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Discover Venice’s rich past on a guided city walk and skip-the-line Doge’s Palace tour. Explore iconic landmarks, hidden gems, grand halls, and the Bridge of Sighs—all with expert narration.

Highlights

• Explore St. Mark’s Square & Venice’s Iconic Landmarks
• Discover Hidden Gems & Marco Polo’s Venice
• Skip-the-Line Entry to the Doge’s Palace
• Cross the Bridge of Sighs & Visit the Palace Prisons

Description

Discover the best of Venice in one unforgettable experience combining a professionally guided city walking tour with priority access to the majestic Doge’s Palace. This engaging and informative tour is ideal for first-time visitors and history lovers who want to dive deeper into the unique story of Venice, uncovering its artistic, political, and architectural wonders. Your journey begins in the heart of Venice—Piazza San Marco, one of the most famous and photographed squares in the world. Led by an expert local guide, you’ll explore the rich symbolism and stories behind its most iconic monuments. Learn about the dazzling St. Mark’s Basilica with its golden domes, ornate mosaics, and bronze horses stolen from Constantinople. Your guide will explain their origin and cultural meaning, all from the exterior, offering incredible photo opportunities and storytelling. You’ll also hear about the Campanile (Bell Tower) and the Procuratie, which once served as governmental and commercial buildings, forming the backbone of the Venetian Republic’s administrative life. This square once served as a center of public life, religious rituals, and international diplomacy. Continue the walking tour through the narrow alleyways and wide campos of Venice to Campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo, a massive Gothic church often called the “Pantheon of Venice” for its many doges buried inside. Alongside, you’ll view the Scuola Grande di San Marco—a Renaissance masterpiece that reflects the charitable and artistic culture of the Venetian Republic. The tour also takes you to the neighborhood once home to Marco Polo, where your guide will recount tales of the Venetian explorer’s legendary travels that helped bridge East and West. Walk through the Mercerie, the ancient commercial artery of Venice, once filled with traders, spices, and silks—now a lively street of boutiques and charm—bringing you back full circle to St. Mark’s Square. Next, you’ll enjoy priority access to the Doge’s Palace, skipping the long entrance lines. This magnificent Gothic structure was once the seat of power for the rulers of Venice—the Doges. Inside, your guide will lead you through lavish chambers where political decisions were made, justice was handed down, and artistic grandeur was on full display. Admire masterpieces by Tintoretto, Veronese, and other Venetian greats. Walk up the Golden Staircase, a symbolic and architectural highlight of the palace that represents the splendor of Venetian power. Visit the armory, a fascinating collection of historical weapons and armor, then descend into the prison cells, where the city’s most infamous criminals were once held. The tour concludes with a crossing of the Bridge of Sighs, offering a poignant view through the stone-carved windows—so named because it was the last view of Venice seen by prisoners on their way to confinement. With rich historical insight, and hidden stories, this tour offers a look at the grandeur and mystery of Venice, past and present.

Includes

Official certified guide Radio system to hear the guide Tickets and Reservations to Doge's Palace City Guided Tour

Important Information

• Unfortunately, wheelchairs and strollers cannot be accommodated on this tour. All customers must be able to autonomously walk, climb and get off the steps.
• Due to recent safety concerns, some lines to enter the Doge's Palace may occur even for skip-the-line ticket holders.
• For security reasons sacks, bags or knapsacks are not allowed inside the Palace.
• The walking tour does not include entrance to the main sites and will completely take place outside (only external comments of the various sites will be provided).
• The tour does not operate in case of exceptional high tide or in case of religious functions (in these cases it can be rearranged or refunded).
• This tour does not include entrance to the main sites and will completely take place outside (only external comments of the various sites will be provided).

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund