Venice: St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace & Gondola Day Tour

Summary

St Mark’s mosaics, Rialto sounds and a gondola ride through Venice

You’ll start your Venice day trip meeting a local guide in St Mark’s Square before skipping lines into the basilica’s golden mosaics. Wander hidden alleys to Rialto Bridge, glide by gondola through quiet canals, then explore Doge’s Palace—including Casanova’s cell—with stories only locals share. Expect laughter, small surprises, and moments you’ll want to linger in.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is Paolo waving us over in Piazza San Marco, his scarf flapping like he’d been waiting for friends. He had this way of talking about the basilica that made me forget I was in a tour group—like when he pointed out the gold mosaics and said, “Venetians wanted heaven right here.” The smell inside was old stone and candle wax. I tried to sneak a photo but fumbled with my phone and just ended up staring at the ceiling instead. It felt good to be quiet for a minute.

We wandered through narrow alleys after that—Paolo kept ducking into shade because it was one of those sharp blue-sky days. He told us stories about the Rialto Bridge (I guess it almost collapsed once?) and showed us where locals buy their fish early in the morning. There was this woman selling tiny strawberries near the market; she handed me one without a word. Sweet and tart at the same time—I still think about that taste.

I didn’t expect to enjoy the gondola ride as much as I did. The water slapped softly against the wood, and our gondolier hummed something under his breath—maybe just for himself. My friend tried to wave at another boat and nearly tipped us over; everyone laughed except an old man on a balcony who just shook his head. Afterward we had free time for lunch (Paolo suggested cicchetti nearby), so we sat outside with little plates of things I couldn’t pronounce. Sun on my face, feet tired already.

The Doge’s Palace felt colder somehow, all pale stone and echoes underfoot. We saw Casanova’s cell—Paolo winked and said he wasn’t as charming as people think—and crossed the Bridge of Sighs where you could feel how heavy history gets sometimes. When it ended, Paolo scribbled directions back to our hotel on my map but mostly we just wandered off slowly, not ready to leave yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Venice highlights: basilica, bridge, palace

• Meet guide at St. Mark’s Square
• Tour St. Mark’s Basilica
• Explore Rialto Bridge and neighborhood
• Take 30 minute gondola ride
• Enjoy free time for lunch
• Tour Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sighs

Top questions

How long does this Venice day tour last?

The full tour covers most of one day including morning start in St Mark’s Square, guided visits, gondola ride, lunch break, and afternoon at Doge’s Palace.

Is lunch included on the Venice highlights tour?

No set lunch is included but there is free time for lunch; guides offer local suggestions nearby.

Do I need to cover my shoulders or knees for St Mark's Basilica?

Yes—shoulders and knees must be covered when entering St Mark’s Basilica.

Does this tour include entry fees?

Yes—skip-the-line entry fees are included for both St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace.

Are hotel pickups available?

No hotel pickup is provided; you meet your guide directly in St Mark's Square.

How many people are in each group?

The maximum group size is 19 people for this Venice day trip.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

No—the tour cannot accommodate wheelchairs or strollers due to steps and narrow streets.

Will there be a local guide throughout?

Yes—a professional local guide leads all parts of the tour from start to finish.

What’s included

Your day includes skip-the-line entry to both St Mark's Basilica (normally €12) and Doge's Palace with guided tours throughout, plus a 30-minute Venetian gondola ride shared with up to five guests per boat. You’ll also get plenty of time exploring Rialto Bridge and its market neighborhood before enjoying a relaxed lunch break on your own—all led by an art historian guide in a small group setting.