Venice: St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, and Gondola Ride
Focus
What makes this tour Special
What to Expect
PRIVATE TOUR
Enjoy your tour with your own private tour expert at your party's disposal only
DURATION
4 hours
START TIME
09:00
KID FRIENDLY
This tour is suitable for kids of all ages
ENTRANCE TICKETS
Entrance tickets are included! Enjoy your tour!
WHEELCHAIRS
Unfortunately, this tour is not suitable for wheelchair users
- Official Private Tour Guide
- St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace Skip-the-Line Tickets
- Access to the Loggia dei Cavalli and Pala d'Oro
- 30-minutes Gondola Ride
- Meet & Greet your Tour Guide at your Accommodation (valid only for accommodations in San Polo and San Marco)
- Boat/Car Transfers from/to Hotel
- Food & Drinks
- Tour guide on Gondola
Sites you’ll visit
-
Piazza San Marco
-
San Marco Basilica
-
Loggia dei Cavalli
-
Pala d'Oro
-
Doge's Palace
-
Gondola Ride
-
Piazza San Marco represents the very heart of Venice, where to be amazed by different historical architectonical monuments like the Basilica, named after San Marco as well, or the Renaissance buildings along the long sides of the square. But there is something more: did you know that walking in Piazza San Marco actually means to be walking the only square of Venice? The square is always beautiful, also when it is flooded by the water of the lagoon: an unusual and impressive experience for locals and tourists.
-
The most famous church in the floating city was originally exclusively private to the Doge of Venice until 1807 when it became open to the public. Often called "The Golden Church" due to the interior, the external design has a gothic style with influences from Ancient Rome.
-
The Loggia dei Cavalli is a stunning terrace of San Marco Basilica, offering breathtaking views over Piazza San Marco and the Venetian lagoon. It houses the iconic bronze horses, ancient masterpieces that once adorned the basilica’s façade.
-
The Pala d’Oro is a breathtaking Byzantine altarpiece inside San Marco Basilica, adorned with gold, enamels, and over 1,900 precious gems. This masterpiece of medieval craftsmanship shines as one of Venice’s greatest treasures.
-
Located in Saint Mark's Square, right next to the famous Basilica is the Dukes Palace. First inhabited in 1340 by the most powerful of the the Venetian Republic (A republic that staggeringly ran from 697AD to 1797AD) only became a visitable museum in 1923. A highlight of the building is the "Bridge of Sighs" a walkway between buildings that led to the Prison of the Venetian Republic and notable of Casanova.
-
The gondola is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian lagoon. It is typically propelled by a gondolier, who uses a rowing oar, which is not fastened to the hull, in a sculling manner and also acts as the rudder. The uniqueness of the gondola includes it being asymmetrical along the length making the single-oar propulsion more efficient.
Tour description
Experience Venice’s must-see landmarks in just four hours with this private tour, combining history, art, and a classic gondola ride. From the grandeur of St. Mark’s Basilica and the power of the Doge’s Palace to the magic of the Venetian canals, this immersive experience offers the ultimate introduction to the Floating City.
Begin in St. Mark’s Square, the beating heart of Venice, where your guide will introduce you to the Basilica’s dazzling golden mosaics and architectural splendor. With special access, step onto the Loggia dei Cavalli, a privileged viewpoint overlooking the square, and admire the legendary Pala d’Oro, a masterpiece of Byzantine goldwork adorned with precious gems.
Next, enter the Doge’s Palace, the seat of Venetian power for centuries. Walk through its ornate halls and grand council chambers, marvel at masterpieces by Tintoretto and Veronese, and cross the infamous Bridge of Sighs to explore the eerie palace prisons.
End your tour with a classic 30-minute gondola ride, drifting through Venice’s hidden canals and under charming bridges, capturing the true romance of the city from the water.
Perfect for first-time visitors and those with limited time, this comprehensive private tour ensures you see Venice’s top attractions efficiently, without missing any of its historical and artistic wonders.
Useful information
- Dress code required: Knees and Shoulders must be covered to access holy sites.
- Big bags, trolleys, luggages are not allowed into the visited attractions
- Unfortunately, this tour is not suitable for wheelchair users
- The tour guide will not join the Gondola ride
- Meet & Greet your tour guide at your accommodation is included only for those who are staying within the San Polo or San Marco areas
- Food and drinks are not allowed inside Doge's Palace
- In case of adverse weather or tidal conditions, the duration and itinerary is subject to change
- Please wear confortable shoes on the day of the tour.
Full Refund Cancellation Policy
The policies are included and non-optional.
- Dolce Vita policy is applied on all Standard Bookings placed more than 72 hours from the date of the event. We provide all our customers with Refundable Terms up to 72 hours from the date of the event for any reason. To apply for a refund including where your tour is cancelled or changed by Eyes of Rome®, please contact our customer service team at info@eyesofrome.com.
- Peace of Mind policy is applied on Selected Bookings and on all Bookings placed within 72 hours from the date of the event. We provide all our customers with Refundable Terms so if you are unable to attend your booking due to unforeseen circumstances outside of your control you may be entitled to a refund - please see our full set of Refundable Terms and Conditions here. To apply for a refund, please find the instructions on how to apply in the booking confirmation email you received after payment.
