Venice in a Day: St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace & Gondola Ride
Overview
This Venice tour is built for travelers who want the city’s major sights and quieter corners in one efficient day. Pre-reserved tickets help simplify entry for St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, two of Venice’s most important landmarks, while your guide connects the city’s golden mosaics, maritime power, council halls, and old prisons into one clear story. Between the headline sites, you’ll follow narrow lanes and tucked-away courtyards toward the Rialto Bridge, seeing a side of Venice many visitors miss when they stay only in St. Mark’s Square.
The experience also includes a 30-minute shared gondola ride, so you see Venice from the canals as well as on foot. With timed-entry tickets, a guided walking route, and free time for lunch, this tour gives you a practical, well-paced way to cover Venice’s essential sights in a single day.
What's Included
- Walking tour of Rialto Bridge and Venice’s quieter areas
- 30-minute shared gondola ride
- Free time for lunch
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica (€12)
- Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of Doge’s Palace
- Lunch
- Guide tips
Meeting Location
Piazza San Marco
30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
Piazza San Marco
1, 30124 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
30 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Ponte di Rialto
25 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Grand Canal
30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Venice
1 hour 30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Doge's Palace
2 hours Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any walking impairments that require special assistance on our group tours. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women to enter St. Mark’s Basilica; entry may be refused otherwise. Please avoid wearing sandals, hats, shorts, skirts, or tops that expose your shoulders.
- A valid government-issued ID is required for entrance to St. Mark's Basilica. The name on your ticket (entered at check-out) must match the name on your ID, or you may be refused entry.
- 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.
- The order of stops may change due to timed entry schedules, crowds, or operational reasons, but you will still visit the same key sights listed.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (9)
Q: Will I get seasick on Venice in a Day: St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-24338P33
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.73 out of 5 stars based on 721 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 (9)
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).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Walking tour of Rialto Bridge and Venice’s quieter areas.
- 30-minute shared gondola ride.
- Free time for lunch.
- Expert English-speaking guide.
- Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica (€12).
- Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of Doge’s Palace.
- Lunch.
- Guide tips.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025There 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 Venice in a Day: St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace & Gondola Ride is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any walking impairments that require special assistance on our group tours. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Venice in a Day: St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s 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
- Walking tour of Rialto Bridge and Venice’s quieter areas
- 30-minute shared gondola ride
- Free time for lunch
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica (€12)
- Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of Doge’s Palace
- Lunch
- Guide tips
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any walking impairments that require special assistance on our group tours. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women to enter St. Mark’s Basilica; entry may be refused otherwise. Please avoid wearing sandals, hats, shorts, skirts, or tops that expose your shoulders.
- A valid government-issued ID is required for entrance to St. Mark's Basilica. The name on your ticket (entered at check-out) must match the name on your ID, or you may be refused entry.
- 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.
- The order of stops may change due to timed entry schedules, crowds, or operational reasons, but you will still visit the same key sights listed.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
