Discover Venice: Walking tour, Doge’s Palace, St. Marks Basilica, Venice

About this activity

Enjoy this combined guided walking and the best way to see Venice, part of our tour is off the beaten track and away from the main tourist sites giving you a great overview of the city, also included on the tour are two of the most important monuments in Venice, we skip the line into Saint Marks Basilica and the Doges Palace.

A combined walking city tour that allows you to discover the most important historical places and buildings of Venice.

This guided tour is divided into three parts.

The tour starts with a historical introduction of St. Marks’s Square, and its architectural delights.

You will be lead then by a professional guide through the most characteristic places around the areas of Saint Mark's Square and Castello.

After this walk you will visit the the Doge's Palace, once the seat of the power of the Republic of Venice, and to conclude, a visit to the interiors of Saint Mark's Basilica, with is golden mosaics and its byzantine history.

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At a glance

Duration: 4 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 20 people
People per booking: 1–20
Guide: German, English, French, Spanish
Operated by: Venice Events srl

Ages: Infants (0–5 years) · Children (6–14 years) · Adults (15–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: S.Luca, S. Maria del Giglio, S. Maria del Rosario vulgo Gesuati, S. Maria Formosa
Included: Pre-reserved tickets for St Marks Basilica (€12) and Doge's Palace (€35)
Included: Access to the National Archaeological Museum, the monumental rooms of Marciana National Library
Included: Pinacoteca Manfrediniana, Madonna dell'orto - S. Alvise, S. Andrea de la Zirada, S. Antonin
Included: S. Giovanni in Bragora, S. Marcuola, S. Maria dei Miracoli, S. Maria del Carmelo vulgo Carmini
Included: Live tour commentary provided in English, French, Spanish or German
Included: The tickets for the Basilica allow you to visit (within 6 months) the following sites
Included: Santuario di Lucia - SS. Redentore, The Human Safety Net
Included: S. Simeon Piccolo, S. Sofia, S. Stae, S. Stefano, S. Trovaso
Included: Personal audio system and headset for tour commentary
Included: 4-h guided tour with a local and professional guide
Included: S. Beneto, S. Fantin, S. Felice, S. Giacomo dell’Orio, S. Giobbe, S. Giovanni elemosinario
Included: The tickets for the Doge's Palace allow you to visit: Bridge of Sighs, Armory, Correr Museum
Included: Skip the line entrance and guided tour to the Saint Marks Basilica and Doge's Palace
Included: S. Martino di Castello, S. Marziale, S. Pietro di Castello, S. Polo, S. Samuele, S. Sebastiano
Included: Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta (Torcello), Sacrestia della Basilica della Salute

Not included

Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Food and drinks
Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off
Not included: Entrance fees: Pala d'oro
Not included: Museum and Loggia dei Cavalli on the 1st floor
Not included: Secret itineraries
Not included: The Hidden Treasures of the Doge

Itinerary

Piazza San Marco

15 min

Starting in Saint Mark’s square, this atmospheric walking tour will then whisk you away from the crowded streets into the treasure filled pockets of the Castello area.

A qualified guide will walk you through the hidden squares, winding canals and historical buildings providing you with a perfect introduction to the origins, symbols, traditions, architecture, and life in current day Venice.

The tour starts with a historical introduction of St. Marks’s Square, and its architectural delights, allowing you to discover the history of the majestic St. Mark’s Basilica, the illustrious Doge’s Palace, once the seat of the power of the Republic of Venice, and the extraordinary, renaissance clock tower.
Campo Santa Maria Formosa

30 min

Leaving the square, you will be guided into the residential Castello area, allowing you to discover this part of Venice in all of its elegance, through its labyrinth of narrow alleys - “calli”, many bridges, winding canals and wide picturesque squares - “campi”.

You can expect to discover campo Santa Maria Formosa, one of the largest squares in Venice with its church, named after its visitation of the Holy Virgin.
Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo

30 min

Campo Santi Giovanni and Paolo where you will be able to admire the famous church, the resting place of several Doges; and the equestrian monument of Bartolomeo Colleoni, an Italian mercenary Captain.
Casa di Marco Polo

20 min Admission not included

The former residence of Marco Polo in Corte Seconda del Milion, probably the most famous Venetian merchant.
Teatro Malibran

10 min Admission not included

The Malibran theatre (only external) is also part of the itinerary.

The theatre of San Giovanni Grisostomo was built in only four months at the end of 1677.

It was renovated many times and the renovation of 1919, gave us the theatre, as we know it today.
Palazzo Ducale

one hour Admission included

Our guide will accompany you to the Doge’s Palace, which dominates Saint Mark's Square, the heart of Venice, standing out for its size and its extraordinary structure, where Byzantine, European and Oriental architecture collide. Immediately entering the Palace you will pass through the great courtyard and admire the wealth of detail on the famous Golden Staircase.

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. 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.
Basilica di San Marco

45 min Admission included

During the second part of the tour you will visit the Basilica, once the private chapel of the Doge of Venice, and the only one of its kind in Italy, thanks to the sumptous golden mosaics and impressive marble inlay flooring.

During the tour you will be able to sit down in the church and 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.

The tour includes the visit of the famous Pala d'Oro, an altarpiece made of gold and silver and an exquisite example of Byzantine art with a myriad of gems and precious stones.
Museo Correr

one hour Admission included

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.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

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.

End point

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.

Using your ticket

MEETING POINT:

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.

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

Please be at the meeting point 15 min before the departure time;
Knees and shoulders MUST be covered in the Saint Mark's Basilica;
Backpacks and large bags are NOT allowed inside the Basilica and the Doge's Palace;
Not wheelchair accessible;
On very few occasions Saint Mark's Basilica may be closed due to religious ceremonies, public holidays, private events or high water and we are not always informed in advance;

It is your responsibility to be at the meeting point punctually.

All the late arrivals or no show are NO REFUND.

Emergency Number:

Office 0039 041 5239979 Mobile 0039 349 3054767

Cancellation

Free 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.

If you cancel	You get back
At least 3 days before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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;
Large bags or ruck sacks are NOT allowed on this tour;
Check-in is 15 minutes before the tour start time;
For all late arrivals or no show, NO REFUND.
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.