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Venice's Best: Basilica, Doge's Palace, Gondola & History Gallery

4.7 Great 3397 reviews
|
3h 30m
|
English, French, Spanish
Free cancellation · up to 24 hours before Skip the line Instant confirmation Likely to sell out Live guide

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
3397 reviews
5
2812
4
338
3
127
2
45
1
75
Ratings collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor
Recommended by 93% of travellers: 3150 four- and five-star reviews

Guidekin's take

Bundle with free cancellation in our Gondola Rides comparison.

Trade-off: Base tier English only; shared boat; bags not allowed.

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

Overview

Guidekin summary

Guided visits of the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica with skip the line tickets, a pass for the Correr Museum, a history gallery with a VR film and a shared gondola ride. The museums are entered without a guide, the basilica needs ID and covered shoulders, and the gondola seats are shared. 4.7 from 3,397 reviews for 3h 30m.

From the guide

Discover the enchanting history and art of Venice in this immersive 3-hour experience!

Join an expert guide as you explore the stunning Doge’s Palace and the magnificent Saint Mark’s Basilica located in the heart of Piazza San Marco. Marvel at the artwork and dive into the rich history of the Venetian Republic. You’ll also stroll across the iconic Bridge of Sighs, a symbol of romance and intrigue!

Next, indulge in a romantic gondola ride through the Grand Canal and its charming waterways. As you glide along, take in Venice's must-see highlights, including the famed Fenice Opera House, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and the stunning Santa Maria della Salute Church, among others.

Finally, immerse yourself in a unique virtual reality experience as you float over the serene waters of the Grand Canal at sunset, witnessing centuries of history unfold. You’ll also get an insider’s view of the craftsmanship behind Venice's iconic gondolas with a close-up look at a detailed model.

Tour options

The operator sells this tour in 3 versions. Prices are the operator's current list for two travellers; the calendar shows the exact figure for your date and party.

Premium English Tour +Gondola

from €99 / person
Guide: English

English Guided Tour: Enjoy a classic English-guided tour of the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica, followed by a gondola ride.

Classic Tour+Gondola Ride-Spa

from €139 / person
Guide: Spanish

Spanish Guided Tour: Enjoy a classic Spanish-guided tour of the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica, followed by a gondola ride.

Classic Tour+Gondola Ride - Fr

from €139 / person
Guide: French

French Guided Tour: Enjoy a classic French-guided tour of the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica, followed by a gondola ride.

Compared with other Walking Tours

TourPriceDurationRatingGroup
This tour · #17 of 22€993h 30m4.7 (3397)shared
Gondola Ride with Private Walking Tour in Venice€793h4.95 (325)private
Venice: Commissario Brunetti Walking Tour for Donna Leon Fans€832h4.93 (178)shared
Tour of The Real Hidden Venice€392h4.85 (2274)private

Ranked #17 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

Schedule & Availability

Runs daily
Departures: 9 start times between 09:15 and 14:30
Scheduled through December 2028

This tour runs daily, with 9 start times between 09:15 and 14:30 depending on the date. Scheduled through December 2028. These are the operator’s scheduled departures, not a live seat count: availability is confirmed at checkout. Schedule last checked September 22, 2026.

What's Included

Shared 30-minute gondola ride
Guided tour of the Doge's Palace and Saint Mark's Basilica
Skip-the-line ticket to St. Mark's Basilica
Access to Museums in Saint Mark's Square (Correr Museum, Archeological Museum, and Marciana Library)
Skip-the-line ticket to Doge's Palace
History Gallery: a unique Vr experience of Venice in the past
20-minute gondola introductory experience

What's Not Included

Hotel pick-up
Food and drinks
Guided tour of Museo Correr, Museo Nazionale Archologico, and Biblioteca Marciana

Itinerary

Piazza San Marco Stop 1
St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) is the heart of Venice and one of the most iconic squares in the world. Surrounded by historic landmarks like St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Campanile, it’s a stunning open space that reflects the grandeur of the Venetian Republic. A must-see for every visitor to Venice.
Pass by
Basilica di San Marco Stop 2
Then, you will enjoy an amazing guided tour to the historical and famous Golden Basilica. You will admire stunning gold mosaics and marble inlays of the floors, sitting comfortably while our guide will show you the represented biblical scenes, the history and the particularities of this ancient basilica.
45 min
Admission included
Palazzo Ducale Stop 3
A guided tour in the Doge’s Palace the old seat of the Venetian political power. In his splendid rooms, immersed in hundreds of masterpieces of painting, the Doge and his Council controlled the ancient Republic of Venice. A professional guide will escort you in the halls of power and the bridge of Sighs to reach to the old prisons. You may visit by yourself the other magnificent palaces around St. Mark’s Square under the name of Procuratie with the same ticket!
1h 30m
Admission included
Canal Grande Stop 4
Enjoy a charming gondola ride through the most romantic waterways, passing under small bridges and along part of the Grand Canal! During your pleasant gondola ride you will admire the Mozart House, the famous La Fenice Theatre, Rio (Canal) “De le Ostreghe” and part of the spectacular Grand Canal where you will see the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Ca’ Dario Palace the Santa Maria de la Salute Church and other magnificent palaces. The only gondola tour with commentary: a mobile-guide which will explain the magnificent palaces and attractions around you! Venice Goes App is an innovative mobile app (included in the price) that you can download easily on your mobile, click here to know how to get it.
50 min
Admission included

Departure & Return

Start point

From St. Mark’s Square, face the Basilica and turn right towards the Doge’s Palace. Continue past the Bridge of Sighs to Riva degli Schiavoni (the waterfront promenade). Walk for 2 minutes, then turn left into Calle de le Rasse. The Venice Tours Office is at number 4536.

Open in Google Maps
End point

From St. Mark’s Square, face the Basilica and turn right towards the Doge’s Palace. Continue past the Bridge of Sighs to Riva degli Schiavoni (the waterfront promenade). Walk for 2 minutes, then turn left into Calle de le Rasse. The Venice Tours Office is at number 4536.

Additional Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • The official St. Mark's Basilica ticket price is €12.00 per person (standard) or €24.00 with terrace access; the remaining part of the price covers assistance at the meeting point, accompanied entry with a certified guide or host, access to the Venice Gallery with a dedicated VR experience, the use of an audio guide or radio system with earphones and sales costs.
  • A valid ID document is mandatory for security checks at the entrance to the Basilica.
  • Each gondola can host maximum 5 people; the seat aboard cannot be chosen but will be assigned by the gondolier depending of guests weight.
  • The gondola ride does not operate in case of exceptionally bad weather, high/low tide or local gondoliers strike (in these cases it can be postponed the days after otherwise it will be refunded)
  • The itinerary of gondola ride may change in the event of wind or bad weather
  • For the visit of the Basilica suitable clothing is required (no shorts)
  • 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
  • Tour does not operate in case of exceptional high tide or in case of unplanned religious functions (in these cases it can be postponed to the day after otherwise it will be refunded)
  • Due to the security reason, luggage and bags are not allowed inside the Basilica and Doge Palace
  • 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.
  • Please note: The St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace visit is followed by the gondola ride. Depending on the schedule, there may be a break between these two parts of the experience.

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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