Venice Skip the Line Saint Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace Private Tour

Take your pick of four daily tour times to suit your sightseeing schedule, and meet your private guide at either at your hotel or St. Mark's Square in the heart of the city. If meeting at your hotel, your guide escorts you to St. Mark's Square by walking or taxi (own expense), depending on hotel location. En route to the square, learn about the history and significance of Venice’s grand public piazza, which is home to some of the city's most iconic and important monuments.

Make your way to the opulent, Italo-Byzantine exterior of St. Mark’s Basilica, and bypass the long entrance lines with priority access. Marvel at the cathedral’s intricate, gold-plated mosaics and glittering altars while your guide shares the history and symbolism of their religious motifs.

Continue on to the nearby Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), once again skipping the line. Hear stories and scandals of the powerful doges who once ruled over the Venetian Republic as you make your way through former government chambers and private apartments. Admire rich historic furnishings and paintings by Italian masters like Tintoretto, Titian, and Veronese, and then experience the palace’s darker side as you cross the notorious Bridge of Sighs into the prison complex.

After emerging back into the daylight, you can continue exploring St. Mark's Square on your own or return to your original departure point with your guide.