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St Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace with Secret Passages Access

4.7 Great 331 reviews
|
3h
|
English
Skip the line Instant confirmation Live guide

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
331 reviews
5
282
4
27
3
11
2
4
1
7
Ratings collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor

Overview

Guidekin summary

The Doge's Palace by its secret itineraries, archives, torture chamber and attic cells included, before a skip the line entry to St Mark's. Children under six are not admitted to the passages, tight spaces suit nobody claustrophobic, and high tide reroutes without refund. 4.73 from 331 reviews for 3h.

From the guide

A visit to Venice wouldn’t be the same without delving into its long and fascinating history as the world’s oldest republic. Go beyond the traditional route, stepping behind the scenes of the Doge’s Palace to explore the secret archives, offices, torture chambers, and the palace attic, home to top-security prison cells, including that of the famed Casanova! Finish next door at St. Mark's Basilica, combining a visit to Venice's top landmarks in one seamless tour.

Tour options

The operator sells this tour in 2 versions. Prices are the operator's current list for two travellers; the calendar shows the exact figure for your date and party.

VIP Secret Itineraries Doges Palace Tour

from €109 / person
Guide: English

With St. Mark's Basilica: Small group of maximum 20 pax with Special access.

Private Doge’s Palace Tour

from €295 / person (for 2+ people)
Guide: English

Secret Passages Special Access: Visit St. Mark's Basilica, hidden chambers & Casanova’s cell on a private Doge’s Palace tour reserved just for your group

Compared with other Walking Tours

TourPriceDurationRatingGroup
This tour · #13 of 22€1093h4.73 (331)shared, max 20
Gondola Ride with Private Walking Tour in Venice€793h4.95 (325)private
Venice: Commissario Brunetti Walking Tour for Donna Leon Fans€832h4.93 (178)shared
Tour of The Real Hidden Venice€392h4.85 (2274)private

Ranked #13 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

Schedule & Availability

Runs Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat
Departures: 08:45, 09:15
Scheduled through September 2027

This tour runs Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, departing at 08:45, 09:15. 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

Torture chamber
Hall of the Great Council
Skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
Special access to the Doge’s Palace Secret itineraries
New Prisons
Expert Walks of Italy tour guide
Secret archives
St. Mark's Basilica
Bridge of Sighs
Skip-the-line Doge's Palace tickets
Casanova’s prison cell

What's Not Included

Gratuities
Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off

Itinerary

Palazzo Ducale Stop 1
With your guide, a Venetian art expert and historian, enjoy skip-the-line access to the Doge's Palace and make a beeline for backstage. After a guard opens a special door, enter the hidden side of the palace to see the prison cell where Casanova was held, hear the unlikely tale of his escape, and visit the archives to learn how secrets were kept. See hidden council rooms to learn of the system of checks and balances that made Venice the world's oldest republic and enter the best general access areas such as huge audience rooms, ballrooms with incredible paintings by Veronese and Tintoretto, and the private apartments of the Duke of Venice. You even cross the famed Bridge of Sighs to see the New Prisons on this small-group tour.
2h 30m
Admission included
St. Mark's Basilica Stop 2
Your last highlight of the tour will a guided tour of Venice's most important church, St. Mark's Basilica. Admire the east-meets-west architecture and hear how most of the basilica's prized possessions ended up here by less than honest means.
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.

Additional Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Due to Doge's Palace regulations, children under the age of 6 are not permitted inside the secret itineraries and therefore cannot take this tour.
  • Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
  • 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 the Doge's Palace, we cannot be held responsible. This is a situation beyond our control. No refund will be issued.
  • This tour is not suitable for people who are claustrophobic.
  • This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
  • Guests should be prepared for a moderate level of physical activity, including standing for extended periods and climbing stairs, which may not be suitable for travelers with certain health conditions or mobility limitations.
  • All guests must supply their full name that matches a valid ID at the time of the booking. Should you fail to provide these, your reservation will be canceled. Name changes are not permitted.
  • 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: 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 € 109 / person