Doge’s Palace and St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line and guided tour

Best of Venice: Walking Tour with Doge’s Palace, Saint Mark's Basilica and its terraces

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Activities

Attractions & guided tours

Monuments

Doge’s Palace and St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line and guided tour

Free cancellation

Place: Venice

Duration: 2 hours

Language: English

Mobile voucher accepted

Instant confirmation

Fast track

Subject expert guide

e-Voucher

Group tour

Dress code

Do this because

Discover the fascinating stories behind Venice's past with your guide
Explore the history of Venice that resides inside the Doge's Palace
Marvel at St. Mark's Basilica and its dazzling architecture
Enjoy a personalized tour experience with a small group of around 15 people

What to expect

This Doge’s Palace and St. Mark's Basilica tour is perfect for visitors who want to taste the city. In just a few hours, you'll be taken to two of Venice's most iconic sites, venturing inside the Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark’s Basilica) and the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace).

The tour starts at the 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). You’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.

Next, you'll admire the heart of Venice, Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square). One of the highlights of this tour comes at the end when skip-the-line access takes you straight into the Basilica, saving precious vacation time. Marvel at the diversity of Venetian culture, where eastern architecture and western design have blended to create a structure with an onion dome, before following your guide through the beautiful frescoes inside the basilica.

Important to know

Accessibility:

Due to uneven and steep surfaces, the activity is unsuitable for anyone with walking difficulties or wheelchair users. Strollers or baby carriages are also not permitted

Not allowed:

Please note that Doge's Palace doesn't admit bulky luggage (any luggage whose sum of the three sides exceeds 1 linear meter)
A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements

Extra fees to be paid on-site:

Please note that the Municipality of Venice will implement an "Access Fee" on specific dates in 2024. To ensure a smooth experience, you're recommended to review the official guidelines and registration procedures before planning your visit

Know in advance:

St. Mark's Basilica is subject to closure without notice. When this occurs, guests are offered an extended tour of the basilica and St. Mark’s Square from outside. The tour provider will try to tell you ahead of time if there are any planned disruptions to Basilica opening hours, but this isn't always possible. In these cases, there are no refunds or discounts
The terraces aren't included in this guided tour, but you can visit them on your own. You can buy a separate ticket in cash on the spot
This activity ends inside the Doges' Palace

What’s included

Skip the line access and entrance ticket to the Doge’s Palace

Skip the line access to St. Mark’s Basilica

Headsets (to hear the guide)

Tour guide

Small group experience

Cancellation policy

Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins.

Booking fee

Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.

Location

S. Marco, 1, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

Meeting point:

Please meet your guide next to Ponte della Paglia, the bridge with the view of the Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs), in front of the Doge's Palace, facing the lagoon. Your guide will be holding a City Wonders tour sign at the meeting point.