Duration
Open today
Book now, pay later
Guided tour
4.3/5
(2,563)
Dan
Stefan
Caitlin
-
Breeze past the queues and slip straight into Venice’s two most iconic landmarks without the wait.
-
With your guide as storyteller and curator, uncover hidden symbols, political intrigues, and legends that bring each room alive.
-
Walk through gilded chambers and frescoed halls where doges once ruled, then cross the Bridge of Sighs into the shadowy prisons.
-
Step into St. Mark’s Basilica, where 8,000 sq. m. of golden mosaics shimmer like starlight and marble floors echo centuries of worship.
-
Upgrade for terrace views at the basilica to see the sprawling Venetian lagoon beneath. Alternatively, take the Secret Itineraries tour at the Palace and walk an exclusive path through interrogation rooms, torture chambers, and Casanova’s legendary prison escape.
-
Doge's Palace
-
Skip-the-line entry
-
Expert English, Italian, German, Spanish, or French-speaking guide
-
Access to Bridge of Sighs and New Prisons
-
Secret Itineraries tour (as per option selected)
-
Headsets for groups of 10+ people
St. Marks Basilica
-
Skip-the-line entry
-
Expert English, Italian, German, Spanish, or French-speaking guide
-
Terrace access (as per option selected)
-
Headsets for groups of 10+ people
Additional access to
-
Correr Museum
-
Marciana Library
-
National Archeological Museum
-
-
Hotel transfers
-
Audio guide
-
Guided tours of Correr Museum, Biblioteca Marciana, and Archeological Museum
-
These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
How do we collect reviews?
Guests from United States, France, United Kingdom and over 31 countries have loved this experience
Sue
Jun, 2025Verified booking
Rita was brilliant and so knowledgeable!!! We loved it and would recommend to anyone. Do this tour on your first full day so you can embrace the rest of Venice with more knowledge in your back pocket.
Michael
Sep, 2025Verified booking
Monica was an excellent guide providing an in-depth history of each place we visited. The whole booking and meeting experience was very easy. We have recommended this tour to others.
Picard
Jun, 2025Verified booking
The wire cutter didn't work and we had to queue for 1 hour, which is intolerable considering the price. The guide was very good Those who cancelled all the tours were reimbursed, which was impossible for me given my departure. They wouldn't refund the wire-cutting service
Dan
Jun, 2025Verified booking
The flexibility of the organizer saved us the date, as our guide dropped out shortly before and we were given the opportunity to take part in the English-language tour, which started at the same time. The tour was entertaining, our guide was in a good mood and St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace were simply incredible! You have to see it with your own eyes! It was definitely worth it! And an expert tour really helps to understand the history behind the places and to be able to put it into perspective.
Ivan
Jun, 2025Verified booking
Very well organised, meeting place easy to find. The best part, though, was our tour guide - Gina. She was engaging, witty, informative, thorough and incredibly knowledgeable. She made the tour unforgettable!
Skip the lines and explore Venice’s political and spiritual heart with an expert guide who brings the city’s two greatest landmarks alive.
Getting started
Meet your guide at the starting point mentioned on your voucher. Show your ticket and ID for a quick security check. Enjoy fast-track access with minimal waiting time.
What to expect
Doge’s Palace
The former seat of Venetian power, it's famed for grand halls, Gothic façades, and dramatic prisons.
Features
-
Stand beneath Tintoretto’s Il Paradiso in the Grand Council Hall.
-
See Veronese’s Apotheosis of Venice in gilded chambers.
-
Cross the Bridge of Sighs into the stark palace prisons.
-
Your guide shares stories of political intrigue and Venetian power.
St. Mark’s Basilica
Venice’s “Church of Gold,” this basilica is celebrated for its glittering mosaics and Byzantine heritage.
Features
-
Admire 8,000 sq. m. of golden mosaics across domes and arches.
-
Discover relics of St. Mark and their journey to Venice.
-
Walk on marble floors and see treasures from the Byzantine world.
-
Learn how faith and wealth shaped the city’s most iconic church.
Upgrades: Enhance your visit with terrace access for sweeping lagoon views, or take the Secret Itineraries tour for exclusive entry to hidden offices, interrogation rooms, torture chambers, and the infamous Pozzi and Piombi prisons.
-
What to bring
- Valid ID matching the name on the ticket and the voucher received in email to the meeting point.
What's not allowed
-
Flash/tripod/commercial photography at the Doge's Palace
-
Photography at St. Marks Basilica is forbidden
Accessibility
-
Both venues are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible, although the Secret Itineraries tour at the Doge's Palace is not suitable for wheelchair users
-
A ramp is available at the Porta del Fiori (Door of Flowers) entrance on the left-hand side of the basilica.
Additional information
-
All guests must wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees to enter the basilica.
-
The Correr Museum, Biblioteca Maricana and Archeological Museum can be enteres within 6 months from the date of booking.
-
Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.
-
Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.
-
Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.
-
Similar experiences you'd love
Top things to do in Venice
Nearby cities to explore
