from

$132

Venice
A group of tourists inside St. Mark's Basilica with a guide from The Tour Guy.

St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Half-Day Tour with Gondola Ride

Free CancellationSkip the Line

Experience Venice’s top 3 must-dos, back-to-back, with timed entry tickets and an expert guide

Free CancellationSkip the Line

5.0

(860)

3 h 30 min

Max 25 Guests

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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.

Sightsee on a shared 30-minute gondola ride

Next, prepare for your gondola ride. After exploring Venice by land, you’ll take to the water for a 25 to 30-minute gondola ride along the Grand Canal or under the Bridge of Sighs. With only a few fellow travelers aboard, it’s a perfect, peaceful finale.

Your tour ends near St. Mark’s Square

Return to St. Mark’s Square by gondola, to find yourself right where the adventure started. Having just finished a full day of timed entry, secret stories, and canal views you'll have met Venice properly!

For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change

Select participants and date

Start times are in the product’s local time

Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance!

Mon, 07 Sep 2026

Meeting and drop-off point

Meet your guide in St. Mark’s Square. The exact meeting point can be found in the voucher you'll receive after your booking. The tour ends back at St. Mark’s Square.

Important Details

Discover what to expect, what's included, and everything you need to know before booking.

Good to know:

  • Dress Code: Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women to enter St. Mark’s Basilica; entry may be refused otherwise. Please avoid wearing sandals, hats, shorts, skirts, or tops that expose your shoulders.

  • ID Requirement: A valid government-issued ID is required for entrance to St. Mark's Basilica. The name on your ticket (entered at check-out) must match the name on your ID, or you will be refused entry.

  • Tour Changes: All St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace tours are subject to potential time change due to ticketing. Please keep the date of your tour flexible.

  • Accessibility: This tour involves extensive walking, standing, and climbing stairs. It is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible and not suitable for guests with mobility issues.

  • Weather Advisory: Doge's Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica may be closed unexpectedly and without much notice due to adverse weather events, maintenance, or safety reasons. If this occurs, you will be notified as soon as possible.

  • St. Mark's Basilica: Please note, the tour inside St. Mark's Basilica usually lasts around 20 minutes, as per the monument's rules and protocol.

  • Gondola Ride: Your gondola ride is a shared experience, with each boat accommodating up to five guests. A professional gondolier will operate the boat, but please note that this portion of the tour is not guided. The ride lasts approximately 25 to 30 minutes, including the time needed to board and disembark.

  • Bag Policy: Large backpacks or bags aren’t allowed inside the attractions; please leave them at your accommodation.

  • Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.

Your tour includes:

  • Expert English-speaking guide

  • Timed entry ticket and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica

  • Timed entry ticket and guided tour of Doge’s Palace

  • 25 to 30-minute gondola ride (max 5 people shared experience)

What to bring:

  • Covering for knees and shoulders

  • Government-issued ID

  • Comfortable shoes

  • Camera

  • Water bottle

FAQs

Where to meet?

Meet your guide in St. Mark’s Square. The exact meeting point can be found in the voucher you'll receive after your booking. The tour ends back at St. Mark’s Square.

What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?

Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not suitable for guests with mobility issues due to extensive walking, standing, and stairs.

Does this tour skip the line?

Yes, this tour skips the general admissions line. However, you will still need to pass through security.

What if it rains?

Our tours run rain or shine! If the weather is particularly bad the gondola may not run due to safety concerns, in which case a partial refund will be provided.

Is lunch included in the price of the tour?

No, lunch is not included in the price of your tour, but your guide will have lots of recommendations for tasty places to eat.

How long is the gondola ride?

The gondola ride is about 30 minutes long and the gondolier will decide which canals to float through.

Do I have a private gondola just for myself?

Not exactly—but it’s still special! Each gondola seats up to 5 people and is shared only with others from your tour group, never with random strangers. It’s a fun and comfortable way to enjoy the canals together

Does this tour include an entry ticket to St. Mark's Basilica?

This product includes an entry ticket to St. Mark's Basilica, for which our cost is 12 euros per person.

Is this tour family friendly?

Yes, this tour is family-friendly, but keep in mind it includes lots of walking and standing, plus stairs inside the sites.

Do I need to follow a dress code?

Yes. Knees and shoulders must be covered to enter St. Mark’s Basilica, and entry may be refused if you do not meet the dress code.

What is the gondola ride like?

The gondola is a sightseeing experience, and you'll either glide along the Grand Canal or through smaller canals beneath the Bridge of Sighs. Please note that the gondolier does not provide commentary. The total experience lasts approximately 25 to 30 minutes, including the time to board and disembark.

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