Basilica, Doge's Palace, History Gallery & Bell Tower Option
Overview
Experience an exclusive guided tour of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica, iconic landmarks of Piazza San Marco. Admire the grandeur of the Golden Staircase and stunning artworks in the Doge's Palace, and cross the Bridge of Sighs to explore the historic prisons where Casanova was held, reminiscent of Alcatraz’s mystique.
Visit St. Mark's Basilica, known as the Golden Basilica, to marvel at its glittering mosaics, as dazzling as any European cathedral. Then, enjoy a virtual reality experience at the History Gallery of Venice. With a VR headset, see Piazza San Marco as it once was, imagining the Basilica as the Doge's private chapel and the Palace as a medieval fortress.
Choose the St. Mark's Bell Tower option for panoramic views of Venice, much like viewing New York City from above. An elevator ride to the top offers breathtaking vistas of the domes, St. Mark's Square, and the lagoon. Enhance your visit with an audio guide and digital map for deeper insights.
What's Included
- Bell Tower Priority Ticket (if the option is selected)
- Skip the line ticket to Marciana Library (Closed on Sundays) and Archeological Museum
- Bridge of Sighs Entrance
- Skip the Line Tickets to Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Cathedral
- History Gallery - Venice in the past VR Experience
- Skip the line Ticket to Royal Palace - Correr Museum (Empress Sissi Rooms & Napoleon Dancing Hall)
- Guided tour by a qualified guide to Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Cathedral (if option is selected)
- Hotel pickup & Drop Off
- Food & Drinks
- Guided Tour to Archeological Museum, Marciana Library, Royal Palace - Correr Museum
Meeting Location
Calle de le Rasse
4536, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Piazza San Marco (pass by)
Doge's Palace
1 hour Admission Ticket Included
Ponte dei Sospiri
5 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Basilica di San Marco
30 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Campanile di San Marco
30 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Museo Correr (pass by)
Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana (pass by)
Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Venezia (pass by)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The official St. Mark's Basilica ticket price is €12.00 per person (standard) or €24.00 with terrace access; the remaining part of the price covers assistance at the meeting point, accompanied entry with a certified guide or host, access to the Venice Gallery with a dedicated VR experience, the use of an audio guide or radio system with earphones and sales costs.
- A valid ID document is mandatory for security checks at the entrance to the Basilica.
- Comfortable shoes suggested.
- On Sundays, feast days and in case of unplanned religious celebrations the Basilica tour foresees the visit with direct access to the Terrace and to St. Mark's Museum situated on the first floor.
- Due to the security reason, luggage and bags are not allowed inside the Basilica
- Please note that the Marciana Library is closed on Sundays
- On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
- Tour 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)
- For the visit of the Basilica suitable clothing is required (no shorts)
- Please provide the full names of all travelers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with all travelers’ full names at the ticket office prior to entry may result in denied entry to the attraction.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Basilica, Doge’s Palace, History Gallery & Bell Tower Option?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
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Activity code: C-21441P20
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.83 out of 5 stars based on 555 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CET).
- Bell Tower Priority Ticket (if the option is selected).
- Skip the line ticket to Marciana Library (Closed on Sundays) and Archeological Museum.
- Bridge of Sighs Entrance.
- Skip the Line Tickets to Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Cathedral.
- History Gallery - Venice in the past VR Experience.
- Skip the line Ticket to Royal Palace - Correr Museum (Empress Sissi Rooms & Napoleon Dancing Hall).
- Guided tour by a qualified guide to Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Cathedral (if option is selected).
- Hotel pickup & Drop Off.
- Food & Drinks.
- Guided Tour to Archeological Museum, Marciana Library, Royal Palace - Correr Museum.
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Basilica, Doge's Palace, History Gallery & Bell Tower Option is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Basilica, Doge’s Palace, History Gallery & Bell Tower Option will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Bell Tower Priority Ticket (if the option is selected)
- Skip the line ticket to Marciana Library (Closed on Sundays) and Archeological Museum
- Bridge of Sighs Entrance
- Skip the Line Tickets to Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Cathedral
- History Gallery - Venice in the past VR Experience
- Skip the line Ticket to Royal Palace - Correr Museum (Empress Sissi Rooms & Napoleon Dancing Hall)
- Guided tour by a qualified guide to Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Cathedral (if option is selected)
- Hotel pickup & Drop Off
- Food & Drinks
- Guided Tour to Archeological Museum, Marciana Library, Royal Palace - Correr Museum
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The official St. Mark's Basilica ticket price is €12.00 per person (standard) or €24.00 with terrace access; the remaining part of the price covers assistance at the meeting point, accompanied entry with a certified guide or host, access to the Venice Gallery with a dedicated VR experience, the use of an audio guide or radio system with earphones and sales costs.
- A valid ID document is mandatory for security checks at the entrance to the Basilica.
- Comfortable shoes suggested.
- On Sundays, feast days and in case of unplanned religious celebrations the Basilica tour foresees the visit with direct access to the Terrace and to St. Mark's Museum situated on the first floor.
- Due to the security reason, luggage and bags are not allowed inside the Basilica
- Please note that the Marciana Library is closed on Sundays
- On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
- Tour 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)
- For the visit of the Basilica suitable clothing is required (no shorts)
- Please provide the full names of all travelers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with all travelers’ full names at the ticket office prior to entry may result in denied entry to the attraction.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
