
St Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace with Secret Passages Access
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 369 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is St Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace with Secret Passages Access worth booking?
St Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace with Secret Passages Access is a 3-hour experience in Venice, Italy, from $125 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 369 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (369)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $125 per person
A visit to Venice wouldn’t be the same without delving into its long and fascinating history as the world’s oldest republic. Go beyond the traditional route, stepping behind the scenes of the Doge’s Palace to explore the secret archives, offices, torture chambers, and the palace attic, home to top-security prison cells, including that of the famed Casanova! Finish next door at St. Mark's Basilica, combining a visit to Venice's top landmarks in one seamless tour.
What you get
About this experience
A visit to Venice wouldn’t be the same without delving into its long and fascinating history as the world’s oldest republic. Go beyond the traditional route, stepping behind the scenes of the Doge’s Palace to explore the secret archives, offices, torture chambers, and the palace attic, home to top-security prison cells, including that of the famed Casanova! Finish next door at St. Mark's Basilica, combining a visit to Venice's top landmarks in one seamless tour.
What's included
Included
- Torture chamber
- Hall of the Great Council
- Skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
- Special access to the Doge’s Palace Secret itineraries
- New Prisons
- Expert Walks of Italy tour guide
- Secret archives
- St. Mark's Basilica
- Bridge of Sighs
- Skip-the-line Doge's Palace tickets
- Casanova’s prison cell
Not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
What you'll see and do
Palazzo Ducale
With your guide, a Venetian art expert and historian, enjoy skip-the-line access to the Doge's Palace and make a beeline for backstage. After a guard opens a special door, enter the hidden side of the palace to see the prison cell where Casanova was held, hear the unlikely tale of his escape, and visit the archives to learn how secrets were kept. See hidden council rooms to learn of the system of checks and balances that made Venice the world's oldest republic and enter the best general access areas such as huge audience rooms, ballrooms with incredible paintings by Veronese and Tintoretto, and the private apartments of the Duke of Venice. You even cross the famed Bridge of Sighs to see the New Prisons on this small-group tour.
150 minutes here · Admission included
St. Mark's Basilica
Your last highlight of the tour will a guided tour of Venice's most important church, St. Mark's Basilica. Admire the east-meets-west architecture and hear how most of the basilica's prized possessions ended up here by less than honest means.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Venice
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets at Correr Museum in Piazza San Marco 52. Your guide will be waiting under the portico just outside the entrance of the museum.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
VIP Secret Itineraries Doges Palace Tour
With St. Mark's Basilica: Small group of maximum 20 pax with Special access.
Private Doge’s Palace Tour
Secret Passages Special Access: Visit St. Mark's Basilica, hidden chambers & Casanova’s cell on a private Doge’s Palace tour reserved just for your group
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
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Walks - Italy & Spain
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Due to Doge's Palace regulations, children under the age of 6 are not permitted inside the secret itineraries and therefore cannot take this tour.
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- No refund will be provided if high tide prevents certain parts of the tour, but adjustments to the route will be made for client safety and comfort.
- If access is restricted due to private events inside the Doge's Palace, we cannot be held responsible. This is a situation beyond our control. No refund will be issued.
- This tour is not suitable for people who are claustrophobic.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- Guests should be prepared for a moderate level of physical activity, including standing for extended periods and climbing stairs, which may not be suitable for travelers with certain health conditions or mobility limitations.
- All guests must supply their full name that matches a valid ID at the time of the booking. Should you fail to provide these, your reservation will be canceled. Name changes are not permitted.
- St. Mark’s Basilica can be subject to closures due to particular liturgical celebrations, especially during major religious holidays such as Easter or Christmas. In the event that the Basilica is closed, explanations will be provided from the outside.
- Please note: This tour offers multiple options. Take a moment to choose the one that best suits your interests.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 359 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
359 verified traveler reviews for St Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace with Secret Passages Access. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Ehh Venice 👍
Sometimes our guide was a little hard to understand. Possibly enunciate a bit more and occasionally talk a bit slower. Overall very interesting and enjoyable. Virginia even found me when I got a bit lost.
via Tripadvisor
Venice Doge’s Palace
The tour was great, very informative and easy to understand
via Tripadvisor
Expertly delivered tour
Francesca was extremely friendly, warm, calm and knowledgeable and delivered the tour with a smile. We highly recommend this tour and this tour company! Thank you for adding to the many wonderful experiences and memories that we have of our time in beautiful and amazing Venice!
via Tripadvisor
Excellent tour
Our guide , Francesca, was incredible. Her attention to detail and knowledge made this tour exceptional. Highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Great smaller group tour...
Great smaller group tour - about 3+ hours. Recommend if only to avoid the bigger tour groups in the public area. The secret passages cover the dungeons, Cassanova’s cell, Armory, Archive room, bridge of Sighs, and secret courtrooms of the Doge council of 10 with an interesting torture rope-pulley in one of the court rooms in case you need convincing! 2nd half of the tour - we did the 9:15 (which I recommend doing early to avoid the largest of the crowds) was the public galleries which featured over the top Venetian paintings and gold leaf ceilings - must have been the inspiration for Versailles! Our tour guide Nicco was excellent, personable, and quite knowledgeable with all the paint symbolism. The tour concluded with the Basilica about 30 minutes - which was magnificent (you can stay longer if you have time after the formal tour) - was even better - broadly one of the best preserved Byzantine style churches - which after seeing Hagia Sophia on the same trip helped fill in the visual of what that site would have looked like before its mosque conversion by the Ottomans. You could honestly stare at the gold leave and mosaic images on the walls for hours and not be bored - just floored!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat
- Price range
- $125 to $589
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 129
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Walks - Italy & Spain, who run 54 experiences we rank across 9 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 61.1 and 2 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Walks - Italy & Spain runsWhy this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
St Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace with Secret Passages Access: 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 with Secret Passages Access cost?
+
Prices start at $125 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 with Secret Passages Access take?
+
Plan for about 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 St Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace with Secret Passages Access worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 369 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 St Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace with Secret Passages Access?
+
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 St Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace with Secret Passages Access suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-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 with Secret Passages Access?
+
Around 129 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-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does St Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace with Secret Passages Access 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 St Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace with Secret Passages Access?
+
Included: Torture chamber; Hall of the Great Council; Skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica (12€); Special access to the Doge’s Palace Secret itineraries; and New Prisons. Not included: Gratuities; and Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for St Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace with Secret Passages Access?
+
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets at Correr Museum in Piazza San Marco 52. 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 with Secret Passages Access 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 with Secret Passages Access?
+
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 St Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace with Secret Passages Access wheelchair or stroller accessible?
+
The operator notes: Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility i; and Guests should be prepared for a moderate level of physical activity, including standing fo. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to St Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace with Secret Passages Access if the weather is bad?
+
It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Venice. Standard cancellation terms apply.
What do travelers say about St Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace with Secret Passages Access?
+
Across 369 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
What booking options are available for St Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace with Secret Passages Access?
+
There are 2 options to choose from, including VIP Secret Itineraries Doges Palace Tour, Private Doge’s Palace 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 with Secret Passages Access.
Pick your date




