Private Tour
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Embark on an exciting journey through Venice's most prominent landmarks with a private, child-friendly guide and interactive scavenger hunt! Visit St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace with skip-the-line access - no waiting in lines - essential when traveling with potentially impatient little ones! Your private expert guide will provide you with entertaining stories, fun facts and century-old mysteries. The tour has been specifically crafted for everyone in the family to get involved and learn!
At the beginning of the tour, each child will receive a scavenger hunt booklet with a map, colorful pens, riddles to solve, and a prize at the end of the tour. Along the way, explore the 'Golden Basilica' of St Mark's with it's gorgeous golden mosaics, then visit the grand courtrooms and prison of the Doge's Palace, and cross the infamous Bridge of Sighs. Listen carefully and keep your eyes open to find the clues and solve the riddles as you make your way through this enchanting city!
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
The interactive children’s booklets are only made in English.
This activity booklet is designed for children from ages 5 – 10 years old and is perfect for mixed age families; if older children are also present, our guides are capable and ready to adapt material and the tour’s content
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.
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.
The ticket includes a cost to enter St. Mark’s Basilica valued at 30 EUR per person.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Basilica di San Marco
The fun begins inside St Mark's Basilica where you and your family can enjoy the gorgeous golden mosaics that adorn the Basilica as your guide provides you with historic anecdotes and clues to the children's treasure hunt! To enter you will also enjoy skip-the-line access An original, valid photo ID is required for entry to St. Mark's Basilica. Photocopies are not accepted.
Palazzo Ducale
Skip-the-line into the Doge's Palace. The Doge was similar to a Duke or ruler that was elected by a committee of wealthy merchants, and the Doge's Palace is a symbol of it's importance, and the wealth of the city of Venice. As you and your family continue along the treasure hunt journey, visit the courtrooms, the prison, the armory and more!
Skip-the-line access to St Mark's Basilica
Prison of the Doge's Palace
Major Halls and paintings of the Doge's Palace
LivTour's exclusive activity booklet and prizes
Saint Mark's Basilica main floor
Bridge of Sighs
Skip-the-line access to Doge's Palace
Armory of the Doge's Palace
Tips or gratuities
55 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
DayTrip17994356594,Apr 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Ottavia was wonderful. Very informative and funny. Had a wonderful time touring with her.
tokenu,Apr 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
We had an exceptional experience in Venice on the Private Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica tour with LivTours, led by our guide Sara. From the very beginning, her communication was excellent, ensuring everything was clearly coordinated and easy for our family of four. Sara’s English was exceptional, clear, fluent, and easy to understand, which made the entire experience smooth and engaging. What truly set her apart was her deep historical knowledge combined with her ability to tell stories in a way that brought Venice to life. Rather than just presenting facts, she shared meaningful context, local insights, and engaging narratives that made each stop memorable. As a third-generation Venetian, Sara provided a unique and authentic perspective that you simply cannot get from a typical tour. Her personal connection to the city added depth and authenticity to the experience, giving us a much richer understanding of Venice’s culture and history. She was professional, personable, and incredibly passionate about her city. This tour was one of the highlights of our time in Venice, and we highly recommend both Sara and LivTours to anyone looking for a truly immersive and informative experience. Highly recommended!
1991morganr,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
We had an absolutely marvelous time with Filippo!! He was so kind and informative. We unfortunately had travel delays and he was patient and gracious and still helped us see and learn so much in our shortened time. Filippo also helped us find some delicious pizza along the way! We were blown away by how fluent, friendly and informative Filippo was. We felt like we finished the tour having made a friend! We highly recommend a private tour with Filippo, as we felt like we had a full and fun day from a locals perspective!



U220MEcoreyd,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
What an amazing day! We were looking for a tour that allowed our family of five to see the sights of several of Venice’s most iconic tourist destinations. We got that and more. All our children are under 10 and as everyone knows keeping their attention is difficult. We wanted our kids to enjoy these historical sights, learn something and above all be entertained. They got that in spades and I can tell you it was because our expert guide Chiara, treated her tour like a moving classroom. With facts, laughter, tips and tools she kept us moving, educated and most importantly kept our children engaged and enthralled. Prepared for everything, she had pictures and fun exercises to help bring the history of Venice to the level of three young, eager minds.
djsH1589TJ,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
I don’t think you will find a better tour guide than Nico! He is enthusiastic, brilliantly knowledgeable, and fun to tour with. Ask any question, no matter what civilization or time period and he will know the answer.

C7059AJandyb,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Fantastic tour with Pamela. We learned so much about Venetian art, history, and of course about St. Mark’s and the Doges Palace. I highly recommend this tour.
92rameshb,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
It was the first time in Italy and Venice for our family of four. Our tour-guide Nico was born in Venice and knew all the highlights in the city as well its rich history. He met us first thing in the morning in the town square, walked us through a food market before showing us the Rialto, we also toured the Doge’s palace, StMarks square and Basilica di San Marco where Nico walked us through the history, culture and architecture of each landmark - weaving in stories and anecdotes to add color and and keep things interesting even for my teenage daughters! We ended the day with a tour of a factory - Massimiano Schiavon in Murano. We watched them make a beautiful vase in under an hour and saw these amazing phosphorescent.vases in their showroom. The narration from Alex one of the staff there was lively and engaging. The water taxi rides to and from were also smooth and the flat waters didn’t cause any issues with motion sickness. All in all- a really fun and informative tour by Nico from Liv tours. Highly recommend!





Brashley2015,Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Highly recommend, great for making historical Venice fun for kids. Valentina was amazing- she gave the children lots of fun tasks to do whilst we strolled through beautiful buildings. We all learned a lot, 5 stars!
582salila,Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
The tour was wonderful. Valentina was so attentive and patient with my kids. The tour was very informative. We had a great time.
Christoph J,Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
We did a private family tour with Valentina and enjoyed the time very much. We were traveling with three small children (1.3 and 7 years old). The guide has found just the right mix of explanations for the adults and fun with the children. The two hours were very entertaining.
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