Doge's Palace and Saint Mark's After Hours Small Group Tour
Overview
Venice is known for its beauty, charm and history but it is also known for its crowds. This tour is designed in a way to allow each tour group to be as small and intimate as possible so our small groups are no larger than 6 people per tour guide. This ensures that you get the full experience from start to finish, and truly enjoy and live the sites as should be done. Italians take great care when it comes to hospitality, and that is what a small group of 6 offers. This particular tour is even more personalized with EXCLUSIVE access into one of the most prestigious landmarks of Venice – VIP access after hours to the incredible Saint Mark's Basilica, preceded by a thorough and enchanted tour of the Doge's Palace and the infamous Bridge of Sighs.
Perfect for all ages and history levels. Book this incredible experience today!
Perfect for all ages and history levels. Book this incredible experience today!
Inclusions
- Small Group of ONLY 6 people MAX
- Exclusive After Hours entrance to Saint Mark's Basilica
- Professional Local Expert Guide
- Night tour of the Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs
- Entry/Admission - Doge's Palace
- Entry/Admission - Ponte dei Sospiri
- Entry/Admission - Basilica di San Marco
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Piazza San Marco, 31024 Venice Italy
You and your small group will meet your guide in one of Italy’s most famous piazzas – St Mark’s Square – noted for its charming, Italian-Gothic beauty just off the shores of the canal. This very square began to gain cultural relevance over 1000 years ago with its first chapel construction in 819 AD.
Your LivItaly tour guide will tell you just how this square came to importance and the inspiration for St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s palace which create its majestic backdrop. Learn about the cultural influences which have contributed to the architectural beauty of the surrounding buildings – Eastern and Venentian Gothic.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Doge's Palace, Piazza San Marco, 1, 30124 Venice Italy
Your guide will then take you to the Doge’s Palace, originally built as a 10th century fortress and later transformed into a palazzo under Doge Sebastiano Ziani. The palace expanded so much throughout time that it eventually even reached the side walls of St Mark’s Basilica. Learn about the amazing color-changing facade of the Doge’s Palace and why it changes color from day to night.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ponte dei Sospiri, Piazza San Marco, 1, 30100 Venice Italy
Your tour will also take you to the famous Bridge of Sighs, a last sight for prisoners on their march towards imprisonment, known as one of their last and most memorable views of the beautiful Venetian lagoon. A sight worth remembering even today.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Basilica di San Marco, Piazza San Marco 328, 30124 Venice Italy
As your Doge's Palace tour ends, you will make your way to Saint Mark's Basilica, the gates of which will have already closed for all other visitors, but will reopen EXCLUSIVELY for us. As you walk in you will be surprised by the darkness within the basilica, but sit on the pews and get ready for a spectacular slow illumination of the prestigious ceiling mosaics – a light show privy only to night visitors. The mosaics depict stories from the Old Testament, images of Noah, Adam and Moses. Learn how according to some scholars, these mosaics replicate the miniatures of ancient medieval manuscripts of the Bible – a historic narrative above, all illuminated to create an ambiance which is absolutely unforgettable.
One of the perks of this tour is being able to see the Pala D’oro ancient altar piece up close, an act that is seemingly impossible during hurried daytime crowds. Admire the craftsmanship of gold and silver metal work as well as the 1300 pearls and 1900 gem stones that adorn it.
Our guests will also get to see the crypts where noble Venetians have been laid to rest. Learn how the crypt was moved in the 16th century to avoid flood damage and how it was sealed off for over two centuries only to be reopened in the 19th century.
But the best part of it all is clearly the fact that you and your group will be completely alone in the basilica for the portion of your tour – a once in a lifetime experience reserved exclusively for our guests.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Piazza San Marco, 31024 Venice Italy
You and your small group will meet your guide in one of Italy’s most famous piazzas – St Mark’s Square – noted for its charming, Italian-Gothic beauty just off the shores of the canal. This very square began to gain cultural relevance over 1000 years ago with its first chapel construction in 819 AD.
Your LivItaly tour guide will tell you just how this square came to importance and the inspiration for St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s palace which create its majestic backdrop. Learn about the cultural influences which have contributed to the architectural beauty of the surrounding buildings – Eastern and Venentian Gothic.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Doge's Palace, Piazza San Marco, 1, 30124 Venice Italy
Your guide will then take you to the Doge’s Palace, originally built as a 10th century fortress and later transformed into a palazzo under Doge Sebastiano Ziani. The palace expanded so much throughout time that it eventually even reached the side walls of St Mark’s Basilica. Learn about the amazing color-changing facade of the Doge’s Palace and why it changes color from day to night.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ponte dei Sospiri, Piazza San Marco, 1, 30100 Venice Italy
Your tour will also take you to the famous Bridge of Sighs, a last sight for prisoners on their march towards imprisonment, known as one of their last and most memorable views of the beautiful Venetian lagoon. A sight worth remembering even today.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Basilica di San Marco, Piazza San Marco 328, 30124 Venice Italy
As your Doge's Palace tour ends, you will make your way to Saint Mark's Basilica, the gates of which will have already closed for all other visitors, but will reopen EXCLUSIVELY for us. As you walk in you will be surprised by the darkness within the basilica, but sit on the pews and get ready for a spectacular slow illumination of the prestigious ceiling mosaics – a light show privy only to night visitors. The mosaics depict stories from the Old Testament, images of Noah, Adam and Moses. Learn how according to some scholars, these mosaics replicate the miniatures of ancient medieval manuscripts of the Bible – a historic narrative above, all illuminated to create an ambiance which is absolutely unforgettable.
One of the perks of this tour is being able to see the Pala D’oro ancient altar piece up close, an act that is seemingly impossible during hurried daytime crowds. Admire the craftsmanship of gold and silver metal work as well as the 1300 pearls and 1900 gem stones that adorn it.
Our guests will also get to see the crypts where noble Venetians have been laid to rest. Learn how the crypt was moved in the 16th century to avoid flood damage and how it was sealed off for over two centuries only to be reopened in the 19th century.
But the best part of it all is clearly the fact that you and your group will be completely alone in the basilica for the portion of your tour – a once in a lifetime experience reserved exclusively for our guests.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Meeting point
St. Mark's Square, Piazza San Marco, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Additional information
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
- This tour operates within current local COVID-19 protocol. We are not responsible for any persons who do not adhere to regulations, and in said circumstances will result in loss of the tour without refund.
Exclusions
- Gratuities (optional)
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
londonmlle
May 2022
This tour was GREAT! What a special experience to be alone inside the Basilica at night with all the lights on. It was the highlight of our Venice trip for my whole family (ages 10 to 80!). Marie-Therese was an excellent guide - she is so knowledgeable about art, history, religion, etc, and she w...
This tour was GREAT! What a special experience to be alone inside the Basilica at night with all the lights on. It was the highlight of our Venice trip for my whole family (ages 10 to 80!). Marie-Therese was an excellent guide - she is so knowledgeable about art, history, religion, etc, and she was able to keep everyone interested for the entire tour (not an easy feat with 3 children and a grandma). We will not hesitate to book another tour with LivTours in the future.Lesley_H
April 2022
Sabrina was a fantastic guide! She was so knowledgeable and really brought the history to life. We were even fortunate to have dinner with her in between experiences. After hours St. Mark’s was incredible - highly recommend
Sabrina was a fantastic guide! She was so knowledgeable and really brought the history to life. We were even fortunate to have dinner with her in between experiences. After hours St. Mark’s was incredible - highly recommendA721QPjulia
September 2021
I am writing this review because livitaly is worth the money on all of their tours! My fiancé and I took this tour and loved our guide. It was suppose to be a small group and ended up with just us on a private tour. The lights against the mosaics in the Basilica are amazing and the guides are ver...
I am writing this review because livitaly is worth the money on all of their tours! My fiancé and I took this tour and loved our guide. It was suppose to be a small group and ended up with just us on a private tour. The lights against the mosaics in the Basilica are amazing and the guides are very knowledgeable about the sites as well as the current and future restoration projects. It was amazing to learn about the history of everything and future exhibits to look forward too. Pamela made this trip for us. We will remember this experience and do livitaly again.Q952EYlaurae
August 2021
Our guide Marie was exceptional! We went on a tour with our teenage daughter and son. Marie found ways to engage both with stories that made the history Venice engaging and relevant.
Our guide Marie was exceptional! We went on a tour with our teenage daughter and son. Marie found ways to engage both with stories that made the history Venice engaging and relevant.G8561RDellies
June 2021
Great tour with Marie!!!! Very personable and gave insider tips about Venice. Loved it! Highly recommend
Great tour with Marie!!!! Very personable and gave insider tips about Venice. Loved it! Highly recommendthompson4x
May 2022
There simply are no words to adequately describe the spectacular nature of this tour and our guide Nico. It’s truly a once in a lifetime experience like no other. And Nico is not only well-versed and incredibly knowledgeable, his passion makes the tour highly engaging and interactive. Our family ...
There simply are no words to adequately describe the spectacular nature of this tour and our guide Nico. It’s truly a once in a lifetime experience like no other. And Nico is not only well-versed and incredibly knowledgeable, his passion makes the tour highly engaging and interactive. Our family was stunned at the beauty, history and the way Nico tied everything together as though we were walking through time. Do not think twice about taking this tour—it truly was a major highlight of our Venice trip. And if you’re fortunate enough to have Nico as your guide, be prepared for an amazing experience.