Venice in a Day: Walking tour, Basilica, Doge's Palace & Gondola, Venice

About this activity

Venice in a day tour is a combination city tour, of 4 of our most popular tours taken in Venice and the best way to spend your time in Venice.

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 then continues with the guided visit inside the Doge's Palace and the Saint Marks Basilica.

The walking tour ends in Saint Mark's square at 1.00 pm

At this time you will have approx 2 hours free to stroll around the area or to have lunch (not included)

The last appointment of your package is the 30 min classic gondola ride at 3:00 pm or 5.15 pm (verify the availability on your date).

Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Walking Tours Gondola Cruises City Tours Water Tours Seasonal

At a glance

Duration: 3 h 30 min
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 (0–1 years) · Children (2–5 years) · Youth (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: 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: Professional local guide
Included: 30-minute shared gondola ride (not guided)
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
Included: Pre-reserved tickets for St Mark's Basilica (€12) and Doge's Palace (€35)
Included: 1-hour 30 min external walking tour from St Marks square to Castello area

Not included

Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Hotel pick up and drop off
Not included: Food and drink
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

Torre dell'Orologio

30 min

Meet your guide in front of the Clock tower (not the bell tower!). 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.
Castello

one hour

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”.

Discover campo Santa Maria Formosa and campo San Giovanni & Paolo with its Basilica the place where the doges of Venice were buried.

The former residence of Marco Polo, probably the most famous Venetian merchant, and the Malibran theatre are also part of the itinerary.

At the end of your walking tour, come back with your local guide in Saint Mark's square passing through the Mercerie, the shopping connection street between Rialto and San Marco.
Palazzo Ducale

one hour Admission included

The tour then continues with the guided visit inside the Doge's Palace.

Be intrigued by the fascinating history of La Serenissima and enter with your skip the line ticket into the Doge’s Palace, crossing the Bridge of Sighs and visiting its prisons cells.

The Palace is a magnificent combination of Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance architecture, in the heart of Venice.

Once the residence of the Doge, the elected ruler of the city, and his counsellors, it became the centre of the Venetian Empire and the seat of the Government.

The Doge's Palace was opened as a museum in 1923.
Basilica di San Marco

one hour Admission included

Follow your guide visiting the Saint Marks Basilica, which majestically symbolizes the lagoon and enshrines the city’s history and Saints relics.

With its awe – inspiring gold mosaics our talented guide will walk you through the church.

The walking tour ends in Saint Mark's square at 1.00 pm

At this time you will have approx 2 hours free to stroll around the area or to have lunch (not included)
Stop 5

30 min Admission included

The last appointment of your package is the gondola ride at 3:00 pm or 5.15 (please verify the availability on your date).

Meet the assistant in front of the Saint Mark's post office (behind the Correr musuem)

Your shared 30 minutes round trip starts on the Grand Canal and then through the smaller canals.

It is the perfect way to appreciate the beauty, charm and colour of this unique city built on water.

Feel part of an ancient Venetian tradition and experience Venice as the locals have for more than a thousand years.
Museo Correr

one hour Admission included

At the end of the tour, keep your Doge's Palace ticket to visit on your own (the same day or the following day) the 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.

Walking tour from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Gondola ride at 3:00 pm

End point

This combination tour ends in the afternoon with the 30 min gondola ride in campo San Moisè at the gondola station in front of Bauer hotel.

Using your ticket

MEETING POINT:

Print or show your voucher TWICE, once for the walking tour in the morning and once for the gondola in the afternoon.

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

Walking tour from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm (4 hours)
Gondola ride at 3:00 pm or 5.15 pm (30 min)

April-October 3 pm or 5.15pm / November-March 3 pm

Check-in is 15 minutes prior to booked tour start time
This activity is not wheelchair accessible
Shoulders and knees must be covered inside the Basilica
Backpacks are not allowed inside the Basilica and the Doge's Palace

Emergency Number:

Office: +39 041 5239979

Mobile: +39 349 3054767

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

Late arrivals, no shows, NO REFUND!

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
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please arrive at each meeting point 15 minutes before the departure of the tour
Large bags and rucksacks are NOT allowed inside the Basilica or Doge's Palace
Knees and shoulders MUST be covered inside the Basilica
On occasion, Saint Mark's Basilica may be closed due to public holidays, religious ceremonies, private events or high water and the local service provider is not always informed in advance
For children document required
All the late arrivals or no show are 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.