Best Of Venice: Saint Mark's Basilica, Doges Palace with Guide and Gondola Ride
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
This tour pairs Venice’s two most important landmarks with timed-entry access, so you can fit St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace into a single half-day without wasting time in queues. With an expert English-speaking guide, you get clear context for what you see, from the basilica’s mosaics to the palace’s political history and prison passages. You finish with a 30-minute shared gondola ride, giving you a classic canal experience to match the sightseeing.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Since we will be entering a church, please make sure that your shoulders and knees are covered. Also, please refrain from bringing big back packs or bags, because they are not always allowed inside.
All guests must supply their full name and date of birth that matches a valid ID at the time of the booking. Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Mark's Basilica. Name changes are not permitted.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Basilica di San Marco
Skip the long ticket lines and spend about 20 minutes inside St. Mark’s Basilica. Admire gold mosaics, domes, and marble floors while your guide explains how Venice’s seafaring empire shaped this sacred landmark. Please note you still need to pass through the security line, and there may be a short wait.
Palazzo Ducale
As you explore the Doge’s Palace, you’ll hear about the wild ways of the Venetian Republic under the rule of elected magistrates. This tour not only showcases the interior of this ornate palace, but also goes in depth about the crime and legal system that was once in place in the city of Venice. Admire classic works of Venetian art and visit Doge’s Palace’s main sights, such as the Grand Staircase and the Bridge of Sighs.
What‘s Included
Professional art historian guide
Time entry and tour of St. Mark's Basilica
Time entry and tour of the Doges Palace
Small-group size, maximum 25 participants
30-minute gondola ride (max 5 guests)
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
Full Day Option + Walking Tour
Duration: 6 hours
Your 6-hour tour includes:: St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace & Gondola Ride + Walking Tour of Rialto Bridge, Market and Venice's quiter areas.
Best Of Venice: Saint Mark's Basilica, Doges Palace with Guide and Gondola Ride
Reviews
800 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great Venice experience
Antony J,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Booked this tour at short notice and wasn’t disappointed. The guide Philipo was enthusiastic and his information and detail interesting and relevant. Very well organised and the highlight of our Venice experience.
Wonderful
teodoran909,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was an amazing experience where I learnt lots of new informations about the history of Venice!
Very informative
edwardhM2569XO,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome very informative and knowledgeable easy to ask questions
Take the tour
Emily H,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a nice informative tour- our guide Paula was very knowledgeable and friendly! We learned so much about the place.
Tour of St Marks and Doge
Q3572COsherryr,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was great. Marco did an excellent job explaining things and really worked with the group.
Great tour
C2797LImiked,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Phillip was amazing! Very kind and knowledgeable
A fantastic tour given by...
Kristian L,,Feb 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A fantastic tour given by Marco of the Doge's Palace and Basilica St Marco. He was very informative and humorous which made the 2 1/2 hour tour fly by. Would throughly recommend.
Great tour. Very...
Kirk R,,Feb 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour. Very knowledgeable and fun guide. Your was well organized and saw all of the popular sites. The gondola ride was very nice as well. Marco was great.
A must see!
Kristen E,,Jan 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Filipino was a wonderful guide, warm and engaging. He had a nice sense of humor, his English was perfect and very easy to understand. I wish we could have had him for every tour we did in Venice! The Doge’s Palace, and St Mark’s Basicilica were very interesting and stunningly beautiful! Highly recommend this tour. Finished with a lovely gondola ride.
We love Phillip!
SarahM14838,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I believe our tour guides name was Phillip. He was very patient and experienced. He explained everything very well and had a depth of knowledge regarding venetian history and landmarks. Our children (10 and 13 yrs old) were kept engaged and enjoyed the experience as much as us. Thank you for a great experience.
From US$125.00
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