3 hour(s)
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English
Live tour guide available in the language you select
Included
Save time and enjoy priority access with skip-the-line entry
Choose a small group or private tour for a personalized experience
Save time with pre reserved tickets
Enjoy a three hour guided tour of the Doges Palace and St Marks Basilica
Explore Venice with a local guide and discover its major monuments
Gain knowledge to explore Venice independently after the tour
€ 104.94
This activity is managed by our trusted partner FareHarbor.
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Free cancellation and unlimited rescheduling leads to total flexibility while you plan your travels
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Spend three hours in Venice with a local guide exploring the citys major highlights including St Marks Church and the Doges Palace with pre reserved tickets. Meet your expert guide at St Marks Square and learn about the citys origins and its historical social and political importance. Discover the beauty of the Bell Tower and the Marble Lions that form part of St Marks rich history. Enter St Marks Basilica with your reserved tickets and admire its grand size and golden mosaics. Understand why it is called the Church of Gold as you explore its opulent design and mix of Venetian and Renaissance art. Hear the story of the famous Horses of Saint Marks Basilica and their fascinating connection to Istanbul as your guide explains their history and artistic significance.
Continue at a relaxed pace into the Doges Palace with pre reserved entry. Learn about the power and influence of the Venetian Doges and the Gothic architecture that reflects their wealth and authority. Explore the Old Prison and find out why the New Prisons were built and what makes the Bridge of Sighs so famous. Enjoy beautiful views over the Lagoon and gain insight into the life and legacy of Venice. After the guided tour you can stay longer at the Doges Palace or visit the Correr Museum on St Marks Square included in your ticket. Originally built for Napoleon and later home to the King of Italy the museum offers a deeper look into Venices history art and culture which you can explore at your own pace.
Skip the line entry to St Marks Basilica and Doges Palace
Local expert guide
Small group or private tour
Access to top Venice museums at your own pace
Transport to the meeting spot
Guided tour of Venice’s top museums
Gratuities
Bring ID or passport
No large bags
Hat or sunscreen
Arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes early tickets are timed and expire quickly
Dress modestly covering shoulders and knees
Religious events may affect skip the line access with limited time inside the Basilica
For two PM tours Correr Museum tickets are valid the next day
Sites may close due to holy events or high tides guides will adjust accordingly
Type in your hotel/accommodation to see how far the attraction or departure point is.
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Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace) – Venice’s ultimate symbol of power and beauty (May 11, 2025) The Palazzo Ducale is one of the most magnificent buildings in Venice, standing proudly on Piazza San Marco as the former residence of the Doges and seat of Venetian government for over a thousand years. Its breathtaking façade blends Gothic, Byzantine, and Renaissance styles: delicate pink-and-white marble arches, intricate carvings, diamond-patterned stonework, statues of saints and virtues, and the famous Porta della Carta gateway with its elaborate sculptures. The building overlooks the lagoon, connected to the prison by the Bridge of Sighs, and inside (if you tour) the grand courtyards, gilded halls, Tintoretto and Veronese masterpieces, and secret passages tell the story of Venice’s wealth and political intrigue. On a clear May day, the sun made the marble glow against the blue sky, and the piazza buzzed with life around it. A jaw-dropping masterpiece that captures the soul of the Republic of Venice — absolutely unmissable!
A must-see in Venice - made even better by the Secret Itineraries tour. Secret Itineraries Tour We pre-booked the English tour and arrived a few minutes early to clear the brief security and find the meeting point (clearly signposted inside). Bags and umbrellas must be checked before the tour in the free cloakroom. Our group was around 20 people, and the guide (Aga) struck a good balance of humour and history over the 1 hour 15 minute tour. It covers hidden prisons (including details of Casanova’s imprisonment), secret passageways, the Chancellor’s Office and archive rooms -spaces you wouldn’t otherwise see - and gives real insight into how Venice was governed and how justice was administered. Main palace Afterwards, we continue through the main palace on the standard one-way route (self-guided). The ceilings and artwork are incredibly impressive - vast canvases and gilded rooms - even if many of the rooms themselves are relatively bare of furniture. It was busy but not uncomfortably crowded. You could rush it in an hour, but 1.5 hours total (on top of the tour) feels more realistic to take it in properly. Logistics Quite a few stairs throughout. Audio guides available, and clear signage in multiple languages in each room. Clean toilets on the ground floor, though only three women’s cubicles so expect a queue.
My wife and I visited this palace and spent about 4 hours exploring world-class art without a guide. To say this place is a must-visit for lovers of history, art, and philosophy would be an understatement. Regarding the paintings: there is one work on the Staircase of the Giants where a Doge stands in red robes, and to the right of him, near Neptune's foot, you can see the head of a triton (a sea monster) or a dolphin, I can't remember which. But it is the creepiest thing I have ever seen in my life; no horror movie even comes close. It’s a truly terrifying image—I couldn't look at it for long. The artist hints that behind all the valor, honor, and power, there is always something demonic. The palace also houses the prison where Casanova was held, many incredible sculptures, a restroom, a cloakroom, a cafe, and a polite, educated staff. The area surrounding the building itself is no less magnificent. The atmosphere feels as though time has stood still. I loved everything—to date, it is easily the best museum I have ever visited. Highest possible recommendation! 11/10 Grazie per il vostro lavoro, torneremo sicuramente, adoro Venezia!❤️
Another must see for tourists it is a crucial part of Venetian history. We completed the secret tour of Doge’s Palace, will you get to go to areas and that you don’t go in a normal tour. Amazing architecture and you get to see how the prisoners lived in history. You get to explore at your own pace would probably need two hours. Recommended to buy tickets in advance as it does get busy. Also worth coming early in the morning when it’s quiet.
An incredible historic experience. The Doge’s Palace brings Venice’s past to life through breathtaking art, massive ceremonial rooms, and a fascinating armory. You really feel the power and influence Venice once had across Europe and the Mediterranean. The contrast between the grand halls and the prison across the Bridge of Sighs makes the visit unforgettable. A must-see in Venice.
Our scheduled guided tour was cancelled at the last minute, depriving us of a visit to the basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the glass factory. Obviously, we will not recommend you, as you ruined our stay in Venice. We expect a refund as soon as possible with financial compensation.
Excellent tour, the tour guide was very knowledgeable and managed to engage even the children in the group... Visiting these places with a tour guide is priceless. I highly recommend it.
