St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Half-Day Tour with Gondola Ride
Experience Venice’s top 3 must-dos, back-to-back, with skip-the-line tickets and an expert guide
See Venice’s most famous landmarks in one unforgettable morning or afternoon! Skip the lines at St. Mark’s Basilica, a 1,000-year-old masterpiece filled with gold mosaics, and wander through the Doge’s Palace, where centuries of Venetian rulers once made their most crucial political and judicial decisions. Then, relax and sightsee on a small-group gondola ride. With an expert local guide leading the way, this is the ultimate, stress-free way to experience the best of Venice in just a few hours.
What You Get With This Tour
-
Doges, domes, and canals in one go
-
Expert English-speaking guide
-
Tickets and tour of St. Mark’s Basilica
-
Tickets and tour of Doge’s Palace
-
30-minute shared gondola ride
-
Guide tips
Tour Itinerary
-
1
Your tour begins in St. Mark's Square
Meet your guide in St. Mark’s Square. The exact location will be listed on your booking voucher. You guide will be holding a red "The Tour Guy" sign or flag, awaiting your arrival. -
2
Step inside St. Mark’s Basilica
Skip the long ticket lines and spend about 20 minutes inside St. Mark’s Basilica. Admire gold mosaics, domes, and marble floors while your guide explains how Venice’s seafaring empire shaped this sacred landmark. -
3
Explore the Doge’s Palace
Steps away from the basilica, enter the Doge’s Palace. Get ready to learn all about power and politics. Skip the lines and follow your guide through lavish chambers where Venice’s leaders ruled with unmatched ambition. -
4
Cross the Bridge of Sighs and enter the prisons
Follow the corridor across the famous Bridge of Sighs and hear the legend behind its name. Then descend into the palace prisons and dungeon, where cramped cells reveal punishments, plots, and Casanova’s escape story. -
5
Take a quick break before your gondola ride
After the touring the Doge's Palace, take a 20-minute break to sit down, use the restroom, or grab a quick snack nearby. -
6
Sightsee on a shared gondola ride
Next, prepare for your gondola ride. After exploring Venice by land, you’ll take to the water for a 30-minute gondola ride along the Grand Canal or under the Bridge of Sighs. With only a few fellow travelers aboard, it’s a perfect, peaceful finale. -
7
Your tour ends near St. Mark’s Square
Return to St. Mark’s Square by gondola, to find yourself right where the adventure started. Having just finished a full day of skipping lines, secret stories, and canal views you'll have met Venice properly!
Additional Information
Discover what to expect, what's included, and everything you need to know before booking.
Good to know:
Dress Code: Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women to enter St. Mark’s Basilica; entry may be refused otherwise. Please avoid wearing sandals, hats, shorts, skirts, or tops that expose your shoulders.
ID Requirement: A valid government-issued ID is required for entrance to St. Mark's Basilica. The name on your ticket (entered at check-out) must match the name on your ID, or you will be refused entry.
Tour Changes: All St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace tours are subject to potential time change due to ticketing. Please keep the date of your tour flexible.
Accessibility: This tour involves extensive walking, standing, and climbing stairs. It is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible and not suitable for guests with mobility issues.
Weather Advisory: Doge's Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica may be closed unexpectedly and without much notice due to adverse weather events, maintenance, or safety reasons. If this occurs, you will be notified as soon as possible.
St. Mark's Basilica: Please note, the tour inside St. Mark's Basilica usually lasts around 20 minutes, as per the monuments rules and protocol.
Gondola Ride: The gondola ride is a shared experience, as each boat can hold up to 5 guests. While you will have a professional gondolier operating the boat, it is important to note that this portion of the tour is not guided. Please remember that the gondola ride is on a lagoon, so the water may have a strong smell for sensitive parties.
Bag Policy: Large backpacks or bags aren’t allowed inside the attractions; please leave them at your accommodation.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.
Your 3.5-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
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 (max 5 people shared experience)
What to bring:
Covering for knees and shoulders
Government issued-ID
Comfortable shoes
Camera
Water bottle
You might also like...
Guided Tour Private Tour
Private Venice Tour: St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and Gondola Ride
Guided Tour Trusted Partner
Skip-the-Line Tour of St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace
Guided Tour Skip the Line
Early Entry Doge's Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica Terraces Tour
New Tour Skip the Line
St. Mark’s Basilica Guided Tour in Venice with Access to Terraces
Skip the Line Trusted Partner
Skip-the-Line Doge's Palace Tour with Gondola Ride
Free Cancellation Skip the Line
Venice in a Day Tour with Gondola Ride
Free Cancellation Family Friendly
30-Minute Semi-Private Gondola Ride Through Venice
Free Cancellation New Tour
Charming Shared Gondola Ride in Venice
Guided Tour Trusted Partner
Gondola Ride & Venice Walking Tour
Free Cancellation Exclusive Access
Private Gondola Ride in Venice
Free Cancellation Skip the Line
Private Venice Highlights Tour with Gondola Ride
Free Cancellation Private Boat
Murano and Burano in a Half Day Boat Tour
Customer Reviews
Ana was AMAZING!!! Thank you!
Tour Guys provide a well organized half day tour of St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace and Gondola ride. Most importantly, I received immediate confirmation when purchasing the tickets online and follow up reminder emails regarding meeting time and location. I highly recommend utilizing The Tour Guys!!
A lot depends on your tour guide and we were lucky to have Marco as our guide. He was informative, witty and a great balance of history and anecdotes. He pointed out all the major interest points and added a few interesting stories. We enjoyed the tour and appreciated his commentary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not suitable for guests with mobility issues due to extensive walking, standing, and stairs.
Does this tour skip the line?
Yes, this tour skips the long ticket line. However, you will still need to pass through security.
What if it rains?
Our tours run rain or shine! If the weather is particularly bad the gondola may not run due to safety concerns, in which case a partial refund will be provided.
Is lunch included in the price of the tour?
No, lunch is not included in the price of your tour, but your guide will have lots of recommendations for tasty places to eat.
How long is the gondola ride?
The gondola ride is about 30 minutes long and the gondolier will decide which canals to float through.
Do I have a private gondola just for myself?
Not exactly—but it’s still special! Each gondola seats up to 5 people and is shared only with others from your tour group, never with random strangers. It’s a fun and comfortable way to enjoy the canals together
Does this tour include an entry ticket to St. Mark's Basilica?
This product includes an entry ticket to St. Mark's Basilica, for which our cost is 12 euros per person.
Is this tour family friendly?
Yes, this tour is family-friendly, but keep in mind it includes lots of walking and standing, plus stairs inside the sites.
Do I need to follow a dress code?
Yes. Knees and shoulders must be covered to enter St. Mark’s Basilica, and entry may be refused if you do not meet the dress code.
What is the gondola ride like?
The gondola is a sightseeing tour and you will either glide along the Grand Canal or through smaller canals that go under the Bridge of Sighs. Please note that the gondolier does not provide commentary.
