
Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice
Traveler rating
4.1/5
Based on 38 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice worth booking?
Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice is a 2.8-hour experience in Venice, Italy, from $163 per person. It scores 49 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.1/5 rating across 38 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 49 / 100
- Rating
- 4.1/5 (38)
- Duration
- 2.8 hours
- From
- $163 per person
Meet your professional guide and start your combination tour discovering the buildings in the square and then we enter inside the Doge's Palace "Palazzo Ducale", it was once the residence of the Doge, the elected ruler of the city. The tour then continues into Saint Marks Basilica, which majestically symbolizes the lagoon and enshrines the city’s history and Saints relics. At 1:00 pm you will end the first part of the tour and you will have approx 2 hours free time to stroll around Saint Mark's square, to have lunch (not included) or to visit the Correr museum on your own already included with the Doge's Palace ticket. The second part of your combined tour is the classic gondola ride at 3:00 pm or 5:15 pm (check the availability). PROGRAM -> Doge's Palace & Basilica departure at 10:45 am to 1.00 pm -> Gondola ride (duration 30 min) April - October gondola at 3.00pm or 5.15 pm November - March gondola only at 3.00 pm
What you get
About this experience
Meet your professional guide and start your combination tour discovering the buildings in the square and then we enter inside the Doge's Palace "Palazzo Ducale", it was once the residence of the Doge, the elected ruler of the city. The tour then continues into Saint Marks Basilica, which majestically symbolizes the lagoon and enshrines the city’s history and Saints relics. At 1:00 pm you will end the first part of the tour and you will have approx 2 hours free time to stroll around Saint Mark's square, to have lunch (not included) or to visit the Correr museum on your own already included with the Doge's Palace ticket. The second part of your combined tour is the classic gondola ride at 3:00 pm or 5:15 pm (check the availability). PROGRAM -> Doge's Palace & Basilica departure at 10:45 am to 1.00 pm -> Gondola ride (duration 30 min) April - October gondola at 3.00pm or 5.15 pm November - March gondola only at 3.00 pm
What's included
Included
- S.Luca, S. Maria del Giglio, S. Maria del Rosario vulgo Gesuati, S. Maria Formosa
- Access to the National Archaeological Museum, the monumental rooms of Marciana National Library
- Pinacoteca Manfrediniana, Madonna dell'orto - S. Alvise, S. Andrea de la Zirada, S. Antonin
- S. Giovanni in Bragora, S. Marcuola, S. Maria dei Miracoli, S. Maria del Carmelo vulgo Carmini
- Live tour commentary provided in English, French, Spanish or German
- The tickets for the Basilica allow you to visit (within 6 months) the following sites
- Santuario di Lucia - SS. Redentore, The Human Safety Net
- S. Simeon Piccolo, S. Sofia, S. Stae, S. Stefano, S. Trovaso
- Personal audio system and headset for tour commentary
- Professional local guide
- S. Beneto, S. Fantin, S. Felice, S. Giacomo dell’Orio, S. Giobbe, S. Giovanni elemosinario
- 30 minutes shared gondola ride
- The tickets for the Doge's Palace allow you to visit: Bridge of Sighs, Armory, Correr Museum
- Skip the line entrance and guided tour to the Saint Marks Basilica and Doge's Palace
- S. Martino di Castello, S. Marziale, S. Pietro di Castello, S. Polo, S. Samuele, S. Sebastiano
- Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta (Torcello), Sacrestia della Basilica della Salute
- Pre-reserved tickets for St Mark's Basilica (€12) and Doge's Palace (€35)
Not included
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Food and drink
- Secret itineraries fee
- Admission fees
- Museum and Loggia dei Cavalli on the 1st floor
- Secret itineraries
- The Hidden Treasures of the Doge
What you'll see and do
Meet your guide in calle larga de l'ascension next the post office behind Saint Mark's square.
Pass by without stopping
Piazza San Marco
Hear about the republic of the Serenissima and the city's origins to the present day. See all the most important monuments (from the outside) in the square.
30 minutes here
Basilica di San Marco
Your guide will provide you with the perfect introduction to the origins, symbols and traditions regarding Saint Mark's Square, Saint Mark's Basilica the Doge's Palace, the bridge of Sighs, the bell tower and the Marciana area.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Palazzo Ducale
Immediately entering the Palace you will pass through the great courtyard and admire the wealth of detail on the famous Golden Staircase. Once inside the Palace, you will visit the halls where the Duke (Doge) and his Council controlled the fate of the Serene Republic, whilst surrounded by hundreds of artistic masterpieces and discover the political history of Venice and its people. You will be able to admire the paintings realised by some of the most important artists of the Italian Renaissance, amongst them, the world's largest oil painting by Tintoretto.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Ponte dei Sospiri
Passing through the famous Bridge of Sighs, you will reach the new prisons. The bridge was given its name by the English poet Lord Byron, probably referring to the last breath of the prisoners, who had their last view of the lagoon and of Venice from the window of this bridge, before they were to be imprisioned.
Pass by without stopping
Porta Della Carta
This guided tour concludes in the courtyard of the Doge's Palace. Here it will be possible for you to stay longer inside the Palace absorbing the history and mystery of days gone by.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Venice
15 min before in Calle larga de l’Ascension - 30124 (behind the Correr museum on the opposite side of the Saint Marks Basilica). Look for the TURIVE assistant next to the post office San Marco.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour ends in Saint Mark's square
Options you can book
French
German
Spanish
English
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, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 20 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Venice Events srl
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before the departure time;
- Late arrivals, No Shows, No refund;
- 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
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 38 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
38 verified traveler reviews for Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
NOT TOTALLY ACCESSIBLE
Tour was identified as accessible. They were unable to accommodate my husband in a wheelchair, for the gondola, and refused to refund any portion of our tickets.
Response from the operator: Hello, Thank you for your feedback. Your comments help us improve the quality of our tours. Kind regards, Greetings from Venice
via Tripadvisor
No Gondola tour was included!!!
Guide was extremely knowledgable; however, tour was supposed to include a gondola tour. We asked about the gondola and she had no clue. Told us to go back to the starting point and ask - of course there was no one at the starting point to ask!!! So no gondola ride was included!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very frustrating and completely inexcusable. False advertising.
Response from the operator: Hello , Thank you for your kind and thoughtful review. Your kind feedback helps us improve our tours and experiences with our suppliers. Our Team with each and every tour try to improve and try to find where mistakes are. Guests are required to follow all information on the voucher. Sending kind regards, Team Venice Events
via Viator
Be careful about getting the info for the Gondola!
Our tour guide was very funny and very knowledgeable. The only problematic part is we also booked a tour with a gondola ride and none of the information provided told us where and when that was to take place. We had to message the provider and fortunately about 14 minutes before the meet up time they responded and we happened to be in that area. So beware and ask questions up front. Otherwise it was a very well run and well guided tour. Highly recommend.
Response from the operator: Hello Scott, Thank you for your kind and thoughtful review. Your kind feedback helps us improve our tours and experiences. We look forward to welcome you back in Venice. Sending kind regards, Team Venice Events
via Viator
Tour was incredible. Gondola itinerary is inaccurate
We had Monica as a tour guide she was wonderful, a great combination of explaining the importance of the art of architecture of both buildings as well as the history of Venice more broadly. Only complaint is that the tripadvisor itinerary advertises that the gondola ride would immediately follow the tours when they finish at one. At the end of the tour we were told the gondola ride would not happen until three. The gondola ride was definitely worth it and me and my wife enjoyed it. We were disappointed that we were unable to make it to our other afternoon plans because the gondola ride was important. Can’t stress this enough, tours were great and gondola was fun. Just know that if doing it all back is what you’re wanting to schedule this isn’t the correct one.
Response from the operator: Hello Louis, Thank you for your kind and thoughtful review. You kind feedback helps us improve our tours and experiences. We look forward to welcome you back in Venice. Sending kind regards, Team Venice Events
via Tripadvisor
Great tour
Our tour guide was great. She not only gave us information from the tour, but about Venice in general. She was very friendly and answered any questions we had. Very easy to understand and laid back. Would highly recommend!
Response from the operator: Hello Carla , Thank you for your kind and thoughtful review. You kind feedback helps us improve our tours and experiences. We look forward to welcome you back in Venice. Sending kind regards, Team Venice Events
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 13
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Venice Events srl, who run 18 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 47.8.
See everything Venice Events srl runsWhy this scores 49
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Venice.
How much does Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice cost?
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Prices start at $163 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 Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice take?
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Plan for about 2.8 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 Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 49 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.1/5 across 38 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 Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice?
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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 Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice?
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Around 13 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 2.8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice 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 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?
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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.
What is included in Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice?
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Included: S.Luca, S. Maria del Giglio, S. Maria del Rosario vulgo Gesuati, S. Maria Formosa; Access to the National Archaeological Museum, the monumental rooms of Marciana National Li; Pinacoteca Manfrediniana, Madonna dell'orto - S. Alvise, S. Andrea de la Zirada, S. Antoni; S. Giovanni in Bragora, S. Marcuola, S. Maria dei Miracoli, S. Maria del Carmelo vulgo Car; and Live tour commentary provided in English, French, Spanish or German. Not included: Hotel pick up and drop off; Food and drink; Secret itineraries fee; and Admission fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice?
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15 min before in Calle larga de l’Ascension - 30124 (behind the Correr museum on the opposite side of the Saint Marks Basilica). Look for the TURIVE assistant next to the post office San Marco. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice offered in?
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It is offered in German, English, 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 Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice?
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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 Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Venice. Standard cancellation terms apply.
What do travelers say about Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice?
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Across 38 reviews averaging 4.1 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Morning Tour: Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride in Venice?
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There are 4 options to choose from, including French, German, Spanish, English. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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