Venice Doge’s Palace & Basilica: The Legacy of the Roman Empire™
Overview
What is this tour about?
Guided tour of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica from an ambassador’s perspective. Follow the ceremonial route once reserved for foreign envoys and discover how Venice proudly claimed its Eastern Roman legacy.
Who are you during the visit?
You are not just a visitor, but an ambassador, sharing the viewpoint of those who once represented empires before the Doge.
What will you see?
St. Mark’s Basilica with its golden mosaics, the Doge’s Palace halls of power, and the prisons with the Bridge of Sighs.
How does the experience begin?
With a short VR introduction showing St. Mark’s Square through the centuries.
Can I upgrade the experience?
Yes. Add a gondola ride and experience Venice as ambassadors once did, arriving by water.
Doge's Palace and Basilica: The Legacy of the Roman Empire™ © Venice Tours S.r.l. Licensed to City Tours Co. Ltd. All rights reserved.
What's Included
- Optional Gondola Experience™ (20-min intro with the Gondola Gallery and VR & 30-min gondola ride)
- Access to Museums in Saint Mark's Square (Correr & Archeological Museums and Marciana Library)
- History Gallery VR Experience of St. Mark's Square in the past
- Priority Ticket to Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica
- Guided Tour to Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica
- Hotel pickup & Drop Off
- Food & Drinks
- Access to St. Mark's Basilica Pala d'Oro, Terrace, and Museum
- Guided tour of Correr and National Archeological Museums, and Marciana Library
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
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Doge's Palace
1 hour 15 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Ponte dei Sospiri (pass by)
Basilica di San Marco
1 hour Admission Ticket Included
Museo Correr (pass by)
Canal Grande
1 hour 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
- A valid ID document is mandatory for security checks at the entrance to the Basilica.
- For security reasons, large bags and luggage are not permitted inside St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, or on the gondola.
- 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.
- Tour does not operate in case of exceptional high tide or in case of unexpected religious functions (in these cases it can be postponed the days after otherwise it will be refunded)
- For the visit of the Basilica suitable clothing is required (no shorts)
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not suitable for guests with walking disabilities.
- In case of exceptionally high tide or extremely bad weather, parts of the tour may be canceled or rescheduled. If this occurs, an alternative tour or a new date may be offered.
- Access to the Basilica may be restricted during religious services.
- Each gondola accommodates a maximum of 5 passengers.
- Seating is assigned by the gondolier to ensure proper weight balance.
- 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.
- 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 20 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: Will I get seasick on Venice Doge’s Palace & Basilica: The Legacy of the Roman Empire™?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-21441P19
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.07 out of 5 stars based on 14 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- Optional Gondola Experience™ (20-min intro with the Gondola Gallery and VR & 30-min gondola ride).
- Access to Museums in Saint Mark's Square (Correr & Archeological Museums and Marciana Library).
- History Gallery VR Experience of St. Mark's Square in the past.
- Priority Ticket to Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica.
- Guided Tour to Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica.
- Hotel pickup & Drop Off.
- Food & Drinks.
- Access to St. Mark's Basilica Pala d'Oro, Terrace, and Museum.
- Guided tour of Correr and National Archeological Museums, and Marciana Library.
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 Venice Doge’s Palace & Basilica: The Legacy of the Roman Empire™ 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 Venice Doge’s Palace & Basilica: The Legacy of the Roman Empire™ 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
- Optional Gondola Experience™ (20-min intro with the Gondola Gallery and VR & 30-min gondola ride)
- Access to Museums in Saint Mark's Square (Correr & Archeological Museums and Marciana Library)
- History Gallery VR Experience of St. Mark's Square in the past
- Priority Ticket to Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica
- Guided Tour to Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica
- Hotel pickup & Drop Off
- Food & Drinks
- Access to St. Mark's Basilica Pala d'Oro, Terrace, and Museum
- Guided tour of Correr and National Archeological Museums, and Marciana Library
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
- A valid ID document is mandatory for security checks at the entrance to the Basilica.
- For security reasons, large bags and luggage are not permitted inside St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, or on the gondola.
- 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.
- Tour does not operate in case of exceptional high tide or in case of unexpected religious functions (in these cases it can be postponed the days after otherwise it will be refunded)
- For the visit of the Basilica suitable clothing is required (no shorts)
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not suitable for guests with walking disabilities.
- In case of exceptionally high tide or extremely bad weather, parts of the tour may be canceled or rescheduled. If this occurs, an alternative tour or a new date may be offered.
- Access to the Basilica may be restricted during religious services.
- Each gondola accommodates a maximum of 5 passengers.
- Seating is assigned by the gondolier to ensure proper weight balance.
- 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.
- 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 20 travelers
