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St Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace with Secret Passages Access

376 Reviews 4.82 out of 5 stars Based on 376 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 96% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Venice, Italy
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 14 (0) days in advance.

3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

A visit to Venice wouldn’t be the same without delving into its long and fascinating history as the world’s oldest republic. Go beyond the traditional route, stepping behind the scenes of the Doge’s Palace to explore the secret archives, offices, torture chambers, and the palace attic, home to top-security prison cells, including that of the famed Casanova! Finish next door at St. Mark's Basilica, combining a visit to Venice's top landmarks in one seamless tour.

What's Included

  • Torture chamber
  • Hall of the Great Council
  • Skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Piazza San Marco
52, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Piazza San Marco
30124 Venezia VE, Italy

What To Expect

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Doge's Palace

With your guide, a Venetian art expert and historian, enjoy skip-the-line access to the Doge's Palace and make a beeline for backstage. After a guard opens a special door, enter the hidden side of the palace to see the prison cell where Casanova was held, hear the unlikely tale of his escape, and visit the archives to learn how secrets were kept. See hidden council rooms to learn of the system of checks and balances that made Venice the world's oldest republic and enter the best general access areas such as huge audience rooms, ballrooms with incredible paintings by Veronese and Tintoretto, and the private apartments of the Duke of Venice. You even cross the famed Bridge of Sighs to see the New Prisons on this small-group tour.
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2 hours 30 minutes Admission Ticket Included

St. Mark's Basilica

Your last highlight of the tour will a guided tour of Venice's most important church, St. Mark's Basilica. Admire the east-meets-west architecture and hear how most of the basilica's prized possessions ended up here by less than honest means.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Included

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • This tour is not suitable for people who are claustrophobic.
  • This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
  • Guests should be prepared for a moderate level of physical activity, including standing for extended periods and climbing stairs, which may not be suitable for travelers with certain health conditions or mobility limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the St Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace with Secret Passages Access?

A: This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

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Activity code: C-15693P90

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.82
376 reviews

Average 4.82 out of 5 stars based on 376 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
329
4 stars
32
3 stars
10
2 stars
4
1 star
1
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 14 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Torture chamber
  • Hall of the Great Council
  • Skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
  • Special access to the Doge’s Palace Secret itineraries
  • New Prisons
  • Secret archives
  • St. Mark's Basilica
  • Bridge of Sighs
  • Skip-the-line Doge's Palace tickets
  • Casanova’s prison cell
  • Expert Walks of Italy tour guide
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Due to Doge's Palace regulations, children under the age of 6 are not permitted inside the secret itineraries and therefore cannot take this tour.
  • Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
  • No refund will be provided if high tide prevents certain parts of the tour, but adjustments to the route will be made for client safety and comfort.
  • If access is restricted due to private events inside the Doge's Palace, we cannot be held responsible. This is a situation beyond our control. No refund will be issued.
  • This tour is not suitable for people who are claustrophobic.
  • This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
  • Guests should be prepared for a moderate level of physical activity, including standing for extended periods and climbing stairs, which may not be suitable for travelers with certain health conditions or mobility limitations.
  • All guests must supply their full name that matches a valid ID at the time of the booking. Should you fail to provide these, your reservation will be canceled. Name changes are not permitted.
  • St. Mark’s Basilica can be subject to closures due to particular liturgical celebrations, especially during major religious holidays such as Easter or Christmas. In the event that the Basilica is closed, explanations will be provided from the outside.
  • Please note: This tour offers multiple options. Take a moment to choose the one that best suits your interests.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

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