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A grand interior with ornate decorations and a large golden dome, and a spacious courtyard with white marble architecture and a grand staircase. 1
A grand hall with marble columns, ornate ceiling frescoes, and a large wooden altar. 3
A historical building interior with ornate decorations and a golden dome. 4
An ornate church interior with a large fresco and a group of people observing. 5

St. Mark’s & Doge’s Palace: Full Experience Skip-the-Line Tour

By Walks of Italy
9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
Free cancellation available
Price is $104 per adult
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 3h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Skip the line
  • Instant confirmation

Overview

  • Skip the line at two of Venice’s most visited sights.
  • Join a local Venetian guide for an incredible tour.
  • Go behind the scenes of St. Mark's Basilica.
  • Step out onto the basilica balcony for an exclusive view.
  • Visit the opulent Doge's Palace & the bleak New Prisons.

Activity location

  • St. Mark's Basilica
    • Piazza San Marco
    • 30124, Venezia, Veneto, Italy

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Correr Museum (Museo Correr) in Piazza San Marco. Meet under the portico just outside the entrance of the museum. Your guide will be holding a green Walks sign.
    • Correr Museum (Museo Correr) Piazza San Marco
    • 30124, Venice, VE, Italy

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Check availability

St. Mark’s & Early Access Doge’s Palace

  • Earn $3.67
  • Activity duration is 3 hours3h
    3h
  • English

• Early access ticket to the Doge's Palace (before opening)
• Skip-the-line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica
• Exclusive access to the balcony of St. Mark's Basilica
• Top-rated professional guide

Language options: English
Starting time: 8:00AM
Price details
$161.01 x 1 Adult$161.01
Total
Price is $161.01
Until Wed, Jul 1

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Local English-speaking guide
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Skip-the-line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica (St. Marks Basilica + Museum 24 EUR)
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Exclusive access to the balcony of St. Mark's Basilica
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Pre-reserved ticket to the Doge's Palace (25 EUR)
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Headsets when necessary
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Gratuities
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Lunch

Know before you book

  • Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
  • Due to the religious nature of St. Mark's Basilica, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. You can bring extra covering (scarves, etc) to put on just before entering St. Mark's. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.
  • Sites visited during this tour are subject to occasional closures due to holy observances, high tides, and/or flooding. If a site closes, your guide will tour the exterior of the site. If time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. If the local municipality restricts access due to hig
  • No refund will be provided if high tide prevents certain parts of the tour, but adjustments to the route will be made for client safety and comfort.
  • If access is restricted due to private events inside St. Mark's Basilica and/or Doge's Palace, we cannot be held responsible. This is a situation beyond our control. No refund will be issued.
  • Due to limited terrace ticket availability, access to the Pala d'Oro (Golden Altar) will be offered on select dates instead. This adjustment ensures you avoid long queues and still enjoy the basilica’s most treasured highlights during peak seasons.
  • All guests must supply their full name that matches a valid ID at the time of the booking. Should you fail to provide these, your reservation will be canceled. Name changes are not permitted.
  • Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Marks Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument.
  • St. Mark’s Basilica can be subject to closures due to particular liturgical celebrations, especially during major religious holidays such as Easter or Christmas. In the event that the Basilica is closed, explanations will be provided from the outside.

What you can expect

Exclusive Early Entry to Doge's Palace: Stand alone and take a breath in the Doge's Palace having had the door opened exclusively for your group - an hour before the general public arrives! Note: This is only possible with the 8:00 AM booking time.

Combine the top two sights in Venice on one extraordinary tour led by an expert local guide. With pre-reserved tickets and skip-the-line access, you’ll head straight into St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace for an intimate small-group experience.

First, step inside Venice's most important church—St. Mark's Basilica—and gain a full appreciation for its east-meets-west architecture and breathtaking gold mosaics. In the company of a local expert, you’ll get up close with some of the basilica’s greatest treasures, such as the millennia-old Quadriga of four gold horses. You’ll even have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to admire beautiful views from the balcony over St. Mark's Square. At every step of the way, you’ll hear the fascinating story of how most of the basilica's prized possessions ended up here by less-than-honest means.

The second stop on your itinerary is no less beautiful. The Palazzo Ducale, or Doge's Palace, was home to the doge, or duke, of Venice and his seat of government. Skip the long line with pre-reserved tickets and walk straight inside to explore huge council chambers, incredible audience rooms, and a stunning ballroom with larger-than-life works by renowned Venetian masters such as Veronese and Tintoretto. Hear the intriguing history of this building that housed the world's oldest republic—as well as its fascinating government and even an incarcerated Casanova.

To finish your morning of discovery, you’ll walk in the footsteps of many a less-fortunate Venetian from centuries past. Head over the Bridge of Sighs from the inside and into the grim New Prisons—a stark yet fascinating contrast to the opulent halls and galleries that lie within the palace just across the narrow canal.

Please Note:

  • Should access to the terrace at St. Mark's Basilica be unavailable due to limited ticket availability, access to the Pala d'Oro (Golden Altar) will be offered instead. This adjustment ensures you avoid long queues during peak travel seasons and still enjoy the basilica’s most treasured highlights.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    St. Mark's Basilica
    • Piazza San Marco
    • 30124, Venezia, Veneto, Italy

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Correr Museum (Museo Correr) in Piazza San Marco. Meet under the portico just outside the entrance of the museum. Your guide will be holding a green Walks sign.
    • Correr Museum (Museo Correr) Piazza San Marco
    • 30124, Venice, VE, Italy