Venice's Best: Basilica, Doge's Palace, Gondola & History Gallery
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Discover the enchanting history and art of Venice in this immersive 3-hour experience!
Join an expert guide as you explore the stunning Doge’s Palace and the magnificent Saint Mark’s Basilica located in the heart of Piazza San Marco. Marvel at the artwork and dive into the rich history of the Venetian Republic. You’ll also stroll across the iconic Bridge of Sighs, a symbol of romance and intrigue!
Next, indulge in a romantic gondola ride through the Grand Canal and its charming waterways. As you glide along, take in Venice's must-see highlights, including the famed Fenice Opera House, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and the stunning Santa Maria della Salute Church, among others.
Finally, immerse yourself in a unique virtual reality experience as you float over the serene waters of the Grand Canal at sunset, witnessing centuries of history unfold. You’ll also get an insider’s view of the craftsmanship behind Venice's iconic gondolas with a close-up look at a detailed model.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The official St. Mark's Basilica ticket price is €12.00 per person (standard) or €24.00 with terrace access; the remaining part of the price covers assistance at the meeting point, accompanied entry with a certified guide or host, access to the Venice Gallery with a dedicated VR experience, the use of an audio guide or radio system with earphones and sales costs.
A valid ID document is mandatory for security checks at the entrance to the Basilica.
Each gondola can host maximum 5 people; the seat aboard cannot be chosen but will be assigned by the gondolier depending of guests weight.
The gondola ride does not operate in case of exceptionally bad weather, high/low tide or local gondoliers strike (in these cases it can be postponed the days after otherwise it will be refunded)
The itinerary of gondola ride may change in the event of wind or bad weather
For the visit of the Basilica suitable clothing is required (no shorts)
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
Tour does not operate in case of exceptional high tide or in case of unplanned religious functions (in these cases it can be postponed to the day after otherwise it will be refunded)
Due to the security reason, luggage and bags are not allowed inside the Basilica and Doge Palace
For the visit of the Basilica suitable clothing is required (no shorts).
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.
For the visit to the Basilica, proper clothing is required (no shorts or tank tops)
What To Expect
Piazza San Marco
St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) is the heart of Venice and one of the most iconic squares in the world. Surrounded by historic landmarks like St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Campanile, it’s a stunning open space that reflects the grandeur of the Venetian Republic. A must-see for every visitor to Venice.
Basilica di San Marco
Then, you will enjoy an amazing guided tour to the historical and famous Golden Basilica. You will admire stunning gold mosaics and marble inlays of the floors, sitting comfortably while our guide will show you the represented biblical scenes, the history and the particularities of this ancient basilica.
Options
Classic Tour+Gondola Ride-Spa
Spanish Guided Tour
Classic Tour+Gondola Ride - Fr
French Guided Tour
Premium Tour+Gondola Ride-Eng
English Guided Tour: Enjoy a premium English-guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and a gondola ride.
Classic Tour+Gondola Ride-Eng
English Guided Tour
What‘s Included
Shared 30-minute gondola ride
Guided tour of the Doge's Palace and Saint Mark's Basilica
Skip-the-line ticket to St. Mark's Basilica
Access to Museums in Saint Mark's Square (Correr Museum, Archeological Museum, and Marciana Library)
Skip-the-line ticket to Doge's Palace
History Gallery: a unique Vr experience of Venice in the past
20-minute gondola introductory experience
Hotel pick-up
Food and drinks
Guided tour of Museo Correr, Museo Nazionale Archologico, and Biblioteca Marciana
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
3,164 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Small very well run, your...
Brian M,Jul 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Small very well run, your group. Using the viator booking then with the actual tour group was easy well run tour. English knowledgeable, helpful informative etc. even in the heat.
Highly recommended tour
J4671PVleeh,Jul 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really good and informative. Read dress code for basilica especially the ladies.
History and Sights of Venice
382rachelj,Jun 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Although 29th June was swelteringly hot in St Marks Square this was a very interesting tour of the Basilica and Doges Palace with a great guide (Antonio had a sense of humour and was very informative) - I really enjoyed seeing the inside of the Palace and walking over Bridge of Sighs. The gondola museum with the 360 explanation of the history was fantastic and the gondola ride gave a different perspective to the canals. Another good guide, Veronica, also gave an explanation of the gondola in the museum and the Salute area as we were on the Grand Canal before the end of the tour.
Probably better tours out there
heathercT9122FO,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00I unfortunately did not enjoy this tour at all. Seeing the sights were great, but our tour guide was so boring. We had two little kids with us and did a bunch of tours through Italy which they loved. Multiple people took their audio pieces out and just looked around, we didn’t get great instructions on how to find the gondola ride so we didn’t do it. Wouldn’t book a tour like this again.
Best ever guide!
642jacquir,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Elenor- THE most amazing guide. Hugely informative and being proudly Venetian, made the tour very personal and totally entertaining. The 2.5hr Doge’s palace and St Marks Basilica tour flew by- helped by ‘skip the queue’ and Elenor’s speedy and funny commentary . It was scorching in Venice but Elenor ensured we were always positioned near to a breeze and ensured a water break! The palace was stunning and the history and enormity of the largest room extraordinary . We entered the Basilica and were immediately overwhelmed by the most beautiful singing and shimmering gold beauty of the interior . Both a rarity as never usually a choir nor lights on! We ended the tour with a 20 min peaceful gondola ride showing off more Venice’s charm. Highly recommend this tour - ask for Elenor!!
A life changing event!
frontierman999,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I was horrified to discover my wife had arranged a ‘guided tour’ around Venice! I’m not a fan of large groups nor going to see churches etc. I prefer serendipity. However…Eleanor our tour guide was quite simply outstanding. The 2 hour tour of the Doge and the Basilica went by in a flash with the speediest and most succinct (and funniest) of commentaries by Eleanor. The information she imparted was excellent and The Doge was breathtaking in its history, dimensions and sheer enormity of the palace. The Basilica was off the charts breathtakingly beautiful inside and out. With the choir singing and the lights on(apparently a most rare event and one Eleanor had never experienced herself). To witness the most spectacular buildings built on a marsh/sea many centuries ago left us truly stunned. We appear to have gone back in time rather than forwards when one sees what our forefathers were able to achieve without the internet and Google etc!!! Venice is the most stunning city (and I have been to see most places around the globe)but just these two buildings was a huge reality check. Get yourselves there’s and Eleanor will do the rest 👍
Tour of St Marks and Doge
CharlesR298,Jun 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Elena was a fascinating and funny tour guide. She really helped bring the cathedral and palace to life. Tour hits everything you want to see in the cathedral and palace. Would definitely do it again.
Venice
Traveler05813915227,Jun 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic tour. Very interesting.
Skip the gondola ride
Carrie D,Jun 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00The building tours were good, but you can definitely skip the gondola ride. It starts out with this unremarkable, 20-minute talk about gondolas in a gift shop where they want you to buy their gondola trinkets. You’ll be with several groups of people and everyone has to wear an over-ear speaker that barely works. Our tour guide was impossible to understand through her thick accent. We all just took the speaker off to try to enjoy the ride without her. You also lose connectivity with her for large portions of the ride. The gondola ride is only 20 minutes at best. You’re better off booking your own ride without this company.
Doge place, the dungeons, and a gondola ride
A Tripp 2021,Jun 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a terrific time as a family on this tour. Our boys are 10 and 11 so a few of the sections were a little long for them but the history we learned from the guide was a ton better than we have received on audio tours of other ruins
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