Venice in a Day: Private Tour including St. Mark's & Doge's Palace

Whether you are a first-time visitor or you want to make the most of your time in Venice, this full-day tour is the perfect opportunity to see the most popular highlights as well as off-beaten-path landmarks. Discover the architectural and artistic highlights of Venice in a day including St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the Rialto Bridge, and more!

On your private tour, you will:

• Visit the centuries-old Venetian market for fruit and fish, that sits along the Grand Canal;
• See the Rialto Bridge, the oldest bridge crossing the Gran Canal, famous for its artisans and shops selling jewellery, linens, Murano glass and more; 
• Explore the picturesque neighbourhood of San Polo, and visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, the largest church in the city that boasts masterpieces by Titan, Giovanni Bellini and Donatello as well as the body of Antonio Canova;
• Discover Campo Santa Margherita, one of the liveliest in the city, filled with bars and restaurants it is a popular hangout spot for the locals;
• Walk through the Dorsoduro neighbourhood and cross the famed wooden Accademia bridge, which offers two of the most iconic views of the Gran Canal;
• Take a stroll down the neighbourhood of San Marco home to the Fenice Theatre, the Scala Contarini del Bovolo spiralling "snail" staircase and of course the famed St. Mark's Square;
• Take in the grandeur of St. Mark's Square and its magnificent buildings, including the Clocktower and the Belltower;
• Step into St Mark’s Basilica to admire the extensive gold mosaic decorations, and hear the story of how St. Mark's body was laid to rest here after Venetian merchants stole it in Egypt and brought it back to Venice;
• Visit the magnificent Doge’s Palace, the former seat of the Venetian government and home to the Doge, the highest official of the republic of Venice for more than 1000 years (tickets included);
• End the tour in a less-touristic area of the city, Campo Santa Maria Formosa, where your guide can suggest dining options or can help you get on a Venetian gondola.

This tour is all about making sure you experience the best of Venice in a single day –nearly an impossible task. You will see the world-famous St Mark’s Square— probably one of Italy’s most iconic locations and Venice’s largest urban open space.

This square is enclosed by the astonishing St Mark’s Basilica and the magnificent Doge’s Palace. Not only will you visit St Mark’s Basilica but also explore the Doge’s Palace, which rises majestically above the waters of the Grand Canal on St Mark’s Square. It remains one of the best examples of Venetian gothic architecture.

Your guide will be sure to show you the highlights, including the Rialto Bridge, famed as the oldest bridge to cross the Grand Canal, its arcade full of small souvenir shops is the best place to buy beautiful Venetian masks and feathers.

You will also visit the breathtaking building of the Frari Church, and the Accademia bridge, and expertly navigate the charming alleyways of the neighbourhoods of San Polo, Dorsoduro, San Marco and Castello.

At the end of your tour, your guide will be sure to give you expert recommendations on how to spend an evening in Venice –from a gondola ride to the best spots for dinner. 

Tour duration
7 hours

Type of tour
Walking tour: no transportation is included

Attractions along this route:

Bridge of Sighs
According to legend, convicts would sigh as they walked this bridge before being imprisoned in the Prigioni Nuove.

Doge's Palace
Originally home to Venice’s most powerful man, this Gothic masterpiece is one of the city’s top attractions.

St Mark’s Square
Enclosed by spectacular buildings, St Mark's is one of the most beautiful squares in the world.

St Mark's Basilica
Formerly the Doge’s chapel and famous for its sumptuous design, the Church of Gold will leave you breathless.

Campo Santa Maria Formosa
A lovely neighbourhood square surrounded by narrow alleyways and Gothic buildings, barely changed since the time of Canaletto.

Rialto Bridge
Venice’s busiest and most iconic bridge, the Rialto gives visitors a wonderful view of the Grand Canal.

Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Named after the city’s protector against the devastation of plague, San Rocco is home to marvellous Tintoretto paintings.

Accademia Bridge
A beautiful wooden bridge, one of only four bridges to span the Grand Canal

Rialto Fish Market
This traditional fish market, located right by the Grand Canal, offers a wide variety of fresh fish that marvels both locals and tourists. You can find squid, spider crabs and even moeche, straight from the Venetian lagoon.

Rialto Vegetable & Fruit Market
Explore the colours and scents of fresh produce at the Rialto fruit and vegetable market that marvels both locals and tourists.

Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
The church known as the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, more commonly referred to as the "Frari," can be found in the Campo dei Frari, which is in the center of the San Polo neighborhood in Venice, Italy.It is the city's largest church and is considered a minor basilica.The church is devoted to Mary's Assumption.