Castles · Tour
Basilica, Back Alleys to the Rialto, an Hour and a Half for Lunch
A day built for people who want the main sights and the quiet parts in the same day, without either being rushed. The tickets to St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace are pre-booked, and the guide runs the two together as one story: the gold mosaics, the sea power that paid for them, the council halls and the prisons underneath. Between the two, the route goes through the narrow lanes and the courtyards towards the Rialto Bridge, which is the Venice that people who stay in St Mark's Square never see. There is a 30-minute shared gondola, so the canals get covered as well as the paving. The lunch break is an hour and a half, which is long enough to sit down and eat rather than buy something and walk.
What's included
- Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of Doge’s Palace
- Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica (€12)
- Walking tour of Rialto Bridge and Venice’s quieter areas
- Expert English-speaking guide
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- 30-minute shared gondola ride
- Free time for lunch
Itinerary
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P.za San Marco, Venezia
Arrive 15 minutes early. The guide meets you between the two big columns in St Mark's Square, the columns of San Marco and San Teodoro, on the south side near the water, holding a The Tour Guy sign.
Piazza San Marco
The day starts in St Mark's Square, the main public space of Venice. Meet the guide, and the history of the piazza and the basilica standing on it.
Basilica di San Marco
St Mark's Basilica is called the Church of Gold, and the gold mosaics and marble facing are the reason. Timed-entry tickets, and a guided visit through the history of the building.
Ponte di Rialto
After the basilica the route goes into the back alleys with a local guide. The Rialto Bridge is the target, along with the history and the legends around it, on the crossing that spans the Grand Canal.
Check off a bucket list item as you board a shared gondola…
The gondola, shared with others from your group, up to 5 people per boat. Thirty minutes on the canals, and the views Venice is photographed for.
Venice
An hour and a half to find your own lunch nearby. A panino if you are in a hurry, cicchetti if you are not, and the guide will tell you where the locals go.
Palazzo Ducale
After lunch, the Doge's Palace with a guide and timed-entry tickets. The palace was the seat of the Venetian administration and, at the same time, a prison where a number of people spent their last days. The art inside is the draw, along with the Bridge of Sighs, which connects the palace to that prison.
P.za San Marco, 1, Venezia
Not included
- Lunch
- Guide tips
Good to know
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women to enter St. Mark’s Basilica; entry may be refused otherwise. Please avoid wearing sandals, hats, shorts, skirts, or tops that expose your shoulders.
- A valid government-issued ID is required for entrance to St. Mark's Basilica. The name on your ticket (entered at check-out) must match the name on your ID, or you may be refused entry.
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- On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee.
- The order of stops may change due to timed entry schedules, crowds, or operational reasons, but you will still visit the same key sights listed.
- We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any walking impairments that require special assistance on our group tours. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages.
- Up to 15 travelers per booking.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Guiding available in: en.
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