Children under six are not admitted to the passages, tight spaces suit nobody claustrophobic, and high tide reroutes without refund. 4.75 from 359 reviews for 3h.
In our comparison: #13 of 22 in Walking Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (see the comparison).
2 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. Guide languages on every option: English.
| Option | What the operator says | From, per adult |
|---|---|---|
| VIP Secret Itineraries Doges Palace Tour The page price | With St. Mark's Basilica: Small group of maximum 20 pax with Special access. | €109 |
| Private Doge’s Palace Tour | 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 | €295 for 2+ people |
Children from €104 (ages 6 to 14). Option texts and prices come from the operator's listing; prices checked on Viator on 3 October 2026.
94% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4★ or 5★: 337 of 359
Star breakdown of all 359 ratings
Reviewers value the guides and secret rooms; earpieces that slip off are a recurring complaint.
Written by Guidekin from the 100 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (20 May 2026 to 3 October 2026). Refreshed as new reviews arrive; last checked 4 October 2026.
Reviews are shown as the platforms publish them and removed when they disappear there.
Ratings collected from Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
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 includedYour 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 includedA 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.
The operator's own notes, grouped by topic. Nothing here is added by Guidekin.
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.
| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| This tour · #13 of 22 | €109 | 3h | 4.75 (359) | varies by option |
| 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 #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