Basilica, Doge's Palace, History Gallery & Bell Tower Option

Overview

Available languages

English

French

Mobile ticket

Experience an exclusive guided tour of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica, iconic landmarks of Piazza San Marco. Admire the grandeur of the Golden Staircase and stunning artworks in the Doge's Palace, and cross the Bridge of Sighs to explore the historic prisons where Casanova was held, reminiscent of Alcatraz’s mystique.

Visit St. Mark's Basilica, known as the Golden Basilica, to marvel at its glittering mosaics, as dazzling as any European cathedral. Then, enjoy a virtual reality experience at the History Gallery of Venice. With a VR headset, see Piazza San Marco as it once was, imagining the Basilica as the Doge's private chapel and the Palace as a medieval fortress.

Choose the St. Mark's Bell Tower option for panoramic views of Venice, much like viewing New York City from above. An elevator ride to the top offers breathtaking vistas of the domes, St. Mark's Square, and the lagoon. Enhance your visit with an audio guide and digital map for deeper insights.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

The official St. Mark's Basilica ticket price is €12.00 per person (standard) or €24.00 with terrace access; the remaining part of the price covers assistance at the meeting point, accompanied entry with a certified guide or host, access to the Venice Gallery with a dedicated VR experience, the use of an audio guide or radio system with earphones and sales costs.

A valid ID document is mandatory for security checks at the entrance to the Basilica.

Comfortable shoes suggested.

On Sundays, feast days and in case of unplanned religious celebrations the Basilica tour foresees the visit with direct access to the Terrace and to St. Mark's Museum situated on the first floor.

Due to the security reason, luggage and bags are not allowed inside the Basilica

Please note that the Marciana Library is closed on Sundays

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

Tour does not operate in case of exceptional high tide or in case of unplanned religious functions (in these cases it can be postponed to the day after otherwise it will be refunded)

For the visit of the Basilica suitable clothing is required (no shorts)

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

What‘s Included

Rialto Bridge Visit (if option is selected)

Bell Tower Priority Ticket (if the option is selected)

Bridge of Sighs Entrance

Skip the line ticket to Marciana Library (Closed on Sundays)

Skip the line Ticket to the St. Mark's Cathedral

Skip the Line Ticket to Doge's Palace

Guided tour by a qualified guide to Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Cathedral (if option is selected)

Skip the line ticket to Archeological Museum

St. Mark's Cathedral Terrace Entrance Ticket (if option is selected)

History Gallery - Venice in the past VR Experience

Skip the line Ticket to Royal Palace - Correr Museum (Empress Sissi Rooms & Napoleon Dancing Hall)

Hotel pickup & Drop Off

Food & Drinks

Guided Tour to Royal Palace - Correr Museum

Guided Tour to Marciana Library

Guided Tour to Archeological Museum

What To Expect

Doge's Palace

Visit the imposing Doge’s Palace with its marvelous rooms rich of artistic artwork made by famous venetian artists. You will discover the halls of power where the Doge and the highest politicians decided the faith of the Venice Republic. In these rooms you will be stunned in front of the “Last Judgment” by Tintoretto, one of the largest paintings in the world. Then the guide will escort you down in the old venetian prisons, passing through the magnificent Bridge of Sighs!

1 hour 15 minutes • Admission Included

Basilica di San Marco

The guided visit will proceed to the Basilica of Saint Mark, known also as the Golden Basilica, thanks to its uncountable mosaics made of pure gold! The guide will explain the history and meaning of the masterpieces that decorate the cathedral. (OUTSIDE TOUR IF THE BELL TOWER OPTION IS SELECTED)

1 hour • Admission Included

Options

St. Mark's Icons Classic Tour

English Guided Tour: A classic tour to the icon's of Venice: Doge's Palace and the Golden St. Mark's Cathedral (terrace not included).

St. Mark's Icons Grand Tour

English Guided Tour: Enjoy a full journey through St. Mark’s Basilica & the Doge’s Palace with the iconic Bridge of Sighs.

St. Mark's Icons Classic Tour

French Guided Tour: A classic tour to the icon's of Venice: Doge's Palace and the Golden St. Mark's Cathedral (terrace not included)

St. Mark Icons & Rialto Bridge

English Guided Tour : Charming tour of Venice’s top icons: Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica with panoramic terrace and Rialto Bridge.

St. Mark's Icons & Bell Tower

English Guided Tour: Explore the Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica, then ascend the Bell Tower for breathtaking views over the city.

Reviews

4.79

556 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

483

Lucia!!!
Brian H,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Lucia was knowledgeable and accommodating to the needs of the group. She is good to give the context as well as the content of history.
Great option for hitting the top two Venice sites
James Q,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Our tour was well organized the information online was helpful and precise. We had no difficulty finding the meeting place and it started on time. Our guide Helena was SUPERB!!! She was very knowledgeable, organized and responsive to our questions.
Interesting tour to discover the secrets of the basilica and the ducal palace
T7738QHlorenzol,
Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Tour made in English but Valentina explained everything very clearly so we had no problems. The guide told us about the details that even those who have already been to Venice in the past may not know!
Recommended tour
Ken S,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Saw many great sites. Valentina was the best! Learned so much from her! Great experience, highly recommended for Venice visitors.
Perfect tour. I really learned something!
dianamarinaf,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Valentina was our guide and it was amazing! I recomand the guided tours rather than going alone. After the tour you can wonder around as much as you want.
Valentina was amazing!
amysR5539GB,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Valentina was wonderful... ............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
50th Wedding Anniversary Trip.
dwizard214,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Valentina was a superb guide. She provided very interesting commentary beyond what the guide books offer. It was a pleasure.
Highly recommend
Elizabeth E,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My friends and I enjoyed Valentina’s tour of the Doge Palace and couldn’t recommend her enough. Great and interesting information in a timely manner.
Doge palace tour
484meirw,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Excellent and interesting tour, and helpful guide. We enjoyed it very much. A good balance of history, insight, and culture.
Don't miss this tour!
B3937OLmatthewg,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Valentina was an excellent tour guide. You can tell she loves Venice and history. Everything was explained so interestingly and clearly with enthusiasm and a sense of humor. This was the best tour of the city!