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Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's After Hours Small Group Max 6 People

5.0 Excellent 119 reviews
|
3h 30m
|
English
Free cancellation · up to 24 hours before Instant confirmation Live guide

Ratings & Reviews

5.0
119 reviews
5
116
4
2
3
0
2
1
1
0
Ratings collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor
Recommended by 99% of travellers: 118 four- and five-star reviews

Guidekin's take

Both sites at night, six max in our Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours comparison.

Trade-off: English only; possible gap between sites; times may change.

Last checked: September 22, 2026. Commissions never affect our verdicts.

Overview

Guidekin summary

An evening entry to St Mark's Basilica after closing and a night visit of the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, in a group capped at six with an expert guide. Start times move with ticket availability, a long break can fall between the two sites, and knees, shoulders and an original photo ID are required. 4.96 from 119 reviews at €279 per person.

From the guide

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!

Compared with other Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours

TourPriceDurationRatingGroup
This tour · #4 of 26€2793h 30m4.96 (119)shared, max 6
Venice Deluxe Tour€2203h4.98 (825)shared
Private or Semi Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's Basilica Guided Tour€1992h 30m4.97 (421)private
Venice Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Semi-Private Tour, Max 6 People€1892h 30m4.96 (237)shared

Ranked #4 of 26 in Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €12 to €580, median €105; typical length 3h. 3 of 26 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Compare all 26 Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours

Schedule & Availability

Runs Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun
Departs: 17:30
Scheduled through November 2027

This tour runs Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun, departing at 17:30. Scheduled through November 2027. These are the operator’s scheduled departures, not a live seat count: availability is confirmed at checkout. Schedule last checked September 22, 2026.

What's Included

Professional Local Expert Guide
Exclusive After Hours entrance to Saint Mark's Basilica
Night tour of the Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs
Small Group of ONLY 6 people MAX

What's Not Included

Gratuities (optional)

Itinerary

Piazza San Marco Stop 1
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.
30 min
Palazzo Ducale Stop 2
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.
1h
Admission included
Ponte dei Sospiri Stop 3
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.
30 min
Admission included
Basilica di San Marco Stop 4
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. 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. An original, valid photo ID is required for entry to St. Mark's Basilica. Photocopies are not accepted.
1h 30m
Admission included

Departure & Return

Start point

The meeting point is under the winged lion's column in Saint Mark's Square, closest side to Grand Canal. Your guide will be holding a LivTours sign.

End point

The meeting point is under the winged lion's column in Saint Mark's Square, closest side to Grand Canal. Your guide will be holding a LivTours sign.

Additional Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • 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
  • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
  • There is no photography permitted inside St Mark’s Basilica.
  • Please note that tour starting times are subject to change based on ticket availability
  • Due to the highly variable nighttime opening and closing times of Doge’s and St. Mark’s, your tour may need to take up to a 1.5 hour break between the two sites, in which case your guide will recommend a local restaurant or bar in which to wait. In some cases, however, there will be no break. In all cases, the total duration of the guided tour will ALWAYS be three hours, regardless of the break time.
  • An original, valid photo ID is required for entry to St. Mark's Basilica. Photocopies are not accepted.
  • 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.
  • Admission to St. Mark’s Basilica is included (valued from €50 per person).

Cancellation Policy

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

1+ daysFull refund
0-1 daysNo refund

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