St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Guided Tour with Gondola Ride
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Venice, Italy
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Cross off three must-do experiences in Venice on this tour: A gondola ride down the famous canals, a skip-the-line tour of St. Mark's Basilica, and a guided tour through the Doge's Palace. Discover golden mosaics, learn about Venetian history, and see why Venice was one of the great European maritime powers. And, instead of haggling with vendors, relax on a prebooked classic gondola boat ride.
- Skip the long lines at St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace
- This concise tour is perfect for travelers in Venice short on time
- Enjoy a shared gondola ride through Venice’s scenic canals
- A headset ensures you can hear clearly throughout the tour
What's Included
- Explore St. Mark’s Basilica with reserved access and expert guide
- Discover the history of Venice at the Doge’s Palace
- Enjoy a 30-minute shared gondola ride through scenic canals
- Experience Venice’s top landmarks in one seamless itinerary
- Learn from a knowledgeable English-speaking guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
- Food and beverages
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Calle de le Rasse, 4536, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Meet at Venice City Tour Office, Calle della Rasse 4536 (City Wonders Meeting Point). From St. Mark’s Square, head toward Doge’s Palace, continue past the Bridge of Sighs, then turn left onto Calle de le Rasse. Please arrive 15 minutes before departure.
End point
- Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
Itinerary
Find your guide and tour group at your meeting point in central Venice.
At St. Mark’s Basilica, skip the long line and head straight inside to admire the church's lavish interiors and artifacts. Learn about Venetian history and the church's significance.
Continue your exploration at the Doge’s Palace, walking through the grand halls where Venice’s rulers once shaped a powerful maritime empire and crossing the famous Bridge of Sighs.
During your shared gondola ride, see several of Venice's waterways up close and enjoy views of the city from the water. Along the Rio di Palazzo canal, see the Bridge of Sighs. The Rio di Santa Maria Formosa and the Rio di San Severo are more charming canals that will take you through Venice's historic Castello district.
End in central Venice, where you can continue exploring on your own.
At St. Mark’s Basilica, skip the long line and head straight inside to admire the church's lavish interiors and artifacts. Learn about Venetian history and the church's significance.
Continue your exploration at the Doge’s Palace, walking through the grand halls where Venice’s rulers once shaped a powerful maritime empire and crossing the famous Bridge of Sighs.
During your shared gondola ride, see several of Venice's waterways up close and enjoy views of the city from the water. Along the Rio di Palazzo canal, see the Bridge of Sighs. The Rio di Santa Maria Formosa and the Rio di San Severo are more charming canals that will take you through Venice's historic Castello district.
End in central Venice, where you can continue exploring on your own.
Piazza San Marco (Pass By)
1
St. Mark's Basilica
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Doge's Palace
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Bridge Of Sighs (Pass By)
3
Canal Grande
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- A dress code is required to enter St Mark's Basilica. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women.
- Only small bags are allowed in St Mark's Basilica
- Due to St. Mark's Basilica security regulations, a PASSPORT OR VALID ID DOCUMENT IS MANDATORY to join this tour. It is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid document with you on tour. Passengers who fail to provide a valid proof of identity will be denied entry.
- Each gondola can host maximum 6 people; the seat aboard cannot be chosen but will be assigned by the gondolier.
- Please note that Gondola tours are not guaranteed in case of bad weather (rain, strong winds, high/low tide). The itinerary of gondola ride may change in the event of wind or bad weather
- The Municipality of Venice has introduced an Access Fee that applies on specific dates. To avoid any inconvenience, we recommend checking the official guidelines and completing the necessary registration through the provided link before your visit. (https://cda.ve.it/en/ Official Link for Registration)
- The official ticket price for St. Mark’s Basilica is €10.00 per person (standard entry)
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.4
based on 482 reviews
Phyllis_C, Oct 2025
Our tour guide, Iola, was very knowledgeable about the history of St. Mark's Basilica and the symbolism of the ceiling and floor mosaics in the church. Our gondola ride down a small canal was fun and Thomas, our gondolier, was pleasant and he piloted the gondola well.
De_H, Oct 2025
Love to learn the history of Bacilica. It is amazing! Canals tour is very Venetian, great experience!
Robin_L, Sep 2025
Very knowledgeable guide in St. Mark's and a wonderul gondola ride through the city. Great memories!
Jennifer_Z, Sep 2025
We had a very knowledgeable guide for the Basilica. It was a very limited tour. Only toured the front of the Basilica. The gondola was very tippy. If you're afraid of water or can't swim, I would not recommend this. The gondileer was quite rude.
MaryAnn_F, Sep 2025
Iole was very knowledge and very friendly. She made sure that if you had any questions she would answer them.
Sara, Sep 2025
Very insightful and informative tour regarding St. Mark’s Basilica. Tour guide Rita very knowledgable. Highly recommended when you are in Venice.
Stephanie_T, Aug 2025
This tour was great our guide Iole was excellent she explained everything and answered all of our questions. The gondola ride was sweet and peaceful!!!
Sarah_B, Aug 2025
Guide was not standing out. Completely missed guide even though I was there 25 minutes before start time at correct location. I asked multiple tour guides from different companies and security of I was in the right location and they said yes. Company would not answer text messages of emergency phone number. I waited for the next slotted tour time, still could not locate guide. Waited close to 3 hours in the Piazza and no one showing City Wonders attire was clearly identified. Paid for my own entry and requested the Gondola tickets as there was no set time. Company replied back absolutely no, and then they cut off communication.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Sarah_B,
Thanks for booking the St. Mark’s Basilica Guided Tour with Venice Canals Gondola Ride.
We provide detailed directions to our tour meeting points including maps on the vouchers which you receive upon booking.
However, it can happen that if you book our tours via our third parties, they might share some outdated information by mistake. We would be happy to verify if this was the case if you contact us directly with a booking reference.
Joseph_C, Aug 2025
Rita, our guide was informative and engaging. We began promptly, had ample time in the basilica, and were guided through carefully. We then went to the gondola for a nice ride through the canals. The tour ended where it began, which was very convenient, even though the listing said it would end far away.
Neil_C, Jul 2025
Be ready…Tour guide may not show up, with NO prior notice to you. No alternate guide on standby. Besides the St. Marc Basilica tour, we also had to cancel our Gondola ride to get a full refund, otherwise we’re told only 25% will be refunded.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Neil_C,
I am sorry to hear that there were some inconveniences with this trip.
We try to always have emergency guides on standby for unforeseen events but in summer this is not always possible.
We would be happy to review what was offered to you exactly if you reach out to us with a confirmation number.
Thank you for sharing your experience and for helping us improve.
Lory_P, Jun 2025
Great tour guide and the gondola ride was very nice. Be sure to have your shoulders and knees covered to enter the Basilica. Quick little excursion so not too exhausting.
David_W, Jun 2025
Meeting location easy to find, the guide Anna was fantastic and the city guide was great, the experience as a whole was amazing
Emma_D, Jun 2025
Anna Chiara was really an excellent guide. She is passionate about history and the tour of St Marks Basillica was really enjoyable. She explained the art work so nicely, we all really enjoyed it.
Mariam_H, Jun 2025
It was good for the skip the line tickets to st Mark’s basilica.
The gondola ride was nice but the man on the gondola was a bit rude to us
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Ciao Mariam_H,
Thanks so much for reviewing your St. Mark’s Basilica & Venice Canals Guided Tour with us! We’re pleased the skip-the-line access and basilica portion met your expectations, and that you enjoyed the iconic gondola ride overall.
That said, we’re sorry to hear about the gondolier’s behavior. While the gondola ride is operated by one of our trusted local partners, we’ll definitely be passing your comments along. We strive for a respectful and seamless experience in every part of the tour—even if some Venetian personalities bring a bit of local flair that doesn’t always translate the same way.
To help us look into this properly and follow up with the right partner, it would be really helpful if you could share a few details like your booking number, name, and the date of your tour. You can reach us anytime at info@citywonders.com, or directly via message on any of our social media support chats.
We’re truly glad to hear that much of your experience—from the basilica visit to the gondola ride—left a positive impression. Venice has a way of creating unforgettable moments, and we’re grateful to have shared part of that with you. We’d be happy to assist further if you’re able to provide a few booking details, and we hope to welcome you again for more discoveries—whether in Italy or one of our other destinations.
Happy Travels,
The City Wonders Team
Nima_G, May 2025
We went with Anna K. She was energetic & a fun tour guide. Gave us a simple explanation of the history of every stop. Made the tour a wonderful experience for us! Strongly recommended!
Heather_W, Dec 2019
Clara was our guide and did such an amazing job not just showing us the Basilica and Doge’s Palace, but also getting us around Venice in high water with ease and a smile. We learned so much and our daughters (10 & 13) learned a ton also, even in the rain.Grazie!
Ed_G, Oct 2019
The tour guide that was Used on this particular walking tour was absolutely fabulous she took her time to explain things she didn’t walk at an uncomfortable pace and I would highly recommend her and this tour to others. We came to Venice for many reasons but one was to go on a gondola my wife and I totally enjoyed it and It met all my expectations.
justinkalk, Oct 2019
Our first time visiting Venice. This was a great half-day tour, and the guide was excellent. Great value for money.
Inspire624528, Oct 2019
Iole was a great guide. She knew so many details about Venice, which made this tour very personal and exciting. We were not able to enter the basilica due to a special event occurring last minute, however, our guide replaced it with visiting the local markets which was incredible. It rained at the start of our tour, but it added to an experience we will never forget. Bring an umbrella just in case.
Janice_H, Oct 2019
My Guide, “Monica” was excellent! She was probably one of the best Guides I’ve ever had with Viator. You’ll love this tour!
Diane_L, Sep 2019
I am becoming more convinced that Viator offered the best way to do a city - so that the first day you are not frustrated with focusing on a map. We started our visit with this afternoon tour and my only regret was that we thought it was 3 hr, not 4 hour and we did not time our food schedule properly. However there is a 15 min break towards the end that gives you time to use the WC and get water. You would not want to cut this short because it is the only way to see St Mark’s _ Doge Palace. The meeting place was a bit tricky, but I was glad that I confirmed with the office the exact location and then we had no troubles finding it. I liked the first part- simply walking thru the maze of a city and hearing history was more accurate than what our gondola operator was trying to “tell” us on our separate (non-tour) ride. Elle was very proficient in her English and her history. I love hearing one speak with passion versus just covering the main point of the script. She answered all of our questions, even though not related to the tour sites. I highly suggest this as the starting point for any tourist and then use your next day to venture & get lost on your own..........knowing that you only saw the bests.
Gordon_B, Sep 2019
POOR - Misleading as labeled Doge's Palace OR Gondola Ride We wanted Gondola Ride but City Tours did not offer it .....................
Siddharth M, Aug 2019
Guide was very knowledgeable. Provided overall history of Venice and also visited Marco Polo's birthplace and the oldest Inn in Venice.
VONNIE_C, Aug 2019
The instructions for meeting our tour guide was very confusing and even after asking local vendors for directions we did not meet with a tour guide. We even inquired at Doge's Palace if we could go in since we had paid for a tour and did not meet the guide. We were not allowed in. It was very disappointing since this was my first visit to Venice and I probably won't ever be able to visit again. Viator refused to give us a refund and offered another scheduling of this tour which was impossible as we were leaving Venice in two days. I was disappointed in Viator response and don't know that I will refer anyone to them.
Peterson_R, Aug 2019
We took the Guided Walking Tour with St Mark's and Gondola Ride. Walked around from Campo S. Bartolomeo to St Mark's Basilica with a radio device. The radio device was clear and convenient as you can still hear the tour guide's commentaries even if you are a little away or the surrounding area is noisy. Our guide (too bad I forgot his name), was a local passionate Venetian who provided a lot of information and tips. He was organised and spoke good English. I learned about the former residences of Marco Polo and Casanova and other significant information
Our Gondola ride was taken by another tour guide but was seamless with the transfer from the first tour guide.
The meeting place was easy to find and easily accessible from a Vaporetto platform in Rialto bridge.
Overall, it was a very nice tour. Thank you!
JASON_K, Aug 2019
I will not even give a 1.....We missed our tour and we were where we thought our meeting spot was according to what was on our paper. We asked prob 5-6 different people and they all told us somewhere different. There were 9 of us that was standing in same spot where we thought tour was so they were having the same problem. We all were there 20-30 min early and didn’t see the guide. When we called, the lady told us the tour had already left. We asked could we do another tour that same day as we were only there for two days and they told us no they didn’t have the same tour but could do a different tour but would be more money. I asked if we could get our money back and they told us no. Travel agent called and they told her no. Not happy and will not use again!!!!
dimitri_k, Aug 2019
Our version of this tour package included a water taxi ride and not a visit to Doge's palace. This was not clear form the description. I had to contact the company to verify this information.
Tour was informative and involved visits to more unusual sites. Our tour guide (Carla) provide a lot of information about old and modern life in Venice.
Max_Ushakov, Jul 2019
We really enjoyed our walking tour with local Venetian guide Martina from who we learned a lot about well known and hideaway parts of Venice. Very informative and easygoing tour.
Maria_M, Jul 2019
We had a really good time! Our guide, Natalia was really knowledgeable, explained a lot of details and was very friendly and happy to answer questions. We have been to Venice a couple of times before but this was definitively the best tour.
elina t, Apr 2019
Susan was our guide to this tour and we have to admit that she was the reason why we recommend it for sure.She was an educated ,friendly and polite person,full of good energy.Although the weather conditions were against us,she did her best to explain everything and let us informed about the details of St Mark's and Doge's Palace tour.Thank you very much Susan.
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