Private Venice Tour: St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and Gondola Ride

Skip the lines and explore Venice’s top landmarks with a private guide before gliding through canals

Travel Flexibly
Private Venice Tour: St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and Gondola Ride 5 / 5 See All 183 Reviews
· 3.50h · Venice, Italy

Venice is a maze, but your personal guide makes hitting the top sights effortless. Skip the lines at St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, explore hidden corners of the city at your own pace, and glide through the canals on a private gondola ride. With a tailored itinerary and expert storytelling, this tour turns a complicated city into a seamless, unforgettable experience. No stress, no crowds—just you, Venice, and the beauty of its most iconic landmarks.

  • Meet your guide at St. Mark's Square
  • St. Mark’s Basilica
  • Doge’s Palace
  • Grand Ballroom
  • Golden Staircase
  • Prison Cells and Dungeon
  • Bridge of Sighs
  • Gondola Ride
  • End near Piazza San Marco

Meet your private guide in St. Mark’s Square and bypass the lines to step inside St. Mark’s Basilica, where golden mosaics shimmer under soaring domes. Continue to the Doge’s Palace, the former seat of Venetian power, to explore grand chambers, the Bridge of Sighs, and the eerie prison cells. Then, experience Venice as it was meant to be seen—on a private gondola ride, gliding through quiet canals at your own pace, taking in the city’s beauty from the water.

Private St. Mark's Basilica, Doge Palace, & Gondola Ride Description

Your private 3.5-hour tour includes:

  • Private expert guide for a fully tailored experience

  • Skip-the-line entry to St. Mark’s Basilica

  • Skip-the-line entry to the Doge’s Palace

  • Private gondola ride through the Venetian canals

  • Exploration of the Bridge of Sighs and former prison cells

  • Flexible itinerary designed around your interests

St. Mark’s Basilica, Venice's Church of Gold

Begin your private tour in Piazza San Marco, one of the most iconic squares in the world. With your dedicated guide, walk past the long lines and straight into St. Mark’s Basilica, where golden mosaics stretch across every inch of its soaring domes. Your guide will explain the fascinating blend of Byzantine, Gothic, and Renaissance influences that make this basilica one of the most dazzling in Europe.

Doge’s Palace – The Powerhouse of Venice

Step inside the Doge’s Palace, the Gothic fortress that served as the seat of Venetian power for centuries. With skip-the-line access, explore the lavish chambers where doges ruled, walk through the Great Council Chamber, and admire works by Titian, Veronese, and Tintoretto. Stand beneath the Golden Staircase, a breathtaking symbol of Venice’s wealth, before stepping into the Council of Ten’s secretive chambers, where political intrigue shaped the city’s destiny.

The Bridge of Sighs and the Prisons of Venice

Cross the Bridge of Sighs, following in the footsteps of prisoners who took their final glance at Venice before facing their fate. Your guide will bring these stories to life as you step inside the eerie, damp prison cells, where Venice’s justice system played out behind closed doors.

A Private Gondola Ride Through the Canals

After exploring Venice’s grandeur on land, step into a private gondola for a relaxing ride through the canals. With no distractions or set routes, take in the beauty of the city from the water, drifting beneath centuries-old bridges and past hidden alleyways. Whether it’s a moment for quiet reflection or a chance to capture incredible photos, this ride is the perfect way to conclude your bespoke Venetian experience.

What you get with this tour

  • Private English-speaking guide
  • Skip the line tickets
  • St. Mark's Basilica
  • Doge's Palace
  • Gondola ride
  • Private tour
  • Guide gratuity
  • Hotel pick up
  • Meals

See what people are saying

183 total reviews

Leave a review
5.0/5 (based on 183 reviews)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 stars
28 September 2025
L
Reviewed by
Lori Lane

Loved it! First, our tour guide was the best! She really knew her stuff and made it fun. I enjoyed the fact that it was private. I highly recommend it,

True Escape
15 September 2025
L
Reviewed by
Leonard Conway

The crowded streets of Venice faded away in this private tour. It was relaxed, insightful, and the gondola ride remains a highlight of our travels.

True Escape
15 September 2025
L
Reviewed by
Leonard Conway

The crowded streets of Venice faded away in this private tour. It was relaxed, insightful, and the gondola ride remains a highlight of our travels.

show more reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring?

Comfortable walking shoes, and for St. Mark’s Basilica, please ensure shoulders and knees are covered. A light scarf or shawl is recommended.

What to bring?

Comfortable walking shoes, and for St. Mark’s Basilica, please ensure shoulders and knees are covered. A light scarf or shawl is recommended.

How long is the tour?

The private tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours, including the gondola ride.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace have some areas that may be challenging for wheelchair users. Please reach out in advance for accessibility options.

Can I take photos?

Photography is allowed inside the Doge’s Palace, but flash is prohibited. Inside St. Mark’s Basilica, photography rules may vary.

What language is this available in?

This tour is immediately available in English or Italian. If you’re looking for another language, reach out and we’ll work to accommodate you.

Start From: $729.56

available days discounted days

Free cancellation up to 7 days in advance!

Reserve Now $729.56 / per person
$729.56 / per person

You may also like

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Guided Tour

Eiffel Tower Climbing Tour with Summit Access

Get your steps in to the second floor before taking the elevator to the summit for epic Paris views

Skip the Line

Skip the Line Likely to Sell Out

Semi-Private Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica

See the Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Maps, and Scala Regia, the exclusive passageway to the basilica

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Skip the Line

Secrets of the Louvre Museum Tour with Mona Lisa

Get to know Venus de Milo, Liberty Leading the People, and Napoleon's Coronation like never before

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Skip the Line

Palace of Versailles and Gardens Tour from Paris

Skip the lines to the Hall of Mirrors with a friendly English speaking guide and roundtrip transport

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Skip the Line

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

Guided Tour

Guided Tour Skip the Line

Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum and Vatican Museums

Enter the Sistine Chapel, Roman Forum, and see St. Peter’s Dome, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and more!

Exclusive Access
Up to 10% off

Exclusive Access Guided Tour

Special Access Colosseum Arena Floor Tour through the Gladiator's Gate

Walk in the footsteps of gladiators on the Colosseum floor and see the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Skip the Line

Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

Skip the line and gain direct access to the Raphael Rooms, Creation of Man & Scala Regia passageway

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Guided Tour

Half Day Electric Bike Tour of Rome

Pedal past the Colosseum, Piazza Navona, and up Capitoline Hill in the peaceful morning

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation New Tour

Rome's Appian Way, Aqueduct Park, and Catacombs by E-Bike

Cruise through the historic Appia Antica, visit Catacombs of St. Callixtus and enjoy a light lunch!

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Guided Tour

Legends and Lore Tour of the Tower of London

Dive into British history at London's famous fortress and enjoy a flexible ticket to a Thames Cruise

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Skip the Line

Skip the Line Sagrada Familia Tour

Discover the stories and secrets behind Gaudi’s grand basilica with an expert tour guide

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Family Friendly

Rome Cocktail and Pasta Making Class: Spritz, Fettuccine and Maltagliati

Head to Piazza Navona to try your hand at authentic spritz and pasta making (and eating!)

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Skip the Line

Paris in a Day Tour with Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre Dame Cathedral

See the Mona Lisa, Sacre-Coeur, and a Seine River cruise with a friendly local guide

New Tour

New Tour Likely to Sell Out

Champagne & Oysters Paris Food Tour

Indulge in 11 exquisite tastings across 5 unforgettable stops in Le Marais

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Skip the Line

Ultimate St. Peter's Basilica Dome Climb and Tour

See Michelangelo's La Pietà up close and climb the dome for stunning views of Rome and the Vatican

New Tour

New Tour

Skip-the-Line Pantheon Express Guided Tour in Rome

In one hour, visit the Pantheon and marvel at Michelangelo’s Christ the Redeemer statue

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Skip the Line

Venice in a Day Tour with Gondola Ride

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

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Skip the Line

Complete Florence Duomo Tour with Dome Climb and Secret Terraces

View this charming city from the hidden terraces of Brunelleschi’s dome after touring the cathedral