Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Doge's Palace and Gondola Ride Tour

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Your journey begins in the iconic Piazza San Marco, the political and religious heart of Venice. Your private guide will introduce you to the fascinating history of this magnificent square, often called the "finest drawing room in Europe." Admire the elegant Procuratie, the Clock Tower, and the majestic St. Mark’s Basilica—one of the greatest examples of Byzantine architecture.

   25 min

2. Gaze up at the towering St. Mark’s Campanile, the city’s tallest structure, originally built as a lighthouse for sailors navigating the Venetian Lagoon. While you won’t enter, your guide will share its history, from its collapse in 1902 to its reconstruction, preserving its iconic presence over Venice.

   Passes by

3. Step inside the breathtaking St. Mark’s Basilica, where dazzling gold mosaics cover the ceilings and domes, reflecting centuries of Venetian wealth and influence. Your guide will unveil the basilica’s fascinating history, from its origins as a Doge’s private chapel to its transformation into a symbol of Venetian maritime dominance. Then, ascend to the Loggia dei Cavalli, a stunning terrace offering unmatched views of Piazza San Marco. Here, you’ll also admire the famous Horses of St. Mark, the bronze sculptures taken from Constantinople that have become symbols of Venetian power.

   45 minAdmission included

4. From within the basilica, ascend to the Loggia dei Cavalli, an exclusive open-air terrace offering breathtaking views over Piazza San Marco. Here, you will also have the opportunity to admire the Horses of St. Mark, ancient bronze sculptures looted from Constantinople and placed above the basilica’s entrance as symbols of Venetian dominance. From this vantage point, enjoy a unique perspective of the basilica’s ornate façade and the lively square below.

   20 minAdmission included

5. Inside the basilica, marvel at the Pala d’Oro, a spectacular golden altarpiece adorned with precious gems, intricate enamels, and centuries-old craftsmanship. Commissioned by Venetian Doges, this masterpiece stands as one of the most stunning treasures in religious art.

   20 minAdmission included

6. Next, visit the magnificent Doge’s Palace, once the residence of Venice’s rulers and the center of the Republic’s political power. Wander through its opulent halls, including the Hall of the Great Council, adorned with monumental paintings by Tintoretto and Veronese. Learn about the Venetian Republic’s unique system of government, its powerful Doges, and the elaborate judicial system that shaped the city for centuries.

   50 minAdmission included

7. Your tour concludes at the Bridge of Sighs, the legendary passage connecting the palace to the New Prisons. Hear the fascinating stories of prisoners who crossed this bridge, taking their last glimpse of freedom before serving their sentences. From here, you’ll step onto a traditional gondola for a 30-minute ride through Venice’s enchanting canals. Glide past historic palaces, hidden waterways, and charming bridges, experiencing the city as Venetians have for centuries. Your guide will not join you on the gondola, allowing you to soak in the tranquility of this classic Venetian experience at your own pace.

   45 minAdmission included

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 1 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Venice

• Its from-price is 156% above the median of the 1991 experiences we list in Venice.
• It is longer than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 1018 of 1991.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Venice

Venice floats on a lagoon of more than a hundred islands, a city of canals, palaces and bridges with no cars, where every walk ends somewhere unexpected.

The Grand Canal sweeps through the city in a great reversed S, lined with palaces and crossed by the Rialto Bridge. Near its mouth, Piazza San Marco gathers St Mark's Basilica with its golden mosaics, the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the tall brick campanile. Water buses and gondolas show the city from the angle it was built to be seen.

Top-ranked sights in Venice: St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco), St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco), Grand Canal.

See all 1991 experiences in Venice