Venice: Doge's Palace Guided Tour with Optional Gondola Ride

Venice Doge’s Palace Skip-the-Line Tour with Optional Gondola Ride

This guided tour in Venice offers skip-the-line access to the Doge’s Palace and includes an optional 30-minute gondola ride, suitable for history and culture enthusiasts.

Highlights

• Skip the line at Doge’s Palace and visit the Correr Museum afterward.
• Walk across the Bridge of Sighs and explore the historic prison cells.
• Learn the history of St. Mark’s Square and its famous landmarks.
• Admire Gothic halls and artwork inside the grand Doge’s Palace.
• Add a 30-minute gondola ride to glide through Venice’s scenic canals.

Description

Begin your experience in St. Mark’s Square, where your guide explains its political and social significance while highlighting the Clock Tower and Marble Lions.

With priority access, enter the Doge’s Palace to explore its Gothic architecture, decorated halls, and important sculptures. Discover the history of the Doges and stories of political intrigue.

Walk across the Bridge of Sighs and visit the New Prison to learn about its history, including Casanova’s escape.

Afterwards, spend time visiting the included Correr Museum at your leisure, housed in a former Napoleonic residence.

If selected, conclude your tour with a shared 30-minute gondola ride along Venice’s canals. Your guide will escort you to the pier near the palace, and each gondola carries up to five guests.

Includes

• 2-hour guided tour
• Pre-reserved tickets for the Doge's Palace
• Admission to Correr Museum, National Archaeological Museum, and Biblioteca Marciana
• 30-minute Grand Canal gondola ride (optional)
• Local professional tour guides
• Small group or private tours depending on the option chosen

Excludes

• Guided tour of the Correr Museum

Important Information

• High tide can delay entrance to Doge's Palace, and priority access may be suspended, especially in October, November, and December.
• If you join the 2:00 PM tour, the Correr Museum may be closed before the tour ends; in this case, tickets for the next day are provided.
• Late arrivals cannot join the tour once it has begun.
• The gondola ride begins at a pier near the Doge’s Palace and is shared with up to five people per gondola; larger groups are split into separate gondolas.
• Sites may close occasionally due to religious events or flooding; the guide will provide exterior commentary and notify you when possible.

Cancellation Policy

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

For the best experience, bring comfortable walking shoes and check daily tide forecasts. Morning tours avoid higher tide risks and offer optimal light for photography.