St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace Tour in Venice, Skip the Line

Golden mosaics, Renaissance masterpieces and the old seat of Republic power

Walk past the queues into the golden mosaics of the Basilica, then cross to the Doge's Palace, once the seat of Venetian power. This exclusive guided tour in Venice pairs both landmarks in one visit.

Options for this experience

2 options

From € 165.50 per person, depending on the option and date you choose. See options & prices

Private guided tour in English 10:00 and 13:30 Skip-the-line private tour; a professional tour guide just for you; all entrance fees are included in the tour

Semi-private tour for up to 8 people, in English 10:00 Semi-private tour in English: save money by booking a small group tour with a maximum of 8 guests per guide. This option is not suitable for wheelchair users.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Explore St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace

• Begin tour at St Mark’s Square
• Enter St Mark’s Basilica
• Admire golden mosaics and carvings
• Visit Doge’s Palace
• Explore palace chambers and artworks
• Cross the Bridge of Sighs

Stops and time spent at each 3 stops

1. St. Mark's Square 10m
2. St. Mark's Basilica Entry included 50m
3. Doge's Palace Entry included 1h

What’s included

• St Mark's Basilica entry ticket.
• Exclusive skip-the-line guided tour.
• Professional tour guide.

Times

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• Monday to Saturday 10:00 13:30

Information

You skip the queues into St Mark's Basilica's golden mosaics, then tour the Doge's Palace and cross the Bridge of Sighs with your guide.

Group Private 9 similar group tours ›

Live guide English Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts. See the exact address

Book up to 2d before

Ages Adult (15 and older) · Youth (6 to 14 years) · Child (under 6)

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Moderate physical effort Wheelchair accessible Stroller-friendly Public transport nearby

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

4.97 ★★★★★ Exceptional 59 verified traveler reviews 97% rated it 5 stars

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The experience

You begin in St Mark's Square, one of the world's most iconic outdoor spaces, with the bell tower rising above you from the outside. Then comes the Basilica. Skip-the-line access takes you straight into a Byzantine interior where more than 8,000 square meters of golden mosaics glow overhead, and Renaissance masterpieces sit among the intricate marble carvings.

From the terrace you look out over the square before crossing to the Doge's Palace, once the centre of Venetian authority. Its lavish chambers hold works by Tintoretto and Veronese, and you climb the Golden Staircase to the Grand Council Chamber, where opulent paintings and remarkable architecture show how rich and ambitious the city once was.

On the Bridge of Sighs your guide shares tales of the rulers who shaped Venice's destiny. You find yourself thinking about the prisoners who took one last look at their city before facing their fate.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 14 years); Child (under 6).

Does the tour skip the line at St Mark's Basilica?

Yes, skip-the-line access to the Basilica is included, so you go straight in to see its golden mosaics.

Can you go inside the Doge's Palace on this tour?

Yes, you walk through its lavish chambers, climb the Golden Staircase and see the Grand Council Chamber.

Does the walk include the Bridge of Sighs?

Yes, you cross the Bridge of Sighs on the way, and the guide tells tales of the rulers and prisoners linked to it.

Is the view from the terrace of St Mark's Square included?

Yes, the terrace offers panoramic views of St Mark's Square, the old political and business centre of the Venetian Republic.

Operated by Babylon Tours Venice. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated today