See Venice’s most famous landmarks in one unforgettable morning or afternoon! Use timed entry at St. Mark’s Basilica, a 1,000-year-old masterpiece filled with gold mosaics, and wander through the Doge’s Palace, where centuries of Venetian rulers once made their most crucial political and judicial decisions. Then, relax and sightsee on a small-group gondola ride. With an expert local guide leading the way, this is the ultimate, stress-free way to experience the best of Venice in just a few hours.
What's included
Doges, domes, and canals in one go
Expert English-speaking guide
Timed-entry ticket at St. Mark’s Basilica
Timed-entry ticket at the Doge’s Palace
Guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace
30-minute shared gondola ride
Guide tips
Itinerary
Your tour begins in St. Mark's Square
Meet your guide in St. Mark’s Square. The exact location will be listed on your booking voucher. You guide will be holding a red "The Tour Guy" sign or flag, awaiting your arrival.
Step inside St. Mark’s Basilica
Use timed entry tickets and spend about 20 minutes inside St. Mark’s Basilica. Admire gold mosaics, domes, and marble floors while your guide explains how Venice’s seafaring empire shaped this sacred landmark.
Explore the Doge’s Palace
Steps away from the basilica, enter the Doge’s Palace. Get ready to learn all about power and politics. Use pre-reserved tickets and follow your guide through lavish chambers where Venice’s leaders ruled with unmatched ambition.
Cross the Bridge of Sighs and enter the prisons
Follow the corridor across the famous Bridge of Sighs and hear the legend behind its name. Then descend into the palace prisons and dungeon, where cramped cells reveal punishments, plots, and Casanova’s escape story.
Take a quick break before your gondola ride
After the touring the Doge's Palace, take a 20-minute break to sit down, use the restroom, or grab a quick snack nearby.
For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change
Select participants and date
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance!
Tue, 18 Aug 2026
Meeting and drop-off point
...
Important Details
...
4.96
851 Ratings
5
818
4
31
3
2
2
0
1
0
Catherine H.
Verified Review
August 15, 2026
Great Tour
Bobby H.
Verified Review
August 15, 2026
This is a very interesting tour. We learned a lot about Venice and the History!
At times the tour did seem a bit rushed, trying to keep with the time schedule!
Our guide was really good and knowledgeable!
Overall, this was a GREAT EXPERIENCE!!
John B.
Verified Review
August 12, 2026
Santosh K.
Verified Review
August 10, 2026
Amazing guide with wealth of knowledge!
Stephen L.
Verified Review
August 09, 2026
Patricia P.
Verified Review
August 06, 2026
Roberta was an excellent guide - very friendly and knowledgeable, clear and easy to understand. I would recommend her again!
Great Tour
Peter R.
Verified Review
August 04, 2026
Guide was extremely knowledgeable and caring.
Saint Marks, Basilica and Doges Place. and gondola ride
Carl C.
Verified Review
August 03, 2026
Margot was fantastic for the tours of the palace and the Basilica. We were a group of five and we were disappointed that all five of us were put on the same gondola. It was pretty tight. Also, the gondola driver the entire time we were on the boat just kept talking to other gondolier’s. He never once acknowledged us or engaged in a conversation.
Fantastic tour -would highly recommend!
Alexis H.
Verified Review
August 03, 2026
Michael was a really knowledgeable tour guide who provided great insights to the Doge and Basilica and led us through the afternoon skilfully and kindly- protecting us from the searing heat, keep to time and was generally lovely. One of the best guided tours I have been on- use of ear pieces and microphone was especially helpful. Great Gondolier ride too
The Tour Guy experience
Gary R.
Verified Review
August 01, 2026
The Tour Guy group does a great job. Pleasant, knowledgeable and helpful. First timer for us but like the experience better than GetYourGuide and Viator experiences.
Jeff F.
Verified Review
July 31, 2026
Julie L.
Verified Review
July 29, 2026
Great experience, they were most accommodating!
Kent T.
Verified Review
July 28, 2026
St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Half-Day Tour with Gondola Ride
Aaron T.
Verified Review
July 27, 2026
Great tour. Excellent guide. Perfect, not too long, not too short.
Sue R.
Verified Review
July 26, 2026
steven B.
Verified Review
July 23, 2026
Great job
Excellent Value
KEITH S.
Verified Review
July 18, 2026
Considering this package gets you all the skip the line tickets - it is a great value. Our guide was informative. Very glad we booked this tour. Glassblowing and Lacework were wonderful as well. Highly recommend Murano and Burano.
Thomas I.
Verified Review
July 17, 2026
Marco did a great job.
St Mark’s Basilica & Doge Palace
Joy P.
Verified Review
July 17, 2026
Highly recommend visiting these historical sites in Venice
St Marks Basilica, Doges Palace & Gondola ride ,
Terry E.
Verified Review
July 15, 2026
Our guide Ella was knowledgeable, kind and considerate of all patrons. It was a hot day and we had some folks in the group that overheated. Ella provided alternatives for rest and meeting up with the group. We were very pleased with our enjoyable, entertaining and thought provoking tour.
Carissa D.
Verified Review
July 15, 2026
Rennae A.
Verified Review
July 15, 2026
Excellent! Informative!
Elena is the best!
Bradlee W.
Verified Review
July 15, 2026
We went on 4 tours on this trip to Italy and this tour was by far the best. So much so, that my 14 year old daughter said that history would be fun if she had a teacher like Elena. The tour was extremely engaging, the pace was perfect, and we enjoyed every minute of it. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Venice!
Great!
Josephine R.
Verified Review
July 13, 2026
The Best Way to Experience St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s PalaceI’m
Lee V.
Verified Review
July 13, 2026
This tour was one of the highlights of our time in Venice. Our guide was fantastic—friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the history of Venice. She didn’t just point out what we were seeing; she brought the stories, people, and history to life in a way that made everything far more memorable.
We’re traveling as a family with four boys, and without question their favorite part was the gondola ride. It was a perfect way to experience Venice from the canals and something they’ll remember for a long time.
St. Mark’s Basilica was breathtaking. The gold mosaics are absolutely incredible and unlike anything we’ve seen before. The Doge’s Palace was equally fascinating, and thanks to our guide’s explanations, we came away with a much deeper appreciation for its history and importance.
My wife and I had previously visited both sites on our own with a self-guided tour, and while we enjoyed it, this guided experience was on a completely different level. Having someone explain the history, symbolism, and stories behind what you’re seeing transforms the experience.
If you’re deciding between exploring these sites on your own or taking a guided tour, we’d recommend the guided tour every time. It’s well worth it, especially for first-time visitors to Venice.
