Small group Venice tour of St Mark’s Basilica terraces and Doge’s Palace

The current St Mark's Basilica dates primarily from the 11th century, its foundations were laid in 828 when Venetian merchants brought the relics of St Mark from Alexandria. The basilica is extraordinary for its fusion of Byzantine, Gothic, Islamic, and Romanesque elements, reflecting Venice's position as the great crossroads of East and West. Its interior is covered in over 8,000 square metres of golden mosaics — creating an atmosphere unlike any other church in the world.

Yes, since 2024, visitors must book a time slot online in advance (entry to the main nave is free but reservation is compulsory). Access to special areas, the terraces (included in our tour), the Pala d'Oro golden altarpiece, and the treasury requires separate paid tickets. Our tour manages all logistics: skip-the-line access to the basilica and its exclusive terraces, plus guided entry to the Doge's Palace.

The Palazzo Ducale was the seat of Venetian government for over a thousand years, it housed the Doge (the elected ruler of Venice), the Senate, the Council of Ten, and the law courts of the Venetian Republic. For centuries Venice was one of the most powerful states in the world, and the palace reflects this: its rooms are decorated with enormous canvases by Tintoretto, Veronese, and Tiepolo. The famous Bridge of Sighs, connecting the palace to the prisons, is accessed from inside.

The Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) takes its name from the romantic notion that condemned prisoners would sigh at their last glimpse of Venice through the bridge's small windows, as they were transferred from the Doge's Palace to the adjacent prison. The bridge is a white limestone enclosed passageway, you can walk through it as part of the Doge's Palace visit. The most famous view of the bridge is from outside, from the Ponte della Paglia on the waterfront.

St Mark's Square can be very crowded between 10am and 4pm during summer and cruise ship season. The best times to experience it more peacefully are early morning (before 9am) or evening. The square floods regularly in autumn and winter (acqua alta), which is actually a uniquely atmospheric experience. Our tour times are chosen to give you the best possible conditions at St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace before the largest crowds arrive.

Cancellations are free up to 24 hours before the tour departure. For cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour start time, as well as in case of no-shows, the full amount will be charged.