Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour in Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy

Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour

Outty Ranking 46 4.3 · 3 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $132
Instant mobile ticketSpots available today

Outty Ranking

46/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.3/5

Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour worth booking?

Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour is a 2-hour experience in Venice, Italy, from $132 per person. It scores 46 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 3 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
46 / 100
Rating
4.3/5 (3)
Duration
2 hours
From
$132 per person

Experience the gold and glory of Venice with a 2-hour guided tour of its two most iconic landmarks. We begin at St. Mark’s Basilica, bypassing the queues with skip-the-line access. Inside this Byzantine masterpiece, you’ll marvel at 8,000 sqm of shimmering gold mosaics and the intricate marble floors, as your guide reveals the history of Venice’s spiritual heart. Next, we enter the Doge’s Palace, once the seat of Venetian power. Climb the ornate Giants’ and Golden Staircases and walk through grand institutional chambers adorned with masterpieces, including Tintoretto’s Paradise. The tour takes a dramatic turn as you cross the famous Bridge of Sighs, following the path of prisoners into the New Prisons. A seamless journey from the celestial glow of the Basilica to the political secrets of the Palace, revealing the dual soul of a thousand-year empire.

What you get

    About this experience

    Experience the gold and glory of Venice with a 2-hour guided tour of its two most iconic landmarks. We begin at St. Mark’s Basilica, bypassing the queues with skip-the-line access. Inside this Byzantine masterpiece, you’ll marvel at 8,000 sqm of shimmering gold mosaics and the intricate marble floors, as your guide reveals the history of Venice’s spiritual heart. Next, we enter the Doge’s Palace, once the seat of Venetian power. Climb the ornate Giants’ and Golden Staircases and walk through grand institutional chambers adorned with masterpieces, including Tintoretto’s Paradise. The tour takes a dramatic turn as you cross the famous Bridge of Sighs, following the path of prisoners into the New Prisons. A seamless journey from the celestial glow of the Basilica to the political secrets of the Palace, revealing the dual soul of a thousand-year empire.

    What's included

    Included

    • Skip the line entry ticket and guided tour of the Doge’s Palace
    • Guided visit to the Doge’s Palace, including the Bridge of Sighs and the New Prisons
    • Access and Guided tour of St Mark's Basilica

    Not included

    • Entry ticket to the Treasure
    • Entry ticket to the Pala d’Oro
    • Entry ticket and access to the Museum and the Terrace
    • Entry ticket to the Piombi

    What you'll see and do

    1. Palazzo Ducale

      Doge's Palace

      75 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Basilica di San Marco

      St. Mark's Basilica

      45 minutes here · Admission not included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Venice

    TURIVE kiosk, located on Calle larga de l'Ascension, near the St. Mark's Post Office, behind Correr Museum.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    TURIVE kiosk, located on Calle larga de l'Ascension, near the St. Mark's Post Office, behind Correr Museum.

    Options you can book

    • FRENCH

    • English

    • GERMAN

    • SPANISH

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
    Languages
    de, en, it, fr, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    ABSOLUTE ITALY SpA

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • If you choose the tour departing at 11:45, there will be a break of approximately 45 minutes between the visit to the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica (Doge's Palace 11:45 - 13:00; St. Mark's Basilica 13:45 - 14:45).
    • 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.
    • Each traveler must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to St.Mark’s Basilica.
    • In cases of religious ceremonies, exceptionally high tides or other special occasions, access to St. Mark's Basilica may not be permitted.
    • To visit St Mark's Basilica it is necessary to dress appropriately (no shorts, vests or tops) and backpacks are not allowed for safety reasons.
    • This is a collective tour, which means there might be other participants going on the tour with you.
    • Please note that, due to the particular morphological structure of Venice and the logistic problems resulting from it, we cannot guarantee that the whole tour is accessible to people with limited mobility. This means that people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users could not be able to access some parts of the itinerary.
    • Please make sure to arrive on time so you don't miss out! We are unfortunately unable to offer refunds or credits for late arrivals or no-shows.
    • n certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay +an access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it/en.
    • Entrance fees reserved for tour operators and guides: €12.00 for St. Mark’s Basilica.

    Photos

    Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour in Venice, photo 2Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour in Venice, photo 3Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour in Venice, photo 4Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour in Venice, photo 5Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour in Venice, photo 6Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour in Venice, photo 7

    Traveler reviews

    3 verified traveler reviews for Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    2
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    1
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Elizabeth_Y · December 2024

    Confirm both venues when checking in...

    Our guide was very knowledgeable (I can't remember her name) but the two gentlemen checking us in for the tour neglected to notice that we had booked the Doge's Palace as well as the Basilica. It turns out that all the other participants on the tour were there for the Basilica only - so at the completion of the Basilica tour we were basically dismissed. Since we had paid $100. US each for skip-the-line at TWO venues, we made a point of getting the Doge's Palace as well. We offered to come back the following afternoon as our guide seemed anxious to get on her way - but she agreed to stay and gave us a good tour, too. (She asked if she could get going and skip the prison part which was fine with us!).

    via Viator

    Lois_N · October 2024

    Very informative

    Our guide covered a lot of information and made it very interesting. The pickup location was easy to find

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    2 hours
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    1
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by ABSOLUTE ITALY SpA, who run 14 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 46.9.

    See everything ABSOLUTE ITALY SpA runs

    Why this scores 46

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)64
    Review evidence (18% weight)19
    Booking momentum (14% weight)11
    Value for money (12% weight)77
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)46
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Venice.

    How much does Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $132 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 Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 2 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 Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 46 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Venice, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour?

    +

    No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.

    Is Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour?

    +

    Around 1 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?

    +

    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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Venice experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Venice Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class with wine by Cooking Italy, Eating Venice Small Group Food & Drinks Tour, Tour of The Real Hidden Venice. 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

    What is included in Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour?

    +

    Included: Skip the line entry ticket and guided tour of the Doge’s Palace; Guided visit to the Doge’s Palace, including the Bridge of Sighs and the New Prisons; and Access and Guided tour of St Mark's Basilica. Not included: Entry ticket to the Treasure; Entry ticket to the Pala d’Oro; Entry ticket and access to the Museum and the Terrace; and Entry ticket to the Piombi. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour?

    +

    TURIVE kiosk, located on Calle larga de l'Ascension, near the St. Mark's Post Office, behind Correr Museum. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour offered in?

    +

    It is offered in German, English, Italian, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Please note that, due to the particular morphological structure of Venice and the logistic. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour if the weather is bad?

    +

    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Venice. Standard cancellation terms apply.

    What booking options are available for Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour?

    +

    There are 4 options to choose from, including FRENCH, English, GERMAN, SPANISH. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line guided tour.

    Pick your date