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Venice Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Semi-Private Tour, Max 6 People

5.0 Excellent 237 reviews
|
2h 30m
|
English
Free cancellation · up to 24 hours before Skip the line Instant confirmation Live guide

Ratings & Reviews

5.0
237 reviews
5
231
4
2
3
4
2
0
1
0
Ratings collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor
Recommended by 98% of travellers: 233 four- and five-star reviews

Guidekin's take

Six people at most in our Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours comparison.

Trade-off: English only; start time may change; ID required.

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

Overview

Guidekin summary

Six people at most with a local guide for the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the prisons, then skip the line into St Mark's. Full names and ID are required for the basilica, start times follow ticket slots, and knees and shoulders must be covered. 4.96 from 237 reviews for 2h 30m.

From the guide

Enjoy a comprehensive and engaging tour of Venice's two most famous sites, Saint Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, in an intimate group of only 6 people. Savor the privileges of an intimate tour with skip-the-line access to one of the world's most famous basilicas and journey through Venice's most historical landmarks accompanied, all by a local, expert and professional guide.
Highlights include the breathtaking views from the Bridge of Sighs, and the scary prisons of the Doge's Palace, its impressive Gun Room and magnificent Hall of Great Council.

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.

Semi Private Tour

from €189 / person
Guide: English

Small Group of only 6 people

Private Option

from €285 / person (for 2+ people)
Guide: English

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

TourPriceDurationRatingGroup
This tour · #3 of 26€1892h 30m4.96 (237)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
Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's After Hours Small Group Max 6 People€2793h 30m4.96 (119)shared

Ranked #3 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: 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00
Scheduled through September 2027

This tour runs daily, departing at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00. 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

Semi Private Group of only 6 people max
Hall of the Great Council
St Marks Square
Skip the Line into Doge's Palace, apartments and prisons
Skip the line into St. Mark's Basilica
Bridge of Sighs
Local Expert Professional Guide

What's Not Included

Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities

Itinerary

Piazza San Marco Stop 1
Your Doge's Palace and Saint Mark's Tour will begin in Saint Mark's square, where you will meet your guide and join your exclusively Small Group of MAX 6 people. Begin your adventure into two of Venice's most famous sites in this most iconic and picture perfect square, learning all about its architecture, history and anecdotes.
20 min
Basilica di San Marco Stop 2
Your first official stop will be Saint Mark's Basilica. Enjoy exclusive and privileged skip the (long) line access, and enter straight into what is also known as the Golden Basilica. Here, your guide will show you and guide you through the interior of this incredible church, musing on its history, anecdotes, and the many eras it has seen in its hundreds of years of existence. You will surely be stunned by the thousands and thousands of square feet of pure golden mosaics that completely cover the basilica's interior. There is quite literally no other place like this! An original, valid photo ID is required for entry to St. Mark's Basilica. Photocopies are not accepted.
40 min
Admission included
Palazzo Ducale Stop 3
Exit the Basilica, and continue your tour by enjoying once again exclusive access to the Doge's Palace, seat of Venice's government for centuries. You will be amazed by the secret stories your guide shares as you walk through the Doge’s private, luxurious apartments and powerful halls such as the Hall of the Great Council. Continue to explore the palace with a visit to the scary, dark and gory prison. After seeing the impressive collection of weapons, you will then stop at the notorious Bridge of Sighs. Enjoy the view and snap some perfect pictures for your album at home.
1h 30m
Admission included

Departure & Return

Start point

The meeting point is under the winged lion's column in Saint Mark's Square, closest side to the Grand Canal. Your guide will be holding a LivTours sign.

End point

The meeting point is under the winged lion's column in Saint Mark's Square, closest side to the Grand Canal. Your guide will be holding a LivTours sign.

Additional Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. You may risk potential refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
  • 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
  • Please note that tour starting times are subject to change based on ticket availability
  • Each traveler must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to St.Mark’s Basilica
  • 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 includes a cost to enter St. Mark’s Basilica valued at 30 EUR per person.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

1+ daysFull refund
0-1 daysNo refund

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