Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark's Doge Palace Gondola Ride
Overview
Enjoy an exclusive tour of Venice with a private expert guide, and make the most of this incredible city and see all of the highlights. Begin in Saint Mark's Square for a perfect view of Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, the private chapel of the dukes of Venice until the 19th century. Get privileged access, and skip the long lines to enter the grand basilica and enjoy up-close views of the golden mosaics. Then skip the lines to the Doge's Palace to travel through 7 centuries of history as you see the palace prisons and court rooms, and stop on the Bridge of Sighs to see the last view of Venice that prisoners saw before they were locked in their cells. Your guide will then give recommendations for lunch, and after a short break continue your tour. Walk to the covered Rialto Bridge and discover the house where Marco Polo once lived. Go to the Renaissance church of the Campo Santa Maria Formosa, where you will end your perfect day true Venetian style in a private gondola ride
What's Included
- Skip the line tickets to St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace
- Doges Prison
- Hall of the Great Council
- Marco Polo’s house
- Campo Santa Maria Formosa
- Bridge of Sighs
- 30 minute private gondola ride
- Rialto bridge
- Private Expert Local Guide
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities (optional)
Meeting Location
Campo San Giacomo di Rialto
30125 Venezia VE, Italy
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
Riva degli Schiavoni
30122 Venezia VE, Italy
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Piazza San Marco
15 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Basilica di San Marco
1 hour Admission Ticket Included
Doge's Palace
2 hours 30 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Campo Santa Maria Formosa
30 minutes Admission Ticket Included
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
- 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
- Offered in: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. Please specify under “Additional notes” if you wish to book the tour in a language other than English.
- Places of worship have strict dress code requirements for entry. All participants are required to have shoulders and knees covered (no tank tops or short dresses) to enter.
- There is no photography allowed in St Marks basilica.
- The itinerary described above is a suggested order of the various experiences. These may vary according to your personal requests or preferred starting time.
- An original, valid photo ID is required for entry to St. Mark's Basilica. Photocopies are not accepted.
- 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.
- The ticket includes a cost to enter St. Mark’s Basilica valued at 30 EUR per person.
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: Will I get seasick on Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark’s Doge Palace Gondola Ride?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-6718P188
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.94 out of 5 stars based on 133 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 (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
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If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.
Feb 2023- 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).
- Skip the line tickets to St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace.
- Doges Prison.
- Hall of the Great Council.
- Marco Polo’s house.
- Campo Santa Maria Formosa.
- Bridge of Sighs.
- 30 minute private gondola ride.
- Rialto bridge.
- Private Expert Local Guide.
- Food and drinks.
- Gratuities (optional).
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
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 Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark's Doge Palace Gondola Ride 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 Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark’s Doge Palace Gondola Ride 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
- Skip the line tickets to St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace
- Doges Prison
- Hall of the Great Council
- Marco Polo’s house
- Campo Santa Maria Formosa
- Bridge of Sighs
- 30 minute private gondola ride
- Rialto bridge
- Private Expert Local Guide
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities (optional)
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
- 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
- Offered in: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. Please specify under “Additional notes” if you wish to book the tour in a language other than English.
- Places of worship have strict dress code requirements for entry. All participants are required to have shoulders and knees covered (no tank tops or short dresses) to enter.
- There is no photography allowed in St Marks basilica.
- The itinerary described above is a suggested order of the various experiences. These may vary according to your personal requests or preferred starting time.
- An original, valid photo ID is required for entry to St. Mark's Basilica. Photocopies are not accepted.
- 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.
- The ticket includes a cost to enter St. Mark’s Basilica valued at 30 EUR per person.
