Hidden Corners of Venice, including Skip-the-Line The Doge's Palace and Basilica
Visit two of the most popular attractions in Venice and its everlasting symbols: The Doge's Palace and the Basilica of St Mark with this skip-the-line guided walking tour.
This tour combination is for those who crave full immersion into Venice and its everlasting symbols. See Venice and experience the city through its history and glorious past. Begin your walking tour through some of the most hidden and peaceful corners of Venice. You will learn interesting facts about the past and present life in a water city system. Head to the Doge's Palace, a building that represented the seat of Venetian political power for centuries. With your skip-the-line ticket, you will bypass the main entrance line to step straight inside to discover the treasures. While in the palace, you will stroll between rooms lined with artwork by the likes of Veronese and Tintoretto. In these majestic rooms, the Duke and his Council ruled the fate of the most serene republic. While exploring, listen to your guide to learn how the council controlled Venice from the chambers of the Doge's Palace, and hear about the building's mix of Byzantine and Far Eastern architecture. Another symbol of Venice is the St. Mark Basilica, a beautiful example of Byzantine architecture where Eastern and Western architecture meet. Here, learn more about the everlasting history of Venice and St Mark and how the ruins came to rest within the shields of the Basilica. Surrounded by the Basilica's beautiful gold mosaics and marble inlays, your professional guide will explain the history and significance of the special features of this unique masterpiece. You will have an opportunity to admire some of the priceless treasures shielded in the basilica, such as the Pala d' Oro, a fine example of Byzantine art, with thousands of gems and precious stones, and of course, the golden mosaics - maybe the most famous feature of the cathedral. Your tour ends outside the basilica.
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Operated by
- Shore Excursions Group
- St. Mark's Square
- Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter a place of worship. Sensible rubber-soled walking shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended.
- This tour takes place in historical areas and, therefore, is not wheelchair accessible. Guests must be able to walk on paved as well as cobblestone surfaces. There are steps and steep curbs in some areas. This tour is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties or those who use partly-motorized vehicles or walkers. For security reasons, backpacks are not allowed inside the Basilica and all visitors must pass through a metal detector, which might lead to a short line even with skip-the line access.
Excursion purchases are fully refundable outside of 14 days prior to the tour date. Beginning on the 14th day prior to the tour date, excursion purchases are non-refundable.