from
$128
St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Half-Day Tour with Gondola Ride
Experience Venice’s top 3 must-dos, back-to-back, with timed entry tickets and an expert guide
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
Skip the Line
Discover the St Marks Basilica and Doges Palace alongside an expert guide
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!
Sat, 17 Oct 2026
Meeting and drop-off point
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
See what people are saying
4.96
916 verified ratings
5
4
3
2
1
What reviewers sayPowered by Cicero AIBETA
Reviewers frequently praise the guides for their extensive knowledge, engaging storytelling, and ability to make the history of St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace vivid and interesting. Many also appreciate the well-paced tours and the gondola ride at the end, though some note the gondoliers can be less engaging and the ride sometimes shared with others, which affects the experience for some guests.
Afternoon Tour
Michael C.
·
·
October 15, 2026
Well done! All aspects - FANTASTICO!
St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Half-Day Tour with Gondola Ride
Mary B.
·
·
October 14, 2026
Jeffrey S.
·
·
October 13, 2026
Guide was exceptional
Denise M.
·
·
October 12, 2026
Hal R.
·
·
October 12, 2026
Rita was great! She was so knowledgeable and friendly.
Holly B.
·
·
October 10, 2026
A great overview of Venice highlights
Ann B.
·
·
October 10, 2026
Just the right amount of information and overview of Doges palace. Sylvia did a great job of pacing the tour. Topped off by an enjoyable gondola ride along the canal.
Must-do in Venice
Tim T.
·
·
October 10, 2026
Touring Basilica di San Marco and the Doge's Palace were extraordinary! Our tour guide Annabianca was extremely knowledgeable and provided very interesting background to the sights. Ending with a gondola ride topped off the experience. This tour was well worth it!
St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Half-Day Tour with Gondola Ride
Jack H.
·
·
October 09, 2026
Great tour and great tour guide.
David M.
·
·
October 09, 2026
Tour in Venice
Janelle M.
·
·
October 08, 2026
Philip was terrific . Well spoken and knowledgeable
Susan M.
·
·
October 08, 2026
At
Fana W.
·
·
October 07, 2026
St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace.
Gael B.
·
·
October 07, 2026
The tour guide was extremely informative. I thought it was a marvelous tour and the highlight of it was the gondola ride which was much longer than I thought it would be.
Giuliano
Alisoun B.
·
·
October 06, 2026
Edward G.
·
·
October 04, 2026
The guide was very informative . We enjoyed the very much
Sonya F.
·
·
October 04, 2026
Very good tour
Michael W.
·
·
October 02, 2026
We only spent 2 day in Venice and this tour was perfect
NICOLE P.
·
·
October 02, 2026
Boris P.
·
·
October 01, 2026
Great guide
Mark Q.
·
·
October 01, 2026
Jennie W.
·
·
October 01, 2026
Tyler J.
·
·
September 30, 2026
Best tour yet!
G T.
·
·
September 30, 2026
Marco was the best tour guide that we have had in Italy. Super knowledgeable and local.
St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace
Robert B.
·
·
September 30, 2026
Our guide Philippe was very good and gave us a lot of information that was very helpful. We did not participate in the gondola ride due to time constraints.