Semi Private St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Tour with Gondola Ride
Use timed entry tickets to enter Venice’s biggest monuments, back to back, with an expert guide
Experience the floating city’s most prestigious landmarks with the elegance and attention to detail that only a semi private tour provides. This elevated journey takes you through Venice with an expert guide and plenty of time for questions. From the hushed beauty of St. Mark’s Basilica to the Doge’s Palace, and iconic Grand Canal, every moment is heightened by a small-group setting. It's the perfect choice for travelers seeking a streamlined, small-group introduction to Venice.
What You Get With This Tour
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Conquer Venice's top 3 must-dos with time for questions
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Expert English-speaking guide
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Timed-entry ticket at St. Mark’s Basilica
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Timed-entry ticket at the Doge’s Palace
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Guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace
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30-minute shared gondola ride
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Semi private experience
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Guide tips
Tour Itinerary
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1
Meet your guide in St. Mark's Square
Your tour begins in the heart of the city. Meet your expert guide and semi private group among the soaring clock towers and historic cafés of St. Mark’s Square. Receive your headsets and prepare to enter the most famous religious site in the lagoon. -
2
Enter the golden St. Mark's Basilica
Next, use your pre-reserved tickets to step into the glittering interior of St. Mark’s Basilica. Learn about the thousand-year-old mosaics and the seafaring empire that brought these treasures to the city while standing on ancient marble floors. -
3
Explore the Doge’s Palace
Then, your semi private group moves into the Doge’s Palace, the Venetian Gothic palace that served as the center of political power for centuries. See the lavish council chambers and the Great Council Hall while learning about the ambitious leaders who shaped the history of the Mediterranean. Enjoy time to interact with your guide and ask questions. -
4
Cross the Bridge of Sighs
Next, cross the Bridge of Sighs, the famous white limestone bridge that connects the palace to the old prisons. Look out through the stone grates to see the last view prisoners had of the water before descending into the historic cells. -
5
Relax on a gondola ride
After exploring the Doges Palace, split into two groups and board a traditional gondola boat for a quiet tour of the back canals. After exploring the city by land, enjoy this peaceful perspective of the water. Relax and take in beautiful views as your professional gondolier navigates the tight bends and stone arches. -
6
Your tour finishes at St. Mark’s Square
Your tour finishes back near the main piazza, leaving you perfectly positioned to enjoy a local spritz or continue shopping in the nearby district.
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.
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
Timed entry ticket and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica
Timed entry ticket and guided tour of Doge’s Palace
30-minute gondola ride (max 5 people shared experience)
Semi private experience
What to bring:
Covering for knees and shoulders
Government-issued ID
Comfortable shoes
Camera
Water bottle
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tour family friendly?
Yes, this experience is excellent for families with children who will enjoy the colorful palaces and the exciting gondola ride. Please note that this tour involves several flights of stairs inside the palace, which may be tiring for younger participants.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
This tour involves significant walking and climbing several steep staircases inside the palace and over bridges. It is unfortunately not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who require wheelchairs.
Does the boat ride run in the rain?
The gondola portion of the tour may be delayed or cancelled in the event of high winds or heavy storms for safety reasons. If the weather is poor, your guide will discuss the available options with you on the day of the tour.
Is the gondola ride private?
No, the gondola ride is shared within your semi-private group. You will be split into groups of 5.
