Venetian Majesty: Private Tour of St. Mark’s Basilica including Terrace and Doge’s Palace
Our locals for this tour
Rocco, Mina & 7 other locals
Experience details
Destination
Venice
Category
Art & culture tours
Duration
3 hours
Mode of transport
Walking
Available languages
Italiano • English • Deutsch • العربية • Español • Hrvatski • Српски • Français
What's included
Private Guide
Here’s an overview of your tour
Unlock the secrets of Venice’s grandest sites on this exclusive Withlocals Originals tour. Begin your journey at the iconic St. Mark’s Square, surrounded by some of the city's most significant monuments. With a private guide by your side, you’ll bypass the bustling crowds with priority access, ensuring a seamless and intimate experience.
First, explore the stunning Italo-Byzantine architecture of St. Mark’s Basilica. Inside, marvel at the golden mosaics that illuminate its grand altars, while your guide enriches your visit with tales of the basilica’s history and the symbolism behind its religious motifs. If St. Mark's Basilica is unexpectedly closed, you will instead visit the 15th-century Church of San Zaccaria and its crypt or the Correr Museum, each offering rich insights into Venice’s art and history.
Next, enter the majestic Doge’s Palace, where Venice’s rulers once orchestrated the Republic’s fate. Skip the line and wander through lavish chambers adorned with works by Tintoretto, Titian, and Veronese. Learn about the intrigues and power plays of the Venetian Doges, and feel the chill of history as you cross the infamous Bridge of Sighs into the ancient prisons. After the guided tour, you are welcome to continue exploring the Doge’s Palace at your leisure.
Please note, entrance fees to the Doge’s Palace (€30 per person) and St. Mark’s Basilica (€6 per person) are to be paid directly to the guide before the tour.
Your itinerary
Meeting point
In Front of Caffe Florian, VeniceMeetig Point
In front of Caffè Florian - VeniceExplore Piazza San Marco
Start with Context: Gather at the iconic Piazza San Marco, where your guide will provide an introduction to Venice’s historical and architectural landscape.Priority Entry to St. Mark’s Basilica or Alternative Site
Enter the basilica without delay, or visit San Zaccaria Church or the Correr Museum if the basilica is closed, allowing more time to appreciate the art and history with narratives that bring the past alive.Exclusive Tour of the Doge’s Palace
Inside the Seat of Power: Skip the regular line and explore the lavish rooms, artwork, and hidden corners of the Doge’s Palace, learning about its role in Venetian history.Crossing the Bridge of Sighs
A Historical Crossing: Walk through the Bridge of Sighs, experiencing the poignant route taken by prisoners going to the cells, and learn about its legendary name.Optional Customization
Tailor Your Experience: Based on your interests, choose to delve deeper into specific aspects of Venetian history, art, or architecture, or add a relaxing finish in a nearby café
Do you know all our tours are private & personalised?
Did you know that Withlocals tours are completely customisable to your needs? What you see here is a base itinerary that you can modify! Simply get in touch with your selected local and let them know what you would like!
Select your local guide
Explore the city with our diverse Withlocals hosts—passionate storytellers offering unique perspectives on every tour.
Rocco
Venetian Anthropologist
Rocco5.05 reviewsI speakEnglish • Français • ItalianoMina
Official tour guide
Mina4.811 reviewsI speakالعربية • EnglishElisabetta
Crazy Venice Walker
Elisabetta4.99 reviewsI speakEnglish • ItalianoFederico
The Globetrotter
Federico5.06 reviewsI speakEnglish • Italiano- +2
Valentina, Monica & 2 other locals are available
![Valerio - A venetian [deTour]ist®](https://withlocals-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto,g_faces,c_thumb,z_0.6,w_255,h_318,dpr_2.0/v1623269717/263c4d820b1719118f28bd315c080309.jpg "Valerio - A venetian [deTour]ist®")
Good to Know
Tips
- Bring a reusable water bottle to reduce plastic
- Be aware of the cultural norms/expectations if entering religious buildings
Included
- Private Guide
Not included
- Skip The Line Tickets to St. Mark's Basilica - 6 EUR To be paid directly to the host Skip The Line Tickets to Doge's Palace - 30 EUR To be paid directly to the host In the event of unexpected closure of St. Mark's Basilica
- alternative visits to San Zaccaria Church or the Correr Museum are arranged.
Cancellation
- Receive a full refund for cancellations done 7 days before the experience date.
- Your experience can be cancelled and fully refunded within 24 hours of purchase.
Reviews
- 5.0
History & storytelling perfectly combined!
"Our tour with Mina was an absolute highlight of our time in Venice! He made three hours fly by with his incredible depth of knowledge, engaging storytelling, and well-paced approach. Even our 16-year...
- 5.0
Learned so much!!!
"We really enjoyed our time with Elisabetta. It was exactly as expected and even more. She is kind and knowledgeable guide "
- 5.0
Palazzo Ducale and St. Marks Basilica
"Lucia was an excellent guide. She is very knowledgeable as well as fun, enthusiastic and professional. We had fun exploring and learning about these important Venetian landmarks. Thanks Lucia!"
Why should you book a Withlocals tour?
100% customizable
Let your local host tailor the tour completely to your wishes.
Private guided tours
No strangers on your tour. It’s just you and your local host.
Responsible
Our tours are designed with people, places & the planet in mind.
Questions?
We are here to help!
What is the cancellation policy?
When you make a booking you will receive a full refund when you cancel more than 7 days before the start of the booking.
When you make a booking that starts within 7 days and cancel within 24 hours after purchase you will receive a full refund.
When you make a booking that starts within 24 hours your booking is not refundable.
Read moreWhat payment methods are available?
During checkout you can choose from a number of different payment methods based on your location. We accept a variety of payment methods such as Credit Card, iDeal and many more.Can I pay in any currency?
Payment is always done in Euro but you can view the total amount in your local currency. Your bank might charge you a conversion rate fee from your local currency to Euro. No extra fees apply.Is this tour always private?
All our tours are 100% private, only you and your host.
![Valerio - A venetian [deTour]ist®](https://withlocals-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto,g_face,ar_1,c_thumb,z_0.6,w_56,h_56,dpr_2.0/v1623269717/263c4d820b1719118f28bd315c080309.jpg "Valerio - A venetian [deTour]ist®")
Our locals for this tour
Federico, Roko & 7 other locals
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