Venice Highlights: St. Mark's Basilica, Doges Palace, and Gondola Ride Adventure

Experience the best of Venice in just 3.5 hours with a tour of St. Mark’s Basilica, Doges Palace, and a gondola ride. Skip the lines and explore the highlights before enjoying the rest of your day in Venice.

Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Basilica di San Marco - Bypass the lengthy ticket queues and enjoy approximately 20 minutes inside St. Mark’s Basilica. Marvel at the golden mosaics, domes, and marble floors as your guide explains the influence of Venice’s maritime empire on this sacred site.
    Please be aware that passing through the security line is still required, and there might…
What's Included
  • Professional art historian guide
  • Timed-entry ticket for St. Mark’s Basilica (€12)
  • Time entry and tour of the Doges Palace
  • Small-group size, maximum 25 participants
  • 30-minute gondola ride (max 5 guests)
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

This tour combines Venice’s two most significant landmarks with timed-entry tickets, allowing visitors to explore St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace in just half a day without the hassle of waiting in lines. An expert English-speaking guide provides insightful context, covering everything from the basilica’s stunning mosaics to the palace’s rich…

Location
Colonna di San Todaro
Piazza San Marco
Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early. Between the two big columns in St. Mark’s Square (columns of San Marco and San Teodoro) located on the south side of the square, near the canal. Your guide will be holding a "The Tour Guy" sign.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(892 Ratings)
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Qjp77
Apr 18, 2026
Our Adventure in Venice - Roberta was our guide and she made the tour outstanding. Her excitement for everything made it even more fascinating and time disappeared. Everything about the tour was wonderful and thorough and I never would have understood the meaning of anything without Roberta as our guide. She is an asset to Viator and we will highly recommend to friends for future travels.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jasdes
Apr 18, 2026
Venice tour - Rita was a wonderful guide on our tour of Venice. She shared so much history and information and we especially appreciated the small details she pointed out in the Doges palace and St. Marks. Also enjoyed the tour around other areas of Venice.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Climber47378567382
Apr 17, 2026
Philippe is awesome - Philippe was amazing as a guide!! So happy and polite and funny
Review provided by Tripadvisor
359bryana
Apr 16, 2026
Great time in Venice - We had a great time both in the morning and afternoon. We would definitely recommend both tours and had a great time with Alice and Fellipo
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robert_l
Apr 15, 2026
Our tour guide Roberta... - Our tour guide Roberta was amazing. She was so passionate about the palace and all of the intricate artwork, wood work, guilded ceilings, etc. Her delivery was very impressive and she really captured her audience. She handled questions with ease.
Review provided by Viator
Brenda
Apr 15, 2026
Beautiful - Roberta was very knowledgeable and entertaining
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Catherine_c
Apr 14, 2026
Great Tour! - This tour was very informative, and being able to skip the line made it even better. Our guide, Roberta, had a great knowledge of St Mark’s and the Doge’s Palace, which made the experience more engaging. We also enjoyed the gondola ride before lunch. She also gave some helpful suggestions for other things to see afterwards
Review provided by Viator
Lawrenceac7263hi
Apr 14, 2026
Venice 26 - Gaia was very informative and her telling of the history of Venice most interesting. We enjoyed the visits to the islands and tje glass making. Well worth the money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dawn_f
Apr 15, 2026
Good tour minus the gondola ride. - Good tour and our guide was very nice and knowledgeable. The gondola ride at the end was a little disappointing. You have to share with other people if you’re a party of 2. I wanted my own to enjoy with my husband.
Review provided by Viator
Carolyn
Apr 19, 2026
A bit too long - Spent too much time in Doge's palace
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $125
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).