All-Inclusive walking Tour: Doge Palace & St Mark's Basilica

The Mercerie, Venice, Venice



Explore the beautiful sights in Venice on a walking tour including Marco Polo’s House, St Mark's Square, and Santa Maria Formosa. Then visit the inside of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica.

This guided walking tour in Venice suits visitors interested in history, art, and iconic landmarks including Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica.

Highlights

  • Discover where Marco Polo was born and raised
  • View art masterpieces at the Doge’s Palace
  • Learn about the consequences of the Dukes' power at the Bridge of Sighs
  • Tour St. Mark's Basilica and see elaborate gold and marble decorations

Description

Starting from St. Mark’s Square with views of the Grand Canal, this tour explores Venice’s narrow streets, canals, and historic buildings. You will visit Chiesa Santa Maria Formosa, where the Holy Virgin is said to have appeared disguised as a woman.

Explore Marco Polo’s former house and the Campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo, Venice’s second largest square. Return to St. Mark’s through the Mercerie and enter the Doge’s Palace, which served as the seat of Venetian political power for centuries.

The tour includes walking through ornate rooms filled with art masterpieces. Your guide will explain the halls of power and lead you across the Bridge of Sighs, illustrating the historical realities of the ruling Dukes.

The visit concludes at St. Mark’s Basilica, where you will see Byzantine art, gold mosaics, marble inlays, and religious artworks preserved in the Treasury.

Includes

  • Entry tickets to the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica
  • Guided tour with whisper technology

Cancellation Policy

This activity is non-refundable.

For the best experience, wear comfortable shoes for walking and book morning tours to avoid crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

The tour includes Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs, and Chiesa Santa Maria Formosa.
The tour starts at St. Mark’s Square with views of the Grand Canal.
Marco Polo was a Venetian explorer, and the tour highlights his birthplace and upbringing in Venice.
Tour length varies; check the tour provider's website for current duration details.
Yes, admission to both Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica is included in the tour price.
Venice’s narrow streets can be challenging; contact the tour provider for accessibility options.
You will see Renaissance and Gothic masterpieces, including paintings and elaborate decorations inside Doge’s Palace.
Yes, the guide explains the Dukes' power and its impact at locations like the Bridge of Sighs.
The tour operates throughout the year; for crowd and weather considerations, check the provider’s schedule.
Many tours provide headphones for clarity; confirm availability when booking the Venice walking tour.

Trusted local guides, read by millions every month

  • 2006 online since
  • 27.8M page views a month across the network
  • 14 languages

180+ destination guides, one network

Every guide covers a single destination on its own website, with events, restaurants, things to do and places to stay chosen from local recommendations.

My Guide Network Locations

Nearby Destinations

Add to your trip

Add your travel dates so we can place this on the right day, or save it for later.

Added to your trip Added to day {[{trip.toast.day}]}, MorningAfternoonEvening Saved to your trip Already in your trip Transfer saved to your trip Save your trip to get fresh suggestions Staying in {[{trip.toast.label}]} Base cleared Trip deleted Link copied Could not save your trip Something went wrong, please try again