Venice
3 hours
Times vary; please select a specific date to see availability
Max 20

Highlights

  • Our most extraordinary experience in Venice, the Legendary Venice: St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace Tour is the best way to visit two of the city's most venerated spaces.
  • 8 am time slot only: Enter the Doge's Palace before it opens to the public thanks to our specially secured VIP access.
  • Bypass long lines into St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, where golden mosaics await and stories of saints and sinners delight.
  • Step out onto the balcony overlooking St. Mark's Square for an exclusive view few others get to experience.
  • Walk into the sacred spaces where Venice's most coveted artifacts reside and famed frescos beckon.

Preview the experience

Loading...

Tour description

Get swept away by tales of the rise and fall of the Venetian empire.

Venice’s incomparable artistic and historical masterpieces will leave you breathless on this unforgettable three-hour experience. More than simply a guided St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace tour, this experience brings both iconic buildings—and the historical characters behind them—to life.

Enjoy special-access entrance into St. Mark's Basilica, including a VIP-only balcony visit.

Meeting in St. Mark’s Square, take a few breathtaking moments to appreciate the incredible sight before you as your guide prepares you for what is to come. With our pre-reserved, special access tickets, we'll breeze past the infamous long lines into St. Mark’s Basilica—a massive architectural and artistic achievement.

You'll travel far beyond the spaces highlighted in guidebooks as your guide exposes all the rudimentary facts, features, and stories of St. Mark's Basilica and Venice itself throughout the tour. They'll spin swashbuckling tales of the basilica's foundation (let's just say it involves an angelic prophecy and a brazen theft) and lead you to the church's innumerable treasures—including the intricate mosaics and original quadriga of four bronze horses, a millennia-old symbol of St. Mark's. You'll even enjoy exclusive access onto the balcony overlooking the whole of Piazza San Marco, the Doge's Palace, and a good portion of the Venetian lagoon.

Unearth secret tales of power and corruption at the Doge's Palace.

Your St. Mark’s Basilica tour is only the tip of the iceberg. The Doge’s Palace was the heart of the Republic of Venice. It was home to the Doge (Duke) and Venetian government, and replete with everything from grandiose, gilded halls to grim torture chambers.

As you enter the palace (skipping once again past any lines), your guide will share stories of scandal and politics while leading you into the Doge's own lavish apartments and through to the Hall of the Great Council. It is here where you'll come face to face with the famed frescos of Veronese and Tintoretto and learn why the row of portraits of the Doges circling the hall is interrupted by a mysterious black veil. (Hint: It has to do with a beheading—how medieval!)

On your Doge's Palace tour, you’ll also explore the massive armory and the so-called "New Prisons," where your guide will share the grim life of a Venetian prisoner. You’ll even stroll through the interior of the Bridge of Sighs, which you'll learn isn't quite as romantic as modern-day folklore paints it to be.

NB: Choose the 8 am time slot for an even more exclusive experience—our groups are able to access the palace before it even opens to the public.

Privileged entrance, small groups, and expert guides—Legendary Venice is a St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace tour to remember.

In order to do justice to these incredible sites and your time in Venice, we’ve kept the group size limited to 20 people or fewer. You'll also have a headset, so you’ll be able to hear your guide clearly, engage with them and ask all the questions you want. Take advantage of their expertise—they’re truly the best in the business.

We’ve spent years building the best team of guides, chosen for their knowledge, enthusiasm, and friendliness. We know how important your guide is to the quality of your tour, so we only work with those who are both passionate and knowledgeable about the history, art, and stories of Venice.

For the best, most enjoyable, and informative way to see the top sights of Venice, explore St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace with us on this unforgettable tour. It’s three hours, two top sites, and dozens of tales you’ll be reliving forever!

Please note that it is not possible to bring large backpacks on the tour.

Please note that this description is an example and your experience may vary depending on the season, day of the week, and group size. Regardless of where your tour goes, you always have an excellent experience.

Sites visited

  • St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)
  • St. Mark's Basilica
  • St. Mark's Basilica terraces (exclusive access)
  • Bell Tower in St. Mark's Square (exterior)
  • Marciana Library (exterior)
  • Doge’s Palace
  • New Prisons
  • Bridge of Sighs

Included

Verified guest reviews

4.7 / 5
2739 Customer Reviews
  1. Excellent

    2152

  2. Great

    414

  3. Good

    113

  4. Average

    46

  5. Poor

    14

Eric

Oct 28, 2024

Our tour guide, Eleanora, was incredible! Super knowledgeable and engaging throughout the whole tour. We took the 8am tour which was great because Doge Palace was so quiet (St. Mark’s Basilica was definitely busy when we got there - this was our ending location). Definitely recommend this tour!

Olga

Oct 26, 2024

This tour was excellent. We wanted to see two main Venice attractions like St. Marks Basilica and Doge's Palace which would be timed with granted access. Name of the company was found on Facebook Venice travel group. The quality and logistics of the tour was superior. Easy to meet, ear piece to hear the guide. The guide Pamela was absolutely outstanding how she delivered all the information on this tour. Worth every penny and highly recommend.

Rebecca

Oct 21, 2024

This was one of the best tours of our vacation. Our tour guide was amazing. She was very knowledgeable and kept us on our toes (with fun facts and historical notes). Getting the inside tour of St. Marks and Doge Palace (plus the bridge of sighs and prison) - was absolutely incredible. We highly recommend taking this tour.

Julie

Oct 21, 2024

Guided Tours can be hit and miss - this one was a hit. I wanted one that was more than just historical highlights and I wanted to be able to ask the guide questions, this was perfect. Virginia is a Venice native, very warm and friendly and clearly passionate and knoweldgeable about her subject. Without a guide, the Doges Palace is just a series of impressive rooms and artwork - Virgina brought it to life. In St Marks, the historical background and insight was fascinating. Three hours is quite a long time but if you interested in the history of Venice this tour is excellent.

Liz

Oct 20, 2024

With limited time ideal way to get a good grasp of Venetian history. Will return to Doges Palace as so much to take in. Could spend a day just viewing artwork.

Know before you book

Make it a perfect day

image

Enjoy an unforgettable day in Venice as you explore its most legendary attractions, then head off the beaten path to experience the best bites in the city.

From $109
Free Cancellation