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

4.6
(536 reviews)

6 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English

If you want to make sure you cover the highlights of Venice, this full day tour is your best choice. If you’re only spending a few days in Venice, covering the best attractions in a single day is a smart idea. That way, you can spend the remainder of your time in Venice sipping Prosecco by the canals. This tour includes stops at St Mark’s Basilica and Square, the Rialto Bridge, Doge’s Palace (including Casanova’s prison cell), a half hour gondola ride and plenty of hidden gems along the way. A lunch break is scheduled into the tour - we would never let you go hungry in Italy!

What's Included

30-Minute Venetian Gondola Ride
Visit the Famous Rialto Bridge & Market
Skip the Line Entry & Guided Tour of the Doge's Palace
Professional Art Historian Guide
Small Group Size of Maximum 19
Access to St. Mark's Basilica (valued at €12 per person)
Skip the Line Entry & Guided Tour of St. Mark's Basilica
Hotel Pick Up / Drop Off
Food & Beverages
Gratuities

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Please Arrive 10 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

Itinerary

Duration: 6 hours (approximately)
  • 1

    Meet our Guide Your Venice in a Day Tour begins in St. Mark’s Square, Venice’s central public plaza. Your guide will teach you the history of this iconic piazza, home to St. Mark’s Basilica.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2

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

    30 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 3

    Rialto Bridge & Neighborhood After your visit to the basilica your journey continues into the hidden back alleyways of Venice, guided by a knowledgeable local. You'll Immerse yourself in the history and legends surrounding the iconic Rialto Bridge, a magnificent architectural gem that spans the Grand Canal. As you cross this historic bridge, you'll venture into the bustling Rialto neighborhood, brimming with charm and character. Learn fascinating anecdotes and tales about the bridge's significance while taking in the enchanting ambiance of this popular district.

    25 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 4

    30 Minute Gondola Ride When experiencing Venice, you absolutely must ride a gondola. We’ve included this experience in our Venice in a Day tour. As the first part of the tour concludes, your tour guide will bring you to a trusted Venice gondolier who will take you on a scenic cruise down Venice’s beautiful canals (max 5 per vessel). After experiencing this bucket list moment, you’ll break for lunch.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 5

    Enjoy some free time for lunch. Following your enchanting Gondola Ride, take a moment to bask in the magic of this unforgettable experience. Allow the memories of gliding through the Venetian canals to synchronize within you as you enjoy a leisurely period of free time for a delightful lunch.

    1 hour 30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 6

    Guided Tour of the Doge's Palace After lunch, explore the fascinating Doge's Palace, or "Duke's Palace." 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. Even though your tour will conclude after visiting the Doges Palace, your guide will be happy to advise on how to get back to your accommodation, or perhaps advice where to enjoy some local food & a spritz!

    2 hours Admission ticket included

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any walking impairments that require special assistance on our group tours. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages.
Supplied by The Tour Guy

Tags

Half-day Tours
Cultural Tours
Walking Tours
Gondola Cruises
City Tours
Water Tours
Likely to Sell Out
Viator Plus
Excellent Quality
Best Conversion
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 536 536 reviews
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