Legendary Venice: Doge's Palace & St Mark's with optional upgrade
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
With skip-the-line tickets and an expert guide, you’ll explore Venice’s top two landmarks, St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, in just two unforgettable hours. Wander the gilded council rooms in the Doge's Palace, cross the Bridge of Sighs, uncover enthralling stories of power and politics, and marvel at the golden mosaic ceiling in St. Mark's Basilica. Note: If you select the Private Legendary Venice option (max 6 people) or Legendary Venice with Terraces option at time of booking, you’ll have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to admire beautiful views from the balcony over St. Mark's Square. These options have a tour duration of 3 hours.
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 St. Mark's Basilica, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. You can bring extra covering (scarves, etc) to put on just before entering St. Mark's. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.
Sites visited during this tour are subject to occasional closures due to holy observances, high tides, and/or flooding. If a site closes, your guide will tour the exterior of the site. If time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. If the local municipality restricts access due to high tide and there are no walkways available, it is the client’s responsibility to bring appropriate footwear (e.g., boots). For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
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 tour is non-refundable. 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.
If you select the Private Legendary Venice option (max 6 people) or Legendary Venice with Terraces option at time of booking, you’ll have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to admire beautiful views from the balcony over St. Mark's Square. These tour departures are 3 hours.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 7 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 7 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
What To Expect
Piazza San Marco
Begin in the world-famous St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) and take a moment to appreciate the breathtaking space laid out in front of you. Your guide will lay the foundation for your experience, setting the scene of centuries of Venetian history under the famed arched portico.
Doge's Palace
Start your day at Palazzo Ducale, or Doge's Palace, home to the doge, or duke, of Venice and his seat of government. As your guide leads you through its grand chambers and council rooms, they'll point out paintings by renowned Venetian masters such as Veronese and Tintoretto. You'll hear how Venice was ruled from within these walls and about some of its famous prisoners, including Casanova. You'll even walk in their footsteps as you cross the Bridge of Sighs from the palace and into the grim New Prisons. Note: Step inside the Doge’s Palace before it opens to the public to wander the empty chambers—an exclusive early access experience only available on this tour’s 8AM departure. The 8AM tour also includes a tour of St. Mark's Basilica and special access to the terraces with incredible privileged views of St. Mark's Square.
What‘s Included
Pre-reserved ticket to the Doge's Palace (25 €)
Local English-speaking guide
Exclusive Early Entry to the Doge's Palace (8 AM only)
Skip-the-line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica 12€, St. Mark's Basilica + Museum 24€
Exclusive access to the balcony of St. Mark's Basilica (if option selected)
Headsets when necessary
Gratuities
Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Lunch
Options
Legendary Venice Tour
Doges's Palace & St Mark's : Discover the seat of Venetian power at the Doge’s Palace and then skip the line into St. Mark's Basilica on this express tour
Legendary Venice with terraces
Small Group: Venice’s top attractions—St. Mark’s Basilica w/ terraces, and the Doge’s Palace—Exclusive Doge's Palace Early Entry, 8AM only
Private - Legendary Venice
Legendary Venice w/ Terraces: Explore Venice’s top attractions—St. Mark’s Basilica & terraces, and the Doge’s Palace—on a private guided tour.
Reviews
5,000 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great experience!
L7026MQnoraa,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a fantastic experience with our guide Valentina. She explained everything thoroughly . She left us wanting to learn more about Venice! Thank you!
Fabulous storyteller
MStory teller,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Valentina is a fabulous storyteller. She kept us engaged for 3 hours and brought alive Venice. Thank you so much for this really insightful tour
Great tour
698slyj,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00It was very interesting and very descriptive and she was very thoughtful and I learned many new things it was really good overall
Venetian Tour!
audreyjR2380YQ,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide gave such an excellent tour. Very knowledgeable and the tour showed and explained lots of Venetian history. So cool!
Marvelous
Christina F,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Carolina was a marvelous tour guide. At each point of the tour, she delivered interesting and detailed knowledge that provided a wonderful education. Our family of 4 really enjoyed this tour.
Wonderful tour!
Christy A,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Carolina was one of the best - if not the best- tour guides we have ever had. We are frequent travelers to Europe aways book multiple tours. I could not recommend this tour more highly. She brought Venice to life with her charismatic story telling.
Marco Secchi a great photo tour.
richardmQ5586QR,,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Marco is an excellent photographer as well as having a wonderful eye. I booked a private 3-hour photo tour in Venice, which lasted 4 hours. The photos I got with him are just amazing. He sets you up for success. Even a photo that i thought would be nothing, which was a photo of an Unmrella store, is a beautiful artistic photo. He is easy to talk to and his enthusiasm for photography is infectious. If you are ever in Venice and are a photo enthusiast it is worth every penny to go with him
Wonderful
Christina C,,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Laura was very knowledgeable and patient. She shared many stories and was enjoyable to be with. Highly recommended
Information-packed tour
MARTHA M,,Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide, Paula, was incredibly knowledgeable about the history of Venice, St. Mark's Cathedral, the doges, and their palace. I highly recommend this tour. It's quite long and packed with interesting information. Paula speaks English with an accent, but she was perfectly understandable. I highly recommend this experience--particularly if you are a history buff.
Great experience
mmhely,,Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great way to see these main sights of Venice. Our host Matteo was a great story teller and knowledgable. Good sized group and personable. Thank you
From €85.00
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