Best Of Venice: Saint Mark's Basilica, Doges Palace with Guide and Gondola Ride
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Is your time in Venice limited? Would you rather spend your days in Venice eating, drinking, shopping and relaxing? Many visit Venice for just a day or two, meaning time is restricted if you're wanting to squeeze in the main sights. Experience the best of Venice in 3.5 hours, leaving you ample time to wander down romantic canal sidestreets and enjoy yourself without any need to rush. This 2.5 hour tour includes:
• St. Mark's Square and St. Mark's Basilica
• Enjoy Skip the Line Entry into the Doges Palace
• An English-speaking professional guide
• A gondola ride
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
We provide the skip the line tickets, so walk right past the long queue and go right on inside. During November through March, St. Mark’s Basilica does not offer skip the line entry because lines are generally non-existent.
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
Skip The Line Entry in the Doges Palace
Entry Into St. Mark's Basilica (valued at €12 per person)
Small-group size, maximum 20 participants
Professional art historian guide
Gondola ride
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
Best Of Venice: Saint Mark's Basilica, Doges Palace with Guide and Gondola Ride
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.
Reviews
789 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great learning experience
Jacqueline M,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The Best of Venice tour of St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the gondola ride was very good. Marco, our tour guide, clearly was highly educated, well spoken, and incredibly informative, with a way of explaining Venetian history that really clicked with us. Marco was engaging, and easy to listen to. This tour was well organized and offered a great balance of history. We learned a lot and enjoyed every moment.
Amazing tour
glennh819,,Jan 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fillipo was an amazing guide. He answered all of our silly questions and very knowledgeable.
Amazing
dafal2022,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Philipo is an amazing and experienced guide. Everthing is flawwless. Perfect for people visiting Venice. Thanks Philipo!
Excellent would highly recommend
Michaela R,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful tour and tour guide. We learned so much in just one day. This is the best tour when you have limited time and want to see and learn as much as you can. The tour guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and spoke excellent English.
Excellent tour of the true highlights of Venice
David B,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was very knowledgeable and he helped make the most out of a small group tour that doesn’t do too much traveling from place to place which sometimes I think is harder than the tours where you are constantly hopping between locations and buildings, when you have to make two or three building buildings fill the day wisely you’ve got a really add extra interest to everything and that was done very well.
We Scheduled this tour...
Maria E,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00We Scheduled this tour months ago. 4days prior to the tour we received a message saying that the tour is cancelled due to limited participants, but they can offer a different tour the same day. We agreed to that and they sent a NEW ticket/voucher reflecting the new price but NOT THE NEW TIME. Time that says on our ticket is 9:30 and we got there at 9:20. We were told that our tour started at 9am.
Great Tour and guides
C6190DDjackk,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Tour was great. Interesting parts of Venice were included not on our list of things to do. The price of admission was well worth it.
In depth tour with historical highlights of Doges Palace and St. Mark's Basilica.
Kristopher F,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is an in depth tour of Doges Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Plan to have lunch or a coffee before or after, as you'll need to sit and take in the beautiful surroundings!
Informational tour
Awilda O,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00It was convenient that we could enter to both places without issues, to the Doge's Palace and Basilica St Mark's. And the gondola ride was nice. The tour guide was very informative. She knew a lot of history.
Great tour of Venice highlights
Dennis P,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Marco, was the perfect blend of historical story telling and comedy. The tour was perfect for our family with teens who loved it (and they are hard to please). The gondola ride was the perfect length to get the experience on our trip to Venice. Definitely a must do tour!
From US$125.00
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