Venice: St Mark's Basilica After-Hours Tour with Optional Doge's Palace
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Enjoy the luxury of avoiding the crowds and explore St Mark’s Basilica on an after-hours tour. Include 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
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
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.
No refund will be provided if high tide prevents certain parts of the tour, but adjustments to the route will be made for client safety and comfort.
If access is restricted due to private events inside St. Mark's Basilica and/or Doge's Palace, we cannot be held responsible. This is a situation beyond our control. No refund will be issued.
This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
All guests must supply their full name that matches a valid ID at the time of the booking. Should you fail to provide these, your reservation will be canceled. Name changes are not permitted.
Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Marks Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument.
What To Expect
Piazza San Marco
Piazza San Marco
Exterior view & Photo stop
Options
St Mark's Basilica standalone
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes St. Mark's Basilica standalone: This tour visits St. Mark's Basilica after hours and does not include the Doge's Palace.
St. Mark's with Doge's Palace
This tour visits St. Mark's Basilica after-hours and includes the Doge's Palace. Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Private - St. Mark's Basilica
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes St. Mark's Basilica Standalone: This tour visits St. Mark's Basilica after hours and does not include the Doge's Palace.
What‘s Included
Local English-speaking guide
Bridge of Sighs (only if option with Doge Palace selected)
Bell Tower in St. Mark's Square (exterior)
Exclusive access ticket for St. Mark's Basilica (after closing)
Doge’s Palace (only if option with Doge Palace selected)
Marciana Library (exterior)
Pala d’Oro Altarpiece
St. Mark's Crypt
Expertly guided walking tour
Doge’s Palace tickets (only if option with Doge Palace purchased at time of booking) - €25
New Prisons (only if option with Doge Palace selected)
St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Reviews
1,495 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A great experience with a local flair.
DeanGarner,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A wonderful tour visiting local places featuring different tapas and dessert and wine. Giorgia was wonderful, personable, friendly, easy to talk to and knowledgeable.
Tour of San Marco and Doges Palace
jar21155,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very interesting and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend.. had both sites to our group. Avoid the crowds.
St Mark Basilica
davidmB5015YO,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful trip with Valentina S.
Great experience w Valentina S!
akpons,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Valentina S was wonderful! You can tell she really cares about Venetian history and St Mark’s. She was informative, kept a good pace, and pointed out the important things to know.
Amazing after hours tour!
jaredsB1575ID,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Romi did an incredible job! Super knowledgeable, fun, interactive. Amazing experience!
The best way to tour St. Marks and the palace
Paradise41871016058,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nico did an amazing job with our tour! He gave us so much information and happily answered all of our questions. You can tell he really loves his job. I would definitely take more tours guided by Nico! The after hours experience was absolutely the way to go. The mosaics shine so much brighter and having the absence of crowds made the experience so much better. I highly recommend!
Magical Experience of San Marco
sullivangreentara,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely wonderful experience. I am so glad we had this magical tour with Roberta who was so knowledgeable and passionate about the history of San Marco. It wasn’t as ‘exclusively’ small a group as we imagined but even with three or four other groups in the church at the same time, it was quieter and more intimate a visit than if we’d gone in the daytime And Roberta’s excellent knowledge made all the difference. I’d recommend it
Wonderful guide, fantastic tour!
Q5276RWsarahg,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Iole was a wonderful guide! Knew so much about the city in addition to the places we visited. Was willing to answer questions and did not hesitate to interact with the group. Visiting the cathedral at night was breathtaking!
Late night guided tour of the basilica and Doge’s palace.
E7757EIlidiad,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely fabulous! What an experience! Iole, our guide, was simply wonderful!
Amazing evening
cathyd899,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Iole led us on a fantastic evening. To see Doge’s palace and the St Marks church without crowds was awesome. And to add her excellent story telling and immense knowledge was incredible. Highly recommend.
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