expedia

Small Group 3.5 hrs St Mark’s Basilica, Doges Palace and Venice Hidden Gems

By Avventure Bellissime
8.0 out of 10
Very good
Features
  • Mobile voucher
  • Skip the line
  • Instant confirmation
Overview
  • Highly qualified local expert English-speaking guide
  • Skip the line: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark's Basilica
  • La Fenice: history, allure, rebirth
  • Scala Contarini del Bovolo: hidden gem
  • Discover hidden Venice: lanes & squares
Activity location
  • St. Mark's Square
    • Piazza San Marco
    • 30124, Venezia, Veneto, Italy
Meeting/Redemption Point
  • At the entrance to the Royal Gardens, on waterfront of St. Mark's Square
    • Royal Gardens Piazza San Marco
    • 30124, Venice, Veneto, Italy

Check availability


Sorry this activity isn't available on Tue, 23 Dec
Please choose a different date

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    3.5-hour guided walking tour of Venice
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Skip-the-line tickets to Doge's Palace
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Skip-the-line entrance to St. Mark's Basilica
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Licensed English-speaking guide
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Radio headsets for the walking tour if the group is more 8 people
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Lunch
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Gratuities
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Hotel pick up and drop off

Know before you book

  • This activity is not wheelchair accessible.
  • Occasionally the Basilica may be closed to the public (without prior notice) because of festivities, religious functions or high water. The guide will provide explanation from outside.
  • Check-in is 15 minutes prior to the booked tour start time.
  • Skip-the-line tickets to St Mark’s basilica are valid from 1st April until 31st October – From 1st November to 31st March due to less affluence to St Mark’s Basilica , this service is not provided by the church to all operators and individual travellers
  • Walking tour operates with max 20 participants per guide
  • Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund

What you can expect

Experience the magic of Venice on a 3.5-hour guided walking tour that blends the city’s most iconic monuments with enchanting hidden corners. With skip-the-line access, enter the Doge’s Palace, once the seat of Venetian power, and cross the Bridge of Sighs to the historic prison cells. Continue to St. Mark’s Basilica, a masterpiece of Byzantine art, as your expert guide unveils the stories behind its glittering mosaics and opulent interiors. After exploring St. Mark’s Square, wander through Hidden Venice—quiet canals, intimate campos, and graceful bridges where daily life unfolds. Admire the elegant façade of La Fenice Theatre, a symbol of Venice’s cultural soul, and marvel at the Bovolo Staircase, a striking spiral blending Gothic and Renaissance styles. Perfect for first-time visitors, this small-group or private experience offers a richly curated look at Venice’s art, history, and living traditions—combining famous highlights with secret treasures few travelers ever see.

Doges Palace
Enjoyskip-the-line entry to the Doge’s Palace, Venice’s most iconic landmark. Walk through opulent halls adorned with masterworks by Tintoretto and Veronese, then cross the legendary Bridge of Sighs to the old prison cells—a powerful journey through the grandeur, intrigue, and justice of the Venetian Republic.

St Mark’s Square monuments and St Mark’s Basilica
Stand in the heart of Venice, framed by the Doge’s Palace, the soaring Bell Tower, and the Clock Tower. With priority access to St. Mark’s Basilica, step inside to admire shimmering gold mosaics, marble inlays, and Byzantine domes while your guide illuminates the history and legends of the city’s most celebrated monument.

La Fenice Theater
Pause before La Fenice, among the world’s most renowned opera houses. During this exterior visit, hear of its 18th-century origins, dramatic fires, and triumphant rebirths—proof of Venice’s enduring devotion to music and the arts.

Bovolo Staircase
Discover the Scala Contarini del Bovolo, an exquisite spiral staircase that wraps a cylindrical tower and offers charming rooftop views. Learn about the noble Contarini family and how this hidden gem came to symbolize Venetian elegance and ingenuity.

Hidden Venice

Stroll quiet backstreets, canals, and bridges revealing the city's authentic soul.

Location

Activity location
  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    St. Mark's Square
    • Piazza San Marco
    • 30124, Venezia, Veneto, Italy
Meeting/Redemption Point
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    At the entrance to the Royal Gardens, on waterfront of St. Mark's Square
    • Royal Gardens Piazza San Marco
    • 30124, Venice, Veneto, Italy