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Precious St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace with Bridge of Sighs Guided Tour, San Marco History Gallery & Lunch

3 hours

Very easy

Visit the Doge’s Palace and discover its most hidden stories on a guided tour. Explore iconic areas, including the Bridge of Sighs and the Palace Prisons.

⛪🏛️✨ Explore Two Venetian Icons — The Basilica, the Doge’s Palace & the San Marco Virtual Time Travel Experience ✨🏛️⛪

Visit two of the most majestic monuments in Venice in one unforgettable experience — St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, both nestled in the heart of the city in the breathtaking St. Mark’s Square.

🟢 St. Mark’s Basilica – A Golden Masterpiece
Step inside the city’s spiritual heart and discover the Byzantine splendor of the Basilica. Marvel at the shimmering gold mosaics that cover over 43,000 square feet and the intricate marble inlays on the floor. With your expert guide, uncover the hidden meanings behind the biblical scenes, the sacred architecture, and the unique features of this centuries-old cathedral.

🟠 The Doge’s Palace – Seat of Power and Prestige
Continue with a live guided visit to the Doge’s Palace, once the epicenter of political power in the Venetian Republic. Walk through grand halls where the Doge and his Council governed an empire, admire the magnificent Golden Staircase, and gaze upon vast frescoes depicting scenes of justice, war, and glory.

🔵 Bridge of Sighs & Prisons – From Power to Punishment
Follow your guide to the legendary Bridge of Sighs, a passageway that links the palace to the gloomy prison cells where convicts, including Casanova, once reflected on their fate. This emotional and atmospheric part of the tour reveals the darker side of Venetian justice.

🟢 Royal Palace of Venice – A Glimpse into Noble Life
Conclude the physical tour with free access to the Royal Palace (Procuratie) in St. Mark’s Square. Explore at your own pace spaces like the Napoleon Ballroom and the intimate Empress Sissi’s apartments, and learn how Venetian nobility once lived, ruled, and entertained.

🔵 San Marco Virtual Reality Gallery – Travel Back in Time
Finish your journey with an immersive VR experience. At the San Marco History Gallery, put on your headset and watch the Basilica become the Doge’s private chapel and the Palace transform into a medieval fortress — all in a vivid and educational virtual reconstruction.

Later, enjoy a delightful, art-inspired lunch experience in a beautiful historic setting with a rich connection to the world of modern art and culture. This special venue has welcomed famous artists like Giorgio de Chirico, Marc Chagall, Oskar Kokoschka, Giorgio Morandi, and Peggy Guggenheim, creating a warm and inspiring atmosphere for all ages. Your lunch adventure begins with a friendly welcome drink, followed by a carefully selected multi-course meal tailored to your tastes: - Fish Menu: Enjoy a delicious starter and a first course inspired by the freshest seafood traditions. - Meat Menu: Savor a tasty first course and a main course featuring the best seasonal ingredients.

Highlights:
✅ Discover St. Mark’s Basilica with expert commentary and skip-the-line access
✅ Admire the stunning golden mosaics and marble masterpieces
✅ Visit the Doge’s Palace, the Golden Staircase, and the Bridge of Sighs
✅ Access the Royal Palace to explore Sissi’s Rooms and Napoleon’s Ballroom
✅ Experience a breathtaking time-travel moment with VR in the San Marco History Gallery

✅ Enjoy a delightful, art-inspired lunch experience in a beautiful historic setting
✅ Ideal for art lovers, history buffs, and curious travelers looking for the full story of Venice

Book your complete St. Mark’s and Doge’s Palace tour today and journey through the soul, power, and splendor of Venice — past and present!

What's included?
  • Entry or admission fee
  • Shared guided tour of the St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace
  • Skip-the-line tickets to St. Mark’s Basilica
  • Skip-the-line tickets to Doge’s Palace
  • Professional English or French speaking guide
  • Access to the Bridge of Sighs
  • Access to Doge’s Palace Prisons
  • Skip the line ticket to visit by yourself the Museo Correr, Biblioteca Marciana and National Archeological Museum in St.Mark’s Square
  • San Marco History Gallery : Venice in the past, a 3D Journey across the Centuries
  • Audio-receiver devices (for groups over 10 people)
  • Venetian Light lunch in San Marco
  • Mobile App (6 itineraries in Venice, 200 points of interest)
Exclusions
    • Guided tour of Royal Palace, Marciana Library, and National Archeological Museum
    • Access to St. Mark’s Basilica Terrace and Museum
    • Access to Pala d’Oro
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    Please note
    • Dress code
    • The official St. Mark’s Basilica ticket price is €12.00 per person (standard) or €24.00 with terrace access; the remaining part of the price covers assistance at the meeting point, accompanied entry with a certified guide or host, access to the Venice Gallery with a dedicated VR experience, the use of an audio guide or radio system with earphones and sales costs.
    • A valid ID document is mandatory for security checks at the entrance to the Basilica.
    • The tour is NOT private but is shared with other participants.
    • This tour is not fully accessible for wheelchair users or people with reduced mobility
    • Royal Palace (Correr Museum) ticket is included and can be used on the same day of the Doge's Palace guided tour or on the following day.
    • The Marciana Library is closed on Sundays.
    • For security reasons sacks, bags or knapsacks are not allowed inside Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica (For Doge’s Palace a free deposit is available inside the building)
    • For the visit to the basilica, clothing appropriate to the place of worship is required (NO bare legs and shoulders)
    • On some high turnout days or for reasons of force majeure (e.g. high tide or security problems) the waiting time for access to St Mark's Basilica may be longer than expected: in this case, please get in line and respect the instructions provided by the guide
    • Digital and printed vouchers are accepted (to be shown to the staff)
    • Please be at the meeting point 5 minutes before departure time.
    What to bring

      Comfortable shoes