Venice In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour
Description
First time in Venice? Maximize your time in the city with a full-day itinerary that ticks off all the most memorable attractions. Stroll across the Rialto Bridge and browse the lively Rialto fish market, then hop aboard a traditional gondola for a romantic cruise along the Grand Canal. Next, access St. Mark’s Basilica and gaze in awe at the stunning gold mosaics. Finally, enjoy skip-the-line entrance to the grandiose Doge’s Palace. The 8:30am tour is limited to 20 people and includes a lunch break on your own, while the 8:15am tour does not include a lunch break (shorter duration of 4 hours) and a maximum of 25 people in your group. If you're short on time, you can also select our Venice Express Half Day Option at time of booking for a 4-hour expertly guided tour of Venice's highlights including St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your tour starts at ground level with a guided walking tour of the city's most famous and most interesting sights. See the Rialto Bridge and learn about Venice's food culture at the Rialto Fish Market. Along the way hear tales of famous Venetians like Marco Polo as well as how Venice came to be—and how it survived against the odds. (1 hour if Express option selected)
Sightseeing & Photo Stop
Sightseeing & Photo Stop
As your walking tour ends, take a gondola ride and cruise along the Grand Canal and into the quieter back canals of the city with a maximum of 5 people per vessel. Note: The gondola ride is not included in the Express option.
Pause for a break. While it's not included in the tour, your guide will share plenty of great recommendations on where to grab a coffee and a snack. Note: No break will be provided if 8:15am Venice In a Day option or Express option selected.
After a short break for a snack on your own, reconvene at St. Mark's Square. Your tour includes pre-reserved skip-the-line tickets to enter St. Mark's Basilica to explore its stunning history, architecture, and art with your guide. Get up close to the beautiful gold mosaics with special first-floor access.
Then it's on to Venice's other top sight—the Doge's Palace. Skip the line with pre-reserved tickets and enjoy the benefit of having an expert local guide as you navigate council rooms, audience halls, and masterpieces by Veronese and Tintoretto.
Sightseeing & Photo Stop
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- 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.
- Due to the religious nature of sites on this tour, all individuals (regardless of gender) must cover their shoulders and knees. It is acceptable to bring extra coverings to put on just before entering a holy site. Walks cannot be responsible for anyone denied entry.
- All guests must supply their full name that matches a valid ID at the time of the booking. Should you fail to provide these, your reservation will be canceled. Name changes are not permitted.
- Venice Express Option: Gondola is not included.
- Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Marks Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument.
- 8:30am tour is limited to 20 people and includes a lunch break on your own, while the 8:15am tour does not include a lunch break (shorter duration of 4 hours) and a maximum of 25 people in your group.
- St. Mark’s Basilica can be subject to closures due to particular liturgical celebrations, especially during major religious holidays such as Easter or Christmas. In the event that the Basilica is closed, explanations will be provided from the outside.
- Please note: This tour offers multiple options. Take a moment to choose the one that best suits your interests.
Reviews(4,539)
Our guide, Nico was both very informative and funny. I would take a tour with him again! This tour was nice in that it included a variety of activities as well as a break for a small meal. Venice in July was hot and crowded, but Nico took us to some less busy places before visiting Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica. The gondola ride was nice too, lasting about 25 minutes.
Excellent introduction to Venice. More than just the iconic destinations, Elena gave us great insight to the daily lives of present and past residents of the city. Exploring the small calles, alleys, and bridges of Venice was informative and fun.
Denise was an amazing guide! She grew up in Venice and still lives here, and knows so much history!!
Shannon was an amazing and informative tour guide. She provided excellent historical context with interesting local perspectives. We had a great time!
Elena was fantastic. So knowledgeable, kind and personable. Thank you so much for such an amazing tour
Great tour, would recommend it to anyone. Elena was excellent!
Amazing tour and great knowledge of the city!
Our Venice in a Day tour was one of the highlights of our vacation. We rode in gondolas, visited St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, and learned so much about the history of Venice along the way. Our guide, Denise, was the best tour guide we had during our entire trip. She was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and a wonderful storyteller who clearly loves her city. She made Venice’s history feel vivid and interesting rather than simply reciting facts. Even my 11-year-old nephew stayed engaged throughout the entire four-hour tour, which says a lot! We could not have asked for a better introduction to Venice and would highly recommend this tour, especially with Denise as your guide.
Wonderful tour, our guide was excellent! We recommend it
Roberta was absolutely a wonderful guide. She was so charming and knowledgeable! Thank you, The Brandts
