Items | Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Doge's Palace and Gondola Ride Tour
Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Doge's Palace and Gondola Ride Tour
Venezia
Important Information
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Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Dress code required: Knees and Shoulders must be covered to access holy sites.
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Big bags, trolleys, luggages are not allowed into the visited attractions
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The tour guide will not join the Gondola ride
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Meet & Greet your tour guide at your accommodation is included only for those who are staying within the San Polo or San Marco areas
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Food and drinks are not allowed inside Doge's Palace
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In case of adverse weather or tidal conditions, the duration and itinerary is subject to change
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
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Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
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If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
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This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
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Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
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Discover Venice’s most iconic landmarks and enjoy a quintessential gondola ride on this exclusive private tour. With your expert guide, explore St. Mark’s Basilica, admiring its dazzling golden mosaics, the Pala d’Oro, and the panoramic views from the Loggia dei Cavalli.
Step into the grandeur of the Doge’s Palace, once the heart of Venetian political power, and uncover the secrets of the Doges, the magnificent Great Council Hall, and the stories behind the Bridge of Sighs.
End your experience with a relaxing 30-minute gondola ride, drifting through the hidden canals of Venice, surrounded by historic palaces and breathtaking scenery. A perfect combination of history, art, and romance, desi...
Highlights
3 hours and 30 minutes
Offered in German (Deutsch) & 4 Others
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
3 hours and 30 minutes
Offered in German (Deutsch) & 4 Others
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Meet & Greet your Tour Guide at your Accommodation (valid only for hotels in San Polo & San Marco)
Access to the Loggia dei Cavalli and Pala d'Oro
St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace Skip-the-Line Tickets
Official Private Tour Guide
30-minutes Gondola Ride
Boat/Car Transfers from/to Hotel
Tour guide on Gondola
Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Doge's Palace and Gondola Ride Tour
Venezia
About
Discover Venice’s most iconic landmarks and enjoy a quintessential gondola ride on this exclusive private tour. With your expert guide, explore St. Mark’s Basilica, admiring its dazzling golden mosaics, the Pala d’Oro, and the panoramic views from the Loggia dei Cavalli.
Step into the grandeur of the Doge’s Palace, once the heart of Venetian political power, and uncover the secrets of the Doges, the magnificent Great Council Hall, and the stories behind the Bridge of Sighs.
End your experience with a relaxing 30-minute gondola ride, drifting through the hidden canals of Venice, surrounded by historic palaces and breathtaking scenery. A perfect combination of history, art, and romance, desi...
Highlights
3 hours and 30 minutes
Offered in German (Deutsch) & 4 Others
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
3 hours and 30 minutes
Offered in German (Deutsch) & 4 Others
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Meet & Greet your Tour Guide at your Accommodation (valid only for hotels in San Polo & San Marco)
Access to the Loggia dei Cavalli and Pala d'Oro
St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace Skip-the-Line Tickets
Official Private Tour Guide
30-minutes Gondola Ride
Boat/Car Transfers from/to Hotel
Tour guide on Gondola
Itinerary
1
St. Mark's Square
Your journey begins in the iconic Piazza San Marco, the political and religious heart of Venice. Your private guide will introduce you to the fascinating history of this magnificent square, often called the "finest drawing room in Europe." Admire the elegant Procuratie, the Clock Tower, and the majestic St. Mark’s Basilica—one of the greatest examples of Byzantine architecture.
25 minutes
2
St Mark's Campanile
Gaze up at the towering St. Mark’s Campanile, the city’s tallest structure, originally built as a lighthouse for sailors navigating the Venetian Lagoon. While you won’t enter, your guide will share its history, from its collapse in 1902 to its reconstruction, preserving its iconic presence over Venice.
3
St. Mark's Basilica
Step inside the breathtaking St. Mark’s Basilica, where dazzling gold mosaics cover the ceilings and domes, reflecting centuries of Venetian wealth and influence. Your guide will unveil the basilica’s fascinating history, from its origins as a Doge’s private chapel to its transformation into a symbol of Venetian maritime dominance.
Then, ascend to the Loggia dei Cavalli, a stunning terrace offering unmatched views of Piazza San Marco. Here, you’ll also admire the famous Horses of St. Mark, the bronze sculptures taken from Constantinople that have become symbols of Venetian power.
45 minutes
4
The Horses of Saint Mark
From within the basilica, ascend to the Loggia dei Cavalli, an exclusive open-air terrace offering breathtaking views over Piazza San Marco. Here, you will also have the opportunity to admire the Horses of St. Mark, ancient bronze sculptures looted from Constantinople and placed above the basilica’s entrance as symbols of Venetian dominance. From this vantage point, enjoy a unique perspective of the basilica’s ornate façade and the lively square below.
20 minutes
5
Pala D'Oro
Inside the basilica, marvel at the Pala d’Oro, a spectacular golden altarpiece adorned with precious gems, intricate enamels, and centuries-old craftsmanship. Commissioned by Venetian Doges, this masterpiece stands as one of the most stunning treasures in religious art.
20 minutes
6
Doge's Palace
Next, visit the magnificent Doge’s Palace, once the residence of Venice’s rulers and the center of the Republic’s political power. Wander through its opulent halls, including the Hall of the Great Council, adorned with monumental paintings by Tintoretto and Veronese. Learn about the Venetian Republic’s unique system of government, its powerful Doges, and the elaborate judicial system that shaped the city for centuries.
50 minutes
7
Bridge of Sighs
Your tour concludes at the Bridge of Sighs, the legendary passage connecting the palace to the New Prisons. Hear the fascinating stories of prisoners who crossed this bridge, taking their last glimpse of freedom before serving their sentences.
From here, you’ll step onto a traditional gondola for a 30-minute ride through Venice’s enchanting canals. Glide past historic palaces, hidden waterways, and charming bridges, experiencing the city as Venetians have for centuries. Your guide will not join you on the gondola, allowing you to soak in the tranquility of this classic Venetian experience at your own pace.