Legendary Venice St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access & Doge's Palace
Overview
Delve into Venetian history on a tour showcasing the city's most iconic structures—St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace—as an expert guide sheds light on the stories behind both iconic attractions. Skip the line into the legendary St. Mark's Basilica, where you’ll wander through the mosaic-clad interior and even step onto the balcony overlooking Piazza San Marco—reserved for only a select few! Then, continue to the Doge's Palace and step into the political heart of a powerful empire.
Inclusions
- Local English-speaking guide
- Skip-the-line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica
- Headsets when necessary
- Exclusive access to the balcony of St. Mark's Basilica
- Pre-reserved ticket to the Doge's Palace
- Exclusive Early Entry to the Doge's Palace (8 AM only)
- Guaranteed to skip the lines
- Entry/Admission - Basilica di San Marco
- Entry/Admission - Doge's Palace
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Piazza San Marco, 31024 Venice Italy
Begin in the world-famous St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) and take a moment to appreciate the breathtaking space laid out in front of you. Your guide will lay the foundation for your experience, setting the scene of centuries of Venetian history under the famed arched portico.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Basilica di San Marco, San Marco, 328, 30124 Venice Italy
Get special access into the pristine St. Mark’s Basilica, skipping past the long lines and straight into its opulent interior. Wander beneath the mosaics in the company of a local guide who’s especially skilled at reviving the past through storytelling and expert knowledge. Marvel at the mosaics and more of the basilica’s treasures, then take a walk out onto the balcony for a once-in-a-lifetime view overlooking Piazza San Marco, the Doge's Palace, and the Venetian lagoon.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Doge's Palace, Piazza San Marco, 1, 30124 Venice Italy
Weave your way through the Doge’s Palace, where pre-reserved tickets once again get you past the lines and inside what was once the political heart of the Venetian empire for hundreds of years. Walk through the Doge's private apartments and learn how politics and crime went hand in hand—even in medieval Venice. Finally, like many other (unlucky) Venetians before you, you’ll wander over the Bridge of Sighs—and learn why this romantic icon is a little grimmer than you may have heard—before finishing your exploration in the New Prisons.
Duration: 2 hours
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Piazza San Marco, 31024 Venice Italy
Begin in the world-famous St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) and take a moment to appreciate the breathtaking space laid out in front of you. Your guide will lay the foundation for your experience, setting the scene of centuries of Venetian history under the famed arched portico.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Basilica di San Marco, San Marco, 328, 30124 Venice Italy
Get special access into the pristine St. Mark’s Basilica, skipping past the long lines and straight into its opulent interior. Wander beneath the mosaics in the company of a local guide who’s especially skilled at reviving the past through storytelling and expert knowledge. Marvel at the mosaics and more of the basilica’s treasures, then take a walk out onto the balcony for a once-in-a-lifetime view overlooking Piazza San Marco, the Doge's Palace, and the Venetian lagoon.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Doge's Palace, Piazza San Marco, 1, 30124 Venice Italy
Weave your way through the Doge’s Palace, where pre-reserved tickets once again get you past the lines and inside what was once the political heart of the Venetian empire for hundreds of years. Walk through the Doge's private apartments and learn how politics and crime went hand in hand—even in medieval Venice. Finally, like many other (unlucky) Venetians before you, you’ll wander over the Bridge of Sighs—and learn why this romantic icon is a little grimmer than you may have heard—before finishing your exploration in the New Prisons.
Duration: 2 hours
Additional information
- Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate guests with mobility impairments, wheelchairs or strollers on this tour.
- Backpacks are prohibited inside St. Mark's Basilica.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Walks complies with all local government regulations. Please refer to Italy government guidelines for the most up to date information.
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Tour in English only
- St. Mark's Basilica can be subject to unforeseen closures due to liturgical celebrations or high tides. In this event, your guide will give the tour from the exterior of the Basilica or we will contact clients as soon as possible to arrange a suitable alternative.
- Due to the religious nature of the Basilica, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. A scarf or shawl is acceptable. The activity provider cannot be held responsible for those denied entry
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
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.
KatieLR20
October 2023
Roberta our tour guide was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and passionate about Venice and it’s history. It was so worth doing and so happy we decided to book. Very easy meet up point and a small enough group that you didn’t get lost in the crowd. Would 100% recommend. Thank you Roberta!
Roberta our tour guide was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and passionate about Venice and it’s history. It was so worth doing and so happy we decided to book. Very easy meet up point and a small enough group that you didn’t get lost in the crowd. Would 100% recommend. Thank you Roberta!DavidV1684
October 2023
Excellent Tour. Arianna is a knowledgeable and passionate guide. I can only recommend this tour, well worth the price.
Excellent Tour. Arianna is a knowledgeable and passionate guide. I can only recommend this tour, well worth the price.mvM3649WX
October 2023
It was an amazing tour! Our guide, Pamela was very knowledgeable and was very personable. We would do the tour again! Thank you for a great experience!!
It was an amazing tour! Our guide, Pamela was very knowledgeable and was very personable. We would do the tour again! Thank you for a great experience!!O4826CMkellyr
October 2023
This tour was amazing. Not only were the views incredible and impressive, but our tour guide (Elena I think) was very knowledgable and kept the tour fun and interesting. Doge’s palace was my favourite place, what an incredible building - the art was breathtaking. I would highly recommend this to ...
This tour was amazing. Not only were the views incredible and impressive, but our tour guide (Elena I think) was very knowledgable and kept the tour fun and interesting. Doge’s palace was my favourite place, what an incredible building - the art was breathtaking. I would highly recommend this to anyone.Jane_M
October 2023
Elena, our guide, was excellent. Knowledgeable, clear, funny, and direct and efficient with the tours. We appreciated all the history and beauty of the palace and basilica. Ending the tour at noon on the terrace allowed us a special look at the mechanical clock in the square.
Elena, our guide, was excellent. Knowledgeable, clear, funny, and direct and efficient with the tours. We appreciated all the history and beauty of the palace and basilica. Ending the tour at noon on the terrace allowed us a special look at the mechanical clock in the square.Judy_J
October 2023
i never got to go on this tour! on 10/20/23 some how I saw that all my scheduled tours for all days had been deleted . I called at around 7pm and asked that they be added again. The agent on the phone added this one by mistake and asked me to pay for the re added tours with a link she woul...
i never got to go on this tour! on 10/20/23 some how I saw that all my scheduled tours for all days had been deleted . I called at around 7pm and asked that they be added again. The agent on the phone added this one by mistake and asked me to pay for the re added tours with a link she would send me. I was on a tour of an opera at that time and didn't have access to view my re added tours. so I filled out the form not knowing I was paying for a wrong one. Since it was added the evening before I could n't cancel without being charged. I am a very good customer of Viator. Even though they saw 2 tours scheduled on the same day at the same time. Couldn't they see it was an error. I could not go to similar tours; one at 11am and one at 11:15 on Oct 21 at the same time. I am very upset that they denied my request for a refund.