Venice In a Day: St Mark's, Doges Palace Gondola Ride & City Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
First time in Venice? Maximize your time in the city with a full-day itinerary that ticks off all the most memorable attractions. Stroll across the Rialto Bridge and browse the lively Rialto fish market, then hop aboard a traditional gondola for a romantic cruise along the Grand Canal. Next, access St. Mark’s Basilica and gaze in awe at the stunning gold mosaics. Finally, enjoy skip-the-line entrance to the grandiose Doge’s Palace. The 8:30am tour is limited to 20 people and includes a lunch break on your own, while the 8:15am tour does not include a lunch break (shorter duration of 4 hours) and a maximum of 25 people in your group. If you're short on time, you can also select our Venice Express Half Day Option at time of booking for a 4-hour expertly guided tour of Venice's highlights including St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
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.
In case of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather (heavy rain, strong wind, high tide) conditions that prevent the gondola ride from taking place or any operational or safety reasons beyond our control it may be substituted for another experience, but no refund will be provided.
Due to the religious nature of sites on this tour, all individuals (regardless of gender) must cover their shoulders and knees. It is acceptable to bring extra coverings to put on just before entering a holy site. Walks cannot be responsible for anyone denied entry.
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.
Venice Express Option: Gondola is not included.
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.
8:30am tour is limited to 20 people and includes a lunch break on your own, while the 8:15am tour does not include a lunch break (shorter duration of 4 hours) and a maximum of 25 people in your group.
St. Mark’s Basilica can be subject to closures due to particular liturgical celebrations, especially during major religious holidays such as Easter or Christmas. In the event that the Basilica is closed, explanations will be provided from the outside.
What To Expect
Ponte di Rialto
Your tour starts at ground level with a guided walking tour of the city's most famous and most interesting sights. See the Rialto Bridge and learn about Venice's food culture at the Rialto Fish Market. Along the way hear tales of famous Venetians like Marco Polo as well as how Venice came to be—and how it survived against the odds. (1 hour if Express option selected)
Sightseeing & Photo Stop
Options
Venice in a Day
Including GONDOLA Ride: 8:15 AM - 4 hours guided tour Including GONDOLA Ride: 8:30 AM - Extended 6 hours version with lunch break Duration: 6 hours
Private - Venice in a Day
Explore Venice from top to bottom in just one day, visit St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace & a picturesque gondola ride Duration: 6 hours
Venice In a Day Express
Duration: 4 hours Gondola NOT included: See Venice’s top sights in just 4 hours with skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.
What‘s Included
Rialto Fish Market
Gondola Ride (Venice Express Half Day Option excluded)
Local English-speaking guide
Pre-reserved ticket to the Doge's Palace (25€)
New Prisons
Rialto Bridge
Guided Walk of the back streets of Venice
Skip-the-line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
Bridge of Sighs
House of Marco Polo ( exterior)
Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Reviews
4,297 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Venice in a Day tour was spectacular
Jackie S,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide, Sylvia, was fantastic! She gave us lots of Venetian history, explained the "road" system in Venice and explained many things as we walked through Venice. She told us that there are boats for every purpose - funeral, ambulance, florist, veggies, transportation... Very interesting. We went on a 30 minute gondola ride through the Grand canal as well as smaller canals. Beautiful. She showed us all around St. Mark's Basilica and gave us so much history about the Basilica and the city of Venice. We thoroughly enjoyed this spectacular tour!
A great way to see high points of Venice in a day!
Teresa S,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a great day with a great guide, Virginia. She was quite knowledgeable, answered so many of the group's questions and took us around Venice at a good pace. We truly got the feel of this unusual city that has water transportation as the streets. Virginia even recommended to us personally re: a wonderful Osteria for our own delicious lunch when the tour was finished. She went beyond the call. So glad she was our guide!
Great tour
682felicityc,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00G was a wonderful guide. He was very knowledgeable and funny. We throughly enjoyed our tour!
Had a great time walking around the city, hearing the history, and even had time for a break!
marydR1180EF,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Francesca was amazing! So kind and knowledgeable! I recommend taking a tour with her!
Venice in a day
Eric H,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This Venice in a Day tour was absolutely fantastic and exceeded all expectations! Everything was perfectly organized, making it easy to experience so many of Venice’s highlights in a single day. Our guide was knowledgeable, engaging, and shared fascinating stories about the city’s history, culture, and architecture. The visit to Doge’s Palace was a true highlight. The palace is breathtaking, and learning about its history and significance made the experience even more memorable. Walking through the grand halls and seeing the famous Bridge of Sighs was unforgettable. The gondola ride was the perfect way to experience Venice from a unique perspective. Gliding through the beautiful canals and seeing the city from the water felt magical and was exactly what we had hoped for. Overall, this tour offered an excellent balance of history, sightseeing, and authentic Venetian experiences. It was a wonderful way to make the most of our time in Venice, and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting the city for the first time. A truly memorable day! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nonna
Maria H,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Not as promised. Although our guide was knowledgeable and nice, we did not receive what we paid for. We were promised a full day of sightseeing with a no paid lunch break in between. Approximately six to seven hours. Our tour was rushed into three hours. Many sights I was looking forward to see were omitted. I questioned this and was told “oh! That’s another tour.” I traveled have way around the globe just to be disappointed.
Amazing and in-depth overview of Venice
Linda T,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Lots of steps and walking, but worth it for an amazing overview of Venice that you couldn’t possibly replicate by wandering the maze of streets on your own. Matteo was an engaging and informative tour guide.
Solo US travel-rate excellenr!
U135ZQanneg,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour they group you with people from your country.
Great tour
David G,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was a great tour guide. She was American that moved to Venice. So she could portray the history and the current situation that Venetians are going through. Was very knowledgeable about a lot of the artwork and extremely insightful.
High five to Valentina S
D8508IDjessicak,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Valentina S was fabulous. I enjoyed the stories and myths she shared, along with the history of Venice. She kept the tour moving and respected our short visit here.
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