Submerge yourself in the structural marvel that dates back to the mid of the 10th and 11th centuries, Doge’s Palace, also known as the Palazzo Ducale in Italian. This glorious castle was previously used as a fortress and a prison, and has seen its fair share of distress when it was partially destroyed in a fire and rebuilt.
Experience an amalgamation of a variety of architectural styles such as Gothic, Byzantine and Renaissance, and admire the historically acclaimed paintings by renowned Italian creators such as Titian, Tintoretto and of course, Bellini with the perfect Doge’s Palace guided tour.
This house of art and architecture was the historic seat of the La Serenissima, the Venetian Republic, and the delicate structure is a pandora of historical significance.
Advantages of a Doge’s Palace Guided Tour
Skip the lines and the hassle
Keep all of the hassle aside and skip the long queues, directly to the striking corridors of Doge’s palace. Waste no time in diving deep into the world of classic art, collected by the dukes of Venice over many centuries, at this aesthetic composition of a building.
Companionship of an expert tour guide
Did you know that the palace faced the wreckage of a fire on multiple occasions and was rebuilt again? Did you know that the Bridge of Sighs in the palace is a romantic spot but historically it divides the palace and the prisoners, and has been named so because of the heavy sighs of the prisoners before stepping into the prison across the bridge? Sounds interesting right? And this is what your expert guide is there for, to let you in on all the best kept secrets and captivating stories through the palace and the attractions around.
Flexible timing
Don’t you fret about adjusting your day’s schedule for a visit to the Doge’s Palace! We bring flexible timings with our Doge’s Palace guided tours, for minimum hassle and a maximum enjoyable experience surrounded by art and architecture of a century long gone. Just choose a timing that suits your day and immerse yourself in an experience of a lifetime amidst a plethora of history and heritage.
Additional access to top attractions
What’s better than a guided tour of Doge’s Palace, the main landmark of Venice? A guided tour of Doge’s Palace along with other top attractions like St. Mark’s Square, Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale, and Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marcianas! Plan your perfect day surrounded by a wide range of architectural marvels and top locations with the ease of a single guided tour.
The Best Doge’s Palace Guided Tour
Guided Tours
Combo Guided Tours
The Complete Guide To Doge’s Palace
Choosing the Best Doge’s Palace Guided Tour
Before planning your visit to the Doge’s Palace, take a look at all the guided tour options that are available for you.
1Skip The Line Tour Guided Tour
Spend an insightful hour delving into the rich history of Venice with your guided tour at the Doge’ Palace without starting off this delightful experience with the hassle of long queues. Uncover the best kept secrets of Doge’s Palace with your expert guide and admire the ornate delicate design laid out through the architecture. And that’s not all! This ticket also gives you access to the Museo Correr, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale and the Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marcianaso in St Mark’s Square that you can explore at your own pace.
2With St. Mark’s Basilica and Glassbowling Technique Demonstration
Experience the true essence of Venice on foot accompanied by the stories of every sight that you pass by, narrated by your expert guide. Explore the St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace with your priority access tickets, skip all of the lines and head directly into the heart of these museums along with your guide to hear all of the riveting stories and about the hidden secrets. Wait, there’s more! Get a free optional coupon to witness the magic of the famed Venetian-glass blowing technique in a 20-minute demonstration!
3With St. Mark’s Basilica and Other Museums Around
Enjoy a perfected curated tour of the Doge’s Palace along with other museums such as St. Mark’s Basilica to have a holistic experience of the history and culture of Venice. Unravel the stories, legends and hidden secrets of these sets of architectural hotspots during your process of exploration.
Are Doge’s Palace Tours Really Worth it?
Yes! If there’s anything that you shouldn’t be missing in Venice, it’s the Doge Palace. This palace shows you the entire rich history and heritage of Venice, and you get to know so much more about the intricate details and hidden secrets that you won’t get insights on without the physical visit. And apart from all the knowledge and information, you also get to savor the splendid interiors, the preserved art from an era gone by, that will leave you awestruck for sure.
Doge’s Palace Practical Information
Opening Hours
The Doge’s Palace is open on all days from Monday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Please note: Opening hours are subject to change on festive occasions like Christmas and New Year’s.
Getting to Doge’s Palace
- By Public Vaporetto: You can take line #1 and get off at ‘San Marco Vallaresso’ or take line #2 and get off at ‘San Marco Giardinetti’. After getting off, walk to St. Mark’s Square.
- By Private Watertaxi: Ask to be dropped off at the “Todaro” landing stage. From there, walk to St. Mark’s Square.
- By Bus: Get off at Venezia. The journey will take you about 25-30 mins.
- By Taxi: Ask to be dropped off at the St. Mark’s Square.
Insider Tips
- The accessibility is not completely wheelchair friendly or for people with walking disabilities.
- Suitcases, backpacks or larger bags are not allowed inside the Doge’s Palace. You can keep your belongings free of charge at the Ateneo San Basso (St. Mark’s Square- Calle san Basso).
- Wearing comfortable walking shoes is highly recommended.
- Beachwear, shorts and tank tops are not permitted as outfits.
- Animals are not allowed inside the museum.
- Photography and videography is prohibited in the museum.
- The usage of cell phones is prohibited in the exhibition areas.
FAQs
Most of the Doge Palace guided tours begin at 10:45 AM. We recommend checking your selected guided tour for the specific information.
The quickest way to reach Doge Palace is by taxi, even though it’s not the cheapest way. It’ll take you about 15 mins to reach by taxi.
It takes about 1-1.5 hours to completely explore Doge Palace with a guided tour.
Doge Palace is not entirely accessible for people with walking disabilities, like the armory and the Bridge of Sighs are only accessible by a flight of stairs.
Budget travelers can opt for the Guided Tour of The Doge's Palace for a pocket-friendly option to explore the magnificent marvel in time.
