St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride

4.6 (1,369 reviews) Venice, Italy
Duration3h 30m
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 25 travelers

Overview

This tour pairs Venice’s two most important landmarks with a 30-minute shared gondola ride. Use timed entry tickets to enter St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace with an expert guide. Learn fascinating details as you explore, from the basilica’s mosaics to the palace’s political history and prison passages. Finally, board a shared gondola, for a classic and memorable Venetian experience.

Options

Semi-Private Half-Day Tour

St. Mark's, Doge's & Gondola: Includes a small-group guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, and a shared gondola ride.
Max 12 Guests
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

Group Full Day Tour

Includes: St. Mark's, Doge's Palace, a 30-minute gondola ride, and a walking tour to Rialto Bridge
Duration: 6 hours

Group Half-Day Tour

St. Mark's, Doge's & Gondola: Includes a small-group guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, and a shared gondola ride.
Max 25 guests
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

What's included

  • Timed entry ticket and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica (valued at €12 per person)
  • Expert English-speaking guide
  • Timed entry ticket and guided tour of Doge’s Palace
  • 30-minute gondola ride (max 5 people shared experience)
  • Food and drinks
  • Guide tips

What to expect

  1. Basilica di San Marco
    30m · Admission ticket included
    Use time entry to tickets to enter St. Mark’s Basilica, go through the required security line, then spend about 20 minutes inside with your expert guide. Admire gold mosaics, domes, and marble floors while your guide explains how Venice’s seafaring empire shaped this sacred landmark.
  2. Palazzo Ducale
    1h 30m · Admission ticket included
    Move from St. Mark's across the square to the Doge's Palace. Follow your guide inside with time entry tickets, skipping the general admissions line. As you explore the Doge’s Palace, learn about the wild ways of the Venetian Republic under the rule of elected magistrates. This tour not only showcases the interior of this ornate palace, but also goes in depth about the crime and legal system that was once in place in the city of Venice. Admire classic works of Venetian art and visit Doge’s Palace’s main sights, such as the Grand Staircase and the Bridge of Sighs.
  3. Piazza San Marco
    30m
    Following your guided tour of the Doges Palace, your guide will introduce you to some other highlights surrounding St. Marks Square like the stunning bell tower (exterior visit) and adorning portico's surrounding the square. Then take a 20-minute break to grab a snack and relax.
  4. Venice
    30m
    Lastly, join a quintessential Venice activity, a gondola ride! Left in the care of a trusted gondolier, enjoy the beauty of Venice from the water. Glide through the panoramic canals in a shared gondola, each boat accommodating up to 5 participants.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early. Between the two big columns in St. Mark’s Square (columns of San Marco and San Teodoro) located on the south side of the square, near the canal. Your guide will be holding a sign.

End point

Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early. Between the two big columns in St. Mark’s Square (columns of San Marco and San Teodoro) located on the south side of the square, near the canal. Your guide will be holding a sign.

Additional information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • 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.
  • 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 may be refused entry.
  • Your gondola ride is a shared experience, with each boat accommodating up to five guests. A professional gondolier will operate the boat, but please note that this portion of the tour is not guided. The ride lasts approximately 25 to 30 minutes, including the time needed to board and disembark.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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4.6 (1,369)
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