Private tour of Venice with visit to St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace
Venice is one of the most iconic and fascinating cities in the world and this private tour allows you to explore its religious, political and commercial heart in the company of an expert local guide. A once in a lifetime opportunity!
- Explore the splendid St Mark's Basilica and its terraces
- Avoid long queues to visit the Doge's Palace
- View paintings by world-famous artists
- Stroll through the ballrooms, the Great Council Chamber and the Opera Museum
- Walk along the famous Bridge of Sighs
Meeting Point
Meet our tour leader in St. Mark's Square, under the column with the lion on the top, in front of Doge's Palace.
Can you visit St. Mark's Basilica privately with skip-the-line access? What makes it different?
Yes, this private tour includes skip-the-line entry to St. Mark's Basilica. With a private expert guide exclusively for your group, you'll explore the Basilica in depth — from its extraordinary golden mosaics and Byzantine architecture to the Pala d'Oro altarpiece. The private format means the guide can slow down, answer every question, and fully tailor the experience to your group.
What masterpieces can you see in the Doge's Palace?
The Doge's Palace contains some of the greatest Renaissance paintings ever made. In the Great Council Chamber, Tintoretto's "Paradise" — one of the largest oil paintings in the world — dominates the far wall. Veronese's "Apotheosis of Venice" decorates the ceiling. Titian and Tiepolo also contributed major works to the ceremonial rooms. Your private guide brings these masterpieces to life with context about the artists and the political messages in the imagery.
Why do you need to provide guest names when booking this private Venice tour?
Entry to St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace requires nominative tickets — meaning tickets are linked to the specific names of the visitors. Please ensure you provide the full names of all guests at the time of booking, as the tickets cannot be transferred and valid ID may be requested at entry.
What is the Bridge of Sighs in Venice and what is the story behind its name?
The Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) is one of Venice's most iconic landmarks — a covered limestone bridge built in 1600 connecting the Doge's Palace to the New Prison. Its romantic name was reportedly coined by Lord Byron in the 19th century, referring to the "sighs" of condemned prisoners who glimpsed their last view of Venice and the lagoon through the small barred windows as they were led to their cells.
Who were the most powerful Doges in Venetian history and why did they matter?
The Doge was the elected head of the Venetian Republic, a position held for life. Among the most influential were Enrico Dandolo, who led the Fourth Crusade and directed the sack of Constantinople in 1204, and Francesco Foscari, whose long and turbulent reign inspired a Verdi opera. The unique Venetian system balanced the Doge's power with the Great Council and the Council of Ten, creating one of history's most stable republics — over 1,000 years of continuous government.
What is the cancellation policy?
For groups of 1 to 8 people, a full cancellation fee applies if you cancel within 7 days of your tour date or in case of no-show. For groups of 9 or more, availability and cancellation terms are available on request.
Starting from
price per person
based on a group of 4