Venice Skip the Line Saint Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace Private Tour
4.7
Venice Skip the Line Saint Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace Private Tour
By Italian Vista Travel
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About
Free cancellation • Full refund if cancelled up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time).
Reserve now & pay later • Secure your spot while staying flexible.
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Ages 0-99
Duration: 3h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: German, Chinese, Russian, English, Italian, French, Spanish
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Highlights
- Professional art historian guide
- Private tour
- Skip the line Entrance to Doge's Palace
- Skip the line St. Mark's Basilica, Pala Oro, Horses Loggia and Museum entrance fee
- Entry/Admission - Basilica di San Marco
- Entry/Admission - Doge's Palace
What's not included- Gratuities
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Start:
- P.za San Marco, 3, 30124 Venezia VE, ItalyGuide will wait for you by the column with a lion on Top - the column is near the water
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 29762P19- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travellers can participate
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- Child under 18 old must provide valid ID to have reduced price to museums
- Food and drinks are not allowed in the museums or churches
- It is forbidden to enter the Basilica with luggage, backpacks or voluminous bags.
- 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
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 29762P19
From
£339.79
per adult (price varies by group size)
Select date and travellers
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Itinerary
- P.za San Marco, 3, 30124 Venezia VE, ItalyGuide will wait for you by the column with a lion on Top - the column is near the water
- Pass byPiazza San Marco
- 1
- 2Pass byPonte dei Sospiri
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Top rated
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- 110394hb0 contributionsFun in Florence, Italy.Brian was knowledgeable, interesting. & connected. Three hour Tour went by quickly. (His contacts really got us to skip the line at museum).Written 21 March 2025
- Christine J0 contributionsTime Well SpentOur guide was personable, well informed, and very aware of how to accommodate individuals with mobility limitations. He weighed his wealth of knowledge and his enthusiasm to share the info against our ability to absorb all of the information. I found that to be very thoughtful. Many guides simply overwhelm the tourist but that was not the case with Brian. I also appreciated the fact that he periodically would check on our comfort level. All in all I found our time with Brian well spent and definitely a cut above other touring experiences.Written 8 March 2025
- THAlbertson0 contributionsWonderful tour!This is a must do tour when visiting Florence. Jessica is so knowledgeable and made the tour so much fun. You will not regret booking this tour!Written 25 February 2025
- eileenr5650 contributionsThis is a must-do in Florence.This is a must-do in Florence. We had a small group walking tour with lots of fun facts. the audio headset made it really easy to hear. This tour hit all the spots. And it finished with a skip-the-line at the Art Museum so we could see the Statue of David. It was the perfect day.Written 22 February 2025
- David C0 contributionsWell worth it!Francesco was very good. Very calm walk though some of Florence’s must see’s. Nothing he doesn’t know about the city. Highly recommended to get your bearings, particularly at the start of the trip. The skip the line option which comes with the guide is worth the money as queues still large even out of season.Written 1 February 2025
- joycehE128OQ0 contributionsFamily memory making.Giacomo was an excellent tour guide of Florence He was Patient and richly knowledgeable about so much more than the basics. . .Thank you. Joyce HoneaWritten 31 December 2024
- andyk6700 contributionsGreat tour of Florence.Our tour guide Brian was fantastic! So much information on the history, cluture and art of Florence. Highly recommend this tour!Written 30 November 2024
- K7006AKpauld0 contributionsFrancesca is one of the best guides in the business! Highly recommend scheduling a tour with her.Francesca Messina did an excellent job as our guide. She was knowledgeable, professional and engaging. I highly recommend this tour.Written 13 October 2024
- Denise R0 contributionsGreat Value ExperienceWe had an amazing experience doing this tour with Brian. He met us at our hotel, and as a bonus we learned the history of the Ponte Vecchio as we crossed it to walk to Pitti Palace. Given the size and scope of the Palace and the “museums” within it, it was certainly a benefit to have a guide to understand the families who had owned it and their acquisition of so much art and artefacts. The walls and ceilings are a virtual feast for the senses. Would certainly recommend the tour, and you may be lucky enough to go with Brian, whose wonderful manner and storytelling ability made it an unforgettable experienceWritten 26 September 2024
- 758marissaa0 contributionsGreat!Brian was great, so much information, would love to learn more from him. Very easy to understand. I loved that it wasn’t too long, like some other tours, points were close by.Written 10 September 2024
- larissavM5387MO0 contributionsGreat guide and overall great tour!Our guide, Brian, was amazing! He was friendly, punctual, knowledgeable, open to all questions, and overall a delight! We were lucky enough to be in a small group of only 3 of us for the tour. He would point out shops, restaurants, gelaterias, and more along the way. He would let us stop to take a picture of these locations to come back to later. He also gave us lots of great advice on how to pick out real leather, how to keep safe from pickpockets, and how to pick out the tourist traps vs the good spots that locals go to. As well, Brian’s knowledge of art history and Florence history was outstanding. We learned a lot. I am so glad we did this tour especially on our first day of Florence - it gave us a lot to go back to and enjoy for the next few days! Highly recommend!Written 6 September 2024
- _D4735KK0 contributionsGreat tour, great FrancescaAmazing, Interesting and informative tour with wonderful FRANCESCA. We enjoyed every minute with her and highly recommend this tour with her!Written 3 September 2024
- benochan0 contributionsFirst time in Florence.Brenda our guide is very knowledgeable and told us all the history for Florence. She took us to all the "must see" spots and of course took us to see "David" with "skip-the-line" service. We enjoyed this walking tour and would recommend it if it's your first time in Florence.Written 24 August 2024
- gracemQ4679XB0 contributionsWalking TourFrancesca was a great tour guide! She was very informative while also keeping it interesting. She also made sure we stayed comfortable in a very hot day! Definitely recommend!Written 7 August 2024
- O4163ZEvickis0 contributionsA truly memorable experienceThis tour was really fantastic! Our tour guide, Brian, did a great job of explaining the history of Florence through the sights and art we saw. He also helped all of us appreciate Michelangelo’s David more than we had before. A truly memorable experience!Written 30 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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4.7
19 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
3
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Travis L
Miami, FL18 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This tour would be worth it alone just to skip the line into St. Mark’s on a Saturday when we went but you get so much more! Our guide Rosanna was incredible at bringing the history, design and art alive in both the palace and the basilica. There are so many small details we would have completely blown past that she pointed out and explained in a way that made everything seem much more real and interesting. We finished a bit early and she also took us on a short cut to the Rialto and explained the history of that part of Venice as well. If you can swing it, a private tour is the way to go - especially on a weekend or any day in the summer!
Written 28 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
todd12x12
Santa Barbara, CA15 contributions
This was hands down the best private guided tour I’ve had. Our guide, Diane, was extremely knowledgeable and wonderfully engaging. She brought the art, history, and politics of Venice to life in the Doge’s Palace. She answered endless questions and tailored the tour to our interests. The Basilica was amazingly beautiful, and the view of St Mark’s square from the Horses Terrace was breathtaking (and worth the climb). Monday 10 am in June was perfect timing as the crowds were light throughout. It is always an excellent sign when the venue staff recognize your guide. I highly recommend.
Written 13 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MilesTedder
Hilton Head, SC42 contributions
Even though we visited at the end of September Saint Mark Square, The Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s Basilica were all very crowded. Our skip the line access was excellent, but still a very crowded experience. The beauty of Saint Marks Basilica cannot be described in photos. It is best experienced in person.
Written 1 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bassman_blue
Mid-USA11 contributions
Our guide, Paola was very knowledgeable, friendly, and personable. She let us go at our own pace, and giving us insights beyond a guide book. We highly recommend her as a tour guide. Piazza San Marco was under a very high tide (we bought disposable boots to wade across the Piazza in shin-deep brackish water) and that meant we couldn't skip the line for the Basilica. Check the tides before you go if you can.
Written 8 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malcolm L
Manor8 contributions
Oct 2019
This should be a Must See fro anyone who travels to Italy. The jump the line is a must . Lines for regular ticket holders were insanely long the day we visited, however, our guide pretty much marched us right on in.The guide shared many intersting insights we would not hav got any where else.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Malcolm, thank you for your review! Skip the line is a must when you visit Florence!
All the best
Elena
Written 29 June 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
449owlcove
Philadelphia, PA4 contributions
Sept 2019
Long lines and massive crowds at world class sites are the bane of current travelers .
One solution albeit a costly one is to engage a knowledgeable guide on a private tour . We booked a "Skip the Line" of St. Marks and the Doges Palace in September and it was well worth the cost. These are magnificent sites and the private guide opens your understanding while lifting the rope lines providing immediate access.
Would recommend this tour to anyone who is seriously interested in these places who can afford the cost.
One solution albeit a costly one is to engage a knowledgeable guide on a private tour . We booked a "Skip the Line" of St. Marks and the Doges Palace in September and it was well worth the cost. These are magnificent sites and the private guide opens your understanding while lifting the rope lines providing immediate access.
Would recommend this tour to anyone who is seriously interested in these places who can afford the cost.
Written 13 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your glowing review! We are very happy you liked our tour in Venice !! We hope you’ll be our guest again in the future!!!
All the best
Elena
Written 7 December 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
drTX2
Inverness, IL117 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
Was in Venice and thought this would be a highlight. We had come from Rome so had seen many churches already.
Pros- you do get to skip the line at the Basilica. The guide tried her best to explain what we were seeing but her English was not the best and she was not engaging. The tour is just the right length of time and they text you before the tour with the name of your guide
Cons-the entrance fee for the Doges Palace is not included in the price of the tour. It took us a while to find our guide under the lion where so many tourists are meeting guides. Our teens didn’t find it interesting beyond the beauty of the palace and the prison. I think a self-guided audio tour would have been better.
Pros- you do get to skip the line at the Basilica. The guide tried her best to explain what we were seeing but her English was not the best and she was not engaging. The tour is just the right length of time and they text you before the tour with the name of your guide
Cons-the entrance fee for the Doges Palace is not included in the price of the tour. It took us a while to find our guide under the lion where so many tourists are meeting guides. Our teens didn’t find it interesting beyond the beauty of the palace and the prison. I think a self-guided audio tour would have been better.
Written 5 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear drTX2
thank you or your feedback, it's always good to hear our customers comments and point of views. I am happy that you found the tour ok, but of course I admit that it would have been better that you had found it amazing like many other clients found it according to their reviews.
I don't think that a self audio tour would have been better, at least because you can't ask questions and also because a self audio tour is very impersonal and "basic", while our guides are not.
I am sorry that you found our guide's English not the best, usually our customers appreciate our guides' English but of course I admit this is also a very subjective issue. It's also very difficult to engage teenagers, so I am sorry that our guides didn't manage in this delicate task with your kids, I know she really did her best.
The tickets for the Doge's Palace are not included but we reserve the skip the lines entrance, that you enjoyed (this is also something that audiogudes can't offer), this is mentioned in the description of the tour AND in the voucher that UNFORTUNATELY YOU DIDN'T HAVE WITH YOU the day of the tour. I always recommend my clients to bring the voucher with them the day of the tour because it mentions all the details (like meeting point or example), inclusions and exclusions of the tour to avoid surprises and issues.
Last but not the least, regarding the meeting point, I think you met your guide 5 minutes after you called our office, fortunately we are available 24/7 in case of need, anyway she was just there in front of you with a sign. I admit the meeting point is in a busy spot, but this is also to maximize the time of the tour and to avoid that somebody gets lost as it often happens when the meeting point is in a less beaten area of Venice...getting lost in Venice is very easy and also in this case a guide can help you to avoid this, while a self audio guide can't.
Thank you again for your comments!
Elena
Written 7 August 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Glenn T
4 contributions
Dec 2019
Me, my wife and daughter (age 21) had a great private tour with Rossana. I strongly recommend having a private tour, as we were able to tour the jails, dungeons, torture room and other areas of Doge's Palace that are not otherwise available to the general public. The information provided by Rossana was spot-on and she kept the tour at a solid pace (she understood that we like high-level, 10,000 foot view information - think dinner party conversation topics).
In spite of the slight flooded conditions of the City (normal for Winter), Rossana was unfazed and readily prepared. Our family has been fortunate to travel to many countries/cities with a private tour in each and this company has been one of the best - we highly recommend it and Rossana.
In spite of the slight flooded conditions of the City (normal for Winter), Rossana was unfazed and readily prepared. Our family has been fortunate to travel to many countries/cities with a private tour in each and this company has been one of the best - we highly recommend it and Rossana.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kingston D
12 contributions
Apr 2019
This tour was very good! Its a don't miss when in Venice. Skipping the line is a huge bonus as the line up is pretty long to get in without it!
Written 7 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you!!! We try to do our best to let you avoid the crowds of the high season in Italy!!!
All our best
Elena
Written 24 May 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jenine M
3 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
Tullia‘s knowledge of both the history and the art was like having an encyclopedia that elegantly and patiently explained all that this tour offered. I couldn’t imagine experiencing it any other way. She was magnificent!!!
Written 29 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have a slight mobility issues, i.e. I would use a small, foldable walker which my partner can carry. I can walk stairs with railings. Is this tour practical for me? Can you meet at a central hotel (Bauer Palazzo), how much extra?
Written 20 August 2019
Most of the tour you would be fine because it is flat surface. It was uneven when we toured the prison and the Bridge os Sighs. That may pose difficulties but I’m sure the guide would be able to adjust the tour for you
Written 21 August 2019
In the description, it states you are able to Skip the Line but then it states you have to buy your own ticket? how is this possible? Does the guide buy it for you or do you have to wait in line to buy it?
Written 16 June 2019
No when you purchase tour you do not have to buy a ticket. The guide will have the tickets.
Written 17 June 2019
Bonjour
Nous souhaitons réserver pour août . La visite est-elle en Français ? De plus je ne vois pas où indiquer notre hôtel. Cela sera t il convenu plus tard ?
Merci et j’espère à bientôt
Written 24 April 2019
Is this a private or group tour? If it is a group tour, how large is the group?
Written 11 February 2019
Just my husband and myself were on the tour.
Written 28 February 2019
How crowded should it be the first week of January
Written 10 December 2018
I have never been there in January.
Written 28 February 2019
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.