St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Half-Day Tour with Gondola Ride

Explore St. Mark's Square's most iconic attractions with skip-the-line tickets and an expert guide

Travel Flexibly 4.9 / 5 See All 288 Reviews · 3.50h · Venice, Italy

Only have a few hours to spend on a guided tour in Venice? Then we have you covered. You’ll get skip-the-line entry at both St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace to maximize your time while you learn about the incredible centuries-old histories of these remarkable monuments. Then finish off with a must-do gondola ride in the Grand Canal. Your day in Venice can’t get much more perfect!

  • Skip the line tour of Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica
  • Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of Doge’s Palace
  • The Golden Staircase
  • The Grand Ballroom
  • Prison cells and dungeon
  • Bridge of Sighs
  • Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica
  • The Church of Gold
  • 30-Minute Gondola Ride

You’ll meet up with your local guide and the rest of your group in the famous St. Mark’s Square near the two columns by the canal. Skip the long lines at St. Mark’s so you can get right inside to learn about this magnificent golden church. Then explore the Doge’s Palace where you’ll see the golden staircase, prisons, and Bridge of Sighs. Finally, your guide will escort you to your gondola ride that might just become your favorite activity of the day!

St. Mark’s, Doge’s Palace, and Gondola Tour Description

Your 3.5-hour tour includes:

  • Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica

  • Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of Doge’s Palace

  • 30-minute gondola ride

  • Maximum group size of 20

  • A local, English-speaking guide

St. Mark’s Basilica

You’ll begin your tour of Venice in St. Mark's Square, or Piazza San Marco, which is perhaps one of the most famous public squares in the world. Then follow your guide past the crowds for your skip-the-line entry into St. Mark’s Basilica to see why it’s nicknamed the “Church of Gold”. With over 45,000 square feet of gilded mosaics constructed over eight centuries, the interior of St. Mark's Basilica is unlike anything you've ever seen.

Please note that St. Mark's is a sacred place, so we ask both men and women to cover knees and shoulders, otherwise you might be refused entry and you’ll miss out on a portion of your tour. We understand the summers in Venice can be hot, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.

Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sighs

The Gothic building right next to St. Mark’s Basilica is the infamous Doge’s Palace that has a storied past of tyranny, torture, and an iron fist of rulers. From the 15th to 18th centuries, the Doges of Venice lived and ruled from this palace that includes paintings from Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese.

The interior of the Doge's Palace is grand to say the least. Inside you’ll find marble fireplaces, friezes and stucco adorning the walls. Some works of art stand out over the rest, including iconic pieces by Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese, and your guide will explain the stories and interpretations behind the art. You'll also pass through the awe-inspiring Great Council Chamber, which is one of the largest rooms in Europe and the place where the most important decisions were discussed.

One of the palace's most impressive features is the Golden Staircase, considered the most valuable staircase ever built. It connects the first floor of the palace to the third, where the Doge's offices were located. Your guide will show you the grand offices from which Venice was ruled for centuries, including the rooms that housed the powerful Council of Ten—the city's governing body.

Linking the palace to the prison cells, you'll cross the infamous Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri). Prisoners walked across this enclosed bridge before spending years or even the remainder of their lives behind bars. If that wasn’t enough to sigh about, look out from the small windows carved into the bridge that once offered convicts their last glimpse of beautiful Venice. That's plenty to sigh about. 

Traditional Gondola Ride

You might think it’s a super touristy thing to do—and it is—but taking a gondola ride through the Venetian canals really is a fun activity. Actually, it’s a must-do. That’s why it’s included on this tour to make sure your time in Venice is filled with the best opportunities. Enjoy lazily gliding through the canal while your gondolier poses for photos or even serenades you!

What you get with this tour
Skip the line tickets
Passionate English-speaking guide
Gondola Ride
St. Mark's Basilica
Doge's Palace
Bridge of Sighs
Tripadvisor Logo

See what people are saying

288 total reviews

Leave a review
4.9/5 (based on 288 reviews)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 stars
Great tour!
24 March 2024
K
Reviewed by
Kathryn Barry

We really enjoyed our tour with Nico. He was very knowledgeable and gave great insight into the history of St. Mark's and Doge's Palace. The tour wasn't rushed and Nico took his time to answer everyone's questions. The use of the microphone with headsets allowed you to walk & look around while still hearing Nico explain the history.

21 March 2024
E
Reviewed by
Emily Rohde

Excellent Tour!
20 March 2024
J
Reviewed by
Janet Bechtel

This was such a great experience. Our tour guide was fantastic, informative and enjoyable. It was the perfect way to see these two important landmarks as well as have a lovely gondola ride. Would highly recommend!!

show more reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring?

We recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes, a camera, and a water bottle. Large bags and backpacks are not allowed and will have to be checked before entering the Doge's Palace. It's best to leave them at your hotel if possible.

What to bring?

We recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes, a camera, and a water bottle. Large bags and backpacks are not allowed and will have to be checked before entering the Doge's Palace. It's best to leave them at your hotel if possible.

What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?

This is a walking tour that includes several sets of stairs, and you will be on your feet for most of the 3.5 hours.

Does this tour skip the line?

During the busy months, this tour has skip-the-line access. When there are fewer crowds in the winter, St. Mark's doesn't offer skip-the-line access, but the lines aren't long.

Start From: as low as $112.96

available days discounted days

Free 24-hr cancellation on group tours! Learn more

Reserve Now as low as $112.96
as low as $112.96
You may also like
Skip the Line
Up to 8% off

Skip the Line

Ultimate Venice in a Day with Murano and Burano

Do more in a day: St. Mark's, Doge's Palace, glassblowing and lacemaking demos, and a gondola ride

Skip the Line
Up to 20% off

Skip the Line

Venice in a Day Tour with Gondola Ride

Visit St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, Rialto Bridge, and hidden areas of Venice

Boat Tour
Up to 8% off

Boat Tour

Murano and Burano in a Half Day Boat Tour

Easily explore these colorful Venetian islands and see traditional glassblowing and lacemaking

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Private Venice Highlights Tour with Gondola Ride

Join your own expert guide to discover St. Mark’s Basilica, Rialto Bridge, and Venice's hidden gems

Guided Tour
Up to 8% off

Guided Tour

Venice Evening Food Tour in Cannaregio with Authentic Sit-Down Dinner

Experience top notch Venetian cuisine and wine with a local foodie and dine at a premier restaurant

Private Tour

Private Tour

Venice Islands and Artisans Private Tour

Explore colorful streets and ancient trades in Murano and Burano with a private boat and local guide

New tour

New tour

St. Mark’s Basilica Guided Tour in Venice with Access to Terraces

Skip-the-line, admire the opulent interior, take in the view from above, and explore the museum!

New Tour

New Tour

Prosecco Hills Small Group Tour from Venice

Sample bubbly wine alongside an expert guide at two renowned wineries and savor a light lunch!

New Tour

New Tour

Taste of Venice Food Tour in San Marco & San Polo

Discover authentic Venetian flavors as you hop between backstreet bacari enjoying cicchetti and wine

New Tour

New Tour

Walking Tour of Artisanal Crafts in Venice

Uncover centuries-old trades on a stroll through authentic, artisan shops of the Floating City

New Tour

New Tour

Secret Venice Tour of Dorsoduro District

Get to know the quiet but trendy academic district that has a Banksy mural and cool movie locations

New Tour

New Tour

Venice Bacari Hopping Tour in Cannaregio

Spend your evening like a local, visiting hidden bars for spritz and cicchetti with a Venetian guide

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Venice Discovery Private Tour

Skip the line at St. Mark's, explore Rialto Bridge, and ride a private boat through the Grand Canal

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Venice Doge's Palace Private Tour

Dive into Venice's dark history at its grand Gothic palace, Bridge of Sighs, and ancient dungeons

Private Tour

Private Tour

Hidden Canals - Private Venice Boat Tour

Uncover the real Venice as you explore secret gardens, local neighborhoods, and sail the Grand Canal

New Tour

New Tour

Island Adventure Boat Tour to Mazzorbo, Burano, and Murano

Hop around the Venetian islands to discover glassblowing, colorful houses, and a serene lagoon

New Tour

New Tour

Semi Private Day Trip to Prosecco Hills from Venice

Complete with round-trip transport from Venice, sample 3 wines, and savor a 2-course lunch

New Tour

New Tour

Small Group Dining Experience at a Local Home in Venice

Savor a 3-course meal paired with wine in an Italian host’s home

New Tour

New Tour

Private Gondola Ride in Venice

Glide down the idyllic canals of San Moisè and admire historic sites from the Grand Canal!

New Tour

New Tour

Rooftops of Venice Small Group Walking Tour with Prosecco Tastings

Admire San Polo from above and uncover the hidden gems of Rialto market and the Red Light District

New tour
Up to 5% off

New tour

Unforgettable Dolomites Semi Private Day Trip from Venice

Admire stunning mountains while exploring Cortina, Lake Misurina, and the Three Peaks of Lavaredo