A guided tour in the Palazzo Ducale which represented for centuries the seat of the Venetian political power. In his splendid rooms, plastered and immersed in hundreds of masterpieces of painting, the Dogeand his Council controlled the fate of a thousand-year history republic. You’ll live it together with a Guide that will show you the halls of power, plunging you in a very particular historical context: the European Middle Ages and the immediately following centuries.

You’ll be surprised of the rich details of the gold staircase, of the realism of the scenes depicted by many artists who have decorated this building, you will relive the anguish of the prisoners crossing the famous Bridge of Sighs, and entering the Venetian prisons, famous for hosting Giacomo Casanova.
An unforgettable tour not to be missed!

After, you visit one of the most majestic cathedrals of the world! On this tour, escorted by a Tour Guide prepared in accordance with the Curia of Venice, enjoy a full visit of this masterpiece of byzantine art, unique of its kind in Italy, you'll have the pleasure to savour beautiful gold mosaics and marble inlays of the floors, sitting comfortably while our guide will show you the represented biblical scenes, the history and the particularities of this ancient basilica. Admire The Pala d'oro, exquisite example of the byzantine art with its thousands of gems and precious stones.

You may visit by yourself the other magnificent palaces around St. Mark’s Square under the name of Procuratie with the same ticket! You will discover the way of life of the venetians, with paintings, library, coinage, sculpture. You will be entered in the secrets of Venice Empire, with description of Arsenale who produced the famous battleship Galea. You will visit the area built by Napoleon and the rooms restored for Sissi Empress Austria.

At the end of your activity you will have the opportunity to do the free optional tour the Glass Craftsman Demonstration visiting a Glass Factory very close to Saint Mark's square (20 minutes tour). Please follow the instruction that our staff will provide to you locally.

Key details

• Meeting point: St. Mark's Square - Clock Tower near exchange office (the white building with blue clock facade). Our assistant will wait for you with the sign “TOUR”. Do NOT go to the Bell Tower. (See the map and indications below)
• Ending point: San Marco area
• Availability & operation: From 1st April 2018 to 31st October 2020. The tour does not operate on 25th April – 15th August – 1st November – 8th and 25th December – 1st and 6 th January and during unplanned religious celebrations.
• Departure and meeting: From Monday to Saturday at 10:45 AM (not available on Sunday). Please, be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the departure time.
• Inclusion: shared guided tour with commentary by a qualified and experienced guide – “Skip the line”: Doge’s Palace, The Basilica and Pala D’oro guided tour – Audio receiver devices are included in case of groups over 10 people – entrance ticket valid to visit by yourself the palace around St. Mark’s Square (Old Royal Palace now Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale and Monumental rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana) – Glass craftsman at work close to Saint Mark’s Square - 1 hour inside the Basilica  - Clients enjoy part of explaination comfortably seated in the middle of the cathedral
• Duration: 2 hours (20 minutes more for the Glass craftsman at work in St. Mark's Square). It ends at 01:00 PM.
• Languages: the visit is monolingual: from April to October: English, French, Spanish and German from Monday to Saturday - Italian only on Saturday.
  From November to March: English from Monday to Saturday - German on Monday and Friday - French on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - From 1st February: French is EVERY DAY - Spanish on Wednesday and Saturday.
• Gross price public rate € 69 instead of € 73 per person - Free under 6 years old-  From 1st April 2020: € 79 instead of € 83 p.p. and free under 6 years old. No minimum participants
• Sale & reservation: Free sale until the beginning of the tour
• Cancellation: bookings can be cancelled with no charge up to 24 hours before the service. Tours does not operate in case of exceptional high tide or in case of unplanned religious functions (in these cases it can be postponed to the day after otherwise it will be refunded).
• Voucher: You should have the voucher where is written “service provided by Venice Tours Srl”.  Mobile vouchers are accepted
• Commission: refer to contract
• Confirmation: Please ask clients to NOT to reconfirm

Unfortunately, this tour is not fully accessible for wheelchair users or people with walking disabilities.
For security reasons sacks, bags or knapsacks are not allowed inside the Doges’ Palace and Golden Basilica: prior to your visit you must deposit them at the Ateneo San Basso (St.Mark’s Square – Calle San Basso). The storage service is free of charge, but please allow sufficient time!
Comfortable shoes suggested – For the visit of Basilica proper clothing are required (no short or tank pops).
The tour could be shared with guests not belonging to the same party

During some days of high turnout or for reason of force majeure (for example high tide or security problems) the waiting time to access St.Mark's Basilica might be longer than expected: in this case, please line up and respect the instructions provided by the guide - For general conditions refer to our brochure “Discovering Venice”.

HOW TO REACH THE MEETING POINT:

ARRIVING BY PUBLIC VAPORETTO 

Take line #1 and get off at “San Marco Vallaresso” stop or line #2 and get off at “San Marco Giardinetti” stop. Once you get off the vaporetto, turn right and go straight on to the two columns, then turn left and reach Saint Mark’s Square. Once by the Bell Tower, go straight on leaving the Basilica on your right and you find the assistant waiting for you with the signboard TOUR under the Clock Tower.

ARRIVING ON FOOT

The Clock Tower is located in Saint Mark’s Square. Once by the Bell Tower, go straight on leaving the Basilica on your right and you will find the assistant waiting for you with the signboard TOUR under the Clock Tower.

REF. CODE FOR OPERATORS ONLY: VTINSIDE