Venice: Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's Small Group Tour｜Italy

On the St. Mark’s and Doge’s Palace Tour, you will start by meeting your experience guide in St. Mark’s Square allowing you to get a perfect view of the breathtaking St. Mark’s Basilica. Your visit to the Basilica, which carries the nickname of Basilica d’Oro – Golden Basilica starts with LivTour’s privileged access allowing you to skip the lines. Built in the 11th century, this basilica has been decorated with hundreds of thousands of golden mosaic tiles, giving it the apt nickname. On your semi-private tour, you will learn why it has played such a key role in the history of Venice. Your passionate LivTours guide will allow you plenty of time to explore the numerous treasures while enticing you with lively historical commentary.

Amazingly this breathtaking Basilica was the Doge’s (Duke’s) private chapel until the 19th century. Being the most important man in town, the Basilica and the palace were connected by a covered walkway. While St. Mark’s Basilica holds the religious past (and present) of Venice, the Doge’s Palace holds the fascinating political past. Revel in the privileged access to this imposing building, which for seven centuries housed 120 Doges. As well as, Venice’s independent government offices, prisons, and courts. Your guide will mesmerize you with the secret stories of the Palace as you walk through the Doge’s private, luxurious apartments and powerful halls such as the Hall of the Great Council.

Your visit to the Doge’s Palace does not stop there. Next, it is on to visit the prisons where your expert guide will share with you the scary, dark, and gory stories of what took place there in the past. You will have the opportunity to admire the Doge’s impressive gun collection up close. Get your cameras ready, as the last stop, you will walk through the famous Bridge of Sighs and discover how it got its English name!