Venice Private Tour: St Mark’s, Doge’s Palace & Hidden Gems
Overview
Discover Venice on a 3-hour guided walking tour that begins in Hidden Venice and ends with its most iconic monuments. Start in the quiet backstreets and canals behind St Mark’s, where your guide reveals everyday Venetian life, charming bridges and intimate campos, and introduces two hidden gems: the exterior of La Fenice Theatre and the graceful Bovolo Staircase. Then enjoy skip-the-line access to the Doge’s Palace, exploring its opulent halls, masterpieces by Tintoretto and Veronese, and crossing the Bridge of Sighs to the old prisons. Finish inside St Mark’s Basilica with skip-the-line entry, where golden mosaics, Byzantine domes and marble inlays come to life through your guide’s stories. This is a small-group tour, also available as a private tour option for guests who prefer a fully personalized experience.
What's Included
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines to Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica
- 3 hrs Professional English-speaking local guide
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
Meeting Location
Piazza San Marco
30124 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
30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Doge's Palace
1 hour 30 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Scala dei Giganti di Palazzo Ducale (pass by)
Ponte dei Sospiri (pass by)
Porta Della Carta (pass by)
Basilica di San Marco
30 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Teatro La Fenice
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Scala Contarini del Bovolo
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- 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
- Large bags and rucksacks are not allowed inside St Mark's Basilica
- At certain times it may not be possible to enter any of the visited churches due to religious functions taking place. These closures are beyond our control so no refunds or discounts will be issued
- 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.
- ID Cards and Passports of all participants are mandatory to enter inside the St. Mark's Basilica.
- 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.
- St. Mark’s Basilica tickets are priced at €12 per person
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Venice Private Tour: St Mark’s, Doge’s Palace & Hidden Gems?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-2635DOGESMARKPALA
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.68 out of 5 stars based on 258 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.
Filter by:
- 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.
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines to Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica.
- 3 hrs Professional English-speaking local guide.
- Gratuities.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Food and drinks.
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 Private Tour: St Mark’s, Doge’s Palace & Hidden Gems 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 Private Tour: St Mark’s, Doge’s Palace & Hidden Gems will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. 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
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines to Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica
- 3 hrs Professional English-speaking local guide
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
Additional Info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- 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
- Large bags and rucksacks are not allowed inside St Mark's Basilica
- At certain times it may not be possible to enter any of the visited churches due to religious functions taking place. These closures are beyond our control so no refunds or discounts will be issued
- 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.
- ID Cards and Passports of all participants are mandatory to enter inside the St. Mark's Basilica.
- 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.
- St. Mark’s Basilica tickets are priced at €12 per person
