Basilica, Doge's Palace, History Gallery & Bell Tower Option

Name: Basilica, Doge's Palace, History Gallery & Bell Tower Option
Brand: CITY TOURS CO. LTD
Price: 97 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (688 reviews)

4.8 · 688 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor 95% of star-rated reviews are 4★ or 5★ Venice Operated by CITY TOURS CO. LTD Free cancellation · up to 24 hours before Likely to sell out

Duration: 2h–3h
Group: Shared tour
Guide languages: English, French
Start & pickup: 09:15, 10:00, 11:00, 11:15, 14:00, 14:15, 14:30 · No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point
Tickets: Admission included
Booking: Instant confirmation · mobile ticket

Guidekin's take

Guided entries to the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica, crossing the Bridge of Sighs into the old prisons, with a Marciana Library ticket to use on your own; tiers add the Rialto, lunch or a priority bell tower ticket.

Runs in English or French; the library is closed on Sundays and hotel pickup is not included. 4.8 from 688 reviews at €97 per person.

In our comparison: #9 of 22 in Walking Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (see the comparison).

How we choose tours →Commissions never affect our verdicts.

Options and prices

5 options from the operator, described in its own words. Prices are the operator's from-prices per adult for a party of two. Click an option to book it on Viator.

Option	What the operator says	From, per adult
Classic France Tour The page priceFrench	Visit: Doge's Palace and St Mark's Palace Duration: 2 hours French Guided Tour	€97
Classic Eng. TourEnglish	Visit: Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica Duration: 2 hours English Guided Tour	€97
In-depth Eng Tour English	Visit: Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica Duration: 3 hours English Guided Tour	€107
Classic Eng. Tour + LunchEnglish	Type of service: Shared Guided Tour & Venetian Lunch Duration: 4 hours: approx.	€130
Classic Eng Tour + Bell TowerEnglish	Visit: Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica and Bell Tower Duration: 3 hours English Guided Tour	€133

Children from €36 (ages 0 to 5). Option texts and prices come from the operator's listing; prices checked on Viator on 3 October 2026.

Included and not included

Rialto Bridge Visit (if option is selected)
Bell Tower Priority Ticket (if the option is selected)
Bridge of Sighs Entrance
Skip the line ticket to Marciana Library (Closed on Sundays)
Skip the Line Ticket to Doge's Palace
Guided tour by a qualified guide to Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Cathedral (if option is selected)
Skip the line Ticket to the St. Mark's Cathedral
Skip the line ticket to Archeological Museum
St. Mark's Cathedral Terrace Entrance Ticket (if option is selected)
History Gallery - Venice in the past VR Experience
Skip the line Ticket to Royal Palace - Correr Museum (Empress Sissi Rooms & Napoleon Dancing Hall)

Hotel pickup & Drop Off
Food & Drinks
Guided Tour to Royal Palace - Correr Museum
Guided Tour to Marciana Library
Guided Tour to Archeological Museum

Reviews

4.8

688 ratings
Tripadvisor 585 · Viator 103

95% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4★ or 5★: 657 of 688

Star breakdown of all 688 ratings

5 stars

604 · 88%

4 stars

53 · 8%

3 stars

17 · 2%

2 stars

6 · 1%

1 star

8 · 1%

What reviewers say

Reviewers praise the guides' historical insight; some find it unclear which sites and guided visits their booking includes.

Praised

Knowledgeable guides explain Venetian history, palace art and the Basilica
Clear storytelling and humour keep historical explanations engaging
Friendly, attentive guides respond to questions and individual needs
Quick entry with skip the line access
Panoramic views of Venice from the bell tower

Complaints

Confusion about which extra sites are included and which visits are guided
Some find the tour slow or overly detailed, while others praise the pace
Late starts or overruns can disrupt plans after the tour

Written by Guidekin from the 100 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (27 November 2025 to 3 October 2026). Refreshed as new reviews arrive; last checked 4 October 2026.

Latest reviews

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Ratings collected from Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.

Meeting point and route

Meeting point

Where: From St. Mark’s Square, face the Basilica and turn right towards the Doge’s Palace. Continue past the Bridge of Sighs to Riva degli Schiavoni (the waterfront promenade). Walk for 2 minutes, then turn left into Calle de le Rasse. The Venice Tours Office is at number 4536. · Open in Google Maps
Departure: 09:15, 10:00, 11:00, 11:15, 14:00, 14:15, 14:30 daily; scheduled through December 2028 (operator schedule, seats confirmed at checkout)
Return: This activity ends back at the meeting point
Pickup: No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point
Operator: CITY TOURS CO. LTD; booking and payment are completed on Viator

Itinerary

1
Palazzo Ducale
Visit the imposing Doge’s Palace with its marvelous rooms rich of artistic artwork made by famous venetian artists. You will discover the halls of power where the Doge and the highest politicians decided the faith of the Venice Republic. In these rooms you will be stunned in front of the “Last Judgment” by Tintoretto, one of the largest paintings in the world. Then the guide will escort you down in the old venetian prisons, passing through the magnificent Bridge of Sighs!
1h 15m · Admission included
2
Basilica di San Marco
The guided visit will proceed to the Basilica of Saint Mark, known also as the Golden Basilica, thanks to its uncountable mosaics made of pure gold! The guide will explain the history and meaning of the masterpieces that decorate the cathedral. (OUTSIDE TOUR IF THE BELL TOWER OPTION IS SELECTED)
1h · Admission included
Piazza San Marco
The two symbols of Venice are in the middle of the marvelous Saint Mark's Square.
Pass by, no stop
4
Campanile di San Marco
St. Mark's Bell Tower option for breathtaking views of Venice from above, including the domes of St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, and the lagoon. An elevator ride takes you to the top, offering a unique panorama. Standing at 98 meters, the campanile is the tallest structure in Venice. (SELECTING THE BELL TOWER OPTION YOU WILL ENJOY THE ST. MARK'S BASILICA VISIT FROM OUTSIDE ONLY)
30 min · Admission included

About this tour, from the operator

Experience an exclusive guided tour of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica, iconic landmarks of Piazza San Marco. Admire the grandeur of the Golden Staircase and stunning artworks in the Doge's Palace, and cross the Bridge of Sighs to explore the historic prisons where Casanova was held, reminiscent of Alcatraz’s mystique.

Visit St. Mark's Basilica, known as the Golden Basilica, to marvel at its glittering mosaics, as dazzling as any European cathedral. Then, enjoy a virtual reality experience at the History Gallery of Venice. With a VR headset, see Piazza San Marco as it once was, imagining the Basilica as the Doge's private chapel and the Palace as a medieval fortress.

Choose the St. Mark's Bell Tower option for panoramic views of Venice, much like viewing New York City from above. An elevator ride to the top offers breathtaking vistas of the domes, St. Mark's Square, and the lagoon. Enhance your visit with an audio guide and digital map for deeper insights.

Walking, children and accessibility

The operator's own notes, grouped by topic. Nothing here is added by Guidekin.

Walking and health

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Accessibility

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
The official St. Mark's Basilica ticket price is €12.00 per person (standard) or €24.00 with terrace access; the remaining part of the price covers assistance at the meeting point, accompanied entry with a certified guide or host, access to the Venice Gallery with a dedicated VR experience, the use of an audio guide or radio system with earphones and sales costs.
A valid ID document is mandatory for security checks at the entrance to the Basilica.
Comfortable shoes suggested.
On Sundays, feast days and in case of unplanned religious celebrations the Basilica tour foresees the visit with direct access to the Terrace and to St. Mark's Museum situated on the first floor.
Due to the security reason, luggage and bags are not allowed inside the Basilica
Please note that the Marciana Library is closed on Sundays
On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
Tour does not operate in case of exceptional high tide or in case of unplanned religious functions (in these cases it can be postponed to the day after otherwise it will be refunded)
For the visit of the Basilica suitable clothing is required (no shorts)
Please provide the full names of all travelers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with all travelers’ full names at the ticket office prior to entry may result in denied entry to the attraction.

Good to know

Food not included bring or buy your own
Children from €36 ages 0 to 5

Cancellation policy

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

1+ days: Full refund
0-1 days: No refund

Compared with other Walking Tours

Tour	Price	Duration	Rating	Group
This tour · #9 of 22	€97	2h–3h	4.8 (688)	shared
Gondola Ride with Private Walking Tour in Venice	€79	3h	4.95 (325)	private
Tour of The Real Hidden Venice	€39	2h	4.86 (2299)	private
Venice: Commissario Brunetti Walking Tour for Donna Leon Fans	€83	2h	4.93 (178)	shared

Ranked #9 of 22 in Walking Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €14 to €450, median €90; typical length 2h 30m. 9 of 22 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Compare all 22 Walking Tours

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