Join our expert local guide on this exclusive tour of Venice’s most-renowned landmarks — the Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s Basilica. After meeting your guide in St. Mark’s Square, your tour will begin with an introduction to this elegant piazza and the surrounding area. You will visit the Doge’s Palace, the seat of political influence in Venice, and pass over the Bridge of Sighs as you enter the prisons.
The magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica is a wonderland of golden mosaics and Byzantine columns and it’s the next stop on the tour! After marveling at the beautiful interior, you will see the exquisite Pala d’Oro — an altar screen made of gold and hundreds of precious gems. As you explore these stunning structures, your guide will amaze you with tales of political scandal and religious influence. This Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica tour is the perfect opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of the fascinating city of Venice.

Experience the glimmering beauty of St. Mark’s Cathedral

Your tour includes a visit to the majestic St. Mark’s Basilica. With its history dating back to the 9th century, this enormous church is a stunning example of where east meets west. A combination of Byzantine, Venetian, and Roman styles come together to create an architectural masterpiece. If you think the exterior is impressive, just wait until you step inside. The church houses more than 8,000 square meters of mosaics — there are tiny specs of gold everywhere you look! Similar to Middle-Eastern churches, the interior of the Basilica is kept dim, which allows for beautiful interactions between the golden mosaics and the changing light of day.
Your guide, an expert in Venetian history and art, brings this incredible structure to life as you soak up the magical atmosphere inside. As if that weren’t enough, you also visit the exquisite Pala d’Oro — an unbelievably intricate gold and silver altarpiece made with hundreds of precious stones. It is widely considered the most impressive example of Byzantine enamel work.

Discover the political intrigue of Venice inside the Doge’s Palace

This tour combines the elegance of the city’s monuments with the intrigue of its powerful historical figures. With your local guide, you visit the Doge’s Palace to discover where the most powerful man in Venice would live and hold office. You will see the beautifully decorated hallways and elaborately painted rooms on your way through the palace. Your guide will take you across the Bridge of Sighs, the famous “last crossing” for prisoners on their way to their cells in the dungeons below the palace. If you really want to understand Venice, including the darker side that lies hidden beneath its serene surface, join us on this unforgettable tour of the city’s most treasured sites.