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Legendary Venice Doge's Palace & St. Mark's with Exclusive Access

4.7 Great 5991 reviews
|
2h–3h
|
English, Spanish
Skip the line Instant confirmation Live guide

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
5991 reviews
5
5090
4
500
3
145
2
71
1
185
Ratings collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor

Guidekin's take

With the terraces? in our Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours comparison. Both sites with tickets from €71 per person, English only, terraces excluded; choose the terrace tier for balcony access. 4.71, 5,991 reviews.

Trade-off: Closures may replace interiors without a refund.

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

Overview

Guidekin summary

Skip the line into the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica with a guide in a couple of hours, crossing the Bridge of Sighs and the New Prisons on the way. Tiers add the basilica terraces or early palace entry; sites can close for high tide or services with no refund, and hotel pickup is not included. 4.71 from 5,991 reviews at €71 per person.

From the guide

With skip-the-line tickets and an expert guide, you’ll explore Venice’s top two landmarks, St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, in just two unforgettable hours. Wander the gilded council rooms in the Doge's Palace, cross the Bridge of Sighs, uncover enthralling stories of power and politics, and marvel at the golden mosaic ceiling in St. Mark's Basilica. Note: If you select the Private Legendary Venice option (max 6 people) or Legendary Venice with Terraces option at time of booking, you’ll have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to admire beautiful views from the balcony over St. Mark's Square. These options have a tour duration of 3 hours.

Tour options

The operator sells this tour in 5 versions. Prices are the operator's current list for two travellers; the calendar shows the exact figure for your date and party.

Legendary Venice No Terrace

from €71 / person
Guide: English

Duration: 2 hours

What this option includes

St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's: Discover the Doge’s Palace and then skip the line into St. Mark's Basilica on this express English guided tour.

Legendary Venice Spanish Tour

from €74 / person
Guide: Spanish

Duration: 2 hours

What this option includes

Spanish Group Tour(No Terrace): Join this Spanish language tour - explore Doge’s Palace & skip the line into St Mark’s Basilica on this 2-hour tour of Venice

Legendary Venice with terraces

from €89 / person
Guide: English

Duration: 3 hours

What this option includes

Small Group Tour in English: Enjoy Venice’s top attractions—St. Mark’s Basilica w/ terraces, and the Doge’s Palace with an expert guide.

Doge's Palace Early Entry

from €134 / person
Guide: English

Duration: 3 hours

What this option includes

VIP Doge's Palace & Basilica: Enjoy exclusive early entry to Doge's Palace, before the crowds, then explore St. Mark's Basilica and its terraces.

Private - Legendary Venice

from €325 / person (for 2+ people)
Guide: English

Duration: 3 hours

What this option includes

Private Tour w/ Terrace: Explore Venice’s top attractions—St. Mark’s Basilica & terraces, and the Doge’s Palace—on a private English guided tour.

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

TourPriceDurationRatingGroup
This tour · #11 of 26€712h–3h4.71 (5991)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 #11 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 daily
Departures: 9 start times between 08:00 and 15:00
Scheduled through September 2027

This tour runs daily, with 9 start times between 08:00 and 15:00 depending on the date. Scheduled through September 2027. These are the operator’s scheduled departures, not a live seat count: availability is confirmed at checkout. Schedule last checked September 25, 2026.

What's Included

Pre-reserved ticket to the Doge's Palace (25 €)
Local English-speaking guide
Bell Tower in St. Mark's Square (exterior)
New Prisons
Marciana Library (exterior)
Exclusive access to the balcony of St. Mark's Basilica (if option selected)
Spanish Speaking guide (if option selected)
Skip-the-line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica (St. Mark's Basilica + Museum 24€)
Bridge of Sighs
St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)
Exclusive Early Entry to the Doge's Palace (if option selected)

What's Not Included

Gratuities
Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off

Itinerary

Piazza San Marco Stop 1
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.
10 min
Palazzo Ducale Stop 2
Start your day at Palazzo Ducale, or Doge's Palace, home to the doge, or duke, of Venice and his seat of government. As your guide leads you through its grand chambers and council rooms, they'll point out paintings by renowned Venetian masters such as Veronese and Tintoretto. You'll hear how Venice was ruled from within these walls and about some of its famous prisoners, including Casanova. You'll even walk in their footsteps as you cross the Bridge of Sighs from the palace and into the grim New Prisons. Note: Step inside the Doge’s Palace before it opens to the public to wander the empty chambers—an exclusive early access experience only available if you select Exclusive Access Upgrade option. The Exclusive Access Upgrade option also includes a tour of St. Mark's Basilica and special access to the terraces with incredible privileged views of St. Mark's Square.
1h 30m
Admission included
Basilica di San Marco Stop 3
It's a short walk next door to St. Mark's Basilica, Venice's most important church. Skip the long lines and marvel at a breathtaking blend of Eastern and Western architecture, specifically the magnificent shimmering golden mosaic ceiling. As you tour the basilica, your guide will reveal the fascinating (and often scandalous) stories behind the basilica’s greatest treasures, including how many were brought to Venice under mysterious circumstances. Note: If you select the Private Legendary Venice option (max 6 people), Legendary Venice with Terraces or Exclusive Access Upgrade option at time of booking, you’ll have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to admire beautiful views from the balcony over St. Mark's Square.
30 min
Admission included

Departure & Return

Start point

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets at Correr Museum in Piazza San Marco 52. Your guide will be waiting under the portico just outside the entrance of the museum.

End point

Tour ends in St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco).

Additional Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
  • Sites visited during this tour are subject to occasional closures due to holy observances, high tides, and/or flooding. If a site closes, your guide will tour the exterior of the site. If time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. If the local municipality restricts access due to high tide and there are no walkways available, it is the client’s responsibility to bring appropriate footwear (e.g., boots). For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
  • No refund will be provided if high tide prevents certain parts of the tour, but adjustments to the route will be made for client safety and comfort.
  • If access is restricted due to private events inside St. Mark's Basilica and/or Doge's Palace, we cannot be held responsible. This is a situation beyond our control. No refund will be issued.
  • St. Mark’s Basilica can be subject to closures due to particular liturgical celebrations, especially during major religious holidays such as Easter or Christmas. In the event that the Basilica is closed, explanations will be provided from the outside.
  • Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Marks Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument.
  • Please note: This tour offers multiple options. Take a moment to choose the one that best suits your interests.

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

3+ daysFull refund
0-3 daysNo refund
From € 71 / person