St Mark's Basilica: Discover Hidden Treasures and Optional Doge's Palace Tour After-Hours

Discover hidden treasures in St Mark’s Basilica on an after-hours tour, with the option to visit Doge’s Palace. Explore the basilica’s mosaics and crypt, and upgrade for a late entry tour of the palace’s council rooms and frescos.

Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Piazza San Marco - Piazza San Marco
  • Basilica di San Marco - Basilica di San Marco, Veneto

Inside, take a deep breath. You’re experiencing St. Mark’s Basilica as almost nobody else does, or ever has ever been able to (aside from the Doge himself)—empty! No standing elbow-to-elbow with other tourists, no seeing the church as if through a strobe light from hundreds of popping flashbulbs, no noise from the crowds. Instead, you’re alone with your guide and the custodian. So you can experience the basilica as it should be experienced: in tranquility and peace.

  • Doge’s Palace - The Doge Palace visit is included only when selecting the St. Mark’s with Doge’s Palace option at time of booking.

Upgrade for late access to the Doge’s Palace by selecting the upgrade option at time of booking. With this option visit the armory, New Prisons and incredible council rooms and frescos of Palazzo Ducale. Travelling in small groups of 15 people or fewer, you’ll enter the Palace at the last entry time, finding one of Venice’s most popular attractions much quieter than at other times during the day.

  • Bridge of Sighs - The Bridge of sights visit is included with the Doge Palace option only.

On this guided tour you’ll have the opportunity to explore the massive armory, and the spooky prisons. Finish with a visit inside the Bridge of Sighs, where your guide will tell you why it’s not quite as romantic as you thought.

  • Torre dell’Orologio - The Torre d’Orologio is included with the Doge Palace option only.
What's Included
  • Professional guide
  • Doge’s Palace tickets (only if option with Doge Palace purchased at time of booking)
  • Small groups of 25 people or fewer
  • After-hours St. Mark’s Basilica tickets
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

Explore St Mark’s Basilica without the crowds on an after-hours tour, and enjoy an optional visit to Doge’s Palace (if selected at the time of booking). Inside St Mark’s Basilica, admire treasured mosaics and a Byzantine altarpiece, and then follow your guide into the crypt where St Mark himself is believed to rest. Upgrade for late access to the Doge’s Palace by selecting the upgrade option at time of booking. With this option learn about the Higher Council Hall, the Doge’s apartments, and the Bridge of Sighs as you explore. Please note that there may be a break of up to 1 hour between your Doge’s Palace tour and your exclusive After Hour Visit, due to temporary earlier closing time at the Doge’s Palace. Your guide in this case will provide bar/restaurant recommendations

  • Our group tour utilizes multiple areas that are not wheelchair accessible.
  • Photography is not permitted inside the Basilica.
  • Due to the religious nature of the Basilica, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. A scarf or shawl is acceptable. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.
  • Walks / Devour complies with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up-to-date information.
Location
Museo Correr
Piazza San Marco
Correr Museum (Museo Correr) in Piazza San Marco. Meet under the portico just outside the entrance of the museum. Your guide will be holding a Walks sign.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.7
(1178 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Donna_h
Jul 26, 2024
After-hours tour is the BEST way to see stunning St Mark’s! - Bringing the lights up slowly - breathtaking ! The access to the altar area - front and back. Also access to the crypt. No crowds. Our guide was amazing - wonderful sense of humor! So much knowledge and information to share. Worth every penny!
Review provided by Viator
Ron080
Jul 26, 2024
The only way to see the Palace and Basilica - This is the best way to see the Basilica and Palace ! No crowds and no lines. Just 25 people on the tour. Extremely informative. Be prepared to do a lot of walking especially in the palace. Bring water and there is a 20 min break between the 2 stops. Highly recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
419teet
Jul 25, 2024
An experience like no other - If you only do one thing in Venice do this. It was wonderful, to be able to sit in silence in the Basilica and watch the ceiling come to life as the lights slowly came up.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pierrete3663rd
Jul 24, 2024
A magical evening - Our Guide Grazia was super friendly, a good storyteller and knew the story behind the story. Lots of information! Visiting after hours is magical, the atmosphere is calm and allows you to see everything up close without the rush.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marcia_p
Jul 23, 2024
Highly recommended this tour - Our tour guide Nico was enthusiastic and shared with us his knowledge about the history of Venice and how the art and sculptures reflect that history. Being able to see both the Palace and Basillica without the crowds was great. Also, we were able to go to areas in both that normal visitors cannot access. And we were allowed to take photographs in Saint Mark's which is not allowed normally. Definitely a recommended tour.
Review provided by Viator
N3773ggdang
Jul 23, 2024
A wealth of history - The tour can run long so be prepared but you run the risk of only seeing the beautiful exterior of a basilica without a tour. 1200 years of history that shaped Europe. Every square inch of the basilica is magnificent and it’s hard to fathom the work and detail that went into its construction. Doges palace is an inside look at the early working of a justice system. The walls are adorned with paintings from some of Italy’s most famous artists. The prison is eye opening. We were blessed with a wonderful guide who was well versed in Venice history. I left with a grand appreciation of Venices past and place in the developing world.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Richm-travel
Jul 21, 2024
Beat the Crowds and Tour Doges Palace and St. Mark's After Hours - We took the after-hours tour of the Doges Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica with Walks of Italy in Venice. Overall, this was a very positive experience. Being in the palace and the basilica with only about 60 people versus the hundreds or thousands during the day is well worth the extra money (especially during the hot summers). It is easy to spread out, listen to the guide and get a real sense of what it was like several hundred years ago. Our guide, Paolo, was wonderful. She provided so much information, but it was in the form of stories to paint a picture of what it was like to be a Venetian. At the Basilica, they turn all the lights off then slowly turn them back on creating a bit of a light show. A very nice touch. This tour is 3.5 hours and could probably be about 2.5 hours. We toured Doges Palace first, then had to wait for evening mass to finish before entering the Basilica. So, there are some logistical challenges there. But, overall well worth it to tour when the crowds are gone and it is a bit cooler (there is no AC in the Palace or the Basilica).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mark_p
Jul 19, 2024
Awesome experience - One of the highlights of our trip. Our guide was fantastic. During the day it is such a crowded and hectic place, so being able to be there at night and having it almost all to yourself was awesome.
Review provided by Viator
John_b
Jul 18, 2024
Definitely do a tour! - Having seen the lines during the day for self-guided tours of the Doge’s Palace & the Cathedral, I was instantly convinced we made the right decision with this basically private, after-hours tour of both. This is a VERY THOROUGH tour of the Doge’s Palace. Bring a fan, it is very hot and you will climb 4 flights of stairs and come back down - and it gets hotter the higher the floor. Be aware there is a break between the Doge’s Palace and the St Mark’s tour and there is almost no place you are allowed to sit down in the square - head to the canal & there are benches where you can rest. St. Mark’s after hours is very special. You and several other small groups will be led to the chairs that act as pews in the relative darkness and silence. They will slowly turn on the lights, highlighting the details of the inside of the cathedral. After you are allowed to soak this in for 10 minutes, the guides return and you will get a more detailed tour of the basilica, including the crypts. Please be respectful and cover your shoulders and knees for the St Mark’s portion. Coverups can be purchased in St Mark’s Square if you aren’t prepared to wear pants or sleeved shirts for both parts of the tour. Our guide was local and was baptised in St. Mark’s and has lived in Venice her whole life. Her passion definitely made the tour more enjoyable! Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Susan_c
Jul 14, 2024
Disappointed - This tour was a bit of a disappointment. We were on a tight schedule trying to fit in both the Basilica and Doge Palace. However when the tour started, we were told we would go to the Palace, then there would be a break and we could have dinner on our own for an hour. Then we would go to the Basilica. Well, 45 minutes into the tour we were still listening to the guide at the beginning of the Palace. So, we left the tour and went through the palace on our own. We had to forgo the Basilica.
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 9 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today