Venice in a Day: Walking Tour, Basilica, Doge's Palace & Gondola Ride

Highlights

• Guided Walking Tour
• Gondola Ride
• Doge's Palace & Basilica

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1

   Torre dell'Orologio

   30min

   Meet your guide in front of the Clock tower (not the bell tower!). Starting in Saint Mark’s square, this atmospheric walking tour will then whisk you away from the crowded streets into the treasure filled pockets of the Castello area. A qualified guide will walk you through the hidden squares, winding canals and historical buildings providing you with a perfect introduction to the origins, symbols, traditions, architecture, and life in current day Venice. The tour starts with a historical introduction of St. Marks’s Square, and its architectural delights.

2. 2

   Castello

   1h

   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”. Discover campo Santa Maria Formosa and campo San Giovanni & Paolo with its Basilica the place where the doges of Venice were buried. The former residence of Marco Polo, probably the most famous Venetian merchant, and the Malibran theatre are also part of the itinerary. At the end of your walking tour, come back with your local guide in Saint Mark's square passing through the Mercerie, the shopping connection street between Rialto and San Marco.

3. 3

   Palazzo Ducale

   1h

   The tour then continues with the guided visit inside the Doge's Palace. Be intrigued by the fascinating history of La Serenissima and enter with your skip the line ticket into the Doge’s Palace, crossing the Bridge of Sighs and visiting its prisons cells. The Palace is a magnificent combination of Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance architecture, in the heart of Venice. Once the residence of the Doge, the elected ruler of the city, and his counsellors, it became the centre of the Venetian Empire and the seat of the Government. The Doge's Palace was opened as a museum in 1923.

4. 4

   Basilica di San Marco

   1h

   Follow your guide visiting the Saint Marks Basilica, which majestically symbolizes the lagoon and enshrines the city’s history and Saints relics. With its awe – inspiring gold mosaics our talented guide will walk you through the church. The walking tour ends in Saint Mark's square at 1.00 pm At this time you will have approx 2 hours free to stroll around the area or to have lunch (not included)

5. 5

   Stop 5

   30min

   The last appointment of your package is the gondola ride at 3:00 pm or 5.15 (please verify the availability on your date). Meet the assistant in front of the Saint Mark's post office (behind the Correr musuem) Your shared 30 minutes round trip starts on the Grand Canal and then through the smaller canals. It is the perfect way to appreciate the beauty, charm and colour of this unique city built on water. Feel part of an ancient Venetian tradition and experience Venice as the locals have for more than a thousand years.

6. 6

   Museo Correr

   1h

   At the end of the tour, keep your Doge's Palace ticket to visit on your own (the same day or the following day) the Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale and Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana in Saint Mark's square, opposite side of the Saint Mark's Basilica.

Before you go

Location