
Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 662 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour worth booking?
Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour is a 2-hour experience in Venice, Italy, from $262 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 662 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (662)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $262 per person
Skip the lines at the iconic Doge’s Palace in Venice and uncover its highlights and secrets on a 2-hour tour. Walk right past the main entrance queues with your knowledgeable guide, and delve into the magnificent palace’s history as you explore its lavish public chambers. See prized Italian Renaissance artwork by Tintoretto and Veronese, and learn about the dark deeds of the city’s former rulers and secret service. Then, wander across the world-famous Bridge of Sighs and end your tour with a visit to the New Prisons.
What you get
About this experience
Skip the lines at the iconic Doge’s Palace in Venice and uncover its highlights and secrets on a 2-hour tour. Walk right past the main entrance queues with your knowledgeable guide, and delve into the magnificent palace’s history as you explore its lavish public chambers. See prized Italian Renaissance artwork by Tintoretto and Veronese, and learn about the dark deeds of the city’s former rulers and secret service. Then, wander across the world-famous Bridge of Sighs and end your tour with a visit to the New Prisons.
What's included
Included
- Headset to hear the guide clearly when there are more than 8 participants in the group
- Local expert English-speaking licensed guide
- Skip-the-line tickets to the Doge's Palace
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What you'll see and do
Palazzo Ducale
Enjoy a 2 hrs in depht tour of the Doges Palace and visit the famous Prisons.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Scala dei Giganti di Palazzo Ducale
While standing in the courtyard as your guide will introduce you to the Doges Palace architecture and history, see and learn about the Giant Staircase leading up to the Palace and used for formal entrances.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Ponte dei Sospiri
Walk over the famous Bridge of Sighs connecting the Doge's Palace to the Prisons and learn why it was given this name.
Pass by without stopping
Porta Della Carta
Learn about the Main entrance of the Doges Palace, the paper door that links the Doges Palace to St Mark's Basilica.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Venice
Entrance to the Royal Gardens, on the waterfront of St Mark's Square - You'll meet Avventure Bellissime tour coordinator outside the gardens, in front of the wrought iron Gate holding a sign with the name of the tour and Avventure Bellissime logo written on it.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
Private Tour
Private tour conducted exclusively for you, your family and friends. Tour in English, other languages on request.
Small Group Tour
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Avventure Bellissime
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- At times, Doges Palace can close without notice. No refunds are available as these events are beyond our control.
- 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 659 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
659 verified traveler reviews for Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fantastic Tour
A great tour and a wonderful guide at that. Edi was awesome guide that was both knowledgeable and entertaining.
via Viator
Donatella was terrific
The private tour provides an excellent opportunity to ask questions about the palace and history of Venice that bring the place to life.
via Viator
Worst tour ever!
I have done this tour before and LOVED IT! This time it was a literal waste of time! I was so disappointed that I left the tour midway and left it up to my META glasses to tell me something new. :-( The guide spent so much time on things unrelated to the palace (for instance 40 minutes outside 2 blocks away with a ratty map telling us about the "History of Venice" that the tour we paid for inside the palace felt rushed and disconnected. Her comments about other "groups" were inappropriate and uncalled for, and frankly she spent most of her time telling the group about her love for the UK and chatting with the UK people about the motherland - that 5 of 9 of us left! Annoyed! Her knowledge of the art and history in one of the world's most iconic art collections was very limited and just made every penny we paid a waste of our time and money! It was one of the worst tours I have ever had. If she pops up on your list, pass!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your comment. I have now spoken directly with Chiara, our guide, who regularly leads this tour as well as many other tours in Venice. According to her report, none of the other guests left the tour early. The shared tour had 7 participants in total, and she advised that the other 6 guests remained until the end, thanked her and said goodbye at the conclusion of the tour. Chiara also explained that one guest appeared to have very specific expectations, mentioning that she had already taken the tour several times and was looking for something more particular as she was in Venice also for filming during the visit. For this reason, my impression is that a private tour with a dedicated guide may have been a better fit in this particular case, as it would have allowed the content, pace and focus of the visit to be tailored entirely around those specific interests. We are sorry that the experience did not meet your expectations, but after speaking with our guide, it appears that your experience was quite different from that of the other participants on the same tour. Kind Regards Monica
via Viator
A great experience!
Francesca is a fabulous guide and very knowledgeable, and engaged well with the group. We were provided a brief background of Venice, which was very helpful. The knowledge provided helped us understand Venices history. Francesca encouraged questions. A great engaging experience.
via Viator
Excellent guided tour
Our guide was punctual, knowledgeable and tailored the experience to our kids so that they felt included. We learned so many things about Doge Palace and the history of Venice!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 232
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Avventure Bellissime, who run 7 experiences we rank across 4 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.8.
See everything Avventure Bellissime runsWhy this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Venice.
How much does Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour cost?
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Prices start at $262 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 Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 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 Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 662 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Venice, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons 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 Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour?
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Around 232 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-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons 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 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 Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour?
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Included: Headset to hear the guide clearly when there are more than 8 participants in the group; Local expert English-speaking licensed guide; and Skip-the-line tickets to the Doge's Palace. Not included: Gratuities; Food and drinks; and Hotel pickup and drop-off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour?
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Entrance to the Royal Gardens, on the waterfront of St Mark's Square - You'll meet Avventure Bellissime tour coordinator outside the gardens. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour offered in?
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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 Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour?
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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 Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour 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 Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour?
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Across 662 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, small groups. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
What booking options are available for Venice Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Private Tour, Small Group Tour. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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