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Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Tour
The Ultimate Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Tour with Skip-the-Line Entry
Itinerary Highlights
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Doge’s Palace: Discover the lavish institutional chambers and the Great Council Hall, home to massive canvases by Tintoretto and Veronese.
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Bridge of Sighs & Prisons: Walk the famous enclosed bridge to the New Prisons, following the footsteps of legendary escapee Giacomo Casanova.
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St. Mark’s Basilica: Enter the “Church of Gold” to see the shimmering 9th-century Byzantine mosaics and the Pala d’Oro.
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Murano Glass Masterclass: Visit a traditional workshop to watch a Venetian master transform molten glass into a sculpture before your eyes.
Why book this tour
The Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Tour is the most efficient way to experience Venice’s heavy hitters. By combining skip-the-line tickets with an official guide, you gain insider knowledge—like the hidden meanings behind the palace frescoes and the daring history of the Basilica’s relics—that you simply won’t find in a guidebook. It’s a seamless blend of art history, political intrigue and local craft.
Description
Discover the city’s most famous landmarks with a guided Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Tour featuring skip-the-line access and expert storytelling.
Explore the iconic monuments of Venice and visit the Doge’s Palace, the center of political power of the Venetian Republic, the fascinating Bridge of Sighs and the impressive St. Mark’s Basilica, adorned with incredible 9th century mosaics.
The tour with an official guide of Venice includes a visit to the Doge’s Palace with tickets included.
During the tour of the Doge’s Palace you will be able to admire the works of Tintoretto, Titian and Veronese. The tour also includes a stop at the Bridge of Sighs, which is named after the sighs of the prisoners. In the same prison Giacomo Casanova was imprisoned in 1755.
Next, visit the Basilica of San Mark’s with skip the line tickets. Here you can
admire the famous Byzantine Gold mosaics that cover the walls of the Basilica, they are considered among the most beautiful in europe!
Do not miss the opportunity to visit an old Murano glass factory where a Venetian master will perform a Murano glass sculpture in front of you. Learn all about the secrets of Murano glass that is known throughout the world. The art of Murano work is handed down from father to son in Venice.
Don’t miss out on the ultimate Venetian experience—secure your spot on our Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Tour today!
Things to know before the tour
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Punctuality is Key: Venice is a maze! Please allow extra time to navigate the calli (streets) and arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before the tour starts. We cannot guarantee entry for late arrivals due to strict palace time slots.
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Dress for the Basilica: Entry to St. Mark’s Basilica is strictly regulated. Both men and women must have shoulders and knees covered. Transparent clothing or hats are not permitted inside the church.
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Travel Light: There are no cloakrooms at the Basilica or Palace for large items. Avoid bringing bulky backpacks, suitcases or large umbrellas, as you will be denied entry.
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Comfortable Footwear: You will be on your feet for approximately 2 hours, walking over stone floors and crossing several bridges. We highly recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes.
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Safety & Security: All visitors must pass through a security metal detector. This may cause a short wait even with our skip-the-line access.
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The Glass Factory Visit: The Murano glass demonstration is an optional but highly recommended part of the experience. It takes place in a central Venetian workshop, so no boat travel to Murano island is required.
Important information
- Dress Code: Modest attire is required for St. Mark’s Basilica. Shoulders and knees must be covered (no sleeveless tops or short skirts/shorts).
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Prohibited Items: Large bags, backpacks and umbrellas are not allowed inside the monuments.
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Arrival: Please meet your guide at the designated meeting point 15 minutes before departure to ensure a prompt start.
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Photography: Photos are welcome in the Doge’s Palace but are strictly prohibited inside the Basilica to preserve the sacred mosaics.
Cancellation policy
To receive a full refund, travelers may cancel up to 3 days before the experience start time in the local timezone. No refunds will be given after that time period.
Meeting point
Included
Excluded
Tips
Values
- Priority Access and Expert Guidance!
- Local Staff Support
- Encounter Ancient Treasures
- Unravel Hidden Meanings in the Artwork
About the Tour
Offered in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese or German
Duration
2 hours
Level
Easy
Access
Audio
Small Group Tour
Maximum group size of 20 people
Dates and departures
Everyday: please check available times on the calendar
— What you won’t miss
You Will See
Murano Glass Blowing Factory
Doge’s Palace
Bridge of Sighs
St. Mark’s Basilica
— About Us
