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Venice in a Day: St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace & Gondola Ride

4.6(745)Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 745 reviews6 hFree cancellationBy The Tour Guy
Venice in a Day: St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace & Gondola Ride

About this activity

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

  • ✓Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of Doge’s Palace
  • ✓Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica (€12)
  • ✓Walking tour of Rialto Bridge and Venice’s quieter areas
  • ✓Expert English-speaking guide
  • ✓30-minute shared gondola ride
  • ✓Free time for lunch

Not included

  • ✕Lunch
  • ✕Guide tips

Meeting and pickup

  • Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early. Your guide will meet you between the two big columns in St. Mark’s Square (columns of San Marco & San Teodoro) located on the south side of the square, near the canal. A representative will be there holding a sign with ''The Tour Guy'' on it.

Good to know

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • 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.
  • 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.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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