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

4.6
(594 reviews)
Venice, Italy

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 30 minute 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 Shared Venetian Gondola Ride
Venice Walking Tour
Timed Entry & Guided Tour of St. Mark's Basilica
Timed Entry & Guided Tour of the Doge's Palace
Professional Art Historian Guide
Hotel Pick Up / Drop Off
Food & Beverages
Gratuities

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
Colonna di San Todaro

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
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. Skip the long ticket line 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 iconic Rialto Bridge, a magnificent architectural gem that spans the Grand Canal.

    25 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Grand Canal

    Swap cobblestones for water 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 you came to Venice for.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 5
    Venice

    Enjoy 1.5 hours to choose your own lunch nearby. Grab a quick panini or settle into cicchetti, and ask your guide for a few reliable spots that fit your pace.

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

    Next, 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.
  • 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
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 594 594 reviews
5 stars
480
4 stars
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3 stars
22
2 stars
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1 star
25
Likely to sell out
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