---
title: Basilica, Doge's Palace, History Gallery & Bell Tower Option
lang: en
type: tour
city: Venice
country: Italy
price: 97
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 4.8
reviews: 688
duration_minutes: 120
duration_max_minutes: 180
languages: [en, fr]
free_cancellation: "true"
rank_in_category: 9 of 22 (Walking Tours)
schedule_checked: 2026-10-03
data_updated: 2026-11-03
canonical: https://guidekin.com/italy/venice/tours/basilica-doge-s-palace-history-gallery-bell-tower-option/
---

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

**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 (table below).

## Overview

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.

## Before you book

- Meeting point: From St.
- Entry ticket included: skip the ticket desk
- 7 start times: between 09:15 and 14:30
- Food not included: bring or buy your own
- Children from €36: ages 0 to 5

**Pickup:** No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point

## Key facts

- Price: from €97 per person for the Classic France Tour option; other options up to €133
- Duration: 2h–3h
- Rating: 4.8/5 from 688 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Free cancellation (see policy below)
- Likely to sell out
- Operator: CITY TOURS CO. LTD
- Group: Shared tour
- Guide languages: English, French
- Tickets: Admission included
- Start times: 09:15, 10:00, 11:00, 11:15, 14:00, 14:15, 14:30
- Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket
- Price checked on Viator: 2026-10-03

## Reviews

4.8 from 688 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
95% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 657 of 688.

- 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 (2025-11-27 to 2026-10-03); last checked 2026-10-04.

## Tour options

Prices are the operator's current list price for two travellers (whole euros); options sold only to bigger parties say so; pick the option on the booking page.

| Option | Price | Guide languages | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic France Tour | €97 / person | French | Visit: Doge's Palace and St Mark's Palace Duration: 2 hours French Guided Tour |
| Classic Eng. Tour | €97 / person | English | Visit: Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica Duration: 2 hours English Guided Tour |
| In-depth Eng Tour | €107 / person | English | Visit: Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica Duration: 3 hours English Guided Tour |
| Classic Eng. Tour + Lunch | €130 / person | English | Type of service: Shared Guided Tour & Venetian Lunch Duration: 4 hours: approx. |
| Classic Eng Tour + Bell Tower | €133 / person | English | Visit: Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica and Bell Tower Duration: 3 hours English Guided Tour |

## What's 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

## Not included

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

## Itinerary

1. **Palazzo Ducale** (1h 15m; admission included) - 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...
2. **Basilica di San Marco** (1h; admission included) - 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...
3. **Piazza San Marco** (pass by, no stop) - The two symbols of Venice are in the middle of the marvelous Saint Mark's Square.
4. **Campanile di San Marco** (30m; admission included) - 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...

## Schedule

- Runs: daily
- Departures: 09:15, 10:00, 11:00, 11:15, 14:00, 14:15, 14:30
- Schedule last checked: 2026-10-03
- These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout.

## Cancellation

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

## Meeting point

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.
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJq4WRru2xfkcRd5NVFrIGP4c

Ends: back at the meeting point

## Good to know

- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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.

## 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](/italy/venice/tours/gondola-ride-with-private-walking-tour-in-venice/?format=md) | €79 | 3h | 4.95 (325) | private |
| [Tour of The Real Hidden Venice](/italy/venice/tours/tour-of-the-real-hidden-venice/?format=md) | €39 | 2h | 4.86 (2299) | private |
| [Venice: Commissario Brunetti Walking Tour for Donna Leon Fans](/italy/venice/tours/venice-commissario-brunetti-walking-tour-for-donna-leon-fans/?format=md) | €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.

Full list: https://guidekin.com/italy/venice/walking-tours-venice/?format=md

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