Discover the grandeur of Venice’s iconic landmarks on the Doge Palace Fast Access & St. Mark’s Basilica Outdoor Tour. With skip-the-line entry, you’ll bypass the crowds and explore the Doge’s Palace, marveling at its Venetian Gothic architecture. Expert commentary brings the history to life as you navigate the Golden Staircase and the Bridge of Sighs. Then, step outside to admire the breathtaking exterior of St. Mark’s Basilica, enjoying the city’s rich cultural heritage. This intimate tour, limited to 20 travelers, promises an unforgettable experience.
Key Points

- Offers skip-the-line access to Doge’s Palace for a hassle-free experience.
- Guided tour with expert commentary via headphones provides a personalized experience.
- Includes access to the opulent Venetian Gothic architecture of Doge’s Palace.
- Highlights the stunning Byzantine architecture of St. Mark’s Basilica.
- Convenient central location allows for continued sightseeing in St. Mark’s Square.
Tour Overview

The Doge Palace fast access & St. Marks Basilica Outdoor tour offers a unique opportunity to explore two of Venice’s most iconic landmarks.
This tour provides skip-the-line access to the Doge’s Palace, allowing you to avoid long queues. During the guided tour, you’ll use headphones to hear the expert commentary. The tour is monolingual, catering to your language needs.
While transport, food, and beverages aren’t included, the optional tips make it a hassle-free experience. With a maximum of 20 travelers per tour, you’ll enjoy a personalized experience.
Security measures may cause short waits, but the 5-star rating from 14 travelers ensures a remarkable tour.
Looking for more options in Venice? We've reviewed plenty of other experiences.
Inclusions

This tour includes skip-the-line access to Doge’s Palace, allowing you to bypass the lengthy queues.
You’ll also get a guided tour with headphones, ensuring you hear every word from your knowledgeable guide. The tour is monolingual, catering to your language needs.
Tips are optional, so you can choose to reward your guide if you’re satisfied with the experience. However, transport, food, and beverages aren’t included, so you’ll need to plan for those separately.
Meeting and End Points
The meeting point for this tour is located in St. Mark’s Square, near the Winged Lion statue.
Travelers will meet their guide at this central location in Venice. After exploring the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica, the tour will return to the original meeting point.
The end point is the same as the starting location, allowing visitors to continue exploring the sights and attractions of St. Mark’s Square on their own.
The tour is conveniently situated near public transportation, making it easy for participants to arrive and depart.
The meeting and end points provide a seamless start and finish to this popular Venice excursion.
Additional Information
Travelers can expect security measures that may result in short waits at metal detectors for this tour. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, but it is near public transportation. A maximum of 20 travelers are allowed per tour. Confirmation is received at booking, and travelers have the option to reserve now and pay later. Plus, there is a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before the experience starts.
| Security Measures | Public Transport | Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Metal Detectors | Nearby | 20 |
| Short Wait Times | ||
The tour is operated by Italy Wonders SRLS.
Booking and Cancellation Policies
What’re the booking and cancellation policies for this tour? Customers can reserve their spot now and pay later.
Plus, there’s free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts. This provides flexibility for travelers’ plans.
The tour is operated by Italy Wonders SRLS, a reputable tour company. The booking and cancellation policies are straightforward and customer-friendly, allowing travelers to easily secure their spot and make changes if needed.
This ensures a stress-free experience when planning a visit to the iconic Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice.
Highlights of the Doge’s Palace
Though the Doge’s Palace is renowned for its opulent Venetian Gothic architecture, its true highlights lie within the palace’s intricate details and captivating history.
Visitors can marvel at the stunning Golden Staircase, adorned with gilded carvings and statues. They’ll also explore the magnificent Institutional Chambers, where the city’s governing councils once convened.
The palace’s most famous feature, however, is the Bridge of Sighs, connecting the palace to the prison. This iconic bridge earned its name from the sigh of condemned prisoners viewing Venice for the last time before their imprisonment.
Exploring the Stunning St. Mark’s Basilica
After exploring the opulent Doge’s Palace, visitors can turn their attention to the awe-inspiring St. Mark’s Basilica.
This iconic cathedral is a stunning example of Byzantine architecture, with its ornate gold mosaics and dazzling interiors. Visitors will have the opportunity to marvel at the basilica’s exterior and learn about its rich history from their knowledgeable guide.
While interior visits aren’t included in this tour, the outdoor exploration provides a chance to appreciate the impressive scale and grandeur of this architectural masterpiece.
The tour culminates back at the meeting point in St. Mark’s Square.
Tips for Your Venice Tour Experience
To make the most of your Venice tour experience, visitors should keep a few practical tips in mind.
Arrive early to avoid long queues at the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. Wear comfortable shoes as there’s a lot of walking involved. Bring water and snacks to stay hydrated and energized.
Be mindful of your belongings in crowded areas. Familiarize yourself with the meeting point and end location to ensure a smooth start and finish.
Listen attentively to your guide’s insights to fully appreciate the history and significance of these iconic landmarks.
With some preparation, you’ll have an unforgettable visit to Venice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need to Bring My Own Headphones?
No, you don’t need to bring your own headphones. The tour includes headphones for the guided tour, so you can comfortably hear the commentary without having to bring your own audio equipment.
Can I Leave the Tour at the Doge’s Palace?
Unfortunately, the tour is a package deal and participants must remain with the group throughout. Leaving the Doge’s Palace during the tour is not permitted. The tour is operated as a complete experience from start to finish.
What Is the Dress Code for the Basilica Tour?
The tour operator requires visitors to the basilica to wear modest attire that covers the shoulders and knees. Shorts, mini-skirts, and sleeveless tops are not allowed inside the basilica.
Are There Any Discounts for Students or Seniors?
The tour does not offer any discounts for students or seniors. Prices are the same for all adult travelers. It’s important to check the tour details before booking to ensure it meets your needs and budget.
Can I Take Photos Inside the Doge’s Palace?
Photos are generally allowed inside the Doge’s Palace, but visitors should follow any instructions from tour guides or staff. Some areas or exhibits may have restrictions, so it’s best to check before taking photos during the tour.
The Sum Up
This tour offers a chance to experience the grandeur of Venice’s most iconic landmarks. With skip-the-line access to the Doge’s Palace and a guided outdoor exploration of St. Mark’s Basilica, travelers can enjoy the city’s rich history and stunning architecture. The small group size and expert commentary ensure a more intimate and informative experience, making this tour a convenient and memorable way to discover the wonders of Venice.
More Private Drivers in Venice
- Venice Shared Departure Transfer: Central Venice to Marittima Cruise Port
- Venice Private Departure Transfer by Water Taxi: Central Venice to Cruise Port
- Private Departure Transfer from Venice to Marco Polo Airport
- Private One-way Airport Transfer Venice Airport to Venice
- Private Departure,Transfer: Venice Cruise Terminal to Marco Polo Airport
- Private Departure Transfer: Venice Hotels to Venice Train or Bus Station
More Private Tours in Venice
- Murano & Burano Guided Tour by Private Boat with Glassmaking
- Venice: Private Walking Tour with a Local
- Private City Kickstart Tour: Venice
- Private Vacation Photography Session with Local Photographer in Venice
- 4 hours Private Boat Tour to Murano, Burano with local real guide
- Private Gondola ride and Photo Session in Venice.
More Tour Reviews in Venice
- Venice: St Marks Basilica Priority Entry, Host & Audioguide
- Haunted Venice Audio Tour with Palazzo Bovolo Entry Ticket
- Murano & Burano Guided Tour by Private Boat with Glassmaking
- Venice: Convent Garden of Redentore Entry Ticket
- Hidden Venice – Small Group Tour
- Murano, Burano & Torcello: Vetro, Case Colorate & Storia
Still browsing? Here are more Venice experiences we've covered recently
- Which Venice Workshops & Classes To Choose? We Rank The 13 Best
- The 5 Most Popular Shopping & Market Tours In Venice
- Discover 14 Great Photography Experiences In Venice
- Our 13 Favorite Venice Walking Tours
- 8 Best Private Driver Services In Venice (With Prices)
- Our Picks For The 5 Best Dining Experiences In Venice
- 12 Best Tours & Experiences In Venice (With Prices)
- 14 Best Wine Tours In Venice
- Top 12 Tours In Venice
- We Rank Venice’s 4 Top Dinner Experiences
- Venice’s 4 Best Full-Day Tours (With Prices & Reviews)
- 4 Must-Try Lunch Experiences In Venice
