Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark's Doge Palace Gondola Ride
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 122 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark's Doge Palace Gondola Ride worth booking?
Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark's Doge Palace Gondola Ride is a 4.5-hour experience in Venice, Italy, from $199 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 122 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 78 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (122)
- Duration
- 4.5 hours
- From
- $199 per person
Enjoy an exclusive tour of Venice with a private expert guide, and make the most of this incredible city and see all of the highlights. Begin in Saint Mark's Square for a perfect view of Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Dog
What you get
About this experience
Enjoy an exclusive tour of Venice with a private expert guide, and make the most of this incredible city and see all of the highlights. Begin in Saint Mark's Square for a perfect view of Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, the private chapel of the dukes of Venice until the 19th century. Get privileged access, and skip the long lines to enter the grand basilica and enjoy up-close views of the golden mosaics. Then skip the lines to the Doge's Palace to travel through 7 centuries of history as you see the palace prisons and court rooms, and stop on the Bridge of Sighs to see the last view of Venice that prisoners saw before they were locked in their cells. Your guide will then give recommendations for lunch, and after a short break continue your tour. Walk to the covered Rialto Bridge and discover the house where Marco Polo once lived. Go to the Renaissance church of the Campo Santa Maria Formosa, where you will end your perfect day true Venetian style in a private gondola ride
What's included
Included
- Skip the line tickets to St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace
- Doges Prison
- Hall of the Great Council
- Private Expert Local Guide
- Marco Polo’s house
- Campo Santa Maria Formosa
- Bridge of Sighs
- 30 minute private gondola ride
- Rialto bridge
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities (optional)
What you'll see and do
Piazza San Marco
Your experience of Venice begins in the iconic St Mark's square where you will also meet your guide.
15 minutes here
Basilica di San Marco
Next, skip the long lines and enter this beautiful and ornate basilica as your guide provides you with anecdotes of its history. An original, valid photo ID is required for entry to St. Mark's Basilica. Photocopies are not accepted.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Palazzo Ducale
Next make your way to the Doge's Palace again with VIP entry, the political center of Venice. Your expert guide will share the secrets of the private hidden apartments, and you will see impressive halls such as the Hall of Great Council. The tour takes a more sinister turn as you visit the prison, as well as an extensive private weapons collection. Upon exiting, you will stop at the notorious Bridge of Sighs. After this visit, your guide will provide you with some great recommendations to stop to eat and have refreshments before continuing on your tour. The rest of the day will be spent on foot exploring the narrow winding streets to unexpected squares and bridges. Visit the Rialto bridge and see Marco Polo's house before stopping in Campo Santa Maria Formosa for your private gondola ride.
150 minutes here · Admission included
Campo Santa Maria Formosa
Your guide will escort you to your very own private gondola ride - the best way to complete a day in Venice! They will ensure you will have everything you need before embarking on a relaxing journey through the canals on your gondola.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Venice
In front of Chiesa di San Giacomo in Campo San Giacomo di Rialto. Your guide will be holding a LivTours sign.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- pt, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- LivTours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
- Offered in: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. Please specify under “Additional notes” if you wish to book the tour in a language other than English.
- Places of worship have strict dress code requirements for entry. All participants are required to have shoulders and knees covered (no tank tops or short dresses) to enter.
- There is no photography allowed in St Marks basilica.
- The itinerary described above is a suggested order of the various experiences. These may vary according to your personal requests or preferred starting time.
- An original, valid photo ID is required for entry to St. Mark's Basilica. Photocopies are not accepted.
- Please provide the full names of all travelers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with all travelers’ full names at the ticket office prior to entry may result in denied entry to the attraction.
- The ticket includes a cost to enter St. Mark’s Basilica valued at 30 EUR per person.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 122 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
122 verified traveler reviews for Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark's Doge Palace Gondola Ride. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Wonderful guide Anna
Ana took my 10 and 13 year-old children through the doge Palace and Saint Marks and did an excellent job keeping everyone entertained and engaged. Would highly recommend she was very knowledgeable.
via Tripadvisor
Good tour, obnoxious gondoliers
Matteo was a very good guide. A native Venetian, clearly passionate about its history. The tour itself was slightly long. The gondola ride at the end originates on the main canal and frankly the gondoliers were very condescending to tourists. Very unpleasant. This tour should contract with gondoliers elsewhere.
via Viator
Great tour and we skipped the lines!
Guide was great with her tour and we skipped the line for all entries.
via Tripadvisor
Best Venice Tour possible
Our guide was fabulous, very, very knowledgeable, as well as funny and cheerful. She could not have done a better job.
via Tripadvisor
Doges palace semi private tour
Shannon was amazing! She was kind, informative, the price was worth it! The tour time was the perfect length. Saw a lot of beautiful art and I loved it!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $199 to $450
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 43
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 78
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark's Doge Palace Gondola Ride: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Venice.
How much does Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark's Doge Palace Gondola Ride cost?
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Prices start at $199 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Venice usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark's Doge Palace Gondola Ride take?
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Plan for about 4.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Venice is not rushed.
Is Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark's Doge Palace Gondola Ride worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 122 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Venice, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark's Doge Palace Gondola Ride?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark's Doge Palace Gondola Ride suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark's Doge Palace Gondola Ride?
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Around 43 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Venice can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Venice and add a light layer if any part of the 4.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark's Doge Palace Gondola Ride start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Venice within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Venice?
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On Outty we rank every Venice experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine in Venice, Eating Venice Small Group Food & Drinks Tour, Venice Bacaro Food Tour: Eat and Drink like a Venetian. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Venice?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Venice?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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