Skip-the-Line: Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica Fully Guided Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Our Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica tour is perfect for visitors with only a limited time in Venice, who want to get a true taste of the city. In just a few hours we take you to the most famous sites of the city, seeing the Rialto Bridge and venturing inside St, Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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.
Each traveler must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to St.Mark’s Basilica
Basilica tickets are priced at €12 per person. Doge's Palace tickets are priced at €30 per adult. All additional charges are considered administrative costs
We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any impairments requiring special assistance. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages on our group tours.
Please note that the itinerary for our tours may differ from the advertised order of destinations. We assure you that any changes made to the tour itinerary are carefully planned and intended to enhance your overall experience.
The Municipality of Venice has introduced an Access Fee that applies on specific dates. To avoid any inconvenience, we recommend checking the official guidelines and completing the necessary registration through the provided link before your visit.
Please note that entry to St. Mark’s Basilica is subject to a strict dress code. Guests must ensure that their shoulders and knees are covered. Visitors who do not comply with these requirements may be refused entry.
What To Expect
Piazza San Marco
There is so much to see and do in the incredible Floating City of Venice, so why should you spend your precious vacation time waiting in line? With Skip-the-Line Access to two of Venice’s unmissable sights, Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica, you can immerse yourself in Venetian history and maximize your time in Venice on this carefully curated tour.
Palazzo Ducale
Once home to the Duke of Venice and the city’s courts, it is the center of Venetian history – and as one of the world’s oldest republics, that’s quite a history. We’ll explore all the best sights of the palace open to the public, from spectacular works produced on demand by artistic masters Tintoretto and Veronese, to the evidence of the genius checks and balances that made the republic so successful. With your guide on hand to lead you through the most important rooms, to explain magnificent frescoes and to tell you the tales behind every nook and cranny, your visit to the Doge’s Palace will be the perfect way to wrap up your tour through the history and culture of Venice.
Options
Guided Tour - English
English Tour: Guided Tour with a English-speaking guide
Guided Tour - French
French Tour: Guided Tour with a French-speaking guide
Guided Tour - Spanish
Spanish Tour: Guided Tour with a Spanish-speaking guide
What‘s Included
Skip the Line Access to St. Mark’s Basilica
English/Spanish-speaking guide (depending on option selected)
Groups of 25 people or less
Skip the line Access and entrance ticket to the Doge’s Palace
Audio headsets when appropriate, so you can always hear your guide
Food/Beverage
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
2,181 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The must-do tour when in Venice.
Voyage40067,Jun 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Josephine was the most outstanding tour guide I’ve had. So much historical knowledge that complemented a stunning tour. Simply a must for your venice visit.
Excellent tour
R3192OSalvinc,Jun 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Rita T. led a truly excellent, informative tour. She was very thoughtful, helping older tour members take the elevator instead of stairs when possible and engaging effectively with the children on the tour as well. Couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to this magical city.
Italian History
55kk8jkwqp,Jun 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Rita (Joy) was very knowledgeable and was passionate about her craft. The history is so interesting and architecture was phenomenal.
Guided tour was educational and fun!
R1696FRjanes,Jun 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Michaela was very knowledgeable and clear. There is so much to see on this tour it was so helpful to have our guide explain the history and fun to hear the stories of how art was commissioned as well as what is depicted in the mosaics.
A Must-Do Venice Experience
Megan S,Jun 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our Skip-the-Line tour of Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica was one of the highlights of our honeymoon! Everything was incredibly well organized, and skipping the long lines allowed us to spend our time actually experiencing Venice instead of waiting. Our guide, Vct, was absolutely fantastic. You could tell they genuinely love Venice and its history. They brought centuries of stories to life, explained the artwork and architecture in a way that was engaging and easy to understand, and made sure everyone felt included throughout the tour. We walked away with a much deeper appreciation for both Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica than we ever would have had exploring on our own. If you’re visiting Venice, this tour is absolutely worth it. Great organization, an incredible guide, and an unforgettable experience. Highly recommend!
Disappointing
George S,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Our tour was cancelled. The local tour operator (City Wonders) emailed us to that effect two days before the tour, and offered to reschedule us, but I didn't read the email. I didn't realize they were the local company actually running the tour. The next day, Viator sends me an SMS message with a link to get my ticket! I thought everything was fine until City Wonders contacts me the day of the tour to tell me it was cancelled, and now it was too late to reschedule on the same day, our last day in town. I know Viator is not responsible for the cancellation, but the fact they were sending me a link to my tour ticket a day after it was cancelled seems like they don't know what's happening on the ground with their subcontractors.
Zoe gave an excellent...
Susan G,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Zoe gave an excellent history and tour of Doge's Palace and San Marco. We learned a lot and loved seeing the jewels of Venice.
Good tour but really hot on a hot day
Wander03905258850,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Guide did a good job on an extremely hot day inside the palace and basilica. But was really too hot for the tour
It’s all about the guide you get
Scott E,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Our guide was a lovely person but spoke super slowly and kept repeating the same phrases. He “sighed” to represent the Bridge of Sighs at least 4 times-we got it the first time.
Mateo was the best!!
Amy H,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Mateo was exceptional!! Highly recommend!! We will not be using Viatar moving forward due to the extreme increase in prices compared to booking it when you get in town. This tour was our favorite!!
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Operated by City Wonders Ltd