St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)

Delve into Venetian history on a tour showcasing the city's most iconic structures—St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace—as an expert guide sheds light on the stories behind both iconic attractions. Skip the line into the legendary St. Mark's Basilica, where you’ll wander through the mosaic-clad interior and even step onto the balcony overlooking Piazza San Marco—reserved for only a select few! Then, continue to the Doge's Palace and step into the political heart of a powerful empire.

Embark on an unforgettable guided tour to one of Venice’s most iconic landmarks: the magnificent Saint Mark’s Basilica, gracefully overlooking Saint Mark’s Square. Accompanied by an expert guide, you’ll delve into the rich history of this stunning cathedral, often referred to as the Golden Basilica due to its breathtaking pure gold mosaics. But the adventure doesn’t stop there! Immerse yourself in an exhilarating virtual reality experience that transports you back in time. With a VR headset, witness Piazza San Marco and its iconic monuments as they once were, envisioning the Basilica as the Doge's private chapel and the Doge's Palace transformed into a medieval fortress, much like the castles of Europe. For a truly exclusive experience, opt for the private tour option and enjoy the luxury of a personal guide dedicated to enhancing your journey through Venice’s rich cultural tapestry.

Skip the long line and enter in the breathtaking Golden Basilica, so called because of hundreds of mosaics made by pure gold! The high detailed audio commentary will explain the history of the five-domes cathedral and its uncountable artworks on your mobile phone. Find out secrets and mysteries behind the many biblical scenes painted inside. Admire the golden masterpiece of byzantine art. This view will leave you speechless! Continue your journey with an exciting virtual reality experience. With the VR headset on, reveal Piazza San Marco and its iconic monuments as they once were. Picture the Basilica transformed into the Doge's private chapel and the Doge's Palace into a medieval fortress • Skip the line entrance to the Golden Basilica • Curiosities about the Cathedral and its byzantine masterpieces • Audio commentary on your mobile device • Virtual Reality Journey: Explore St.Mark's Square over the centuries • The Yard of Venice: St. Mark's Square history dedicated circuit visit

The greatness of Venice has always been reflected in the richness of St. Mark’s Basilica, the perfect synthesis of Venetian art and a unique blend of Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic elements. Five Oriental-looking domes crown the shadowy, mysterious interior gleaming with golden mosaics, coloured marbles, precious stones and pearls, and guarded by the four gilded bronze horses that stand proudly atop the central entrance. The glittering mosaics of the interior tell the story of St. Mark and episodes from the Bible. We enter the Doge’s Palace, the highest achievement of Gothic architecture in Venice, through the Porta del Frumento (Corn Door) on the waterfront. The monumental complex was the symbol and center of the political and administrative life of the Serenissima. At once the Doge’s residence, seat of government and court of justice and prisons, the Palace was for centuries the symbol of the wealth and power of the Venetian Republic.

Take a 2-hour tour of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Cathedral, two must-visit Venice monuments. With a guide, you’ll follow in the footsteps of the Venetian doges, the elected officials who ruled the city for centuries. A tour not only to see Venice, but to experience this city through its history and glorious past, still shining in its historical sites and legendary characters.

Gain early priority access to the Doge’s Palace, before the normal public access times, allowing you the chance to admire this wonder in a whole new light. Gain Skip-the-line priority access to St. Mark’s Basilica and its terrace, where you will get to admire the opulence and the luxuriousness of the Basilica and also witness the panoramic view of Piazza San Marco, the island of San Giorgio, the Campanile and the Clock Tower that will surely be a sight to behold. Immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of Venice and fall in love with its culture, religion, art and food while marveling at the incredible architecture and history of this city on water.

A tasty light lunch awaits you at the Illy Café in the Royal Gardens. If you have a break between one activity and another in the city center, or just want to eat something sitting in a lovely location in St. Mark's area you are in the perfect place! The light lunch prepared with local ingredients of the highest quality consists of two Venetian cicchetti, a main dish, a dessert, and a bottle of water. The charming Illy Caffè is located in a strategic position that allows you to fully enjoy the natural light thanks to its majestic stained-glass windows overlooking the San Marco Basin. On the opposite side of the building, you will find the delightful Royal Gardens, a small green lung in the city center. Enjoy the best skip the line quick lunch in San Marco to share with family or friends and finally, discover the city with a mobile app. Download it on your phone and enjoy 6 itineraries with their best attractions and bacari (typical wine bars).

Explore Venice's top sites with a guided tour of the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Discover the grandeur of the former Venetian rulers' residence and marvel at the Basilica's stunning mosaics. Then, visit Murano and Burano islands. Watch a live glassblowing demonstration in Murano and enjoy a picturesque walking tour of colorful Burano. Immerse yourself in Venice's rich history and vibrant island culture on this unforgettable tour. ATTENTION: Starting from November, the tour will be divided into two days with the following schedule: FIRST DAY: St. Mark's Basilica + Doge's Palace Guided Visit SECOND DAY: Murano & Burano Islands Guided Visit

Skip the line at St Mark’s Basilica and explore St Mark’s Square and lesser-known Venice on this 2-hour walking tour. Stroll around St Mark’s Square as your guide explains its buildings and Venice’s history as a major maritime power during medieval times. Bypass the queues at St Mark’s Basilica to ogle its incredible interior and delve into the quieter, less-visited side of Hidden Venice. Walk along small canals past palaces, squares and bridges and learn about daily life in the city past and present.

Discover Venice like never before on a small-group guided tour with priority access to St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica and its terrace, the Doge’s Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs. Uncover the secrets of St. Mark’s Square, step inside the Doge’s Palace, and cross the Bridge of Sighs, following the path of past prisoners. Marvel at the golden mosaics of St. Mark’s Basilica, then ascend to its terrace for stunning views over Piazza San Marco and the lagoon. Enhance your experience with the Venice History Gallery VR and Marco Polo, an AI-powered guide, for self-exploration. Skip the lines and dive into Venice’s legendary past!

Discover Venice on a fascinating 1.5-hour walking tour through its major sights, such as San Marco Basilica, Palazzo Ducale and Santa Maria Formosa Church. Stroll from the Mercerie to the famous Rialto bridge and immerse yourself in the immortal beauty of this wonderful city.

Immerse yourself in the history of Venice by taking part in this two-hour visit to the most prestigious attractions of the city: the Doge’s Palace & St Mark’s Basilica of which you will be accessing the museum & terrace. You will start your tour with a visit to one of the most breath-taking buildings of Venice: the Doge’s Palace, residence of the Doge and seat of local magistrates until the fall of the Venetian Republic. The Palace houses many extraordinary masterpieces that you will have the opportunity to admire up close, like the Giants’ and the Golden Staircases or the canvas that portray the Paradise by the famous painter Tintoretto. You will also cross the Bridge of Sighs and tour the New Prisons where, during the Serenissima, the criminals were detained. Afterwards, your guide will take you to St Mark's Basilica. You will visit the naves on the ground floor, the Museum, located on the first floor, and the terrace, from where you can admire St Mark's Square from above.

Delve into the 1000-year history of Venice on a combined walking tour through the lesser-known streets between St. Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge, then skip the line to admire the gilded interiors of St. Mark's Basilica, one of the world's most iconic cathedrals, including the Museum and the viewing terrace on the first floor.

Join to the half day tour in the heart of Venice: walking tour of Piazza San Marco and Rialto and visit to the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. The guided visit begins in Piazza San Marco where you will discover the history of the main highlights and, then proceeds until Rialto bridge, admiring the lovely spots and fascinating campi and campielli. Later, the guide will bring you inside the marvelous Doge’s Palace with the fine decorated halls of power, the Golden Staircase and the most famous artworks of Tiepolo. Cross the infamous Bridge of Sighs to reach the old prisons where only Casanova managed to escape! The last but not the least point of the visit is the breathtaking St. Mark’s Basilica: enter inside the Basilica to see its golden mosaics! Discover its secrets, history and admire the many artworks as the five domes covered by gold. Enjoy the audio guide to visit more than 200 Venice highlights by yourself!

Step into the heart of Venice’s history and grandeur with this private tour of St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace, two of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Led by an expert guide, this experience unveils the rich past of the Venetian Republic, blending art, politics, and architecture in an exclusive, in-depth exploration. Admire the stunning St. Mark’s Basilica, its shimmering mosaics, and the elegant surroundings of Piazza San Marco, once the epicenter of Venetian power. Then, enter the Doge’s Palace, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, where the city’s rulers once governed. Walk through ornate chambers adorned with masterpieces by Tintoretto and Veronese, ascend the Golden Staircase, and cross the Bridge of Sighs to the palace’s haunting prison cells. With a private guide, enjoy a personalized and immersive journey into Venice’s political intrigues, artistic treasures, and historic wonders, making this tour an unforgettable way to experience the city's past.

You call the shots on this private tour in Venice. There are visits pencilled in to see St. Marco’s Square and Rialto, as well as the chance to customise your day and explore the ‘Floating City’ under your own steam. Get your cameras ready at St. Marco’s Square and waltz right into the majestic Basilica with skip-the-line tickets. Your local expert will spill the tea on this historic hotspot, where East meets West in a dazzling fusion of cultures. See the iconic bronze horses – a symbol of the city – where you can choose to snag an extra ticket for an up-close encounter from the Basilica’s terrace. Next up, you’ll make your way to Rialto, zigzagging through a maze of alleyways, quaint bridges, and charming streets known as ‘campi’. Here, you’ll have the chance to discover vibrant markets, bustling streets, and the infectious buzz of Venetian life. If there’s something you’re desperate to see, this fully customizable tour has you covered – just ask your guide on the day.

A guided boat ride along the Grand Canal followed by a visit to the famous Murano island Glass factory that is known for its glass production all around the world. way back transfer to San Marco square by shuttle boat offered by the glass factory

This combined guided tour is divided into three parts. The tour starts at 9.00am with a historical introduction of St. Marks’s Square, and its architectural delights. Leaving the square, you will be guided into the residential Castello area, allowing you to discover this part of Venice in all of its elegance, through its labyrinth of narrow alleys – “calli”, many bridges, winding canals and wide picturesque squares – “campi”. At 10.45 am you will proceed with the visit of the Saint Mark's Basilica, once the private chapel of the Doge of Venice, and the only one of its kind in Italy, thanks to the sumptous golden mosaics and impressive marble inlay flooring. The last part is the gondola ride at 3 pm. Relax aboard this historic vessel, enjoying the thrills of both the Grand Canal and minor canals. PROGRAM 09.00 am Walking tour of Venice (1 h 30 min) 10.45 am Saint Marks Basica tour (1 hour) 03.00 pm Gondola ride (30 min)

This tour is all about making sure you experience the best of Venice in a single day –nearly an impossible task! You will see the world-famous St Mark’s Square— probably one of Italy’s most iconic locations and Venice’s largest urban open space. This square is enclosed by the astonishing St Mark’s Basilica and the magnificent Doge’s Palace. Not only will you visit St Mark’s Basilica but also explore the Doge’s Palace, which rises majestically above the waters of the Grand Canal on St Mark’s Square. It remains one of the best examples of Venetian gothic architecture. Your guide will be sure to show you the highlights, including the Rialto Bridge, famed as the oldest bridge to cross the Grand Canal. You will also visit the breathtaking building of the Frari Church, and the Accademia bridge, and expertly navigate the charming alleyways of the neighbourhoods of San Polo, Dorsoduro, San Marco and Castello.

This is the tour for those that come to Venice for the first time: we will talk about the winged lion, the story of St Mark being brought to Venice from Egypt, his “golden church”, and then Theodore, killing a dragon, and, of course, when, how and why the Venetians have built a city on hundreds of thousands of wooden poles stuck in the mud of the lagoon. We will visit St Mark’s square, the basilica and we will end at the Rialto bridge on the Grand Canal. Walking across the city –you can choose between the Castello or San Marco districts– we will also see some of the hidden corners in Venice, understanding everyday life in the city, its problems, what is like to live in such a city and about the “high water” phenomenon and what is on to protect the city and the lagoon. And, last but not least: a 30 minutes Gondola ride to end with an unforgettable experience.