---
title: St Mark’s Basilica small-group guided tour with optional Gondola
lang: en
type: tour
city: Venice
country: Italy
price: 59
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 4.65
reviews: 141
duration_minutes: 45
duration_max_minutes: 90
languages: [en]
free_cancellation: "true"
rank_in_category: 13 of 25 (Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours)
schedule_checked: 2026-10-03
data_updated: 2026-10-04
canonical: https://guidekin.com/italy/venice/tours/st-mark-s-basilica-small-group-guided-tour-with-optional-gondola/
---

# St Mark’s Basilica small-group guided tour with optional Gondola

**Guidekin's take:** A licensed guide and a skip the line ticket for St Mark's mosaics in a short small group visit, with a gondola ride as an add on. It needs two to run, shoulders and knees must be covered, and large bags stay outside. 4.65 from 141 reviews at €59 per person.

In our comparison: #13 of 25 in Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below).

## Overview

Step into a world of shimmering gold and timeless beauty with this exclusive guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica.

With priority access that lets you skip the crowds, you'll enter the breathtaking interiors of the Golden Basilica, where every surface tells a story through dazzling Byzantine mosaics. But here's what makes this tour truly special: you'll be accompanied by a Venetian tour guide who brings these ancient stones to life.
While wandering alone might show you the beauty, only an expert guide can reveal the hidden meanings behind each glittering mosaic, explain the fascinating techniques used by medieval artisans, and share the captivating tales that shaped this thousand-year-old masterpiece.
You'll discover details most visitors walk right past and connect with Venice's soul in a way that's simply impossible without expert insight. 

Want the ultimate Venice experience? During booking, you can choose the option with the gondola ride and get everything in one seamless package.

## Before you book

- Meeting point: Your guide will be in Piazza San Marco…
- Entry ticket included: skip the ticket desk
- Starts 14:00: one departure a day
- Children from €59: ages 6 to 13

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

## Key facts

- Price: from €59 per person for the Only Basilica Guided Tour option; other options up to €110
- Duration: 45m–1h 30m
- Rating: 4.65/5 from 141 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Free cancellation (see policy below)
- Operator: Ways
- Group: Shared tour
- Guide languages: English
- Tickets: Admission included
- Start times: 14:00
- Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket
- Price checked on Viator: 2026-10-03

## Reviews

4.65 from 141 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
91% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 129 of 141.

- 5 stars: 116 (82%)
- 4 stars: 13 (9%)
- 3 stars: 5 (4%)
- 2 stars: 2 (1%)
- 1 star: 5 (4%)

### What reviewers say

Reviewers praise the guides' explanations and fast entry; unclear meeting instructions have caused some to miss the tour.

**Praised:**
- Knowledgeable guides explain the Basilica's history, art and architecture
- Small groups allow questions and personal attention from the guide
- Skipping the entry queues avoids long waits outside
- Terrace views draw praise from those whose visit included access

**Complaints:**
- Unclear meeting instructions have caused some travellers to miss the tour
- Faulty or missing headsets leave some unable to hear the commentary
- Steep stairs to the terrace can be difficult for visitors with mobility limitations
- Some report access limited to the main church, while others describe visiting the terrace

Written by Guidekin from the 100 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (2023-06-08 to 2026-09-17); 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only Basilica Guided Tour | €59 / person | English | Duration: 45 minutes |
| Basilica Guided Tour + Gondola | €110 / person | English | Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes |

## What's included

- Local licensed tour guide
- Skip-the-line ticket to the Saint Mark's Basilica
- Gondola Ride (if option selected)

## Not included

- Hotel pick up and drop-off
- Gondola Ride (if not selected)

## Itinerary

1. **Piazza San Marco** (10m; admission included) - Meet your guide in Piazza San Marco, under the blue clock Tower to start the guided tour!
2. **Basilica di San Marco** (45m; admission included) - Meet the local guide and start exploring the stunning world-famous St.Mark's basilica.
3. **Ponte dei Sospiri** (30m; admission included) - See Venice as it was meant to be seen: from the water. A gondola ride offers a breathtaking new perspective on the city's most iconic sights, including the legendary Bridge of Sighs. Gondola ride is included only if you selected the option including Gondola.

## Schedule

- Runs: daily
- Departures: 14:00
- 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

Your guide will be in Piazza San Marco at number 145. The exact location is under the arcade, under the blue clock tower. Next to the meeting place you'll see a money change. The guide will be at the meeting point holding a yellow sign with "TOUR" written on it.
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJda7qfdexfkcRjenJew07U3E

Ends: back at the meeting point

## Good to know

- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This Tour runs rain or shine.
- Minors must be accompanied by an adult
- This tour is guaranteed with a minimum number of 2 participants
- Please remember that you have to follow a precise dress code for the Basilica entrance: shoulders, knees and thighs need to be covered so please avoid short dresses, tank tops, shorts and hats (for men). It is not allowed to enter with large bags, animals, weapons, lighters and scissors
- Please note that in case of adverse weather conditions (eg. bad storms, unexpected extreme events), or unforeseen circumstances (eg. monuments sudden closures, train/flight cancellations or delays) we do not guarantee a full refund. The company will examine each case and act accordingly.
- 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.
- 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.
- The ticket price paid by the operator amounts to a total of €12.00 per person. The difference from the listed price includes a certified live guide and an optional gondola ride.
- Please note that some parts of the tour may not be easily accessible for people with reduced mobility (or any kind of disability), if you are unsure of the details, feel free to contact us.

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

| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **This tour · #13 of 25** | €59 | 45 min–1h 30m | 4.65 (141) | shared |
| [Venice Deluxe Tour](/italy/venice/tours/venice-deluxe-tour/?format=md) | €220 | 3h | 4.98 (825) | shared |
| [Private or Semi Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's Basilica Guided Tour](/italy/venice/tours/private-or-semi-doge-s-palace-saint-mark-s-basilica-guided-tour/?format=md) | €199 | 2h 30m | 4.97 (431) | private |
| [Venice Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Semi-Private Tour, Max 6 People](/italy/venice/tours/venice-doge-s-palace-st-mark-s-semi-private-tour-max-6-people/?format=md) | €189 | 2h 30m | 4.96 (248) | shared |

Ranked #13 of 25 in Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €12 to €580, median €103; typical length 3h. 3 of 25 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/doge-palace-st-marks-tours/?format=md

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