It’s one thing to stand in front of St. Mark’s Basilica and stare in awe at the intricate details, but it’s another to step inside and see why it’s nicknamed the Church of Gold. Just around the corner, the Doge’s Palace is worth a visit too. However you like to travel, we’ve created some of the best tours of St. Mark’s Basilica that include a variety of activities from gondola rides to island hopping.
First and foremost, booking tours of St. Mark’s Basilica means you’ll have skip-the-line entry. Yes, it’s free to enter the basilica, but that also means the lines during the travel season can literally take hours to get into the church. Who has that kind of time to waste when there’s so much to explore? Venice’s origins date back to around A.D. 476 after the Roman Empire fell, which means there’s a lot to learn about!
Your Venetian tour guide knows so much about these historic buildings and will bring them to life through stories, like how the Doges of Venice used the basilica as their own church for centuries, or what makes up the 283 pieces of treasure, and even who the church was originally built for.
Excited yet? We’re excited to take you on an unforgettable journey through Venice’s rich history! But don’t take our word for it. Here are just a couple of samples of our 5-star reviews from other customers.
The 5 Best Tours to Take of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice
As you choose which St. Mark’s Basilica tour to take, you’ll need to decide how much time you’ll devote to the tour and what other attractions you want to include. Tours of St. Mark’s Basilica entertain you with stories behind the theft of Constantinople’s four bronze horses, the thousands of gold mosaics, St. Mark’s tomb, and so much more.
Some tours include other activities like skipping the line for a guided tour of the Doge’s Palace, gondola rides, or a trip to see Murano and Burano. And of course, we have private St. Mark’s Basilica tours if that’s your preference. Click on the links below to jump to any of our top-rated tours of St. Mark’s Basilica or just scroll through the list!
1. Ultimate Venice in a Day with Murano and Burano
For the ultimate tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and other must-do Venice activities, look no further. Spend the day with your passionate guide as you skip the line at both St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.
You’ll uncover the secrets of both of these monuments that represented the absolute power of the Doges of Venice until the 19th century. A traditional gondola ride is included since it’s just one of those things you really should do while you’re in Venice.
After a break for lunch on your own, the tour continues with private transportation to the islands of Murano and Burano. Our pre-arranged transportation is so convenient since the water bus (vaporetto) is slow, crowded, and hot.
You’ll get to see a live glassblowing demonstration in Murano and an exclusive lacemaking demonstration in Burano. Both of these centuries-old traditions are fascinating to watch and will make this a day to remember.
Highlights:
9 hours
Skip-the-line guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica
Skip-the-line guided tour of Doge’s Palace
Gondola ride
Private, round-trip transportation to Murano and Burano
2. St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace Half-Day Tour with Gondola Ride
Prefer to enjoy a guided tour in the morning and have a free afternoon in Venice? Then, opt for this tour that just sees the best of Venice’s St. Mark’s Square. Skip-the-line entry is included for your small group.
Learn the story of how St. Mark’s body was brought to Venice, the incredible treasure, and the mosaics that make this church so famous. Then go straight into the Doge’s Palace to explore the darker side of Venice’s ruling class. Here you’ll learn about the Golden Staircase, see the famous courtroom where the fate of the accused was decided, and walk across the Bridge of Sighs yourself. A tour of the dungeons is also included!
Finish up with a traditional gondola ride and then head off to the rest of your day’s activities. It’s a quick way to tour St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace in just a few hours.
For a guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace that also includes an easy walking tour of Venice’s nearby districts, opt for this day tour. You’ll start your day at St. Mark’s Basilica for a guided tour of this Church of Gold—with skip-the-line access of course.
Then follow your local guide to Rialto Bridge and learn what makes this bridge and area so special. A walking tour to other hidden alleys and lesser-known spots of interest in up next before your gondola ride through Venice’s amazing canals.
After lunch, meet up again for a skip-the-line, guided tour of the Doge’s Palace. Explore the Golden Staircase, the Grand Ballroom, the Court Room, the dungeons, Bridge of Sighs, and more. It’s the perfect tour for getting to know Venice better before exploring on your own.
4. Private Venice Highlights Tour with Gondola Ride
If you’re a private tour kind of person, and you don’t have much time, then this Private Venice Highlights Tour might be for you. In just 2 hours, you’ll have a guided tour of St. Mark’s Square and the Basilica (with skip-the-line tickets) before exploring Rialto Bridge and embarking on a private gondola ride.
With a private guide, you’ll be able to tailor your time inside St. Mark’s to see what you’re most interested in. Take in the incredible 85,000 square feet of gold mosaics and view the impressive altarpiece that is worthy of a photo or two.
Then get to know Rialto Bridge better as you explore both sides and learn about its importance: past and present. And no tour in Venice is complete without a gondola ride, so we’ll arrange for you to have your own private gondola for 30 minutes. Your gondolier may serenade you or pose for selfies as he expertly guides you through the watery streets of Venice.
For an even more exclusive experience, book this private tour of St. Mark’s Basilica which includes a private boat tour of the Grand Canal and more. Begin your tour with skip-the-line entry to St. Mark’s Basilica and listen to the incredible stories behind this 11th-century church.
Learn about the crazy antics used to bring St. Mark’s body back to Venice, the stunning gold mosaics, and much more. Your private guide can tailor your experience here to what interests you the most.
Next, explore Rialto Bridge and get to know the tragic history and reconstruction of this remarkable bridge. Then hop on a private boat for a tour of more of Venice’s canals than you’d see on a gondola. This will include a ride through the Grand Canal and a glimpse of a rare gondola workshop too.
Despite the size of this little island, there are endless hotel options to choose from. We’ve picked the best neighborhoods and hotels to stay in whether you prefer Italian luxury or quiet serenity—or both!
Writer, editor, teacher, hiker, traveler, dreamer. With a book or pen in hand and a majestic sunset on the horizon, life is never short of fulfilling moments for Brie. She has a background in history and writing, and enjoys writing and editing for BobVila.com, The Tour Guy, and her own business.
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