Legendary Venice: St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Tour

2750

3 h
All Day
20 max

Overview

Delve into Venetian history on a tour showcasing the city's most iconic structures—St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace—as an expert guide sheds light on the stories behind both iconic attractions. Skip the line into the legendary St. Mark's Basilica, where you’ll wander through the mosaic-clad interior and even step onto the balcony overlooking Piazza San Marco—reserved for only a select few! Then, continue to the Doge's Palace and step into the political heart of a powerful empire.

What's Included

  • Skip the line at two of Venice’s most visited sights.
  • Join a local Venetian guide for an incredible tour.
  • Go behind the scenes of St. Mark's Basilica.
  • Step out onto the basilica balcony for an exclusive view.
  • Visit the opulent Doge's Palace & the bleak New Prisons.
  • Admire spectacular frescoes by Veronese and Tintoretto.
  • Walk across the Bridge of Sighs from the inside.

Tour Itinerary

Stand alone and take a breath in the Doge's Palace having had the door opened exclusively for your group - an hour before the general public arrives! Note: This is only possible with the 8:00 AM booking time.

Combine the top two sights in Venice on one extraordinary tour led by an expert local guide. With pre-reserved tickets and skip-the-line access, you’ll head straight into St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace for an intimate small-group experience.

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Price from
$109
Free Cancellation
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Cannot add item with different currency from original order.

A Sustainability Message from Walks Tours

Walks Tours is dedicated to exploring the world’s most iconic attractions responsibly. Since 2009, we've guided over 3 million travelers, in small groups, to minimize impact and create genuine connection with each destination. By working with the best local guides and designing special access to crowded sites, we ensure a high-quality experience that supports sustainable tourism and preserves remarkable cultural heritage.
from $ 109
Free Cancellation
Book Now

Meeting Point

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets at Correr Museum in Piazza San Marco 52. Your guide will be waiting under the portico just outside the entrance of the museum.
Meeting Point Map

Total Customer Reviews: 2750

Verified Ratings
4.7 /5
based on 2750 Devour customer ratings
based on 2750 Devour customer ratings
Rating Summary by Category
Guide
4.8/5
Guest Support
4.7/5

Latest Reviews

Excellent
Our tour guide Roberta was amazing! She made the day fantastic!
Verified · Sally · Mar 20, 2025 · USA · Female · 45 to 54 years
Great
For us, the guide IS the tour and Walks employs some of the very best. This time we had Giuliano - who was not only knowledgeable but also very entertaining with a brilliant sense of humor.
Verified · Eric · Mar 19, 2025 · USA · Male · 65 to 74 years
Great
Tiana was excellent. There was a delay at Doge’s palace and she managed it to the best of her ability since it was beyond her control.
Verified · Jennifer · Mar 18, 2025 · USA · Female · 55 to 64 years
Excellent
Toured St Marks Basilica and the Doges palace with our guide Nico . He was absolutely superb - incredibly knowledgeable, humorous , and bought the history to life . Showed us details that we wouldn’t have seen - and the relevance to Venetian history. It was a brilliant 3 hours . Thankyou Nico .
Verified · Stephanie · Feb 26, 2025 · United Kingdom · Female · 55 to 64 years
Excellent
Our tour guide, Eleanora, was incredible! Super knowledgeable and engaging throughout the whole tour. We took the 8am tour which was great because Doge Palace was so quiet (St. Mark’s Basilica was definitely busy when we got there - this was our ending location). Definitely recommend this tour!
Verified · Eric · Oct 28, 2024 · USA · Female · 25 to 34 years

Know Before You Book

Can I bring a bag with me?
Large bags, trolleys and backpacks cannot be accommodated on this tour.
What's so special about the 8:00 am tour time?
The 8:00 AM tour time offer a unique and exclusive benefit - enter St. Mark's Basilica before it opens! With just your small group you enter through a side door and spend time alone in the Basilica. A truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, and created for Walks guests only. The 8:00 AM tour time is the only time with this special access, although the later times are also skip-the-line!
Does St. Mark's Basilica have a dress code?
Yes. Because it is a holy place, St. Mark's Basilica insists that both men and women wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. They can and will refuse entry to anyone who does not meet this standard and we can't do anything about it, so come prepared.
Could sites close on this tour?
Due to circumstances beyond our control, sites may occasionally close. We make every effort to stay as close to the advertised itinerary as possible but substitutions/omissions may be necessary.
Is this tour accessible to guests with mobility impairments?
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments, or for wheelchairs or strollers. Please contact the Guest Experience team at info@takewalks.com to make alternative arrangements.

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