Venice Private Tour: St. Mark's, Doge's Palace, Gondola Ride

Golden mosaics, prison cells, and a private boat ride through the canals

A private guided tour of Venice with a live expert guide, including skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace, a walk past Marco Polo's house and the Rialto Bridge, and a private gondola ride. After the Doge's Palace, your guide suggests places to stop for lunch before the walk continues. An original photo ID is required for basilica entry, and shoulders and knees must be covered at places of worship.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. St. Mark's Square15m
2. St. Mark's Basilica1h · entry included
3. Doge's Palace2h 30m · entry included
4. Campo Santa Maria Formosa30m · entry included

Explore Venice's highlights with gondola ride

• Meet guide at St Mark's Square
• Skip lines and tour St Mark's Basilica
• Visit Doge's Palace with VIP entry
• Receive lunch recommendations and break
• Walk to Rialto Bridge and Marco Polo's house
• End with private gondola ride at Campo Santa Maria Formosa

The experience

From St. Mark's Square you walk straight past the lines into the basilica itself: no waiting at the door. Inside, your guide points out the golden mosaics and the history layered into every wall while you stand close enough to see the detail. Then it's on to the Doge's Palace with the same VIP entry: you move through the Hall of the Great Council, the private apartments, and an extensive weapons collection. The Bridge of Sighs comes last in that sequence. The stone archway where prisoners took their final look at Venice before the cell doors closed behind them.

After the palace, your guide suggests places to eat and you take a break for lunch. The afternoon unfolds on foot through the narrow streets: the kind that twist without warning and open onto squares you wouldn't find alone. You cross the Rialto Bridge, pass the house where Marco Polo lived, and arrive at Campo Santa Maria Formosa, with its Renaissance church, in a quiet corner of the city. From there, your guide escorts you to a private gondola waiting at the water's edge. The ride is yours alone, and the guide stays with you to make sure you have everything you need before the boat pushes off into the canals.

What’s included

• Skip-the-line entry to St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace.
• access to the Doge's Prison and Hall of the Great Council.
• a private expert guide.
• the Bridge of Sighs.
• Marco Polo's house.
• the Rialto Bridge.
• Campo Santa Maria Formosa.
• and a 30-minute private gondola ride through the canals.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 09:00 and 10:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (3 to 17 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by LivTours

Is this one for you?This tour works for anyone who wants the major sites without the crowds at the doors and prefers a guide who can answer questions in real time.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 17 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What do I actually see inside St. Mark's Basilica on this tour?

St. Mark's Basilica holds golden mosaics and centuries of Venetian history in its ornate interior. Your guide provides the context as you stand inside, and you skip the long queue at the entrance. Photography is not allowed inside the basilica. Bring a valid, original photo ID to get in. Photocopies won't do.

What is the Bridge of Sighs, and why is it part of this tour?

The Bridge of Sighs is the stone archway connecting the Doge's Palace to the prison. Prisoners crossed it as their last view of Venice before being locked in their cells. The tour stops there so you can see the structure and understand its place in the city's history.

Is the private gondola ride included?

The private gondola ride is included in the tour price. Your guide escorts you to the gondola at Campo Santa Maria Formosa and ensures you have everything you need before the boat departs.

What should I wear to visit St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace?

St. Mark's Basilica is a place of worship with a strict dress code. Your shoulders and knees need to be covered, so leave tank tops and short dresses for another day. Plan your clothing accordingly so you can enter without delay.