St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace Tour and Gondola Ride 2026
Available in Spanish, English and French | Skip-the-line | Reserve now & pay later
About St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace Tour and Gondola Ride
Discover the best of Venice with a St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace tour and gondola ride led by an expert tour guide. Enjoy skip-the-line entry to the Doge’s Palace and explore its grand halls, rooms, and the Bridge of Sighs. See the golden mosaics of St. Mark’s Basilica and learn about its history. Finish with a relaxing gondola ride through the Grand Canal and charming side canals for a unique point of view of Venice.
Admire its grand staircases, golden ceilings, and beautiful frescoes. Learn about the Republic’s judicial system. Then, picture the view convicts saw as they crossed the Bridge of Sighs on their way to prison.
Admire the views of bridges and palazzos that date back hundreds of years. Away from the crowds, you’ll cruise through more tranquil canals, some of which haven't changed in over 500 years!
Enter Venice’s most iconic landmark, which has stood at the heart of the city since the 11th century. See the detailed Byzantine mosaics which depict biblical stories and showcase the city’s wealth.
Learn how these boats are crafted by hand through a process that is passed down through generations. Did you know that the gondola’s design has been perfected over centuries to navigate the city’s unique waterways with ease?
Our guides are fluent in Spanish, English and French. Their knowledge will help you uncover the backstories of all the sites you’re going to visit on this tour.
With skip the line tickets, you’ll avoid the long queues at Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. Save time and get right to exploring the history inside!
EXPERIENCE MORE, PAY LESS & SKIP THE LINES!
Explore all of Venice’s highlights with a single tour!
The guided tour through Saint Mark’s Basilica was great. Our guide, Nico, was one of the best tour guides I’ve ever met! He explained the biblical symbolism behind the intricate mosaics, which I found very interesting. The Doge’s Palace was impressive with all its grand staircases and rooms. After all that walking, the gondola ride was the perfect way to relax and end the day! I’d recommend these tickets to anyone visiting Venice.
I had such a fun time in Venice! The Doge’s Palace was fascinating, especially crossing the Bridge of Sighs and learning about its dark history. This combo ticket also included tickets to St. Mark’s Basilica and a gondola ride, which was magical. Going on a ride along the majestic Grand Canal is a must if you’re in Venice!
DESCRIPTION
St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace Tour and Gondola Ride
- Skip-the-line entry to St. Mark's Basilica
- Skip-the-line entry to Doge's Palace
- Access to museums in Saint Mark's Square, including Correr Museum, National Archaeological Museum, and Marciana Library
- Guided tour of Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica
- 20-minute gondola introduction experience
- Shared 30-minute gondola ride
- History Gallery virtual reality experience
- English, French
EXPLORE THE HEART OF VENICE
Your Venice tour will begin at The Yard of Venice Bookshop Gallery. Here, you’ll get a chance to explore rare books, manuscripts, and prints that capture Venice's artistic past. After that, you’ll move on to St. Mark’s Square, the city’s main square that was the center of Venice’s politics and religion for centuries. While standing in the square, you’ll see the St. Mark’s Campanile, a bell tower that is 323 feet (98.6 meters) high. You’ll also see the impressive Saint Mark’s Basilica, which dates back to the 11th century. The guide will explain the church's Byzantine architecture, stunning golden mosaics, and how it is the symbol of Venetian power and wealth.
DISCOVER THE DOGE’S PALACE
Next, you’ll skip the lines and enter the Doge's Palace. The Doge, the head of state, resided in the Palace from the ninth century until the collapse of the Venetian Republic in 1797. Your guide will lead you through the palace rooms such as the Chamber of the Great Council. It is considered one of Europe’s largest rooms at 174 feet (53 meters) long and 82 feet (25 meters) wide. This is also where you can see Tintoretto’s "Paradise" - one of the largest oil paintings on canvas in the world. You’ll also hear about the Bridge of Sighs, which connected the jail and the palace. It was named after the sighs of inmates who saw Venice for the final time before being sent to prison. The guide will also point out the stunning Golden Staircase and the prison chambers, giving you insights into Venice’s legal system.
GONDOLA RIDE AND VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE
After exploring Saint Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace, you’ll take a relaxing gondola ride along Venice's canals. As you cruise along, your guide will talk about the Grand Canal, explaining Venice’s history as a maritime republic. Wrap up your visit with a virtual reality experience in the History Gallery, where you can see Piazza San Marco as it was hundreds of years ago and explore the city’s lively streets and canals as they were then.
How did Saint Mark's relics come to Venice?
In the 9th century, Venetian merchants seized the opportunity to take the remains of Saint Mark, the patron saint of Venice, from Alexandria, Egypt. They hid the relics inside a barrel of pork to preserve the bones during transportation. It was a clever way to bypass the strict religious laws of the time.
This act helped strengthen Venice’s spiritual and political power, and Saint Mark's Basilica was constructed to house the sacred remains. With this, the Basilica became a symbol of the city’s wealth and influence. Its Byzantine architectural style and golden mosaics continue to capture the glory of the Venetian Republic and its deep connection to Saint Mark.
GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- Large bags and luggage are prohibited within the Doge's Palace and Saint Mark's Basilica for security reasons.
- This tour includes a free cancellation policy and a “reserve now and pay later” service, which is standard for most of our Gondola Rides Venice.
Meeting Point
The tour meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.
FREE CANCELLATION UP TO 24H IN ADVANCE!
Receive a complete refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the selected date!
FAQ - St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace Tour and Gondola Ride
What should I bring with me for the St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace Tour and Gondola Ride?
Are the skip-the-line tickets included for this tour?
What happens if the gondola ride is canceled due to weather or tides?
Is there an option for a private gondola ride in Venice?
Can I book only the tickets for St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace?
Don’t wait! Book now!
- Tour available in Spanish, English, and French
- Free cancellation
- Expert tour guide
- Skip-the-line tickets
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