Doge’s Palace and St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line and guided tour
Overview
Buy your walking tour with an expert local guide to admire Venice's best sights. Visit St. Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge, Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs.
Highlights
- You'll discover the fascinating stories behind Venice's past with your guide
- You'll explore the history of Venice that resides inside the Doge's Palace
- You'll marvel at St. Mark's Basilica and its dazzling architecture
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.
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
Meeting & pickup
From St. Mark’s Square, face the basilica and turn right toward the Doge’s Palace. Continue past the Bridge of Sighs to Riva degli Schiavoni, walk about 2 minutes, then turn left onto Calle de le Rasse. The meeting point is at number 4536.
Additional info
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:
- 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:
- The Municipality of Venice has introduced an Access Fee that applies on specific dates. To avoid any inconvenience, please check the official guidelines on the official channels and complete any necessary registration
Know in advance:
- Please be advised that access to St. Mark's Basilica will not be guaranteed unless the names of all participants in the booking are provided in advance
- Due to St. Mark's Basilica security regulations, a passport or a valid ID document is mandatory to join this tour. It is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid document with you on tour. Passengers who fail to provide a valid proof of identity will be denied entry
- 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
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 2 days before the experience starts for a full refund.
Questions
Have a question?
Our team is happy to help before you book — reach out any time.
