Venice: St. Marks Basilica and Gondola Morning Tour

Exploring the iconic St. Mark’s Basilica and gliding through Venice’s picturesque canals in a gondola – it’s an experience that transports visitors to the heart of this enchanting city. With an expert guide leading the way, travelers can explore the basilica’s rich history and stunning architecture, before embarking on a serene 30-minute ride that offers a unique perspective of Venice’s charming daily life. This immersive tour provides an opportunity to witness the city’s captivating blend of art, culture, and tradition.

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Key Points

This 1.5-hour guided tour provides access to St. Mark’s Basilica and includes a 30-minute gondola ride, with a meeting point at TU.RI.VE. in Piazza San Marco.
The basilica tour highlights the magnificent golden mosaics, detailed biblical scenes, ancient artifacts, and offers access to the terrace for panoramic views.
The tour includes headsets, entrance fees, and a shared gondola ride, allowing for a comprehensive and immersive experience of Venice’s iconic landmarks.
Certain restrictions apply, such as dress code requirements, limitations on luggage and strollers, and the tour not being suitable for wheelchair users.
Children under 5 can join the tour for free, making it a suitable option for families.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The Venice: St. Marks Basilica and Gondola Morning Tour offers visitors a comprehensive experience in the heart of Venice. Priced at €84.00 per person, this 1.5-hour tour provides guided access to the iconic St. Marks Basilica and a 30-minute gondola ride.

The tour is available at various start times, and customers can enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. The meeting point is at the TU.RI.VE. Meeting Point in Piazza San Marco, near the Calle larga de l’Ascension wooden kiosk.

The tour includes headsets for commentary, entrance fees, and a shared gondola ride, ensuring a seamless and informative experience.

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Exploring St. Marks Basilica

As visitors embark on the guided tour of St. Marks Basilica, they’re immediately struck by the magnificent golden mosaics that adorn the walls and ceilings.

The guide provides detailed commentary on the biblical scenes depicted, highlighting the intricate craftsmanship and historical significance.

The tour also includes:

A glimpse into the first-floor museum, showcasing ancient artifacts and religious relics
A chance to admire the stunning marble inlay flooring, which adds to the grandeur of the space
Access to the terrace, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of St. Marks Square
An opportunity to learn about the Basilica’s unique architectural features and its role in Venetian history.

Highlights of the Basilica Tour

Visitors are immediately captivated by the magnificent golden mosaics adorning the walls and ceilings of St. Marks Basilica. The stunning biblical scenes depicted in vivid detail draw the eye upwards, inspiring awe.

The intricate marble flooring adds to the basilica’s grandeur, with patterns and colors that mesmerize. The first-floor museum grants access to breathtaking views of St. Marks Square below, offering a unique perspective.

Throughout the tour, the knowledgeable guide provides insightful commentary, bringing the history and significance of this architectural masterpiece to life.

Each element of the guided visit immerses visitors in the splendor of this iconic Venetian landmark.

Gondola Ride Experience

After the immersive guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica, the tour participants made their way to the gondola departure point.

Following their immersive exploration of St. Mark’s Basilica, the tour group headed to the gondola launch point.

The shared gondola ride lasted approximately 30 minutes, providing a unique perspective of Venice’s iconic canals.

The experience offered:

A peaceful and relaxing journey through the tranquil waterways
Stunning views of historic buildings and bridges along the canal
An opportunity to observe daily Venetian life from the water
A chance to fully take in the city’s captivating atmosphere

The gondola ride capped off the morning tour, leaving participants with cherished memories of their time in Venice.

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Tour Inclusions

The tour includes a one-hour guided walking tour of St. Marks Square and Basilica.

Visitors will explore the stunning golden mosaics, intricate marble inlays, and biblical scenes inside the basilica. They’ll also get to see the first-floor museum and enjoy the terrace view overlooking St. Marks Square.

The tour provides personal audio systems and headsets for commentary in multiple languages.

Plus, the tour includes a 30-minute shared gondola ride, departing at 3:00 PM from the Gondola Bauer.

All entrance fees to the basilica are covered, making this an inclusive and convenient way to experience the highlights of Venice.

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Important Considerations

Some important considerations for this tour.

The tour isn’t suitable for wheelchair users.

Pets, oversize luggage, baby strollers, smoking, large bags, and sleeveless shirts aren’t allowed.

Visitors must cover their shoulders and knees when entering the Basilica.

Children under 5 years old can join the tour for free.

Not suitable for wheelchair users
Restrictions on items allowed
Dress code requirements for Basilica entry
Children policy

Customer Feedback

Travelers have generally praised the Venice: St. Marks Basilica and Gondola Morning Tour, according to customer reviews. The tour guides’ knowledge and informativeness averaged 4.7 out of 5 stars, while transportation was rated 4.5 out of 5. Value for money received a 4.1 out of 5 rating. Reviewers appreciated the easy-to-find meeting point, informative guide, efficient skip-the-line access, and knowledgeable and entertaining guide.

| Rating Metric | Score (out of 5) |

| — | — |

| Guide’s Knowledge & Informativeness | 4.7 |

| Transportation | 4.5 |

| Value for Money | 4.1 |

| Meeting Point & Access | 4.7 |

| Guide Quality | 4.7 |

Booking and Availability

When can travelers book this tour? The tour is available daily, and customers can check availability for starting times on the booking page.

The tour has flexible scheduling, with multiple start times throughout the day to accommodate different schedules.

The tour offers flexible scheduling with multiple start times throughout the day to accommodate traveler schedules.

To book the tour:

Visit the tour’s booking page online
Select the desired date and starting time
Choose the number of participants
Proceed to checkout and complete the reservation
Receive a confirmation email with the tour details

The tour has a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours in advance, allowing for easy rescheduling if needed.

Ask Away

What Should I Bring on the Tour?

Travellers should bring a small, lightweight backpack or purse, wear comfortable walking shoes, and dress appropriately for the Basilica’s dress code of covering shoulders and knees. It’s also wise to bring any necessary personal items.

Is the Basilica Tour Accessible for People With Disabilities?

The basilica tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, according to the important information provided. The tour may be inaccessible for those with mobility challenges due to the walking involved and lack of elevator access.

Can I Take Photos Inside the Basilica?

Photography is generally allowed inside St. Mark’s Basilica, but visitors can’t use flash. It’s best to check with the tour guide or basilica staff for any specific restrictions on photography during the tour.

How Long Is the Total Duration of the Tour?

The total duration of the tour is 1.5 hours. It includes a 1-hour guided walking tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and a 30-minute shared gondola ride, according to the overview information provided.

Is There an Option to Upgrade to a Private Gondola Ride?

No, there’s no option to upgrade to a private gondola ride on this tour. The tour includes a shared gondola ride, which is standard for this experience. Private gondola rides can be booked separately if desired.

Final Words

This tour offers a unique opportunity to experience the grandeur of St. Mark’s Basilica and the serene beauty of Venice’s canals. Guided by an expert, visitors can marvel at the basilica’s stunning mosaics and architecture, then glide through the city’s waterways in a traditional gondola. With convenient booking options and free cancellation, this tour is an enchanting and practical way to discover the enchanting allure of Venice.