Venice In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 5,185 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Venice In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour worth booking?
Venice In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour is a 4.5-hour experience in Venice, Italy, from $132 per person. It scores 84 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 5,185 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 84 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (5,185)
- Duration
- 4.5 hours
- From
- $132 per person
First time in Venice? Maximize your time in the city with a full-day itinerary that ticks off all the most memorable attractions. Stroll across the Rialto Bridge and browse the lively Rialto fish market, then hop aboard a traditional gondola for a romantic cruise along the Grand Canal. Next, access St. Mark’s Basilica and gaze in awe at the stunning gold mosaics. Finally, enjoy skip-the-line entrance to the grandiose Doge’s Palace.
What you get
About this experience
First time in Venice? Maximize your time in the city with a full-day itinerary that ticks off all the most memorable attractions. Stroll across the Rialto Bridge and browse the lively Rialto fish market, then hop aboard a traditional gondola for a romantic cruise along the Grand Canal. Next, access St. Mark’s Basilica and gaze in awe at the stunning gold mosaics. Finally, enjoy skip-the-line entrance to the grandiose Doge’s Palace.
What's included
Included
- Rialto Fish Market
- Gondola Ride (Venice Express Half Day Option excluded)
- Local English-speaking guide
- Pre-reserved ticket to the Doge's Palace (25€)
- New Prisons
- Rialto Bridge
- Guided Walk of the back streets of Venice
- Skip-the-line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
- Bridge of Sighs
- House of Marco Polo ( exterior)
Not included
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Ponte di Rialto
Your tour starts at ground level with a guided walking tour of the city's most famous and most interesting sights. See the Rialto Bridge and learn about Venice's food culture at the Rialto Fish Market. Along the way hear tales of famous Venetians like Marco Polo as well as how Venice came to be—and how it survived against the odds. (1 hour if Express option selected)
105 minutes here · Admission included
Sightseeing & Photo Stop
Pass by without stopping
Casa di Marco Polo
Sightseeing & Photo Stop
Pass by without stopping
Canal Grande
As your walking tour ends, take a gondola ride and cruise along the Grand Canal and into the quieter back canals of the city with a maximum of 5 people per vessel. Note: The gondola ride is not included in the Express option.
30 minutes here · Admission included
San Marco
Pause for a break. While it's not included in the tour, your guide will share plenty of great recommendations on where to grab a coffee and a snack. Note: No break will be provided if 8:15am Venice In a Day option or Express option selected.
45 minutes here
Basilica di San Marco
After a short break for a snack on your own, reconvene at St. Mark's Square. Your tour includes pre-reserved skip-the-line tickets to enter St. Mark's Basilica to explore its stunning history, architecture, and art with your guide. Get up close to the beautiful gold mosaics with special first-floor access.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Palazzo Ducale
Then it's on to Venice's other top sight—the Doge's Palace. Skip the line with pre-reserved tickets and enjoy the benefit of having an expert local guide as you navigate council rooms, audience halls, and masterpieces by Veronese and Tintoretto.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Bridge Of Sighs
Sightseeing & Photo Stop
Pass by without stopping
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 outside the entrance of the Church of San Giacometto at Campo San Giacomo di Rialto 255, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
St. Mark's Square
Options you can book
Private - Venice in a Day
Explore Venice from top to bottom in just one day, visit St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace & a picturesque gondola ride Duration: 6 hours
Venice In a Day Express
Duration: 4 hours Gondola NOT included: See Venice’s top sights in just 4 hours with skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.
Venice in a Day
Including GONDOLA Ride: 8:15 AM - 4 hours guided tour Including GONDOLA Ride: 8:30 AM - Extended 6 hours version with lunch break Duration: 6 hours
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
- Every day
- 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
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- If access is restricted due to private events inside St. Mark's Basilica and/or Doge's Palace, we cannot be held responsible. This is a situation beyond our control. No refund will be issued.
- In case of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather (heavy rain, strong wind, high tide) conditions that prevent the gondola ride from taking place or any operational or safety reasons beyond our control it may be substituted for another experience, but no refund will be provided.
- Due to the religious nature of sites on this tour, all individuals (regardless of gender) must cover their shoulders and knees. It is acceptable to bring extra coverings to put on just before entering a holy site. Walks cannot be responsible for anyone denied entry.
- 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.
- Venice Express Option: Gondola is not included.
- Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Marks Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument.
- 8:30am tour is limited to 20 people and includes a lunch break on your own, while the 8:15am tour does not include a lunch break (shorter duration of 4 hours) and a maximum of 25 people in your group.
- 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 5,102 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
5,102 verified traveler reviews for Venice In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Our guide, Luisa, was...
Our guide, Luisa, was very knowledgeable and organized. We had a great day on this tour and saw areas we likely would have missed without her guiding us. The tour is long, especially while in the palace, but the headsets were great and it was worth our time. Be prepared for a lot of walking and stairs. But nothing too strenuous. It was a great day!
via Viator
Not to be missed when visiting Venice
Roberta was amazing. If the other guides are half as good, the tour is well worth it. She was informative, sensitive to her tour members, assertive when needed to get through crowds and lines and has a great sense of humor. She is a native and proud of it and completely knowledgeable of her unique city’s history and anecdotes
via Viator
We enjoyed the tour -...
We enjoyed the tour - particularly the gondola ride. Doge's Palace was fascinating and St Marc's was stunning. We found our guide a little difficult to understand, but she was very knowledgable.
via Viator
Luisa’s Venice Italy group
Lots of stairs, but good tour. Loved the gondola rides. Much interesting information given. Guide spoke fluent English
via Viator
This was one of the...
This was one of the highlights of our time in Venice. Giuliano was a fantastic guide — warm, engaging, knowledgeable, and very easy to spend the day with. We visited so many of Venice’s iconic sights, including Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark’s Basilica, and also enjoyed a gondola ride as part of the tour. Giuliano did a wonderful job of bringing the history and stories of Venice to life without ever making it feel like a history lecture. What we appreciated most was the pace of the day. We covered a lot, but it still felt relaxed and enjoyable, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and really take everything in. If you only have a limited amount of time in Venice and want to see the major highlights while also learning about the city, this is an excellent tour. We would absolutely recommend it — and Giuliano especially!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 4.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $132 to $1,159
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1,815
- Verdict
- Exceptional
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 84
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Venice In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Venice.
How much does Venice In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour cost?
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Prices start at $132 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 In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour take?
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Plan for about 4.5 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 In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour 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 (4.8/5 across 5,185 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 In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City 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 In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Venice In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour?
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Around 1,815 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 4.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Venice In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City 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 In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour?
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Included: Rialto Fish Market; Gondola Ride (Venice Express Half Day Option excluded); Local English-speaking guide; Pre-reserved ticket to the Doge's Palace (25€); and New Prisons. Not included: Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Venice In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour?
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Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets outside the entrance of the Church of San Giacometto at Campo San Giacomo di Rialto 255. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Venice In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City 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 In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City 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 In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility i. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Venice In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City 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 In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour?
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Across 5,185 reviews averaging 4.8 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. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
What booking options are available for Venice In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including Private - Venice in a Day, Venice In a Day Express, Venice in a Day. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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