doges Palace
Small-group size, maximum 25 participants
30-minute gondola ride (max 5 guests)
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
Colonna di San Todaro

Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early. Between the two big columns in St. Mark’s Square (columns of San Marco and San Teodoro) located on the south side of the square, near the canal. Your guide will be holding a "The Tour Guy" sign.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
  • 1
    Basilica di San Marco

    Skip the long ticket lines and spend about 20 minutes inside St. Mark’s Basilica. Admire gold mosaics, domes, and marble floors while your guide explains how Venice’s seafaring empire shaped this sacred landmark. Please note you still need to pass through the security line, and there may be a short wait.

    30 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 2
    Doge's Palace

    As you explore the Doge’s Palace, you’ll hear 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.

    1 hour 30 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 3
    Piazza San Marco

    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. You will also have a 20-minute break to grab a snack and relax.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Venice

    Now, it's time to partake in that quintessential Venice activity. That’s right, step right up to your gondola boat! Left in the care of a trusted gondolier, enjoy the beauty of Venice from the water. Fun fact: in the Venetian dialect, “gondolier” translates into “rowing master”. Glide through the panoramic Canals in a gondola accommodating up to 5 participants.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Since we will be entering a church, please make sure that your shoulders and knees are covered. Also, please refrain from bringing big back packs or bags, because they are not always allowed inside.
  • All guests must supply their full name and date of birth that matches a valid ID at the time of the booking. Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Mark's Basilica. Name changes are not permitted.
Supplied by The Tour Guy

Tags

Half-day Tours
Private and Luxury
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
Gondola Cruises
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 805 805 reviews
5 stars
630
4 stars
89
3 stars
38
2 stars
16
1 star
32
Likely to sell out
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