--- title: Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour lang: en type: tour city: Venice country: Italy price: 95 currency: EUR price_unit: per_person availability: bookable rating: 4.59 reviews: 659 duration_minutes: 120 languages: [en] free_cancellation: "true" guidekin_pick: Palace only rank_in_category: 24 of 25 (Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours) schedule_checked: 2026-09-22 data_updated: 2026-10-12 canonical: https://guidekin.com/italy/venice/tours/venice-doge-s-palace-prisons-tour/ --- # Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour **Guidekin's take:** Skip the queue into the Doge's Palace with a licensed guide for the state chambers, Tintoretto and Veronese canvases, the Bridge of Sighs and the prisons. Minimum numbers apply, so a quiet date can be cancelled with a refund or alternative; palace closures are not refunded and it runs in all weather. 4.59 from 659 reviews for 2h. In our comparison: #24 of 25 in Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below). ## Overview Skip the lines at the iconic Doge’s Palace in Venice and uncover its highlights and secrets on a 2-hour tour. Walk right past the main entrance queues with your knowledgeable guide, and delve into the magnificent palace’s history as you explore its lavish public chambers. See prized Italian Renaissance artwork by Tintoretto and Veronese, and learn about the dark deeds of the city’s former rulers and secret service. Then, wander across the world-famous Bridge of Sighs and end your tour with a visit to the New Prisons. ## Before you book - Meeting point: Entrance to the Royal Gardens, - Entry ticket included: skip the ticket desk - Group size varies by option: small group from €95 · private from €229 - 18 start times: between 09:00 and 17:00 - Food not included: bring or buy your own - Children from €65: ages 7 to 12 **Pickup:** No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point ## Key facts - Price: from €95 per person for the Small Group Tour option; other options up to €229 - Duration: 2h - Rating: 4.59/5 from 659 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Operator: Avventure Bellissime - Group: Group size varies by option: small group from €95 · private from €229 - Guide languages: English - Tickets: Admission included - Start times: 18 start times between 09:00 and 17:00 - Booking: mobile ticket - Price checked on Viator: 2026-09-22 ## Reviews 4.59 from 659 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor. 91% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 598 of 659. - 5 stars: 497 (75%) - 4 stars: 101 (15%) - 3 stars: 27 (4%) - 2 stars: 18 (3%) - 1 star: 16 (2%) ### What reviewers say Reviewers praise the historical detail and prison visit; some find the guide's English hard to follow. **Praised:** - Detailed explanations of Venetian history, palace politics and artwork - Engaging storytelling and patient answers to questions - Guides involve children and adapt explanations to family groups - Crossing the Bridge of Sighs and exploring the prisons **Complaints:** - Some are directed inside the Royal Gardens instead of outside its gates, while others find the meeting point easily - Some struggle to follow the guide's English, while others find it clear - Some want more time to look around the palace, while others find the pace comfortable - Stairs can be difficult for visitors with limited mobility Written by Guidekin from the 100 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (2025-05-14 to 2026-09-30); 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 | |---|---|---|---| | Small Group Tour | €95 / person | English | - | | Private Tour | €229 / person (for 2+ people) | English | Private tour conducted exclusively for you, your family and friends. Tour in English, other languages on request. | ## What's included - Headset to hear the guide clearly when there are more than 8 participants in the group - Local expert English-speaking licensed guide - Skip-the-line tickets to the Doge's Palace ## Not included - Gratuities - Food and drinks - Hotel pickup and drop-off ## Itinerary 1. **Palazzo Ducale** (2h; admission included) - Enjoy a 2 hrs in depht tour of the Doges Palace and visit the famous Prisons. 2. **Scala dei Giganti di Palazzo Ducale** (20m; admission included) - While standing in the courtyard as your guide will introduce you to the Doges Palace architecture and history, see and learn about the Giant Staircase leading up to the Palace and used for formal entrances. 3. **Ponte dei Sospiri** (pass by, no stop) - Walk over the famous Bridge of Sighs connecting the Doge's Palace to the Prisons and learn why it was given this name. 4. **Porta Della Carta** (pass by, no stop) - Learn about the Main entrance of the Doges Palace, the paper door that links the Doges Palace to St Mark's Basilica. ## Schedule - Runs: daily - Departures: 18 start times between 09:00 and 17:00 - Schedule last checked: 2026-09-22 - 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 Entrance to the Royal Gardens, on the waterfront of St Mark's Square - You'll meet Avventure Bellissime tour coordinator outside the gardens, in front of the wrought iron Gate holding a sign with the name of the tour and Avventure Bellissime logo written on it. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJWWUC3UixfkcRh1qGMpqX-gM ## Good to know - Public transportation options are available nearby - Suitable for all physical fitness levels - Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund - Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately - At times, Doges Palace can close without notice. No refunds are available as these events are beyond our control. - 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 ## Compared with other Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours | Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group | |---|---|---|---|---| | **This tour · #24 of 25** | €95 | 2h | 4.59 (659) | varies by option | | [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 #24 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 ## More in Venice - All Venice tours: https://guidekin.com/italy/venice/?format=md - This page as HTML: https://guidekin.com/italy/venice/tours/venice-doge-s-palace-prisons-tour/ Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/italy/venice/?format=md