Highlights

Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes approx. of shared guided tour 

Languages: English

 

An immersive tour that will catapult you into the years of Venetian splendour with a journey back in time through history and art.

 

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Description

Visit one of the most majestic cathedrals in the world and the imposing Doge’s Palace, both located in the heart of the city of Venice: St. Mark’s Square .Our professional guides will introduce you to Basilica’s unique Byzantine art and the history hiding behind the walls of the Doge’s Palace. 

 

You will have the pleasure of savouring the splendid golden mosaics and marble inlays on the floors of the Basilica, while our guide will explain the biblical scenes depicted, the history and the special features of this ancient church.

 

Then, enjoy a guided tour of the Doge's Palace, which was the seat of Venetian political power for centuries. In its splendid rooms, plastered with hundreds of pictorial masterpieces, the Doge and his Council controlled the fate of the Venetian Republic with a history stretching back thousands of years. 

 

Be surprised by the richness of detail of the golden staircase and the realism of the scenes depicted by the many artists who decorated this building. 

 

Your guide will take you to the Bridge of Sighs, a passageway that leads you directly to the dank and dark prison cells of the Doge's Palace. The bridge is famous because prisoners would sigh as they crossed it, admiring sadly a free world for the last time.

 

Lastly, visit on your own the Royal Palace in St. Mark's Square. Here you will discover the Venice lifestyle in the past while entering spaces such as the Empress Sissi Rooms and the Napoleon Dance Hall.

 

Continue your journey with an exciting virtual reality experience at the Yard of Venice Gallery. With the VR headset on, time peels away, revealing Piazza San Marco and its iconic monuments as they once were. Picture the Basilica transformed into the Doge's private chapel and the Doge's Palace into a medieval fortress!

 

An unforgettable visit not to be missed!

The price includes
  • Shared guided tour of the St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace 
  • Skip-the-line tickets to St. Mark’s Basilica 
  • Skip-the-line tickets to Doge’s Palace
  • Professional English speaking guide 
  • Access to the Bridge of Sighs 
  • Access to Doge’s Palace Prisons
  • Virtual Reality Journey: Explore St. Mark's Square over the centuries
  • The Yard of Venice Gallery: St. Mark's Square history dedicated circuit
  • Skip-the-line entrance ticket to Royal Palace (Correr Museum)
  • Skip-the-line entrance ticket to Marciana Library
  • Skip-the-line entrance ticket to National Archeological Museum
  • Audio-receiver devices (for groups over 10 people)
The fee does not include
  • Food and drinks
  • Guided tour of Royal Palace, Marciana Library, and National Archeological Museum
  • Access to St. Mark’s Basilica Terrace and Museum 
  • Access to Pala d’Oro 
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Things to know before leaving
  • The tour is NOT private but is shared with other participants.
  • The price is per person.
  • This tour is not fully accessible for wheelchair users or people with reduced mobility
  • Royal Palace (Correr Museum) ticket is included and can be used on the same day of the Doge's Palace guided tour or on the following day. 
  • The Marciana Library is closed on Sundays.
  • For security reasons sacks, bags or knapsacks are not allowed inside Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica (For Doge’s Palace a free deposit is available inside the building)
  • For the visit to the basilica, clothing appropriate to the place of worship is required (NO bare legs and shoulders) 
  • On some high turnout days or for reasons of force majeure (e.g. high tide or security problems) the waiting time for access to St Mark's Basilica may be longer than expected: in this case, please get in line and respect the instructions provided by the guide
  • Comfortable shoes are recommended
  • Digital and printed vouchers are accepted (to be shown to the staff)
Meeting Point
  • Meeting Point: Campo San Gallo, San Marco 1093/B, Venice Tours office, close to San Marco Square. Please be at the meeting point 5 minutes before the departure time.

        HOW TO REACH THE MEETING POINT

  • The office is located close to San Marco Square. Having the Basilica of San Marco behind you, stay on the right side of the square and go under the arches. Find Olivetti Museum, turn right passing under the archways, cross the little bridge and go straight on to “Campo San Gallo”, Venice Tours Office is located in the campo (small square).
Cancellation policies
  • No penalty for cancellation within 24 hrs before the tour. On line customer service 7 days a week, 9.30 am – 5.30 pm
  • The tour does not operate in case of exceptionally bad weather or exceptionally high/low tide (in these cases it will be rescheduled for the following day or refunded)