St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride

About this experience

This tour pairs Venice’s two most important landmarks with a 30-minute shared gondola ride. Use timed entry tickets to enter St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace with an expert guide. Learn fascinating details as you explore, from the basilica’s mosaics to the palace’s political history and prison passages. Finally, board a shared gondola, for a classic and memorable Venetian experience.

What to expect

1. Stop 1 · 30min

   Use time entry to tickets to enter St. Mark’s Basilica, go through the required security line, then spend about 20 minutes inside with your expert guide. Admire gold mosaics, domes, and marble floors while your guide explains how Venice’s seafaring empire shaped this sacred landmark.

2. Stop 2 · 1h 30min

   Move from St. Mark's across the square to the Doge's Palace. Follow your guide inside with time entry tickets, skipping the general admissions line. As you explore the Doge’s Palace, learn about the wild ways of the Venetian Republic under the rule of elected magistrates. This tour not only showcases the interior of this ornate palace, but also goes in depth about the crime and legal system that was once in place in the city of Venice. Admire classic works of Venetian art and visit Doge’s Palace’s main sights, such as the Grand Staircase and the Bridge of Sighs.

3. Stop 3 · 30min

   Following your guided tour of the Doges Palace, your guide will introduce you to some other highlights surrounding St. Marks Square like the stunning bell tower (exterior visit) and adorning portico's surrounding the square. Then take a 20-minute break to grab a snack and relax.

4. Stop 4 · 30min

   Lastly, join a quintessential Venice activity, a gondola ride! Left in the care of a trusted gondolier, enjoy the beauty of Venice from the water. Glide through the panoramic canals in a shared gondola, each boat accommodating up to 5 participants.

Tour & ticket options

Options may have different inclusions and meeting points. Choose your option when booking on Viator.

Meeting & pickup

• Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early. Between the two big columns in St. Mark’s Square (columns of San Marco and San Teodoro) located on the south side of the square, near the canal. Your guide will be holding a sign.

End point

• Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early. Between the two big columns in St. Mark’s Square (columns of San Marco and San Teodoro) located on the south side of the square, near the canal. Your guide will be holding a sign.

• Check your selected option at the top of your voucher to see what is included in your tour. If you have any questions or would like to change or upgrade your option, please contact us in advance. • Half-Day Options: Includes guided entry to St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, and a shared gondola ride. • Full-Day Options: Includes guided entry to St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, a Rialto Bridge walking tour, a shared gondola ride, and free time for lunch (meal at own expense). • Entrance into any religious site requires a strict dress code. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. Not respecting the dress code may lead to disqualification from the tour • Large bags, backpacks, luggage, tripods, and glass bottles cannot be brought inside. There is no coat check or space on-site to leave your belongings • Please read the meeting point directions thoroughly in advance. It is the responsibility of all visitors to be at the meeting point 15 minutes before departure. Guests arriving after departure cannot be accommodated, and missed tours or tickets cannot be refunded • Mandatory: Everyone is required to carry a copy of the identification page of their passports on all tours. A photo of the first page of your passport saved on your smartphone works as well • Your gondola ride is a shared experience, with each boat accommodating up to five guests. A professional gondolier will operate the boat, but please note that this portion of the tour is not guided. The ride lasts approximately 25 to 30 minutes, including the time needed to board and disembark. • On specific dates, most day visitors to Venice will need to pay a €5 access fee. For details, including exemptions and applicable dates, visit: https://cda.ve.it

Before you go

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women to enter St. Mark’s Basilica; entry may be refused otherwise. Please avoid wearing sandals, hats, shorts, skirts, or tops that expose your shoulders.
• A valid government-issued ID is required for entrance to St. Mark's Basilica. The name on your ticket (entered at check-out) must match the name on your ID, or you may be refused entry.
• Your gondola ride is a shared experience, with each boat accommodating up to five guests. A professional gondolier will operate the boat, but please note that this portion of the tour is not guided. The ride lasts approximately 25 to 30 minutes, including the time needed to board and disembark.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.