All Venice Tours

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

1712 reviews

6 hours

Max 20

Why take this tour?

If you only have a short time in the Floating City, our comprehensive Venice In A Day Tour is a good start. Following a knowledgeable local guide, you'll explore the Doge's Palace with skip-the-line access , visit St. Mark's Basilica, take to the canals for a gondola ride, and get a real sense of the city on a relaxed city stroll.

Highlights

Acquaint yourself with the history of the city
Explore the backstreets of Venice and marvel at the landmarks nestled within
Enjoy a 30-minute gondola ride through the city's canals
Tour St. Mark's Basilica and familiarize yourself with the story behind it
Explore the Doge's Palace, the heart of political power in Venice
8:30am tour: Enjoy a relaxed 6-hour guided tour of Venice with a break for lunch (not included although your guide will share recommendations)
8:15am tour: If you're short on time, choose the 8:15am tour when booking to visit all of Venice's highlights in just 4 hours (without a lunch break)

Sites Visited
St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)
Skip-the-Line Access to St. Mark's Basilica
Gondola ride
Doge’s Palace
New Prisons
Bridge of Sighs
Rialto Bridge
Rialto Fish Market
House of Marco Polo (exterior)

Tour Includes
Local English-speaking guide
Expertly guided walking tour
Skip the line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica
Pre-reserved ticket to the Doge's Palace
Gondola Ride
Headset

Take a day to explore Venice; by land & water!

Venice is a city packed with unique history and culture, but if you only have a short amount of time to experience it, then the best way is through our Venice in a Day Tour.

Your day starts early, near the Rialto Bridge, where you'll learn how the city literally grew from the mud of the lagoon. You'll learn to identify the ways that its sea-borne origins have influenced history and culture. Nowhere is this demonstrated better than at the bustling Rialto Fish Market, where you'll see professio...

Venice is a city packed with unique history and culture, but if you only have a short amount of time to experience it, then the best way is through our Venice in a Day Tour.

Price

from $138

Free Cancellation

Take Walks with us

Since 2009 we've shared once-in-a-lifetime experiences with over 1 million guests in 20 cities.

From

$138

Free Cancellation

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Total Customer Reviews: 1712

Verified Ratings

4.7 /5

based on 936 Walks’ customer ratings

Rating summary by category

Guide

4.8/5

Guest Support

4.7/5

Latest reviews

Excellent

Ask for Alessandro T as your tour guide as he is extremely knowledgeable and very pleasant.

Verified · Jacqui · Feb 10, 2025 · United Kingdom · Female

Excellent

Perfect tour: Mosé, our tour guide, was amazing!

Verified · Filippo · Jan 26, 2025 · USA · Male

Excellent

Kopal was an absolutely incredible tour guide. My husband and I loved the whole experience. We'll never forget it!

Verified · Ashlie · Nov 27, 2024 · USA · Female

Great

Definitely a “Must Do” tour if visiting Venice. Our Tourguide Roberta C. was so passionate about her home city of Venice. Her knowledge was incredible in regards to all things Venice. Visiting the Basilica and Doge Palace without waiting in a long queue. Value for money certainly.

Verified · Michael · Oct 18, 2024 · Germany · Male

Excellent

Oh my gosh!! Our guide was AMAZING. So smart and knowledgeable and so funny. He was priceless!! A GREAT day.

Verified · Mary · Oct 15, 2024 · USA · Female

Meeting Point

Meeting Point

The first part of this tour meets outside of the entrance to the Church of "S. Giacometto", located in Campo San Giacomo di Rialto (also known as Campo San Giacometto). Your guide will be holding a green Walks sign.

Please meet 15 minutes prior to the tour start time.

FAQs

What happens if there's a private event at the Doge's Palace and/or St. Mark's Basilica?

On rare occasions access may be restricted due to private events inside the Doge's Palace and/or St. Mark's Basilica. Unfortunately this is a situation beyond our control. Our tour guides will make modifications to ensure you still have an excellent experience, but no refunds will be issued. We appreciate your understanding.

Can I take a gondola ride if I use a wheelchair?

No. Unfortunately, gondolas are not wheelchair accessbile.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

No. Unfortunately, due to site restrictions we cannot accommodate wheelchairs on this tour. 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.

Can I get a refund if, due to inclement weather, I choose not to participate in the walking tour on the day of?

If the client chooses not to attend the walking tour due to adverse weather, no refund will be issued. However, the client may still participate in the second part of the tour if they notify us in advance.

Will the gondola ride take place in inclement weather?

Safety is our top priority. Unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather (heavy rain, strong wind, high tide) many prevent the gondola ride from taking place. If the gondola ride cannot occur due to any operational or safety reasons such as these beyond our control, no refund will be provided.

Will the tour route be modified in the event of high tide/"acqua alta"?

If the local municipality restricts access due to high tide and there are no walkways available, it is the client’s responsibility to bring appropriate footwear (e.g., boots). The guide will modify the itinerary to include alternate dry paths whenever possible. 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.

Can I take a bag with me into St. Mark's Basilica?

You can only take small bags into St. Mark's. Anything bigger than a purse - backpacks or luggage - is prohibited. There is no coat check either, so do not bring any large bags with you.

Does St. Mark's Basilica have a dress code?

Yes. Because it is a holy place, St. Mark's Basilica insists that both men and women wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. They can and will refuse entry to anyone who does not meet this standard and we can't do anything about it, so come prepared.

What if the weather is bad (rain, snow, hail, etc.) on the day of my tour?

Our tours run rain or shine so please dress for the elements. We also ask you to please remember hats and sunscreen if you are taking this tour in the summer as it might be very hot.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No. But your guide is always happy to offer you plenty of recommendations for great places to eat in the vicinity that will suit any price point.

What can I bring into the Doge's Palace?

You are permitted to enter the Doge's Palace with handbags and small backpacks. But any large backpacks or luggage are not permitted inside. You have to check them in the cloakroom.

Does the Doge's Palace accommodate wheelchair users?

The Doge’s Palace is not wheelchair-friendly. Some parts are accessible, but the Secret Rooms, Prisons, and Armory and not. Our route, in particular, is not wheelchair-friendly so we do not recommend that wheelchair users take this tour.

Does my guide accompany me on the gondola ride?

No. During your gondola ride you will be alone with maximum 5 other people and your Venetian gondoliere. This experience is much better as quiet time. Just sit back, relax and soak up the beauty of the city's canals.

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