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.
