Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride
4.7
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Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride

By Walks of Italy
Recommended by 94% of travellers
94% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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If you’ve only got limited time in Venice, see the best of the City of Water in just one day during a full-day tour that visits St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica of San Marco) and Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), and includes a ride on the Grand Canal by traditional gondola. As well as getting the inside scoop on local history and culture, receive personalized attention in a small group limited to 20.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 20 per group
Duration: 6h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
  • See the best of Venice in just one day on a full-day sightseeing tour
  • A great introduction for first-time visitors
  • Orient yourself without worrying about getting lost
  • Benefit from the insider knowledge of your guide

  • 8:15am & 8:30am tours only: Skip-the-line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica
  • Pre-reserved ticket to the Doge's Palace
  • Gondola Ride
  • Headset
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Entry/Admission - Ponte di Rialto
  • Entry/Admission - Canal Grande
  • Entry/Admission - Basilica di San Marco
  • Entry/Admission - Doge's Palace
  • Guaranteed to skip the lines
What's not included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
  • Lunch
  • 9:00 AM departure does NOT visit St. Mark's Basilica


Start:
  • Campo S. Giacomo di Rialto, 255, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
    Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets outside the entrance of the Church of San Giacometto at Campo San Giacomo di Rialto 255, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy.
End:
  • Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
    St. Mark's Square

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • 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: 15693P31

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Most travellers can participate
  • Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
  • If access is restricted due to private events inside St. Mark's Basilica and/or Doge's Palace, we cannot be held responsible. This is a situation beyond our control. No refund will be issued.
  • In case of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather (heavy rain, strong wind, high tide) conditions that prevent the gondola ride from taking place or any operational or safety reasons beyond our control it may be substituted for another experience, but no refund will be provided.
  • This tour is in English.
  • This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty
  • 8:15am & 8:30am tours only: Skip-the-line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica
  • 9am Express tour: Skip-the-line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travellers

  • 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: 15693P31

From
AU$226.00
per adult
Select date and travellers
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Similar experiences

Itinerary
  • Campo S. Giacomo di Rialto, 255, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
    Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets outside the entrance of the Church of San Giacometto at Campo San Giacomo di Rialto 255, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy.
  • 1
    Pass by
    Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli
    Mercato di Rialto
    Marco Polo's House
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
    Pass by
    Bridge Of Sighs
  • Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
    St. Mark's Square
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
  • Walks of Italy
    4.7 of 5 bubbles4,123
    Venice, Veneto, Italy
    Joined in July 2010
  • magrudersb66
    0 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great way to see the two sites without reading a guidebook
    I expected a bit more from this tour. It was great to get around the two sites efficiently and get a bit more information without having to g to stop and read a guide book. That said, there wasn’t much time to ask questions and the commentary got a bit repetitive. The Venetian perspective in all things is reinforced over a more nuanced historical viewpoint
    Written 20 March 2025
  • celiai2013
    0 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great tour but needs better joining instructions
    Once we joined the group all was great. HOWEVER having booked on line it was never clear how to access our e-tickets. TripAdvisor sent us a voucher for the tour the day before, but it was not clear how to find the link through that for our joining instructions. Result was we didn't sort it out until nearly 15 minutes after the tour was due to start, so we held up the rest of the tour group
    Written 17 March 2025
  • 862naveens
    0 contributions
    1.0 of 5 bubbles
    Be on time otherwise you will lose entire money.
    We were 15 mins late as we lost the way to the meeting point. We couldn’t find anyone. I would have expected someone to contact and at least handover the tickets. Very disappointing that there is no effort from the company to check and co-ordinate the trip.
    Written 16 March 2025
  • Lauren C
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very convenient with lots of history!
    This tour was perfect to get the information and time you need at these locations. Mose really has a passion for the history of Venice and was an excellent guide! We were given access to the terrace overlooking St. Mark's Square. You are given the option to explore more of Doge's Palace and the prison after the tour is concluded. Definitely recommended if you want to see these sites with a well informed guide!
    Written 15 March 2025
  • BigHair1111
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastico! Splendor in Venice!
    Toe (Yoli) was amazing!!!! So much great information. You can tell she loves her job! I took many pics of the stunning paintings and gold work!
    Written 12 March 2025
  • Peterharris32
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Rialto Mercato
    How did Rialto market get started? Well, the two districts San Palo and San Marco made up the original structures of Venice, which should place Rialto back to the 4th century. However, the internet seems to place it in more like the 9th century. “The Roman Empire's transportation network of roads benefitted the small farmers by opening up access to local and regional markets in towns and trade centers”, eventually leading to the creation of Rialto Market.
    Written 12 March 2025
  • allichka
    0 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great guide, but not the complete tour
    Our tour guide was fantastic! She was very knowledgable about the history of Venice, and all of the sights on the tour. We did receive an email from the company beforehand with the following statement "We want to inform you that St. Mark’s Basilica may be closed or partially closed due to a private event during your visit. However, please rest assured that your tour will still run as planned." It turned out that the Basicilica was completely closed due a Jubiliee service with the Bishop. I have a feeling the tour company knew that the Basilica would be completely closed, but there email was not clear to us. I expected to be able to see at least part of the Basilica. I feel like the tour company was not completely up front, which is why I only gave 4 out of 5. The Doge's Palace portion of the tour was wonderful and our guide pointed many different things. I do recommend the tour, just know what it means if you get a similar email from the company.
    Written 12 March 2025
  • Donna S
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The best tour!
    Our tour guide was amazing so knowledgeable and passionate about her city! Would most definitely recommend to anyone looking to visit
    Written 12 March 2025
  • samsZ330TS
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great tour
    Well worth doing beautiful buildings. Tianna was a great tour guide. She was Very knowledgeable about the buildings and Venice.
    Written 8 March 2025
  • johnbF5453CJ
    0 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great tour worth the money
    St marks basilica was very magnificent.The doges palace was impressive.Your guide Sara m was very knowledgeable and excellent.I would recommend this tour
    Written 4 March 2025
  • PAHITTHEROAD
    0 contributions
    1.0 of 5 bubbles
    Waste of money
    This trip was supposed to be the highlight of our trip to Venice-instead it was a disaster. I have no trouble walking but the combination of cold, damp temperatures in the prison and many, many steps caused my knee to ache. If you have any knee issues this tour is NOT recommended! I really wanted to see St Marks Basilica but there was a 45 min wait between tours. If there was less time between the tours I probably would have stayed as the second part of the tour had less steps. Maybe at another time of year the tour wouldn’t be so bad, but for us it was a total waste of money!
    Written 1 March 2025
  • stuartlA5851LV
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great views!
    The ground floor is impressive however you need to go to the top to see the real magic - note this is extra cost however well worth it. Stairs towards the exit are really steep so ensure you are able to get down before you go up!
    Written 1 March 2025
  • TeresaD2723
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great fun and content!
    Nico was excellent, he had great knowledge and passion for his subject paired with a spot on sense of humour! Would definitely recommend him and would enjoy future tours with him.
    Written 25 February 2025
  • 110philj
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must for your Venice trip together with a Gondola ride 😎
    Philipo was an excellent host, very knowledgeable and interesting - great to do first day as lots of history shared of Venice too - lived it - no queuing too .
    Written 23 February 2025
  • jasoncN1617TU
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Basilica + Dodges Palace
    Valentina was our tour guide and she was amazing. She was very passionate and knowledgeable. We would absolutely book another tour with her. The tour was definitely worth it.
    Written 21 February 2025
See all 4,123 reviews
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.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.7
4.7 of 5 bubbles787 reviews
Excellent
673
Very good
67
Average
22
Poor
6
Terrible
19

Rihards K
United Kingdom38 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Friends
Four of us booked an Airbnb just 15 minutes from Venice, with parking included, for around €140 for one night. Conveniently, there was a bus stop just around the corner for easy access to Venice. We took Bus 19, which costs €1.50 per ride—you can use a credit or debit card, just remember to tap in when you board and tap out when you leave. We found this option both convenient and stress-free. Buses run every 20 minutes, though schedules may vary on holidays and weekends.

The bus dropped us off near the main street in Venice. The city isn't very large, so you can easily explore the main island on foot in 2-3 hours, taking in the sights and snapping photos. Our main focus was visiting churches and bridges. Later, we discovered there’s a rooftop terrace at one of the shopping centers, but you need to book in advance (which we hadn’t done).

For food, prices are more reasonable at the start of your journey. Set menus typically range from €14-€17 for a two-course meal. As you approach St. Mark’s Basilica, you’ll find plenty of boats available to take you back to the bus stop for €9 per ride. You can pay with a debit or credit card by tapping on the digital receiver at the gates. Google Maps can help you locate the nearest boat stop, and there’s also an information booth where you can ask which boat to take to your destination.

During our visit, Venice was cloudy and rainy, so we spent the day wandering around and taking pictures. We decided to return the next day for a gondola ride, as the weather was much sunnier—a must-do experience! Our gondola driver was incredibly knowledgeable, with over 16 years of experience. He mentioned that many tourists don’t realize gondola drivers are also trained tour guides, having studied for over three years to qualify. The ride cost €90 for 30 minutes for the four of us. The more questions you ask, the longer the ride seems to last, so don’t hesitate to chat with your guide!
Written 24 August 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.

Yankeehoya
Doha, Qatar298 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Our guide was both extremely knowledgeable and pleasant. However, except for our lunch break, the guide spoke nonstop for 6 1/2 hours. The guide’s knowledge was very impressive, but one of the reasons I take small group doors so then I can ask questions about the history, art, etc..

I would also recommend having each member of the group, at least briefly introduced themselves at the beginning. There was almost 0 interaction among group members. I’m pretty sure I heard five of the 10 peoples voices during the entire tour.

Bottom line, a very good tour, but it could easily be a bit more interesting. The subject matter was, of course, magnificent.
Written 21 September 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.
Dear Yankeehoya, Thank you for your review and for sharing your thoughts on the Venice In a Day tour. We are glad to hear you appreciated the guide’s knowledge and the magnificent sites, but we understand your desire for more interaction and engagement during the experience. We’ll be sure to share your suggestions with our team to help improve the tour’s dynamic. If you'd like to discuss this further, feel free to contact us at feedback@walks.org. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you on another tour in the future. Best regards, Jhonas. Walks and Devour Tours.
Written 23 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Valise
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2024 • Family
This was an amazing tour! Emmanuel was the best tour guide we have ever had! Despite the oppressive heat, he gave us a lovely tour and a memorable day in Venice. Passionate about the city he grew up in, he was able to give us personal insights as well as the history of this very special place. Walks of Italy was well organized and professional, with good customer service. The itinerary covers all of the main highlights of Venice, including a gondola ride. Excellent tour and best value for your money.
Written 22 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.

Issey_Lewis
San Diego, CA91 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We enjoyed this tour because it covered some of Venices main attractions which included a city walk, gondola ride, St. Marks Basilica and Doge’s Palace. Our guide Matteo was very knowledgeable and held our interest with his vast knowledge of the history of Venice. It was a nice gondola ride but our family of 3 had to share with a couple that we didn’t know. Because it was a Sunday our tour was limited to the Basilica Terrace and museum all of which were very stunning. It did get hot while we were out on the terrace. Doge’s Palace was also awe inspiring with all the majestic art and in contrast to see the prisons. Our teenage son was getting very impatient towards the end as it was long tour even with a few breaks but glad we did it and would recommend because it was worth doing.
Written 31 July 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.

Paul S
Taylor, MI53 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
This tour started in a small square that is basically at the base of one of the larger bridges in the city. Not sure why people in some reviews have a hard time finding it. We found our group and were handed our headsets to start the day. Our guide Pamela was a very bella and informative lady, she kept us entertained all day long. She answered so many questions and was very helpful to the entire group, very kind of her to consider the gentleman we had with a walker all day.
We started off wandering the tiny alleyways, learning many facts about the history and beauty of this amazing floating city. The roads are small and have many corners, I'd advise to stay close to your guide as your headset will cut off if you get too far behind and get buildings between you and the guide.
We stopped for a breakfast snack and cappucino at a lovely little shop, then walked and learned more. This city it so old and so gorgeous. We went on our gondola ride with another couple in our boat, but the waterways are so beautiful that it is an experience you won't forget. After the gondola we had about 90 minutes to find a bite to eat and we spent many Euros shopping in the little store that are everywhere!
After meeting back up we entered St. Marks basilica and it was just incredible. The ceiling could occupy hours just looking at the different mosaics. Leaving there we had a bathroom break then on into the Doge's Palace, a huge building with so much to see. The senate hall and the prison at the end of the tour were the best.
We loved our day in the heart of Venice, thank you Pamela for everything!!!
Written 1 November 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.

Matthew W
Maitland, FL4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The weather in Venice the day of the tour was inclement but our guide made the trip work due to temporary closures. Eliana was knowledgeable (local) who spoke wonderful English. We learned many things about Venice that we didn’t already know. The tour through Doge’s Palace is fairly fast so if you want to spend time looking at the paintings I would recommend doing that separately. However, there was plenty of time to see the Palace for us. We had a great tour and would recommend.
Written 30 August 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.

Alexander C
4 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2024 • Couples
My wife and I came to Venice for our honeymoon, and we wanted to be able to see the city and learn things about it from a knowledgeable local. A tour of the city, St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and a romantic gondola ride across the canals. Sounds lovely, right? Wrong. We woke up early to be there by the 8:30 AM start time. The majority of this tour is spent just walking down empty streets and graffiti-ridden alleys. Our guide was kind and polite (and for that reason I will be omitting their name from this negative review) but they weren’t even from Venice and all they talked about was the most basic trivia about Venice that anyone could learn on their own; we learned nothing new. On top of that, halfway through the tour we had to sit around and wait while our guide left us to go search for half of our group that ended up going missing! Eventually we got to the gondola ride, the most anticipated part for my wife and I. Instead of a romantic trip through the canals though, we got stuffed on 2 dinky little stools on the side of the boat while another couple got the “luxury” seats. The ride itself was horrible as well. Our “helmsman” spoke about 2 sentences and was silent for the rest of the ride. We ended up going through mostly the canal equivalent of dingy back alleys, and it smelled awful. At one point we even passed by raw sewage with human feces visible at the surface. And in the end, it just took us in one big circle right back where we were. After that it was lunch time. Unfortunately, the tour breaks for lunch around 11:15 and meets back up at 12:15. Meanwhile the majority of restaurants don’t even open until 12:30! The Basilica and Doge’s Palace were nice, but that’s just the landmarks themselves and has nothing to do with the tour.

All in all, I was incredibly disappointed and if I could get my money back, I 100% would.

BUYER BEWARE: It’s not as romantic and fun as it seems.
Written 10 December 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.
Dear Alexander, Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding your Venice in a Day tour. I’m truly sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet your expectations, especially given the special occasion for you and your wife. I’d like to address your concerns and offer some clarity. Regarding the situation at the Rialto Bridge, I apologize for the brief disruption. After crossing the bridge, five guests stayed behind to take photos and ended up getting separated from the group. Our coordinator acted quickly to reunite them, and Paola, our guide, managed the situation calmly and professionally. The tour resumed as planned, and the rest of the day proceeded smoothly. As for the gondola ride, I understand how much you were looking forward to this part of the tour. Please note that the gondola ride is a shared experience, and seating is assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis by the gondola operators. While we always strive to ensure comfort, the seating arrangements are out of our hands. Additionally, issues like floating debris in the canals are outside of our control and are often related to local waste management systems. We’re truly sorry that this affected your experience. Unfortunately, it’s part of the reality of Venice, but we remain committed to making your visit as enjoyable as possible. I also understand that the lunch timing wasn’t ideal for you. We plan for a relaxing break, and our guides usually point out places open for light meals or snacks. We’ll definitely take your feedback into account and work to ensure future tours better align with restaurant hours. We genuinely appreciate your feedback, as it helps us improve and provide the best experience for future guests. I’m sorry that we didn’t meet your expectations this time, but I hope you and your wife were still able to enjoy some of Venice’s magic. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts, and I wish you both all the best on the rest of your travels! If you'd like to discuss anything further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Regards, Slavica Walks and Devour Feedback Team
Written 11 December 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Rachel B
Goldsboro, NC126 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
We truly enjoyed our tour of Venice with Francesca. It was obvious that she enjoyed sharing the historic city with visitors. One of the greatest things about this tour was the fact that they use headsets so we could always hear what was being said. We started early in the morning and were able to avoid large crowds for a few hours. We also didn't need to wait in lines (except at the WCs). The tour is a bit pricey but worth it to have a smaller group.
Written 28 November 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.

Maria C
20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Couples
Giuliano is a wonderful tour guide. He is very funny and made the experience a blast despite the tons of people around these areas of Venice. The walking part of the tour at the beginning was our favorite part because we got to understand Venice a little better (it's a very unique place). I would recommend this tour to anyone who has never been to Venice before and wants to get a great summary of all the city has to offer.
Written 20 April 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.

Shakirah M
95 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This was the perfect tour if you're strapped for time and wish to immerse in the history, artistry and culture of Venice. Mose was a delight as he guided us through the narrow streets of the city, St Marks Cathedral and the Doge's Palace. Everything was well organised with clear communication. I also appreciated that the tour company adjusted the itinerary so we'd have the gondola ride in the morning since rain was anticipated in the late afternoon. The gondola ride can be an uneventful 30min ride but if the gondolier and other fellow passengers allow it, consider playing O Sole Mio on your phone at a moderate volume. We all enjoyed the experience even more.
Written 30 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.

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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.

Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride provided by Walks of Italy

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