
Venice Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 195 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Venice Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica worth booking?
Venice Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica is a 2.3-hour experience in Venice, Italy, from $124 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 195 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 59 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (195)
- Duration
- 2.3 hours
- From
- $124 per person
Combined guided tour the Saint Marks Basilica and the Doge's Palace: 1. Our guide will provide you with a wealth of information regarding Saint Mark's Square and then accompany you on a detailed tour of the Golden Basilica, once the private chapel of the Doge of Venice, admire the golden mosaics and impressive marble inlay flooring. 2. During the second part of the tour your guide will accompany you to the Doge’s Palace. Once inside, you will visit the halls where the Duke (Doge) and his Council controlled the fate of the Serene Republic. You will be able to admire the paintings realized by some of the most important artists of the Italian Renaissance, amongst them, the world's largest oil painting by Tintoretto. Passing through the famous Bridge of Sighs, you will reach the new prisons.
What you get
About this experience
Combined guided tour the Saint Marks Basilica and the Doge's Palace: 1. Our guide will provide you with a wealth of information regarding Saint Mark's Square and then accompany you on a detailed tour of the Golden Basilica, once the private chapel of the Doge of Venice, admire the golden mosaics and impressive marble inlay flooring. 2. During the second part of the tour your guide will accompany you to the Doge’s Palace. Once inside, you will visit the halls where the Duke (Doge) and his Council controlled the fate of the Serene Republic. You will be able to admire the paintings realized by some of the most important artists of the Italian Renaissance, amongst them, the world's largest oil painting by Tintoretto. Passing through the famous Bridge of Sighs, you will reach the new prisons.
What's included
Included
- S.Luca, S. Maria del Giglio, S. Maria del Rosario vulgo Gesuati, S. Maria Formosa
- Access to the National Archaeological Museum, the monumental rooms of Marciana National Library
- Pinacoteca Manfrediniana, Madonna dell'orto - S. Alvise, S. Andrea de la Zirada, S. Antonin
- S. Giovanni in Bragora, S. Marcuola, S. Maria dei Miracoli, S. Maria del Carmelo vulgo Carmini
- Live tour commentary provided in English, French, Spanish or German
- The tickets for the Basilica allow you to visit (within 6 months) the following sites
- Santuario di Lucia - SS. Redentore, The Human Safety Net
- S. Simeon Piccolo, S. Sofia, S. Stae, S. Stefano, S. Trovaso
- Personal audio system and headset for tour commentary
- Professional local guide
- S. Beneto, S. Fantin, S. Felice, S. Giacomo dell’Orio, S. Giobbe, S. Giovanni elemosinario
- The tickets for the Doge's Palace allow you to visit: Bridge of Sighs, Armory, Correr Museum
- Skip the line entrance and guided tour to the Saint Marks Basilica and Doge's Palace
- S. Martino di Castello, S. Marziale, S. Pietro di Castello, S. Polo, S. Samuele, S. Sebastiano
- Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta (Torcello), Sacrestia della Basilica della Salute
- Pre-reserved tickets for St. Mark's basilica (€12) and Doge's Palace (€35)
Not included
- Gratuities
- Entrance fees
- Museum and Loggia dei Cavalli on the 1st floor
- Secret itineraries
- The Hidden Treasures of the Doge
- Hotel pick up and drop off
What you'll see and do
Piazza San Marco
Your guide will provide you with a wealth of information regarding Saint Mark's Square and then accompany you on a detailed tour of the Golden Basilica from Saint Mark's square, once the private chapel of the Doge of Venice, the only one of its kind in Italy, thanks to the sumptuous golden mosaics and impressive marble inlay flooring.
10 minutes here
Basilica di San Marco
During the tour you will be able absorb the atmosphere whilst listening to your guide who will describe the biblical scenes represented throughout the building, together with history and particularities of this ancient Basilica. Visit Saint Mark's Basilica first floor museum and see the famous horses and admire Saint Mark's Square from the Basilica's terrace.
50 minutes here · Admission included
Palazzo Ducale
Continue your tour and skip the line inside the Doge's palace. Once inside the Palace, you will visit the halls where the Duke (Doge) and his Council controlled the fate of the Serene Republic, whilst surrounded by hundreds of artistic masterpieces and discover the political history of Venice and its people. You will be able to admire the paintings realised by some of the most important artists of the Italian Renaissance, amongst them, the world's largest oil painting by Tintoretto.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Ponte dei Sospiri
Passing through the famous Bridge of Sighs, you will reach the new prisons. The bridge was given its name by the English poet Lord Byron, probably referring to the last breath of the prisoners, who had their last view of the lagoon and of Venice from the window of this bridge, before they were to be imprisoned.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Museo Correr
At the end of the tour, keep your Doge's Palace ticket to visit on your own: Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale and Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana in Saint Mark's square, opposite side of the Saint Mark's Basilica.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Venice
15 min before in Calle larga de l’Ascension - 30124 (behind the Correr museum on the opposite side of the Saint Marks Basilica). Look for the TURIVE assistant next to the post office San Marco.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
ENGLISH
FRENCH
GERMAN
SPANISH
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
- de, en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 25 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Venice Events srl
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- Backpacks are not allowed inside the Basilica and the Doges Palace
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- 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
- 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.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 194 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
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
194 verified traveler reviews for Venice Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fabulous tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace
Raula was a fantastic guide, and we enjoyed essentially a private tour of the Doge’s palace after visiting St. Mark’s basilica with a lovely couple from Houston. The breadth of knowledge our guide had and the grace with which she showed us the high points and answered all our silly questions made us feel like we had an inside track on the two sites, as well as general history of the lagoon and all the islands.
Response from the operator: Hello Karin, Thank you for your feedback. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you again in the future. Sending kind regards from Venice, Team Venice Events
via Viator
Must do
Directions to the meeting spot was very detailed and easy to find and get together with our guides. Our guide was excellent with plenty of time at each spot. Highly recommend this tour!
Response from the operator: Hello Alan, Thank you for your feedback. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
via Viator
Day in Venice
Great tour rich with history. So much too see. Famous landmarks and beautiful architecture. A must see
Response from the operator: Hello Timothy, Thank you for your feedback. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
via Viator
Nice tour
The St. Mark's tour was lovely. Our guide was knowledgeable and spoke clearly so the entire group could hear her as we walked through the church. I will say I felt the tour could have been shortened by not spending quite so much time on tiny, less important details. The big things like the flood in the 60s, the restoration in early 70s, etc., those were very interesting. Some time to snap some pics and enjoy looking around, and we were ready to move on. Unfortunately due to some medical limitations in my family group, we didn't get to stick around for the Doge's Palace portion of the tour.
Response from the operator: Hello Lisa, Thank you for your feedback. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
via Viator
Very informative and fun....
Very informative and fun. Our guide explained and shared with the group facts that you would not have on your own.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- 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
- 68
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Venice Events srl, who run 18 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 47.8.
See everything Venice Events srl runsWhy this scores 59
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Venice Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Venice.
How much does Venice Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica cost?
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Prices start at $124 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 Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica take?
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Plan for about 2.3 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 Venice Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 195 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 Venice Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica?
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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 Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Venice Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica?
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Around 68 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 2.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Venice Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica 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 Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica?
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Included: S.Luca, S. Maria del Giglio, S. Maria del Rosario vulgo Gesuati, S. Maria Formosa; Access to the National Archaeological Museum, the monumental rooms of Marciana National Li; Pinacoteca Manfrediniana, Madonna dell'orto - S. Alvise, S. Andrea de la Zirada, S. Antoni; S. Giovanni in Bragora, S. Marcuola, S. Maria dei Miracoli, S. Maria del Carmelo vulgo Car; and Live tour commentary provided in English, French, Spanish or German. Not included: Gratuities; Entrance fees; Museum and Loggia dei Cavalli on the 1st floor; and Secret itineraries. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Venice Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica?
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15 min before in Calle larga de l’Ascension - 30124 (behind the Correr museum on the opposite side of the Saint Marks Basilica). Look for the TURIVE assistant next to the post office San Marco. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Venice Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica offered in?
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It is offered in German, English, 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 Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica?
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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 Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica 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 Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica?
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Across 195 reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Venice Priority Access Tour: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica?
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There are 4 options to choose from, including ENGLISH, FRENCH, GERMAN, SPANISH. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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