History of the Doge's Palace
For over 1,000 years, the Doge's Palace was the heart of the Venetian Republic. It wasn't just a home, but the center of government, justice, and power, shaping the history of Venice and the world.
Private & personalized tours - just for you!
The best stories aren’t found in guidebooks. Skip the crowds and unlock the hidden gems of Doge's Palace with a private, personalized experience led by a local.




Make your stay in Venice complete with these things to do

Reviews from guests about our tours and locals
"My family of 6 had a great private tour and a wonderful time with Nicoletta. She was a very knowledgeable and very professional. She was exceptionally helpful with us to find our condola ride and quick lunch cafe to eat. We enjoyed ourselves every minute of our tour. I highly recommend her to all my family and friends to have a tour with Nicolleta. I also recommend to anyone for small group. Thanks again to Nicoletta for and the assistances. "
"Hello, we booked a private tour with Rocco to visit the cathedral and the palace. We had a wonderful 3 hours with him! He is so knowledgeable and kept us engaged and interested the entire time. It is like taking a tour from a art and history phd....he is full of stories and history and very passionate about Venice. Thank you so much Rocco we learned so much from you and we had a wonderful time together! "
"A great tour with Mina - great insight and information to share. We all enjoyed it very much and learnt a lot. "
"Super tour. A lot of passion and knowledge "
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Step beyond the velvet ropes and into the heart of Venetian history. The magnificent Doge's Palace awaits, filled with tales of power, art, and intrigue. A private Doge's Palace tour is the key to unlocking it all.
For over 1,000 years, the Doge's Palace was the heart of the Venetian Republic. It wasn't just a home, but the center of government, justice, and power, shaping the history of Venice and the world.
Imagine walking the same halls as Giacomo Casanova, the famous adventurer and lover. He was imprisoned in the Doge's Palace but managed a daring and legendary escape from its rooftop prison in 1756.
Inside the Doge's Palace, gaze upon Tintoretto's 'Il Paradiso,' one of the largest canvas paintings ever created. This masterpiece symbolizes the rich artistic culture that flourished under Venetian rule.
Crossing the iconic Bridge of Sighs connected the Doge's Palace to the New Prison. It's said that prisoners would sigh as they caught their last glimpse of beautiful Venice through its windows.
After exploring the grandeur of the Doge's Palace, do as the Venetians do! Relax at a nearby bacaro (a local bar) with a cicchetto (small snack) and a refreshing glass of spritz, the city's classic drink.
Why waste your precious holiday time in a queue? Your Venice adventure is too important. Book a private tour of the Doge's Palace with a passionate local guide who can share secrets no guidebook knows. Skip the lines and create a memory that will last a lifetime. Book your tour now!
Always private. It’s just you and your local host. No strangers, no groups.
Let your local host tailor the experience completely to your wishes.
Our tours are designed with people, places, and the planet in mind.



"We had a great morning tour of St Marks and the Doge’s Palace with Mina. He is very knowledgeable and does not rush you through the sites. He is very personable and way to chat with and has no problem answering our questions and entertained with interesting and amusing anecdotes. I highly recommend seeing the sites with Mina. "
"Nicoletta was a fantastic guide. She was incredibly knowledgeable and flexible. She answered questions about other paintings not on our stop, gave recommendations for seeing other sites and was a pleasure to be with!"
"My wife and I had a walking tour with Elisabetta some years ago, so when she had the good fortune to visit Venice with three of her girlfriends, she was delighted to book a personal guided tour of St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace with her. It was such a treat and Elisabetta kindly offered to split the tour into two halves, with a lunch break in the middle. My wife and I are looking forward to our next Venetian vacation, and we plan to book another guided tour that will show us some of the places that we don’t yet know. Many thx, Elisabetta!"
"Rocco's tour of St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace in Venice was very informative and enjoyable. His explanations of the artwork, architecture, and room functions of both the church and the palace were highly contextualized from the perspective of the Doges of Venice, which helped us to imagine life during the times of the Doges. We appreciated how he navigated our small group through the palace amongst larger tour groups—we always felt like we were getting a personal tour and not lost in a crowd. "
"If you want to see Venice through the eyes of someone who truly understands its soul, book a tour with Rocco. His expertise, warmth, and enthusiasm make this iconic city even more magical. His insights into the political intrigue and the city’s legal system added a whole new dimension to the experience. Rocco’s expert storytelling made the glittering mosaics and intricate altars even more impressive. He shared fascinating details about the religious motifs and the basilica’s unique architectural blend of Gothic and Byzantine styles, ensuring we appreciated every detail. Five stars without hesitation! Definitely a trip highlight for us!"
"Lucia was the most gracious, cheerful, knowledgeable guide tour ever!!!… You could not ask for a better one, more that a guide she treats you like an old cherished friend, always available and attentive of your needs, even before arriving to Venice and during yoir whole stay, she is always there for you, recommending places, making sure you find your way around and most importantly, that you enjoy Venice and learn about its amazing history at the same time… my whole family agreed that Lucia’s tour was the highlight of our trip to Venice, so, if you see her available do not hesitate… she is simply amazing!!!… Thank you so much Lucia!!!"


Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.