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Venice Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica guided Tour: Detailed exploration of iconic landmarks
4.3
185 Ratings
Venezia
Experience the grandeur of Venice’s iconic landmarks on a guided tour of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. Explore the rich history and stunning architecture of these historic sites.
Experience the grandeur of Venice’s iconic landmarks on a guided tour of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. Explore the rich history and stunning architecture of these historic sites.
Duration:
2 hours, 15 minutes
Cancellation:
72 hours
Highlights
- Piazza San Marco - Your guide will provide you with a wealth of information regarding Saint Mark’s Square and then accompany you on a detailed tour of the Golden Basilica from Saint Mark’s square, once the private chapel of the Doge of Venice, the only one of its kind in Italy, thanks to the sumptuous golden mosaics and impressive marble inlay…
- Piazza San Marco - Your guide will provide you with a wealth of information regarding Saint Mark’s Square and then accompany you on a detailed tour of the Golden Basilica from Saint Mark’s square, once the private chapel of the Doge of Venice, the only one of its kind in Italy, thanks to the sumptuous golden mosaics and impressive marble inlay flooring.
- Basilica di San Marco - During the tour you will be able absorb the atmosphere whilst listening to your guide who will describe the biblical scenes represented throughout the building, together with history and particularities of this ancient Basilica.
Visit Saint Mark’s Basilica first floor museum and see the famous horses and admire Saint Mark’s Square from the Basilica’s terrace.
- Doge’s Palace - Continue your tour and skip the line inside the Doge’s palace. Once inside the Palace, you will visit the halls where the Duke (Doge) and his Council controlled the fate of the Serene Republic, whilst surrounded by hundreds of artistic masterpieces and discover the political history of Venice and its people. You will be able to admire the paintings realised by some of the most important artists of the Italian Renaissance, amongst them, the world’s largest oil painting by Tintoretto.
- Ponte dei Sospiri - Passing through the famous Bridge of Sighs, you will reach the new prisons. The bridge was given its name by the English poet Lord Byron, probably referring to the last breath of the prisoners, who had their last view of the lagoon and of Venice from the window of this bridge, before they were to be imprisoned.
- Museo Correr - At the end of the tour, keep your Doge’s Palace ticket to visit on your own: Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale and Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana in Saint Mark’s square, opposite side of the Saint Mark’s Basilica.
What's Included
- Personal audio system and headset for tour commentary
- Multilingual tour provided in: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian
- Entrance fees
- Saint Mark’s Basilica first floor museum and the terrace
- Guided tour of Doges Palace, Saint Marks Basilica and Saint Marks square
- Personal audio system and headset for tour commentary
- Multilingual tour provided in: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian
- Entrance fees
- Saint Mark’s Basilica first floor museum and the terrace
- Guided tour of Doges Palace, Saint Marks Basilica and Saint Marks square
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Entrance fees
- Museum and Loggia dei Cavalli on the 1st floor
- Gratuities
- Entrance fees
- Museum and Loggia dei Cavalli on the 1st floor
Additional Information
Combined journey to the Saint Marks Basilica and the Doge’s Palace:
-
Our expert guide will share interesting insights about Saint Mark’s Square and then guide you on an in-depth exploration of the Golden Basilica, formerly the personal chapel of the Doge of Venice. You’ll be able to marvel at the golden mosaics and stunning marble inlay floors.
2….
Combined journey to the Saint Marks Basilica and the Doge’s Palace:
-
Our expert guide will share interesting insights about Saint Mark’s Square and then guide you on an in-depth exploration of the Golden Basilica, formerly the personal chapel of the Doge of Venice. You’ll be able to marvel at the golden mosaics and stunning marble inlay floors.
-
The second part of your journey will take you to the Doge’s Palace, accompanied by our guide. Inside, you will get to experience the grand halls where the Duke (Doge) and his Council decided the destiny of the Serene Republic. You will appreciate the artwork made by some of the most renowned artists of the Italian Renaissance, including the world’s largest oil painting by Tintoretto. After crossing the famous Bridge of Sighs, you will enter the new prisons.
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- Backpacks are not allowed inside the Basilica and the Doges Palace
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- 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. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
Location
TU.RI.VE. Meeting Point
Calle larga de l'Ascension
15 min before in Calle larga de l’Ascension - 30124 (behind the Correr museum on the opposite side of the Saint Marks Basilica).
Look for the TURIVE assistant next to the post office San Marco.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Customer Ratings
4.3
(185 Ratings)
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U_a
Jul 6, 2025
Our guide Johanna was... - Our guide Johanna was amazing 👏 Very informative and engaging with everyone, especially with the young children in the group, while also respecting the adults in the group. Highly recommend 👌
Review provided by Viator
Eugene_e
Jul 5, 2025
Walking with history … - They were good set of tours. Our guide knew a lot and did. Nice job with the detail. The palace was a more impressive tour than the cathedral. The paintings were amazing. For both of them, it was really cool to be walking through the same halls as some of history’s most powerful figures.
Review provided by Viator
Sean_m
Jun 30, 2025
Great Experience! If you... - Great Experience! If you are in Venice, you must see St. Mark's and Doge's Palace and the tour really helped experience that the right way. Very informative with some really cool views as you make the climb. St. Mark's is amazing and the Doge's Palace and prison are really neat to see, especially passing over the bridge of sighs. Tour guide was great, despite facing the challenges of a very HOT day in Venice and having to balance the need to keep the tour going with helping those in the group who could not take stairs. It made for some delays along the way, but totally understandable. Overall, a cool, but very hot experience.
Review provided by Viator
Lynn_d
Jun 24, 2025
Elizabeth was extremely... - Elizabeth was extremely knowledgeable providing tremendous insight into the sights we were seeing. She read her tour group well and matched the pace for her group. She was engaging, even for my children.
Review provided by Viator
Trip3478913
Jun 23, 2025
Excellent Review of Architecture and Venetian History - This was one of the better tours we did. The quality of the audio was superior to several we did in Venice and Rome and our guide had a lot of really interesting and useful historical context. I highly recommend this as an early experience upon first visit to Venice as the real history of the city comes out. Thank you very much.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Audrey_r
Jul 9, 2025
I want my money back! - I called and asked for a reimbursement and got a email two days later saying my request was denied! The tour guide didn’t take us to the Terrace as we paid for!!! Both my friends family and my family booked this tour and we got ripped off! We both didn’t get reimbursed even though the Tour guide told them she was not told by the tour operator that it was part of our tour so she didn’t take us to the Terrace and we were already almost out and said we can’t go back in!
The attractions were beautiful but I want what I paid for! I recommend you ensure the tour operator and tour guide know exactly what tour you paid for so they give you just that! I want a reimbursement for the terrace it was a waste of money since we didn’t get to see it! Be careful what you pay for!
Review provided by Viator
Karen_w
Jun 28, 2025
Paid for skip the line... - Paid for skip the line and was told that something went wrong w the kids and had to wait on the regular line. Somehow she had enough info to cover 90 mins of wait on line. Overall good info
Review provided by Viator
Paula_l
Jul 6, 2025
Didn’t get what we paid for. - The tour was too expensive for what we got. The tour was supposed to include the San Marco first floor museum and the rooftop terrace. We paid for these activities and we were not allowed either one. Very disappointing.
Review provided by Viator
Josierina_s
Jul 2, 2025
Disappointed - Last June 9, my husband and I booked this tour as part of our wedding anniversary celebration. We booked the 2:45pm tour. We arrived at the meeting place at St Marks Square around 2:35pm. It was so crowded because there were other tours. I emailed the tour operator and I told him I could not find our tour guide. A certain JP emailed back and he said that I look for a guide holding a TURIVE flag. When I saw the flag, we immediately run to the female guide ( I learned later her name is Elizabeth). She was gathering the group as she was about to give her introduction). I politely asked her if we belong to her 3:45pm group and showed her my voucher that says our tour is for 2:45pm and I told her that I was advised that my guide was holding a TURIVE flag . She barely looked at my voucher and pointed me to the guy a few steps from her near the post office. When we approached the guy, he was talking with someone so we waited for a couple of minutes. When he was done, I showed him my voucher and says that my group has just left ( which I learned later was the group of Elizabeth).
He gave us 3 vouchers to do San Marco on our own abd he advised us to return to him at the post office after an hour. So my husband and I did the tour on our own at San Marco. We had to pay for audio guide. We hurriedly did the San Marco tour in less than an hour so we can go back to the guide in the post office which is on the other end of San Marco. Upon reaching the guy, he said that we need to walk back to San Marco with him because our guide was there. In the scorching Sun, we walked again to San Marco and we waited in front for about 10 mins. Then a guide was coming out of St Marco with her group behind her, and lo and behold , the guide was Elizabeth. The guy made us join the group of Elizabeth who barely acknowledged. I kept my composure upon seeing her as I do not want to spoil the time of our tour mates. We went with Elizabeth in the Doge’s Palace. In the middle of the tour as Elizabeth was talking, a man who is not part of our group asked Elizabeth a question about Doge’s Palace. Elizabeth thoroughly answered the man, explaining for about a couple of minutes. She talked to the man who is not part of our tour, yet she did not check my voucher in the beginning which will only take a few seconds, that will show that we are a part of her group. Elizabeth should show some consideration to the tourist. We travelled from far away place and our first tour of Venice was a dissapontment because of an inconsiderate tour guide which is Elizabeth.
The rest of the tours in Venice that we joined were very good because had a wonderful guide.
Review provided by Viator
Roger_g
Jun 20, 2025
Tour disaster - We were told last minute that there were computer problems and they couldn't get the skip the line tickets, so we would have to wait 45+ minutes in line plus the tour would tax extra hour. We didn't pay $249 to wait in line. We are expecting a full refund
Review provided by Viator
