--- title: Venice Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Semi-Private Tour, Max 6 People lang: en type: tour city: Venice country: Italy price: 189 currency: EUR price_unit: per_person availability: bookable rating: 4.96 reviews: 248 duration_minutes: 150 languages: [en] free_cancellation: "true" guidekin_pick: Six people at most rank_in_category: 3 of 25 (Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours) schedule_checked: 2026-09-26 data_updated: 2026-10-12 canonical: https://guidekin.com/italy/venice/tours/venice-doge-s-palace-st-mark-s-semi-private-tour-max-6-people/ --- # Venice Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Semi-Private Tour, Max 6 People **Guidekin's take:** 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 248 reviews for 2h 30m. In our comparison: #3 of 25 in Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below). ## Overview 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. ## Before you book - Meeting point: The meeting point is under the winged… - Group size varies by option: small group from €189 · private from €285 - 7 start times: between 09:00 and 15:00 - Food not included: bring or buy your own - Children from €174: ages 3 to 17 **Pickup:** No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point ## Key facts - Price: from €189 per person for the Semi Private Tour option; other options up to €285 - Duration: 2h 30m - Rating: 4.96/5 from 248 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Operator: LivTours - Group: Group size varies by option: small group from €189 · private from €285 - Guide languages: English - Start times: 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00 - Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket - Price checked on Viator: 2026-09-26 ## Reviews 4.96 from 248 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor. 98% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 244 of 248. - 5 stars: 242 (98%) - 4 stars: 2 (1%) - 3 stars: 4 (2%) - 2 stars: 0 (0%) - 1 star: 0 (0%) ### What reviewers say Reviewers value the detailed commentary and personal attention, though summer heat can make the visit uncomfortable. **Praised:** - Guides explain the art, architecture and political history of both sites - Small groups allow personal attention and time for questions - Skipping entrance queues at the basilica and palace - Patient guides accommodate children and guests with mobility needs **Complaints:** - Summer heat can make the visit uncomfortable Written by Guidekin from the 100 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (2025-05-20 to 2026-10-01); 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 | |---|---|---|---| | Semi Private Tour | €189 / person | English | Small Group of only 6 people | | Private Option | €285 / person (for 2+ people) | English | - | ## 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 ## Not included - Food and drinks - Hotel pickup and drop-off - Gratuities ## Itinerary 1. **Piazza San Marco** (20m) - 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,... 2. **Basilica di San Marco** (40m; admission included) - 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,... 3. **Palazzo Ducale** (1h 30m; admission included) - 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... ## Schedule - Runs: daily - Departures: 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00 - Schedule last checked: 2026-09-26 - 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 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. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJQxmZlNexfkcR2X5iZMczk5M Ends: back at the meeting point ## Good to know - 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. ## Compared with other Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours | Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group | |---|---|---|---|---| | **This tour · #3 of 25** | €189 | 2h 30m | 4.96 (248) | 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 | | [Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's After Hours Small Group Max 6 People](/italy/venice/tours/doge-s-palace-saint-mark-s-after-hours-small-group-max-6-people/?format=md) | €279 | 3h 30m | 4.96 (123) | shared | Ranked #3 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-st-mark-s-semi-private-tour-max-6-people/ Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/italy/venice/?format=md