Venice: Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica Guided Tour
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 491 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Venice: Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica Guided Tour worth booking?
Venice: Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica Guided Tour is a 2.5-hour experience in Venice, Italy, from €89 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 491 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (491)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- €89 per person
Take a 2-hour tour of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica, two must-visit Venice monuments. With a guide, you’ll follow in the footsteps of the Venetian doges, the elected officials who ruled the city for centuries. A tour not only to see Venice, but to experience this city through its history and glorious past, still shining in its historical sites and legendary characters.
What you get
About this experience
Take a 2-hour tour of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica, two must-visit Venice monuments. With a guide, you’ll follow in the footsteps of the Venetian doges, the elected officials who ruled the city for centuries. A tour not only to see Venice, but to experience this city through its history and glorious past, still shining in its historical sites and legendary characters.
What's included
Included
- Personal Headsets
- Ticket to the Pala d'Oro (if option selected)
- Skip the line ticket to the Doge's Palace
- Two-course lunch: main and second course + side dish, water and coffee (if option selected)
- Skip the line ticket to St. Mark's Basilica
- Ticket to the Basilica's Museum and Terrace (if option selected)
- Qualified guide
- Transfer to Murano by boat and visit to a glass factory (if option selected)
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What you'll see and do
Piazza San Marco
Admire Saint Mark's Square and all the buildings and monument around it.
Pass by without stopping
Basilica di San Marco
The guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica offers an unforgettable journey through one of Venice’s most iconic landmarks. Accompanied by an expert guide, you will admire the Basilica’s extraordinary golden mosaics, rich Byzantine architecture, and centuries of history and art.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Palazzo Ducale
Accompanied by an expert guide, you will explore the palace’s most famous areas, including the inner courtyard, the magnificent institutional halls decorated by artists such as Tintoretto and Veronese, the Doge’s Apartments, and the impressive Hall of the Great Council. You will also cross the famous Bridge of Sighs and visit the ancient prisons, while discovering fascinating stories and insights into the history of the Venetian Republic.
75 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Venice
Meet our staff at Campo San Zaccaria, in front of the shop opposite to the Church.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
Spanish 2:45pm with Terrace
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes Tour with Terrace: This tour includes a guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace & Museum and the Doge's Palace. No Pala d'Oro.
ENG -Basilica & Doge's Palace
Duration: 2 hours Basilica & Doge's Palace tour: This option includes guided visit to St. Mark's Basilica main nave and the Doge's Palace. No Terrace or Pala d'Oro.
Portuguese 2:45pm with Terrace
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes Tour with Terrace: This tour includes a guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace & Museum and the Doge's Palace. No Pala d'Oro.
FRE - Option + Lunch & Murano
Duration: 5 hours Option with Lunch and Murano: A tour to discover the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica, followed by lunch and a glass factory visit in Murano
Italian 2:45pm with Terrace
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes Tour with Terrace: This tour includes a guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace & Museum and the Doge's Palace. No Pala d'Oro.
SPA - 12:00pm with Pala d'Oro
Duration: 3 hours Tour with Pala d'Oro ticket: This tour includes guided visit to the Doge's Palace and the ground floor of St. Mark's Basilica and ticket to the Pala d'Oro
English 11:00am with Terrace
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes Tour with Terrace: This tour includes a guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace & Museum and the Doge's Palace. No Pala d'Oro.
English 2:45pm with Terrace
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes Tour with Terrace: This tour includes a guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace & Museum and the Doge's Palace. No Pala d'Oro.
Spanish 10:00am with Terrace
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes Tour with Terrace: This tour includes a guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace & Museum and the Doge's Palace. No Pala d'Oro.
Spanish 10:30am with Terrace
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes Tour with Terrace: This tour includes a guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace & Museum and the Doge's Palace. No Pala d'Oro.
Spanish 11:00am with Terrace
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes Tour with Terrace: This tour includes a guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace & Museum and the Doge's Palace. No Pala d'Oro.
ENG - 12:00pm with Pala d'Oro
Duration: 3 hours Tour with Pala d'Oro ticket: This tour includes guided visit to the Doge's Palace and the ground floor of St. Mark's Basilica and ticket to the Pala d'Oro
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
- pt, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 25 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Park Viaggi
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- For security reasons, large backpacks and bags are not allowed inside the Basilica
- No refund will be given for no shows or late comers.
- Wheelchair partially accessible, due to structural reasons some areas of the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica are not accessible, so the tour may be limited. If assistance is required, passenger must provide their own carer.
- The tour will be provided rain or shine, though may be cancelled if tides are exceptionally high. In this case we'll provide a full refund
- Please be aware that on certain dates, registration and payment of an access contribution will be necessary to visit the city of Venice. We encourage you to check all the information and procedures for registration or payment on the dedicated website of Comune di Venezia.
- 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.
- Each traveler must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to St.Mark’s Basilica
- Basilica entry is €12. Museum or Pala d’Oro €24, both €36. Doge’s Palace €35. Remaining value covers operational costs, hosting services, app content, and licensed guides with audio systems.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 490 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
490 verified traveler reviews for Venice: Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica Guided Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Well worth it!
We had a wonderful tour. Our tour guide gave us a lot of interesting information about St Marks and the Doge’s palace. The tour included going to upper levels of the basilica and seeing out on the square and the water.
via Viator
Amazing experience!
The Donetta was wonderful! She was very knowledgeable and answered any questions the group had! We did the basilica and dodges palace in Aug. be prepared to go up and down several stairs and bring something to cover your knees/shoulders as it’s required in the basilica. Everything was worth it though!!
via Viator
Went early morning and it...
Went early morning and it made all the difference — beat the crowds and had a much better feel for the space before the tour groups piled in. The ceilings and artwork are the real showstoppers here: the gold mosaics inside St. Mark’s are almost overwhelming up close, and the Doge’s Palace courtyard opens up in a way photos don’t prepare you for. Worth the early wake-up call. This stop stuck with me enough that I wrote a version of it into my novel, Beneath Mediterranean Skies.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re delighted that the early start helped you enjoy the magic of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace at their best. And how wonderful to hear that Venice even found its way into your novel! Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back someday. Warm regards, The Team
via Viator
Amazing tour with denise
I strongly recommend Denise. She's very knowledgeable but very friendly. There's a lot of walking. It's a long. It's a long tour but Denise's enthusiasm and her funniness and friendliness kept that enthusiasm from turning into a total burnout. You see a lot of amazing things but seeing a lot of amazing things with the walking can be tiresome. My favorite part of excursion was the Dom of St. Mark, and if you don't know, St. Mark is he's supposedly the guy who wrote The Gospel of Mark. But to see how the history of it and how everything about him was collected and placed. And that was the epicenter of Florence original episode. The palace by the time we got to the Palace a lot of people were tired but it was still fascinating. I do recommend this tour but I do stress that when you make the reservation you make sure that you see The Domo and the palace and then you get access to the balcony. Because there were people who got turned away and they had to wait outside and they didn't realize that their ticket didn't include certain things. There were people not in our group entire group, an entire group being turned away. The security is kind of tough there but it's understandable but just make sure that you have the right itinerary included in your excursion. There are a few people I said had to get turned away and certain people just saw the palace which was a bummer for them because I think the Domo was was amazing. I definitely would recommend this even for families cuz we had children in our group we had older people and there are some steps you got to walk up. So there's a certain level of fitness you need to have, but unless you're in a wheelchair or if you have a disability, it shouldn't be that bad and she even gave us breaks a little bit so we could rest. Overall it was a very good excursion I recommended and try to get Denise cuz she was amazed
via Viator
Extremely interesting to...
Extremely interesting to hear the history and learn about details of these buildings. Marina, our tour guide was phenomenal.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- €89 to €182
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 172
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Park Viaggi, who run 17 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 46.2.
See everything Park Viaggi runsWhy this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Venice: Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica Guided Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Venice.
How much does Venice: Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica Guided Tour cost?
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Prices start at €89 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 & St 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 Venice: Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica Guided Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 491 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 Venice: Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica Guided Tour?
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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 Venice: Doge's Palace & St 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 Venice: Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica Guided Tour?
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Around 172 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 Venice: Doge's Palace & St 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 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 & St Mark's Basilica Guided Tour?
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Included: Personal Headsets; Ticket to the Pala d'Oro (if option selected); Skip the line ticket to the Doge's Palace; Two-course lunch: main and second course + side dish, water and coffee (if option selected; and Skip the line ticket to St. Mark's Basilica. Not included: 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 & St Mark's Basilica Guided Tour?
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Meet our staff at Campo San Zaccaria, in front of the shop opposite to the Church. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Venice: Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica Guided Tour offered in?
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It is offered in Portuguese, English, Italian, French and Spanish. 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 & St Mark's Basilica Guided 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.
Is Venice: Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica Guided Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Wheelchair partially accessible, due to structural reasons some areas of the Doge's Palace. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Venice: Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica Guided 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.
What do travelers say about Venice: Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica Guided Tour?
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Across 491 reviews averaging 4.2 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 Venice: Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica Guided Tour?
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There are 12 options to choose from, including Spanish 2:45pm with Terrace, ENG -Basilica & Doge's Palace, Portuguese 2:45pm with Terrace, FRE - Option + Lunch & Murano. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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