Private Tour
Private Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica After Hours Night Tour
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
This Private Night Doge's Palace and St Mark's Tour is a perfect way to visit two of the most famous sights in the city. You will begin in St Mark's square, where you will hear all about the long history of this famous piazza, as you make your way to the Doge's Palace. Your private guide will regale you with the stories of famous prisoners who were kept in the dungeons of the Palace, as you roam the opulent rooms, prisons, courts and halls of the Doge’s Palace. Then, you will make your way to St. Mark's once it has already closed its doors. That's right! With this tour, you will have exclusive After Hours access: only you, your group, and your tour guide!!
Once inside the basilica, you will be mesmerised by a spectacular light show highlighting the sacred art and mosaics which adorn the golden mosaic ceilings. You will also see the Pala d'Oro altar, and descend into the crypt where St Mark himself is laid to rest.
We guarantee this to be a once in a lifetime experience!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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
Please note that tour starting times are subject to change based on ticket availability
Places of worship have strict dress code requirements for entry. All participants are required to have shoulders and knees covered (no tank tops or short dresses) to enter.
Due to the highly variable nighttime opening and closing times of Doge’s and St. Mark’s, your tour may need to take up to a 1.5 hour break between the two sites, in which case your guide will recommend a local restaurant or bar in which to wait. In some cases, however, there will be no break. In all cases, the total duration of the guided tour will ALWAYS be three hours, regardless of the break time.
An original, valid photo ID is required for entry to St. Mark's Basilica. Photocopies are not accepted.
Please provide the full names of all travelers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with all travelers’ full names at the ticket office prior to entry may result in denied entry to the attraction.
Admission to St. Mark’s Basilica is included (valued from €50 per person).
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Piazza San Marco
Your Private Night Doge’s Palace and St. Mark's Tour starts in one of the most beautiful and famous squares in all of Venice – St Mark’s Square – which has stood through wars, flooding, changes in governments for over a millennium. As you admire the square's romantic, historic and powerful atmosphere, your guide will give you a good idea of the timelines and history of this famous piazza before, as you make your way inside the Doge’s Palace.
Palazzo Ducale
An exemplary work of Venetian Gothic architecture, the Doge's Palace was once the seat of the Venetian Republic and their leader, the Doge. For over 700 years, this impressive palace has housed 120 powerful Doges, as well as government offices, prison cells and the Court. You will be mesmerized by the stories your guide will share with you as you stroll through the Doge’s private, ornate apartments and impressive halls with their enormous paintings and frescoes. Walking through the corridors with your private guide you will appreciate the whole gamut of Venice’s history, not only the romantic and polished side, but also its most secret and mysterious corners. This tour takes you behind the scenes, allowing you to learn about the fear and authority the Palazzo Ducale used to represent. Your private guide will regale you with the stories of famous prisoners who were kept in the dungeons of the Doge’s Palace...discover the most famous one!
What‘s Included
Exclusive Access into St Mark's after it has closed!
Private, Professional, Expert and Local Tour Guide
Admire the Pala d'Oro, and descend into the crypt where St Mark himself is buried
Discover the Doge's Palace, touring the prisons, apartments and courts of this historic Palazzo
Enjoy a magical light show of the Golden Mosaics inside St Mark's Basilica
Food and Drink
Gratuities
Options
Private Night Tour of Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica
Reviews
63 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing after-hours tour of Venice!
nicoledD4368ZT,May 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Brankica was an amazing guide! She was very knowledgeable and we learned so much about Venice and its history. It was fun and entertaining and I highly recommend!
Amazing tour!
Mohamad M,May 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour was incredible and Pamela was a truly exceptional guide: her story was pleasant and she was able to answer all our questions, including the more technical ones about the construction of the building. The visit to the Basilica was memorable, without the crowds
Awesome Venice tour with Nico!
JenS760,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful time with Nico touring the Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s after hours. He is so knowledgeable about Venice and loves the city and its history. We all learned so much. Seeing St Mark’s light up from the dark was incredible. If you can, doing the private was so worth it!
A fabulous private tour with tullia
mezack,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was magical. It was the last nite of our trip and Our tour guide, Tullia Greggio was fabulous. Her knowledge and her joy in sharing couldn't help but make u realize u were witnessing something very special. Her interesting stories made u feel like u had been there for those events. She always took careful consideration of our safety and well being. Well worth the money to see it like that and learn so much with such an enjoyable person as tullia
Five Stars
philsX8481CI,Apr 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great tour with Martina. She has a wealth of knowledge and did a wonderful job of enhancing our visit to those two sites.
Paola's private Doge and St. Marks tour
patriciabX2461GI,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Livtours has amazing tours! Paola was so knowledgeable and so nice on our tour. She showed us everything and taught us so much. St. Marks is a must do at night. Having a private tour allows for so much information. And, after our tour, she shared her favorite pizza place with us....and it was also amazing.
At the heart of Venice’s history in the evening
Guillaume S,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Donatella is an amazing guide, she shared her passion for the history of Venice. An unforgettable moment at the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica!
Fantastic tour!
Escape83439,Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic tour of the Palace and Church with Nico! He was friendly, funny and very knowledgeable!! My husband loves History and Nico answered all his questions enthusiastically. Both the palace and the Church are incredibly beautiful and were made even more so with Nico and all his knowledge of the two. What a great night! We highly recommend this tour!
St. Mark’s and Doge Palace outstanding
V384WAtriciaw,Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sabrina was delightful and very knowledgeable. The tour was outstanding and St. Mark’s was stunning. We all truly enjoyed the tour and our time with Sabrina.
Outstanding!!
Jerry R,Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This by far is one of the best tours we have booked in our travels to Europe. Nico our tour guide made the experience that much more enjoyable. Extremely knowledgeable young man. Never felt rushed and took his time explaining all the little details that only a local would know. Thank you viator and more so Nico. Highly recommended.
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