
Secrets of the Doge's Palace: Venice Guided Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
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
3.8/5
Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Secrets of the Doge's Palace: Venice Guided Tour worth booking?
Secrets of the Doge's Palace: Venice Guided Tour is a 1.3-hour experience in Venice, Italy, from $49 per person. It scores 49 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.8/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 49 / 100
- Rating
- 3.8/5 (9)
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- From
- $49 per person
Step back in time to the golden age of the Venetian Republic. On this expert-led guided tour, you’ll bypass the notoriously long lines and step straight into the heart of Venice’s political and historical power: the Doge
What you get
About this experience
Step back in time to the golden age of the Venetian Republic. On this expert-led guided tour, you’ll bypass the notoriously long lines and step straight into the heart of Venice’s political and historical power: the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale). From the breathtaking golden ceilings to the dark, chilling prison cells, this tour offers a captivating journey through the secrets, masterpieces, and scandals that shaped the Mediterranean's most powerful empire.
What's included
Included
- Headseats for groups bigger than 10 people
- 1 hour guided tour
- Entrance ticket to the Doge's Palace and Correr Museum
- Local expert guide
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- food and beverage
What you'll see and do
Palazzo Ducale
A masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture, once the seat of power of the Venetian Republic, where your guided tour brings centuries of history to life.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Venice
Meet your host under the blue Clock Tower at the corner of St. Mark's Basilica, next to Bar Americano. The host will be holding a blue flag and wearing a yellow vest.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet your host under the blue Clock Tower at the corner of St. Mark's Basilica, next to Bar Americano. The host will be holding a blue flag and wearing a yellow vest.
Options you can book
Spanish Guided Tour
Doge's Palace: Spanish guided tour on the Saint Mark Square and the Doge's Palace (Basilica ticket not include)
Portuguese guided tour
Italian Guided Tour
Doge's Palace: Italian guided tour on the Saint Mark Square and the Doge's Palace (Basilica ticket not include)
French Guided Tour
Doge's Palace: French guided tour on the Saint Mark Square and the Doge's Palace (Basilica ticket not include)
English Guided Tour
Doge's Palace : English guided tour on the Saint Mark Square and the Doge's Palace (Basilica ticket not include)
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, pt, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Journey Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Visits inside the Doge’s Palace have a typical duration of 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the time spent exploring the various rooms and exhibitions.
- Please provide the correct telephone number, including the country code, to ensure we can reach you with any updates to your reservation.
- During the summer season, please allow up to two hours to travel from the train station to Saint Mark’s Square, as water taxis are in high demand and delays are common due to heavy crowds.
- The tour runs even in light rain. Please note that during certain time of the year, high tide may occur. In that case, raised walkways are set up to allow access and disposable shoe covers can be purchased in front of the entrance.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 9 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
9 verified traveler reviews for Secrets of the Doge's Palace: Venice Guided Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Palace cool, guide sucked
Our guide Giovanni was not very good. He got sidetracked at times, talking about irrelevant things like talking with a friend about Pirates of the Caribbean. Worse, he skipped entire rooms and didn't even mention them as we walked through or past them. He rushed through the very end because her realized he was running out of time. We actually went back inside on our own to go see the areas we missed.
via Viator
Do Not Book
Do not book! Booked a tour of the palace and gondola ride. The tour was great. There was no gondola ride. Tour guide had no idea what I was talking about. Another couple had booked something that included glass blowing and guide did not know about this either. I contacted the company rep. They tried to say that it did not include a gondola ride. I sent them the ticket from viator that stated it did. They did not accept responsibility and told me to take it up with Viator. Very expensive for the one hour tour alone (booking quoted 2-3 hours). There were much cheaper options that I would have booked, but considering it included the gondola, made sense at the time.
via Tripadvisor
Very good experiences.
A very comprehensive tour to get to know the essentials of Venice. The guide provides a lot of historical context. Highly recommended for those visiting Venice for the first time.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Stunning!
Everything was perfect and unforgettable!
via Tripadvisor (translated)
A great and informative tour
This is an excellent tour. Our guide was patient and humorous, and most importantly, very knowledgeable. Both the historical & the artistic elements of the sites are amazing (not that they're really separable). Highly recommended.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $49 to $72
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 49
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Secrets of the Doge's Palace: Venice Guided Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Venice.
How much does Secrets of the Doge's Palace: Venice Guided Tour cost?
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Prices start at $49 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 Secrets of the Doge's Palace: Venice Guided Tour take?
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Plan for about 1.3 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 Secrets of the Doge's Palace: Venice Guided Tour 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 (3.8/5 across 9 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Venice, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Secrets of the Doge's Palace: Venice 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 Secrets of the Doge's Palace: Venice Guided Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Secrets of the Doge's Palace: Venice Guided Tour?
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Around 3 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 1.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Secrets of the Doge's Palace: Venice 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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