Exploring the enchanting waterways of Venice is a must-do on any visitor’s itinerary. The "Gondola Ride and Skip the Line Doges Palace Tour" offers a seamless way to experience the city’s iconic attractions. From a serene gondola ride to an immersive tour of the Doges Palace, this two-hour adventure promises an unforgettable glimpse into Venetian history and culture. With skip-the-line access and knowledgeable guides, this tour ensures a hassle-free experience. But what secrets and surprises await within the halls of the Doges Palace?
Key Points
- This tour package offers a 30-minute shared gondola ride and a 1-hour guided tour of the Doges Palace in Venice, with skip-the-line access.
- The tour is priced at $112.44 per person and has a total duration of 2 hours.
- The gondola ride departs from campo San Moisè and provides a serene way to explore Venice’s iconic waterways and architecture.
- The Doges Palace tour focuses on Venetian political history, including the grand courtyard, Golden Staircase, and Tintoretto’s largest oil painting.
- The tour includes an audio system and headset, and is available in multiple languages with knowledgeable guides.
Tour Overview and Pricing
The Venice gondola ride and Doges Palace tour starts from $112.44 per person and lasts for 2 hours.
Explore the enchanting canals of Venice and marvel at the grandeur of the Doges Palace on this 2-hour tour starting from $112.44 per person.
Guests can take advantage of free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A "Reserve now & pay later" option is also available.
The tour includes a 30-minute shared gondola ride and a 1-hour guided tour of the Doges Palace, with entry fees included.
Tour guides are available in multiple languages, and a personal audio system with headset is provided for commentary.
This experience isn’t suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.
Here are more experiences we've reviewed in Venice
Gondola Ride Experience
Guests enjoy a 30-minute shared gondola ride through Venice’s captivating canals, departing from campo San Moisè.
The gondola holds a maximum of 5 people, allowing guests to experience traditional Venetian transport.
During the ride, guests admire iconic sites such as:
-
Punta della Dogana
-
Santa Maria della Salute
-
Teatro La Fenice
The gondola ride provides a serene and immersive way to explore Venice’s waterways and marvel at the city’s stunning architecture and landmarks.
Doges Palace Tour
A 1-hour guided tour of the Doges Palace takes guests on a journey through Venetian political history.
Visitors will explore significant areas like the grand courtyard, the Golden Staircase, and the halls of power. They’ll admire masterpieces, including Tintoretto’s largest oil painting.
Visitors will explore the grand courtyard, the Golden Staircase, and the halls of power, admiring Tintoretto’s masterpieces.
The tour also includes crossing the Bridge of Sighs to the new prisons. Guests will learn about Venice’s fascinating past from live tour guides available in Spanish, German, English, and French.
Personal audio systems and headsets are provided for commentary. The tour isn’t suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility, and backpacks aren’t allowed inside the palace.
Guided Tour Details
Live tour guides are available in Spanish, German, English, and French for the Doges Palace tour.
Visitors will be provided with a personal audio system and headset to ensure they can hear the commentary clearly. The meeting point is at the wooden kiosk in Saint Marks Square, where participants should arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour.
The tour includes:
-
Crossing the iconic Bridge of Sighs to the new prisons
-
Exploring significant areas like the great courtyard and Golden Staircase
-
Admiring masterpieces such as Tintoretto’s largest oil painting
-
Learning about Venetian political history
-
Convenient skip-the-line access to the Doges Palace.
Important Information
The Venice gondola ride and Doges Palace tour isn’t suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.
This tour is not recommended for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.
Comfortable shoes and a passport/ID for children are recommended. Backpacks aren’t allowed inside Doges Palace.
The tour has received an impressive 4.1/5 rating based on 34 reviews, with the guides being highly praised at 4.8/5 for quality.
Visitors can expect a live tour guide speaking in Spanish, German, English, and French, and a personal audio system with headset for the commentary. This ensures an immersive and informative experience in the historical heart of Venice.
Reviews
Although the Venice gondola ride and Doges Palace tour has an overall impressive rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars based on 34 reviews, visitors consistently praise the quality of the guides, who’ve received a remarkable 4.8 out of 5 rating.
Reviewers highlight the following:
-
Knowledgeable and engaging guides who bring Venetian history to life
-
Seamless coordination of the gondola ride and palace tour
-
Efficient use of time, avoiding long lines
-
Comfortable audio equipment for easy listening
-
Flexibility in accommodating guests’ needs and questions
Meeting Point and Timing
To start the tour, guests are required to meet at the wooden kiosk in Saint Mark’s Square 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.
The tour includes a live guide available in Spanish, German, English, and French, as well as a personal audio system and headset for commentary.
Guests must arrive on time, as the tour departs promptly. Those who are late may miss the beginning of the tour and forfeit their tickets.
It’s important to plan ahead and allow enough time to reach the meeting point, as the tour can’t be delayed for latecomers.
Accessibility and Restrictions
This tour isn’t suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for this tour.
Backpacks aren’t allowed inside the Doges Palace.
A valid passport or ID is required, especially for children.
The following items are good to keep in mind:
-
No wheelchair access
-
Wear comfortable walking shoes
-
No backpacks permitted in the palace
-
Bring a valid ID or passport
-
Children should have proper identification
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Minimum Group Size for the Gondola Ride?
The minimum group size for the gondola ride is 1 person. The tour departs from campo San Moisè and allows a maximum of 5 people per gondola.
Can Children Under 12 Join the Tour for Free?
No, children under 12 cannot join the tour for free. The tour pricing information states that the rate is per person, so everyone regardless of age must purchase a ticket.
Are Audio Guides Available in Other Languages Besides the Listed Ones?
While the tour guide is available in Spanish, German, English, and French, the provided audio system doesn’t offer commentary in additional languages. Visitors will need to rely on the live tour guide for non-listed language support.
Is There a Dress Code for the Doges Palace Tour?
There’s no specific dress code for the Doges Palace tour, but visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes and avoid backpacks, as these are not allowed inside the palace.
Can I Take Photos Inside the Doges Palace?
Yes, visitors can take photos inside the Doge’s Palace. However, flash photography is not permitted, as it can damage the historic artworks and furnishings. Tripods are also prohibited for security reasons.
The Sum Up
This Gondola Ride and Skip the Line Doges Palace Tour offers an enchanting and seamless way to experience the highlights of Venice. Guests can relax on a 30-minute shared gondola ride, then explore the opulent Doges Palace with skip-the-line access and a knowledgeable guide. It’s an unforgettable day, providing convenient access to Venice’s iconic sights. Whether visiting for the first time or returning, this tour ensures an immersive and memorable Venetian adventure.
You can check availability for your dates here:More Historical Tours in Venice
- Venice: The History of St. Mark’s Basilica Tour
- Venice of Water and Fire: Tour Through History, Arsenal and the Art of Glass.
- Venice Private Tour: History, Art and Unique Atmosphere
- Venice: Historical Gondola Yard Private Tour
- Venice: Screenprint Workshop in a Historic Atelier
- Venice: Traveling Opera in a Historic Palace on Grand Canal
More Tour Reviews in Venice
Still browsing? Here are more Venice experiences we've covered recently
- Tours Dolomites Cortina, Alleghe, Lakes.
- Private City Kickstart Tour: Venice
- Authentic Murano Glass Tour
- Brunetti’s Venice: A Culinary Journey Through Leon’s Mysteries
- Private Vacation Photography Session with Local Photographer in Venice
- Venice: The Hidden Canals on Electric Boat
- 4 hours Private Boat Tour to Murano, Burano with local real guide
- Full-Day Venice to Padua Burchiello Brenta Riviera Boat Cruise
- San Marco Pass: Basilica, Doge Pal. & Bell Tower Priority Tickets
- Small Group Tour to Venice departing from Abano Terme
- Great Venice St Mark’s Square & Doge’s Palace Guided Tour for Kids & Families
- Charming Gondola Ride on the Grand Canal & Gondola Gallery