Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride
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Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride

By Walks of Italy
Recommended by 94% of travelers
94% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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If you’ve only got limited time in Venice, see the best of the City of Water in just one day during a full-day tour that visits St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica of San Marco) and Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), and includes a ride on the Grand Canal by traditional gondola. As well as getting the inside scoop on local history and culture, receive personalized attention in a small group limited to 20.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 20 per group
Duration: 6h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More

Highlights
  • See the best of Venice in just one day on a full-day sightseeing tour
  • A great introduction for first-time visitors
  • Orient yourself without worrying about getting lost
  • Benefit from the insider knowledge of your guide

  • Skip-the-line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica
  • Pre-reserved ticket to the Doge's Palace
  • Gondola Ride
  • Headset
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Expertly guided walking tour
  • Entry/Admission - Ponte di Rialto
  • Entry/Admission - Canal Grande
  • Entry/Admission - Basilica di San Marco
  • Entry/Admission - Doge's Palace
  • Guaranteed to skip the lines
What's not included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
  • Lunch


Start:
  • Campo S. Giacomo di Rialto, 255, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
    Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets outside the entrance of the Church of San Giacometto at Campo San Giacomo di Rialto 255, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy.
End:
  • Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
    St. Mark's Square

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 15693P31

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
  • If access is restricted due to private events inside St. Mark's Basilica and/or Doge's Palace, we cannot be held responsible. This is a situation beyond our control. No refund will be issued.
  • In case of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather (heavy rain, strong wind, high tide) conditions that prevent the gondola ride from taking place or any operational or safety reasons beyond our control it may be substituted for another experience, but no refund will be provided.
  • This tour is in English.
  • This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 15693P31

From
$128.96
per adult
Select date and travelers

Similar experiences

Itinerary
  • Campo S. Giacomo di Rialto, 255, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
    Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets outside the entrance of the Church of San Giacometto at Campo San Giacomo di Rialto 255, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy.
  • 1
    Pass by
    Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli
    Rialto Market
    Marco Polo's House
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
    Pass by
    Bridge Of Sighs
  • Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
    St. Mark's Square
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
  • Walks of Italy
    4,094
    Venice, Veneto, Italy
    Joined in July 2010
  • Cheryl G
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Comprehensive Tour of St Marks and Doges Palace
    We so enjoyed our tour with Grazia, who was such a knowledgeable guide. We started early before the worst of the crowds, and kept a good pace throughout the tour. Full of amazing art and history, you can’t miss this when in Venice.
    Written February 12, 2025
  • 71brucen
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful tour guide and expereince
    Outstanding tour with really interesting and knowledgeable guide Grazia taking us through both the sites and the interesting history of Venice
    Written February 10, 2025
  • kathleenj658
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great tour of St Marks and the Doge’s palace.
    Our tour guide Barbara was fantastic. She was very pleasant and knowledgeable. We Really enjoyed the tour and would recommend it to others.
    Written February 6, 2025
  • Thomas M
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fabulous Tour, this is a must do!
    Absolutely amazing experience, I had an absolutely fabulous tour guide who was very informative and was able to answer all of my questions. The tour of the Basilica and of the Doge’s Palace was well paced and I learnt so many interesting facts about both as well as great local insider information about Venice! I highly recommend doing this tour if you have any time at all in Venice, it is absolutely a must do!
    Written January 31, 2025
  • gogecko747
    0 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Guided tour of Doges’s Palace and San Marco’s
    Tour was good and included fast access. I would have liked more information and more time to enjoy these magnificent sights. Perhaps a self guided audio tour would have better suited us.
    Written January 27, 2025
  • augustone
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent tour of the basilica, doge and prison.
    Our guide was wonderful and we learned so much about the history of Venice and the basilica. We had a great time. Highly recommend it.
    Written January 26, 2025
  • DerekNat
    0 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth the experience!
    Well worth the experience, our guide was very informative and we were lucky that we had no queues and got to see everything. The only issue was extremely poor sound quality that meant we missed allot of the commentary. They did attempt to fix but always degraded.
    Written January 25, 2025
  • Carrie B
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Popular spots done well
    SUCH a good tour! I have been to Venice many times and seen the palace and the basilica. I thought I knew a lot about them, but I learned SO much. Roberta was an engaging and informative guide. 10/10 would recommend
    Written January 20, 2025
  • SarahV633
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing
    Great guide Nico! We've been into many churches while touring but St Marks is amazing and it is so much better with a guide to tell you about some of the significance
    Written January 6, 2025
  • 537ashimr
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very insightful tour into the history of Venice !
    This was an amazing experience ! Our guide Mose was encyclopaedic in his knowledge about the history of the Basilica and Doge’s palace. But he was also very objective in highlighting the unique historical evolution of Venice despite being a Venetian himself. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in understand Venetian history from of the perspective of its two iconic landmarks.
    Written December 31, 2024
  • MBM2732
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing after hours tours with fantastic guide!
    This tour included two “after hours” special tours. Both were highlights of our vacation to Italy. Our guide Roberta was excellent. She was one of the most knowledgable and passionate (and funny!) guides we have ever had. She took good care of all members of our tour group. Having been to the palace years ago with crowds, having the place all to ourselves with only the guards around was so amazing. Roberta took time in each room to explain the artwork, the history the culture. It was the best! Then when we went into St Marks Basilica the most amazing moment of our trip so far when the private tour group got to see all the golden mosaics slowly light up out of the darkness. The crypt tour was equally as special but the best part of the tour was Roberta. She was an excellent guide - highly recommend this combined experience - avoid the crowds and enjoy these two amazing places with the time they deserve!
    Written December 31, 2024
  • FamilyOE
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Basilica at its best.
    Excellent tour & well worth the money. Sabrina is a great guide - giving us a perfect blend of story-telling, facts & figures, delivered with genuine enthusiasm, good pace & excellent English. The tour means you see the Basilica at its best, with space & quiet to be enthralled by the mosaics.
    Written December 30, 2024
  • bcummings12160
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great tour
    The tour was great, and the guide was very informative. Our guide kept things moving at a good pace. Very good value overall.
    Written December 26, 2024
  • Camper766423
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great visit to historical landmarks
    Moses did a great job describing both sites. He was very knowledgeable about both. Highly recommended. The tour took approximately 2.5 hours.
    Written December 24, 2024
  • MiamiMom-7
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Magnificent St Marks
    Stunning historical perspective with our wonderful tour guide Francesca. She explained everything with such passion and knowledge and we felt as if we had all the time to explore these two breathtaking masterpiece monuments. I hope you are fortunate to get Francesca as your tour guide. With a full month in Italy and many tours taken, I rate this one as our very best.
    Written December 19, 2024
See all 4,094 reviews
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles775 reviews
Excellent
665
Very good
65
Average
21
Poor
6
Terrible
18

Rihards K
United Kingdom38 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Friends
Four of us booked an Airbnb just 15 minutes from Venice, with parking included, for around €140 for one night. Conveniently, there was a bus stop just around the corner for easy access to Venice. We took Bus 19, which costs €1.50 per ride—you can use a credit or debit card, just remember to tap in when you board and tap out when you leave. We found this option both convenient and stress-free. Buses run every 20 minutes, though schedules may vary on holidays and weekends.

The bus dropped us off near the main street in Venice. The city isn't very large, so you can easily explore the main island on foot in 2-3 hours, taking in the sights and snapping photos. Our main focus was visiting churches and bridges. Later, we discovered there’s a rooftop terrace at one of the shopping centers, but you need to book in advance (which we hadn’t done).

For food, prices are more reasonable at the start of your journey. Set menus typically range from €14-€17 for a two-course meal. As you approach St. Mark’s Basilica, you’ll find plenty of boats available to take you back to the bus stop for €9 per ride. You can pay with a debit or credit card by tapping on the digital receiver at the gates. Google Maps can help you locate the nearest boat stop, and there’s also an information booth where you can ask which boat to take to your destination.

During our visit, Venice was cloudy and rainy, so we spent the day wandering around and taking pictures. We decided to return the next day for a gondola ride, as the weather was much sunnier—a must-do experience! Our gondola driver was incredibly knowledgeable, with over 16 years of experience. He mentioned that many tourists don’t realize gondola drivers are also trained tour guides, having studied for over three years to qualify. The ride cost €90 for 30 minutes for the four of us. The more questions you ask, the longer the ride seems to last, so don’t hesitate to chat with your guide!
Written August 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Yankeehoya
Doha, Qatar297 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Our guide was both extremely knowledgeable and pleasant. However, except for our lunch break, the guide spoke nonstop for 6 1/2 hours. The guide’s knowledge was very impressive, but one of the reasons I take small group doors so then I can ask questions about the history, art, etc..

I would also recommend having each member of the group, at least briefly introduced themselves at the beginning. There was almost 0 interaction among group members. I’m pretty sure I heard five of the 10 peoples voices during the entire tour.

Bottom line, a very good tour, but it could easily be a bit more interesting. The subject matter was, of course, magnificent.
Written September 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Yankeehoya, Thank you for your review and for sharing your thoughts on the Venice In a Day tour. We are glad to hear you appreciated the guide’s knowledge and the magnificent sites, but we understand your desire for more interaction and engagement during the experience. We’ll be sure to share your suggestions with our team to help improve the tour’s dynamic. If you'd like to discuss this further, feel free to contact us at feedback@walks.org. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you on another tour in the future. Best regards, Jhonas. Walks and Devour Tours.
Written September 23, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Valise
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Family
This was an amazing tour! Emmanuel was the best tour guide we have ever had! Despite the oppressive heat, he gave us a lovely tour and a memorable day in Venice. Passionate about the city he grew up in, he was able to give us personal insights as well as the history of this very special place. Walks of Italy was well organized and professional, with good customer service. The itinerary covers all of the main highlights of Venice, including a gondola ride. Excellent tour and best value for your money.
Written October 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Issey_Lewis
San Diego, CA91 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We enjoyed this tour because it covered some of Venices main attractions which included a city walk, gondola ride, St. Marks Basilica and Doge’s Palace. Our guide Matteo was very knowledgeable and held our interest with his vast knowledge of the history of Venice. It was a nice gondola ride but our family of 3 had to share with a couple that we didn’t know. Because it was a Sunday our tour was limited to the Basilica Terrace and museum all of which were very stunning. It did get hot while we were out on the terrace. Doge’s Palace was also awe inspiring with all the majestic art and in contrast to see the prisons. Our teenage son was getting very impatient towards the end as it was long tour even with a few breaks but glad we did it and would recommend because it was worth doing.
Written July 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul S
Taylor, MI53 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
This tour started in a small square that is basically at the base of one of the larger bridges in the city. Not sure why people in some reviews have a hard time finding it. We found our group and were handed our headsets to start the day. Our guide Pamela was a very bella and informative lady, she kept us entertained all day long. She answered so many questions and was very helpful to the entire group, very kind of her to consider the gentleman we had with a walker all day.
We started off wandering the tiny alleyways, learning many facts about the history and beauty of this amazing floating city. The roads are small and have many corners, I'd advise to stay close to your guide as your headset will cut off if you get too far behind and get buildings between you and the guide.
We stopped for a breakfast snack and cappucino at a lovely little shop, then walked and learned more. This city it so old and so gorgeous. We went on our gondola ride with another couple in our boat, but the waterways are so beautiful that it is an experience you won't forget. After the gondola we had about 90 minutes to find a bite to eat and we spent many Euros shopping in the little store that are everywhere!
After meeting back up we entered St. Marks basilica and it was just incredible. The ceiling could occupy hours just looking at the different mosaics. Leaving there we had a bathroom break then on into the Doge's Palace, a huge building with so much to see. The senate hall and the prison at the end of the tour were the best.
We loved our day in the heart of Venice, thank you Pamela for everything!!!
Written November 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Matthew W
Maitland, FL4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The weather in Venice the day of the tour was inclement but our guide made the trip work due to temporary closures. Eliana was knowledgeable (local) who spoke wonderful English. We learned many things about Venice that we didn’t already know. The tour through Doge’s Palace is fairly fast so if you want to spend time looking at the paintings I would recommend doing that separately. However, there was plenty of time to see the Palace for us. We had a great tour and would recommend.
Written August 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alexander C
4 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2024 • Couples
My wife and I came to Venice for our honeymoon, and we wanted to be able to see the city and learn things about it from a knowledgeable local. A tour of the city, St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and a romantic gondola ride across the canals. Sounds lovely, right? Wrong. We woke up early to be there by the 8:30 AM start time. The majority of this tour is spent just walking down empty streets and graffiti-ridden alleys. Our guide was kind and polite (and for that reason I will be omitting their name from this negative review) but they weren’t even from Venice and all they talked about was the most basic trivia about Venice that anyone could learn on their own; we learned nothing new. On top of that, halfway through the tour we had to sit around and wait while our guide left us to go search for half of our group that ended up going missing! Eventually we got to the gondola ride, the most anticipated part for my wife and I. Instead of a romantic trip through the canals though, we got stuffed on 2 dinky little stools on the side of the boat while another couple got the “luxury” seats. The ride itself was horrible as well. Our “helmsman” spoke about 2 sentences and was silent for the rest of the ride. We ended up going through mostly the canal equivalent of dingy back alleys, and it smelled awful. At one point we even passed by raw sewage with human feces visible at the surface. And in the end, it just took us in one big circle right back where we were. After that it was lunch time. Unfortunately, the tour breaks for lunch around 11:15 and meets back up at 12:15. Meanwhile the majority of restaurants don’t even open until 12:30! The Basilica and Doge’s Palace were nice, but that’s just the landmarks themselves and has nothing to do with the tour.

All in all, I was incredibly disappointed and if I could get my money back, I 100% would.

BUYER BEWARE: It’s not as romantic and fun as it seems.
Written December 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Alexander, Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding your Venice in a Day tour. I’m truly sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet your expectations, especially given the special occasion for you and your wife. I’d like to address your concerns and offer some clarity. Regarding the situation at the Rialto Bridge, I apologize for the brief disruption. After crossing the bridge, five guests stayed behind to take photos and ended up getting separated from the group. Our coordinator acted quickly to reunite them, and Paola, our guide, managed the situation calmly and professionally. The tour resumed as planned, and the rest of the day proceeded smoothly. As for the gondola ride, I understand how much you were looking forward to this part of the tour. Please note that the gondola ride is a shared experience, and seating is assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis by the gondola operators. While we always strive to ensure comfort, the seating arrangements are out of our hands. Additionally, issues like floating debris in the canals are outside of our control and are often related to local waste management systems. We’re truly sorry that this affected your experience. Unfortunately, it’s part of the reality of Venice, but we remain committed to making your visit as enjoyable as possible. I also understand that the lunch timing wasn’t ideal for you. We plan for a relaxing break, and our guides usually point out places open for light meals or snacks. We’ll definitely take your feedback into account and work to ensure future tours better align with restaurant hours. We genuinely appreciate your feedback, as it helps us improve and provide the best experience for future guests. I’m sorry that we didn’t meet your expectations this time, but I hope you and your wife were still able to enjoy some of Venice’s magic. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts, and I wish you both all the best on the rest of your travels! If you'd like to discuss anything further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Regards, Slavica Walks and Devour Feedback Team
Written December 11, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Rachel B
Goldsboro, NC126 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
We truly enjoyed our tour of Venice with Francesca. It was obvious that she enjoyed sharing the historic city with visitors. One of the greatest things about this tour was the fact that they use headsets so we could always hear what was being said. We started early in the morning and were able to avoid large crowds for a few hours. We also didn't need to wait in lines (except at the WCs). The tour is a bit pricey but worth it to have a smaller group.
Written November 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maria C
20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Couples
Giuliano is a wonderful tour guide. He is very funny and made the experience a blast despite the tons of people around these areas of Venice. The walking part of the tour at the beginning was our favorite part because we got to understand Venice a little better (it's a very unique place). I would recommend this tour to anyone who has never been to Venice before and wants to get a great summary of all the city has to offer.
Written April 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Shakirah M
95 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This was the perfect tour if you're strapped for time and wish to immerse in the history, artistry and culture of Venice. Mose was a delight as he guided us through the narrow streets of the city, St Marks Cathedral and the Doge's Palace. Everything was well organised with clear communication. I also appreciated that the tour company adjusted the itinerary so we'd have the gondola ride in the morning since rain was anticipated in the late afternoon. The gondola ride can be an uneventful 30min ride but if the gondolier and other fellow passengers allow it, consider playing O Sole Mio on your phone at a moderate volume. We all enjoyed the experience even more.
Written September 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride provided by Walks of Italy

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