Private or Semi Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's Basilica Guided Tour
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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
5.0/5
Based on 400 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private or Semi Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's Basilica Guided Tour worth booking?
Private or Semi Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's Basilica Guided Tour is a 2.5-hour experience in Venice, Italy, from $184 per person. It scores 83 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 400 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 83 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (400)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- $184 per person
With this Exclusive Experience you will enjoy a comprehensive and engaging Tour of Venice's two most famous sites, Saint Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, and all of it in your very own Private Group with your very
What you get
About this experience
With this Exclusive Experience you will enjoy a comprehensive and engaging Tour of Venice's two most famous sites, Saint Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, and all of it in your very own Private Group with your very own Private Guide! Savor the privileges of an intimate and personalized tour, which affords you the possibility of going at your own pace, and asking all the questions you wish! Enjoy Skip-the-line access to one of the world's most famous basilicas and to Venice's most important and historical Palazzo. Highlights include the tens of thousands square feet of Golden Mosaics adorning the interior of the Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs, and the scary prisons of the Doge's Palace, its impressive Gun Room and magnificent Hall of Great Council.
What's included
Included
- Private Tour Guide
- Exclusive Skip the Line Access to Doge's Palace
- Exclusive Skip the Line Access into Saint Mark's Basilica
- Admission to Palace Great Halls, Prisons and Weapon Collections and Bridge of Sighs
Not included
- Food and Drink
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Piazza San Marco
Your Doge's Palace and Saint Mark's Tour will begin in beautiful Piazza San Marco, where you will meet your Private Tour Guide. Begin your adventure into two of Venice's most famous sites in this most iconic and picture perfect square, learning all about its architecture, history and anecdotes.
20 minutes here
Basilica di San Marco
Your first official stop will be Saint Mark's Basilica. Enjoy exclusive and privileged skip the (long) line access, and enter straight into what is also known as the Golden Basilica. Here, your Private guide will show you and guide you through the interior of this incredible church, musing on its history, anecdotes, and the many eras it has seen in its hundreds of years of existence. You will surely be stunned by the thousands and thousands of square feet of pure golden mosaics that completely cover the basilica's interior. There is quite literally no other place like this! An original, valid photo ID is required for entry to St. Mark's Basilica. Photocopies are not accepted.
50 minutes here · Admission included
Palazzo Ducale
Exit the Basilica, and continue your tour by enjoying once again exclusive skip the line access to the Doge's Palace, the seat of Venice's government for centuries. You will be amazed by the secret stories your guide shares as you walk through the Doge’s private, luxurious apartments and powerful halls, such as the Hall of the Great Council. Then, continue to explore the palace with a visit to the scary, dark and gory prison. After seeing the impressive collection of weapons, you will stop at the notorious Bridge of Sighs. Enjoy the view and snap some perfect pictures for your album at home.
50 minutes here · Admission included
Ponte dei Sospiri
After seeing the impressive collection of weapons, you will stop at the notorious Bridge of Sighs. Enjoy the view and snap some perfect pictures for your album at home.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Venice
The meeting point is under the winged lion's column in Saint Mark's Square, closest side to the Grand Canal. Your guide will be holding a LivTours sign.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The meeting point is under the winged lion's column in Saint Mark's Square, closest side to the Grand Canal. Your guide will be holding a LivTours sign.
Options you can book
Private Doge's Palace and Saint Mark's Basilica Walking Tour
Private Tour: Enjoy the tour with your very own private tour guide.
Semi-Private Tour
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes: You will enjoy the luxury of a semi-private group of no more than six people allowing you to interact with your expert guide.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, 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
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- 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
- 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 402 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
402 verified traveler reviews for Private or Semi Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's Basilica Guided Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing
Tullia was amazing. Highly recommend to use her for your tour.
via Tripadvisor
Great tour!
Nico was our tour guide. We truly enjoyed the tour of St Marks and Doge Palace. Nico was very kind and informative. We highly recommend Nico for your upcoming tours!
via Tripadvisor
Lively and full of history.
Lara was wonderful. Full of passion and knowledge. Very enjoyable
via Tripadvisor
Venice History
Lara was awesome. Animated and full of knowledge.
via Tripadvisor
Don't think twice- book this tour!
Ottavia was an incredible tour guide! She was so knowledgeable and knew exactly how to guide us through the highlights of Venice. Our tour of St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, the prison, and the Bridge of Sighs was informative, interesting, and perfectly paced. It was the perfect tour for seeing the sights of Venice, and Ottavia made the experience even more enjoyable. Highly recommend!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $184 to $285
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 140
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 83
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private or Semi Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's Basilica Guided Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Venice.
How much does Private or Semi Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's Basilica Guided Tour cost?
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Prices start at $184 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 Private or Semi Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's Basilica Guided Tour take?
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Plan for about 2.5 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 Private or Semi Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's Basilica Guided Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 83 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 400 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Venice, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private or Semi Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's Basilica Guided Tour?
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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 Private or Semi Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's Basilica Guided Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private or Semi Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's Basilica Guided Tour?
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Around 140 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 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private or Semi Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's Basilica Guided Tour 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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