The Doge's Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica Terraces Skip-the-Line Tour

Uncover the storied history of Venice’s most iconic landmarks including the top of the Basilica

4.94 (172) ·

Travel Flexibly

· 2.50h · Venice, Italy

The Doge's Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica Terraces Skip-the-Line Tour

If navigating the crowds and only seeing Venice's landmarks from the outside feels unsatisfying, this tour is the perfect solution. The Doge's Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica are stunning, but their true allure lies beneath their grand facades. Join an expert guide to explore magnificent paintings, walk the Bridge of Sighs, uncover hidden stories in golden mosaics, and enjoy sweeping views from the Basilica’s terrace. With early entry, you’ll experience Venice’s famous sites without the hassle.

What You Get With This Tour

Passionate English-speaking guide
Skip-the-line tickets
Basilica
Doge Palace
Basilica terrace
Group size of 15
Hotel pickup
Guide gratuities

Tour Itinerary

1

Meeting point at Doge's Palace
Meet your friendly guide outside the Palace.
2

Doge's Palace
Enter the ancient residence of the Doge of Venice avoiding long lines.
3

Giant's Staircase
Listen to your guide as she tells you all the stories about this historical building.
4

Palace interior
Paolo Veranese's canvases and other intricate decorations are a must-see during your visit.
5

Bridge of Sights
This historical bridge connects the palace to the old prison.
6

St. Mark's Basilica
Proceed with the short walk that will lead you to the Basilica.
7

Cultural and historical insights
Immerse yourself in the rich Venetian history and indulge in the interesting stories and anecdotes narrated by your guide.
8

Basilica's Terrace
Climb up to this unique vantage point and admire Venice from a unique viewpoint.
9

End at the Basilica
Your unique tour of Venice ends at the Basilica.

Additional Information

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 names on your ticket (entered at check-out) must match the name on your ID, or you will be refused entry.
Accessibility: This tour involves extensive walking, standing, and climbing stairs (to access the Doge's Palace interior and the Basilica's terrace). 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.
Please Note: The guided portion ends after the visit to the Basilica’s terrace. You are free to stay longer to explore the Basilica area at your leisure. The tour includes skipping the line for entry but does not include skipping the line for security checks.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can depart on time.

Your 2.5-hour tour includes:

Expert English-speaking guide
Fast-track, skip-the-line tickets to Doge's Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica
Guided tour of Doge’s Palace (including Giants’ Staircase and the Bridge of Sighs)
Guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica
Access to Basilica’s terrace
Audio headsets
Maximum group size of 15

What to bring:

Comfortable walking shoes
Government-issued ID (mandatory for entrance to St. Mark's Basilica)
Shawl, scarf, or sweater (for covering knees and shoulders as required by the dress code)

Customer Reviews

4.94 (172)

Leave a review

Beautiful Venitian Art and Architecture

Joseph Velasco, 21 October 2025

Had a very pleasant tour of the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Our guide was extremely well versed in history, and spoke English clearly. She was very helpful addressing our accessibility needs (electric wheel chair, but could transfer and climb small stairs). We were able to see EVERYTHING in spite of our limitations. We spent NO time in lines, and really maximized our limited time in Venice. This tour provided great value!

Ashley Cate, 17 October 2025

Shirley Graham, 12 October 2025

They cancelled it last minute, ruined our trip. Didn't even try and accommodate us.

Nadia Holzhey, 12 October 2025

Terrible customer service!!!

Brendan Malloy, 10 October 2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should I bring?

It's always smart to wear comfortable shoes since you'll be on your feet for most of the tour. A good camera or smartphone with a camera is also recommended.

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

While the majority of Doge's Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica are wheelchair accessible, there are areas that can be difficult to navigate. If you have any doubts about your mobility, please let us know beforehand.

What happens if it rains?

We run this tour rain or shine. If the weather is extremely bad and either site is closed, we'll inform you as soon as possible.

Is there any chance my tour might be canceled?

On the rare occasions the tour is canceled, we'll inform you as soon as possible and work together on al alternative date or a refund.

Is there a dress code to enter the Doge's Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica?

Yes, there is a dress code to join this tour. Please avoid wearing sandals, hats, shorts, skirts, or tops that expose your shoulders.

Do Doge's Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica ever experience sudden closures?

During adverse weather events or due to maintenance or safety reasons, Doge's Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica may be closed unexpectedly and without much notice. If this occurs, we will let you know as soon as possible.

Is lunch or dinner included in the price of the tour?

No, but our knowledgeable guides will happily point out excellent places to eat after your tour.

Can I bring my kids, and do I have to pay for them?

All ages are welcome on our Doge's Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica tour, and we offer a discounted rate for children. Please choose accordingly during the booking.