There are so many amazing things to do in the Floating City, it may be difficult to choose where to spend your precious time. The Doge’s Palace should be at the top of any list. In this guide, we share the best Doge’s Palace tours to take and why, to help you decide which tour is best for you.
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Should You Take a Tour of the Doge’s Palace in Venice?
Yes, without a doubt!
Built-in an ornate Venetian Gothic Style, the Doge’s Palace combines decadent decoration with macabre prisons and torture chambers, harking back to its complex and, at times, disturbing past.
Located in the heart of Venice, the Doge’s Palace was the residence and seat of power for the Duke(or Doge) of Venice until the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797. The Palace had been the heart of political and public administration when Venice was independent and fell into irrelevancy in the following years.
The Palace finally became a public museum in 1923 and has been a popular tourist destination ever since. You can, of course, visit the Doge’s Palace on your own, but with over a millennium’s worth of history, a local expert guide will elevate any visit by regaling you with stories of political intrigue, espionage, murder, and torture.
You can find out more about the fascinating history of the Palace here, and below, you will find a collection of our best Doge’s Palace tours to take and why.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Venice Guide for more info.
The Best Doge’s Palace Tours to take
There are several options if you want to tour the Doge’s Palace. You can concentrate on the Palace itself or combine it with several of the other fantastic monuments of Venice. Whatever you are looking for, you’ll find something below in our list of best Doge’s Palace tours.
Ultimate Venice in a Day with the Doge’s Palace, Murano and Burano
This combo tour is perfect if your time in Venice is limited to a single day or a short weekend. You’ll cram in as much as possible in nine action-packed hours.
You’ll start at the infamous Doge’s Palace, with its Gothic architecture and dark past. The palace’s interior features lavish decor and art by masters like Titian that mask the more sinister aspects of the palace’s history.
You’ll see the grand hall, arguably the world’s most expensive staircase, the Doge’s prison cells, and the feared ‘Chamber of Torment.’
Afterward, you’ll explore the incredible Basilica of St Marks. And, of course, no trip to Venice is complete without a gondola ride, so we’ve also been sure to build that into the itinerary.
After a break for lunch, you’ll meet up with your small group and guide to take a private water taxi out to the islands of Murano and Burano.
You’ll see a live glassblowing demonstration up close in Murano, a centuries-old tradition. In bright and beautiful Burano, you’ll see an intricate lacemaking demonstration before having time to explore.
It is the perfect way to see all of Venice’s star attractions in a single day.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out why you should include Murano and Burano
Visiting Murano & Burano | Islands near venice
How to See Venice in A Day
Venice in a Day Combo Tour With Gondola Ride
Put on your favorite walking shoes and clear the day for a captivating 6-hour tour that promises to unveil the essence of Venice within a single day.
Your journey begins with exclusive skip-the-line tickets to the Doge’s Palace, a historically significant stronghold where formidable magistrates held sway until the late 18th century.
This Venetian Gothic Doge’s Palace stands as one of Venice’s most enigmatic landmarks, having been the center of power for the Venetian Empire until 1797
Within the palace’s storied walls, you’ll encounter not only some of Venice’s finest artworks, such as the Golden Staircase, and masterpieces by Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese, but you’ll also dive into its dark past as you explore the chamber of torment, the prison cells, and the Bridge of Sighs.
Your local expert guide will then lead you to St. Mark’s Basilica, and of course, before you explore some of Venice’s quieter areas and hidden gems. And of course your day wouldn’t be complete without checking off a quintessential Venice experience from your bucket list—a ride in a Venetian gondola.
Highlights:
6-hour tour
See the highlights of Venice in a day
Skip-the-line guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace
Walking tour of Venice’s quieter areas and hidden gems
St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace Half-Day Tour with Gondola Ride
Skip the lines and go behind the scenes at the Doge’s Palace, the residence and seat of power of the Duke of Venice for centuries.
You’ll explore the Bridge of Sighs, the torment chamber, prison cells, and the beautiful art and design in the rest of the palace.
After hearing the dark and fascinating history of the Doge’s palace, prepare yourself for breathtaking sights like St. Mark’s Basilica, also known as the “Church of Gold,” and the iconic Rialto Bridge from a few vantage points.
If that’s not enough, you’ll even cram in an iconic Gondola time to cap things off.
Group tours are a great and affordable way to understand a city, but a private tour may be your best option if you are inquisitive and love asking questions. With a private guide, you have your expert guide’s undivided attention.
And with this tour, the Doge’s palace will have your undivided attention. For two hours, you will explore the luxurious halls and learn about its tempestuous history.
This is the perfect tour for the history buffs or anybody interested in one of Venice’s most fascinating sites.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Venice Guide for more info.
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