Skip-the-Line Doge's Palace Tour with Gondola Ride
Cross the Bridge of Sighs & follow in Casanova's footsteps (but not all the way to a rooftop escape)
With skip-the-line tickets, we'll get you into the Doge's Palace faster than Casanova escaped from it! Join us for a small group tour at the Doges Palace with a gondola ride. See the opulent apartments, the majestic Hall of the Great Council, and cross the Bridge of Sighs into the Old Prisons. Discover the history behind the name...were the sighs from sorrow or from being stuck behind a slow walker? Spoiler: the answer's a bit grim. Then cap off your tour with an iconic Venetian gondola ride.
- Meet your guide
- The Doge's Palace
- The Bridge of Sighs & Prisons
- Gondola Ride
Doge's Palace and Gondola Full Tour Description
Your 2.5-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Skip-the-line tickets and guided tour of Doge’s Palace
Guided visit to St. Mark's Square
A walk over the Bridge of Sighs
A shared gondola ride along the Grand Canal
Admission to the Correr Museum (to be explored on your own)
Max group size of 15
St. Mark’s Square: The Heart of Venice
Begin your journey in the most famous public space in Venice, St. Mark’s Square. As your local expert guide leads you through the square, you will learn about its historical, social, and political importance. Take in the grand architecture of the Clock Tower and the Marble Lions, all part of St. Mark’s rich history.
The Opulent Doge’s Palace
Next, follow your guide directly into the Doge’s Palace using your skip-the-line tickets to bypass those waiting in general admission. At a relaxed pace, you will explore the political heart of an empire and see the supreme authority and wealth of the Venetian Doges. Admire the Gothic architecture of this palazzo and enjoy stunning views across the Lagoon.
The Prisons and the Bridge of Sighs
After touring the palace, you will continue to the Old Prison and discover why the New Prisons came into existence. Understand the significance of the unmissable Bridge of Sighs as you cross it. You will also listen to the extraordinary tale of Casanova and his life in Venice.
Your Gondola Grand Finale
Your tour concludes with a classic Venetian gondola ride. Your guide will lead you to the nearby pier where you will board a traditional gondola for a 30-minute journey. Glide past hidden corners and magnificent palaces on this relaxing ride, a must-do experience to end your day in Venice.
Your admission ticket also grants entry to the Correr Museum on St. Mark’s Square. Napoleon originally commissioned the building as a residence, and later it served as the Venetian home of the King of Italy. After the tour, explore the Correr Museum at your own pace with your pre-reserved ticket. This ticket can also be used at the National Archeological Museum and Biblioteca Marciana.
Please note: The gondola ride is shared with other participants from your tour, just like it’s always been in Venetian tradition. Each gondola accommodates up to 5 guests. If your group is larger, you’ll be placed on separate gondolas.
Sites visited during this tour are subject to occasional closures due to holy observances, high tides, and flooding. If a site closes, your guide will tour the exterior of the site. If time permits, you will be contacted before your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
What you get with this tour
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
Please bring a government issued ID to check in for the tour. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes as this tour involves walking. You can also consider wearing a rain coat as Venetian weather can be unpredictable.
What to bring?
Please bring a government issued ID to check in for the tour. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes as this tour involves walking. You can also consider wearing a rain coat as Venetian weather can be unpredictable.
Is this tour mobility accessible?
Unfortunately, this tour is not mobility accessible as it includes an ancient monument with narrow passage ways, stairs, and cobblestone.
Does this tour include entry into St. Marks Basilica?
No, St. Marks Basilica is not included on the tour. Consider our St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Half-Day Tour with Gondola Ride.
Will the gondola ride be private?
The gondola ride follows traditional Venetian practices and is shared with other participants from your tour. Each gondola carries up to five guests. If your group is larger, we will place you in separate gondolas.
What if it rains?
Acqua Alta (High Tide) in Venice can cause delays in entering the Doge’s Palace. Additionally, the palace authority may decide to suspend skip-the-line priority, especially around the months of October, November, and December. If a site closes, your guide will tour the exterior of the site. If time permits, you will be contacted before your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
Does this tour included a guided visit to the Correr Museum?
No, your admission ticket grants entry into the Correr Museum on St. Mark’s Square. After the tour, explore the Correr Museum at your own pace with your pre-reserved ticket. This ticket can also be used at the National Archeological Museum, and Biblioteca Marciana.
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