Venice:Early Access Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica + Balcony

Duration3h

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Group sizeUp to 12 travelers

Overview

See two of Venice’s most iconic landmarks with access that makes all the difference. Start early in St. Mark’s Square before the daytime crowds build, then enter the Doge’s Palace with specially secured early access before it opens to the general public.
Explore the palace’s magnificent rooms as your expert guide brings the power, politics and scandals of the Venetian Republic to life. See the Doge’s Apartments and Hall of the Great Council, home to Tintoretto’s monumental Paradise, before crossing the legendary Bridge of Sighs into the stark New Prisons. Skip the line at St. Mark’s Basilica to discover its golden mosaics and Byzantine architecture. Climb up to step onto the basilica’s balcony for sweeping views across St. Mark’s Square and the Venetian Lagoon.
With early access to the Doge’s Palace, skip-the-line entry to St. Mark’s Basilica and balcony access, this tour is designed to optimise Venice’s two must-see landmarks in the best possible way.

Options

Venice:Early Access Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica + Balcony

Private Tour

VIP Doge's Palace & Basilica: Enter Doge’s Palace an hour before opening on a private tour, skip the line at St. Mark’s & enjoy panoramic view from terrace

What's included

Local English-speaking guide
Bell Tower in St. Mark's Square (exterior)
Exclusive early morning early access to the Doge’s Palace
New Prisons
Marciana Library (exterior)
Exclusive access to the balcony of St. Mark's Basilica
Skip-the-line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica (St. Mark's Basilica + Museum 24€)
Bridge of Sighs
St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)

Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Gratuities

What to expect

15m

Meet your guide in St. Mark’s Square at 8am, before the daytime crowds arrive. Discover how this magnificent piazza became the political and religious heart of Venice as your guide sets the scene for the landmarks you’re about to explore.
1h 15m · Admission ticket included

Enter the Doge’s Palace with specially secured early access, before it opens to the general public. Explore the Doge’s Apartments and Hall of the Great Council, home to Tintoretto’s monumental Paradise, one of the world’s largest oil paintings. Hear stories of Venetian politics, power and scandal as you explore the former seat of the Republic
St. Mark's Basilica
1h · Admission ticket included

Skip the line into St. Mark’s Basilica and discover its spectacular Byzantine architecture and glittering golden mosaics. Hear the story of St. Mark and his connection to Venice before climbing to the upper level and stepping onto the balcony for sweeping views over St. Mark’s Square and the Venetian Lagoon.
30m · Admission ticket included

Cross the legendary Bridge of Sighs along the route once taken by prisoners from the Doge’s Palace to the New Prisons. Step inside the stark cells where the Venetian Republic held its convicted prisoners offering a striking contrast to the opulent halls you’ve just explored.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a yellow WalksDevour sign. This tour meets at Correr Museum in Piazza San Marco 52. Your guide will be waiting under the portico just outside the entrance of the museum.

End point

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
Due to the religious nature of St. Mark's Basilica, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. You can bring extra covering (scarves, etc) to put on just before entering St. Mark's. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.
Sites visited during this tour are subject to occasional closures due to holy observances, high tides, and/or flooding. If a site closes, your guide will tour the exterior of the site. If time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. If the local municipality restricts access due to high tide and there are no walkways available, it is the client’s responsibility to bring appropriate footwear (e.g., boots). For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
No refund will be provided if high tide prevents certain parts of the tour, but adjustments to the route will be made for client safety and comfort.
If access is restricted due to private events inside St. Mark's Basilica and/or Doge's Palace, we cannot be held responsible. This is a situation beyond our control. No refund will be issued.
All guests must supply their full name that matches a valid ID at the time of the booking. Should you fail to provide these, your reservation will be canceled. Name changes are not permitted.
Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Marks Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument.
St. Mark’s Basilica can be subject to closures due to particular liturgical celebrations, especially during major religious holidays such as Easter or Christmas. In the event that the Basilica is closed, explanations will be provided from the outside.

Cancellation policy

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.