Exclusive Alone In St. Mark's and Doge's Palace Tour

Explore 2 of the most famous landmarks in Venice after dark on this exclusive after-hours guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge's Palace. 

See Venice's two most famous landmarks in the best possible way. Escape the crowds on a late afternoon guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, and discover 2 of the icons of Venice away from the crowds.

Meet your guide by the statue of the winged lion on St. Mark’s Square. 

Start with a guided tour of the Doge's Palace. What the Vatican is to Rome, the Doge's Palace is to Venice: for seven hundred years, the remarkable palace has been the home of not only the Doge, but of Venice’s (independent!) government, courts, and even prisons. Visit the centre of Venice’s power and history at Palazzo Ducale, including the sumptuous Doge’s apartments and the Hall of the Great Council, with its stunning frescoes by Veronese and Tintoretto. Discover the secret stories behind the artworks, like why one doge in the painted series is covered by a black veil. Learn the history of Venice’s famed Dukes - how they were chosen, what they did and why you may not have wanted the position for yourself.

After a break, you will continue to St. Mark's Basilica. Inside, take a deep breath. You’re experiencing St. Mark’s Basilica as almost nobody else does, or ever has ever been able to aside from the Doge himself. You’ll experience the basilica as it should be experienced: in tranquillity and peace. You will also get to see the Pala d’Oro, the spectacular, Byzantine altarpiece that uses more than 1,900 gems!

Visit the crypt, where the bones of St. Mark are said to be kept. Admire mosaics in the soft glimmer of the evening light, and learn about Venetian art and history from your passionate guide.

Important information

This tour will be exclusively guided in English.

Dress Code: Due to the religious nature of St. Mark's Basilica, all individuals, regardless of gende,r must cover their shoulders and knees. You can bring extra covering (scarves, etc) to put on just before entering St. Mark's. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.

On certain dates, most travellers staying outside Venice who wish to visit for the day must pay a €5 access fee directly to the Municipality of Venice. For further details (including exceptions) and to find out on which days this fee applies and how to register or make payment, please visit: https://cda.ve.it/en/. The fee is not required if you are only visiting the islands of Murano, Torcello and Burano.

All guests are required to provide their full name, which must match the name on a valid ID, at the time of booking. In the event that these documents are not provided, your reservation will be cancelled. Please note that name changes are not permitted.

Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Mark's Basilica. Individuals who do not present a valid form of identification may be denied access to the monument by security personnel.