St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride in Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy

St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride

Outty Ranking 84 4.6 · 1,364 traveler reviews3.5 hoursFrom $113
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Outty Ranking

84/100

Exceptional. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.6/5

Based on 1,364 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride worth booking?

St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride is a 3.5-hour experience in Venice, Italy, from $113 per person. It scores 84 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 1,364 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
84 / 100
Rating
4.6/5 (1,364)
Duration
3.5 hours
From
$113 per person

This tour pairs Venice’s two most important landmarks with a 30-minute shared gondola ride. Use timed entry tickets to enter St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace with an expert guide. Learn fascinating details as you explore, from the basilica’s mosaics to the palace’s political history and prison passages. Finally, board a shared gondola, for a classic and memorable Venetian experience.

What you get

    About this experience

    This tour pairs Venice’s two most important landmarks with a 30-minute shared gondola ride. Use timed entry tickets to enter St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace with an expert guide. Learn fascinating details as you explore, from the basilica’s mosaics to the palace’s political history and prison passages. Finally, board a shared gondola, for a classic and memorable Venetian experience.

    What's included

    Included

    • Timed entry ticket and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica (valued at €12 per person)
    • Expert English-speaking guide
    • Timed entry ticket and guided tour of Doge’s Palace
    • 30-minute gondola ride (max 5 people shared experience)

    Not included

    • Food and drinks
    • Guide tips

    What you'll see and do

    1. Basilica di San Marco

      Use time entry to tickets to enter St. Mark’s Basilica, go through the required security line, then spend about 20 minutes inside with your expert guide. Admire gold mosaics, domes, and marble floors while your guide explains how Venice’s seafaring empire shaped this sacred landmark.

      30 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Palazzo Ducale

      Move from St. Mark's across the square to the Doge's Palace. Follow your guide inside with time entry tickets, skipping the general admissions line. As you explore the Doge’s Palace, learn about the wild ways of the Venetian Republic under the rule of elected magistrates. This tour not only showcases the interior of this ornate palace, but also goes in depth about the crime and legal system that was once in place in the city of Venice. Admire classic works of Venetian art and visit Doge’s Palace’s main sights, such as the Grand Staircase and the Bridge of Sighs.

      90 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Piazza San Marco

      Following your guided tour of the Doges Palace, your guide will introduce you to some other highlights surrounding St. Marks Square like the stunning bell tower (exterior visit) and adorning portico's surrounding the square. Then take a 20-minute break to grab a snack and relax.

      30 minutes here

    4. Venice

      Lastly, join a quintessential Venice activity, a gondola ride! Left in the care of a trusted gondolier, enjoy the beauty of Venice from the water. Glide through the panoramic canals in a shared gondola, each boat accommodating up to 5 participants.

      30 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Venice

    Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early. Between the two big columns in St. Mark’s Square (columns of San Marco and San Teodoro) located on the south side of the square, near the canal. Your guide will be holding a sign.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early. Between the two big columns in St. Mark’s Square (columns of San Marco and San Teodoro) located on the south side of the square, near the canal. Your guide will be holding a sign.

    Options you can book

    • Semi-Private Half-Day Tour

      St. Mark's, Doge's & Gondola: Includes a small-group guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, and a shared gondola ride. Max 12 Guests Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

    • Group Half-Day Tour

      St. Mark's, Doge's & Gondola: Includes a small-group guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, and a shared gondola ride. Max 25 guests Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

    • Group Full Day Tour

      Includes: St. Mark's, Doge's Palace, a 30-minute gondola ride, and a walking tour to Rialto Bridge Duration: 6 hours

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 25 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    The Tour Guy

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women to enter St. Mark’s Basilica; entry may be refused otherwise. Please avoid wearing sandals, hats, shorts, skirts, or tops that expose your shoulders.
    • A valid government-issued ID is required for entrance to St. Mark's Basilica. The name on your ticket (entered at check-out) must match the name on your ID, or you may be refused entry.
    • Your gondola ride is a shared experience, with each boat accommodating up to five guests. A professional gondolier will operate the boat, but please note that this portion of the tour is not guided. The ride lasts approximately 25 to 30 minutes, including the time needed to board and disembark.

    Photos

    St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride in Venice, photo 2St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride in Venice, photo 3St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride in Venice, photo 4St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride in Venice, photo 5St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride in Venice, photo 6St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride in Venice, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 1,338 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    9 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    8 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Traveler reviews

    1,338 verified traveler reviews for St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    1,070
    4 star
    152
    3 star
    50
    2 star
    20
    1 star
    46
    Sort
    Tracee_W · October 2026

    Great experience!

    Loved the tour! Very knowledgeable and funny! During breaks I always like to pick the local’s brain as to their favorite local spots to visit, they always have great recommendations. Thank you!

    via Viator

    Raylene_W · October 2026

    Excellent tour!

    An excellent and knowledgeable guide. Would highly recommend this individual! We would be interested in another tour with her.

    via Viator

    Lise_L · October 2026

    Good tour of the palace &...

    Good tour of the palace & the cathedral. Our tour guide Roberta was excellent. Knowledgeable @ enthusiast. The gondola experience could have been better. The driver was cranky & talked a lot to the other ones which detracted from what should have been a serene experience

    via Viator

    Joan_V · October 2026

    Amazing tour and well coordinated.

    Truly an amazing experience. Loved the tour guide. Was amazed at how well coordinated everything was. Gondola ride was the best!

    Response from the operator: Hi Joan, Thank you for leaving such a wonderful review. We are glad to hear that you had an amazing experience and that the coordination went smoothly. Knowing that you loved your guide and that the gondola ride was the highlight of your day means a lot to us. We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back again on your next trip.

    via Viator

    193lynec · October 2026

    100% recommend this tour !

    Giuliano was a Fantastic guide!

    Response from the operator: Hi Lynec, Thank you so much for the 100% recommendation. We are thrilled to hear you had such a fantastic experience with Giuliano. He will be so happy to know he made your tour special. We really appreciate you sharing your review and hope to welcome you back on another tour soon

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    3.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $113 to $225
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    477
    Verdict
    Exceptional

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by The Tour Guy, who run 40 experiences we rank across 5 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 70.4 and 1 in the 90+ Club.

    See everything The Tour Guy runs

    Why this scores 84

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)71
    Review evidence (18% weight)98
    Booking momentum (14% weight)98
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)68
    Local standing (8% weight)59
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride: questions travelers ask

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

    How much does St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride cost?

    +

    Prices start at $113 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 St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride take?

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    Plan for about 3.5 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 St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 84 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 1,364 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 St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride?

    +

    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 St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride?

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    Around 477 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 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with 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 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?

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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 St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride?

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    Included: Timed entry ticket and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica (valued at €12 per person); Expert English-speaking guide; Timed entry ticket and guided tour of Doge’s Palace; and 30-minute gondola ride (max 5 people shared experience). Not included: Food and drinks; and Guide tips. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride?

    +

    Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early. Between the two big columns in St. Mark’s Square (columns of San Marco and San Teodoro) located on the south side of the square, near the canal. Your guide will be holding a sign. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. 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 St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride?

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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.

    What happens to St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride 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: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride?

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    Across 1,364 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, value for money. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    What booking options are available for St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride?

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    There are 3 options to choose from, including Semi-Private Half-Day Tour, Group Half-Day Tour, Group Full Day Tour. 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 St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride.

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