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Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour

4.5 (455)
Venice, IT
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Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour

4.5 (455)
Venice, IT
Share
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Experience the grandeur and secrecy of Venice's Doge's Palace on a thrilling 2-hour tour. Bypass the long lines and be guided by an expert through the opulent public chambers, adorned with magnificent Italian Renaissance artwork by masters like Tintoretto and Veronese. Delve into the palace's intriguing history as you uncover the dark secrets of its former rulers and secret service. Wander across the famous Bridge of Sighs, connecting the palace to the mysterious Prisons, and discover why it earned its name. With a total duration of 120 minutes, this immersive tour will transport you back in time and give you a glimpse into the captivating world of Venice's past. Don't miss out on this extraordinary journey through history.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Included
  • 2 hours
  • Suitable for 1-14 Participants
  • Private Tour, Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience & Audio Guided
  • Skip the lines at Doge's Palace
  • Explore the palace's lavish public chambers
  • See prized Italian Renaissance artwork
  • Learn about the dark deeds of Venice's former rulers
  • Visit the famous Bridge of Sighs
  • Local expert English-speaking licensed guide
  • Headset to hear the guide clearly when there are more than 8 participants in the group
  • Skip-the-line tickets to the Doge's Palace
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

The Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour in Venice is a must-do experience for history enthusiasts and art lovers. This captivating 2-hour tour takes you inside the iconic Doge's Palace, allowing you to skip the long lines and uncover its incredible highlights and secrets. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you will explore the palace's lavish public chambers, marvel at the exquisite Italian Renaissance artwork by Tintoretto and Veronese, and learn about the intriguing history of the city's former rulers and secret service. To add to the adventure, you'll cross the famous Bridge of Sighs and discover the chilling atmosphere of the New Prisons. Get ready for a fascinating journey through Venice's rich past!

What to expect?

On this Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour, you can expect a total duration of 120 minutes filled with awe-inspiring architecture, captivating stories, and renowned artworks. The tour starts at the entrance to the Royal Gardens, right on the waterfront of St Mark's Square. Here, you'll meet the tour coordinator holding a sign with the tour's name and Avventure Bellissime logo. Your first stop is the Doge's Palace, where you'll spend 2 hours delving into its history and visiting the famous Prisons. As you explore the palace, your guide will walk you through the stunning courtyard, talk about the architecture, and share intriguing insights about the Giant Staircase. You'll then cross the Bridge of Sighs, discovering why it earned its poignant name. Lastly, you'll encounter the Porta Della Carta, the main entrance linking the Doge's Palace to St Mark's Basilica.

Who is this for?

The Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour caters to an array of curious and culturally interested individuals. History buffs will find delight in uncovering the secrets and dark deeds of Venice's former rulers and secret service. Art enthusiasts will be captivated by the magnificent Italian Renaissance artwork displayed throughout the palace. Additionally, anyone with an interest in architecture and historical landmarks will appreciate the unique features and grandeur of the Doge's Palace. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, this tour offers a comprehensive and immersive experience in Venice's rich history and heritage.

Why book this?

Booking the Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour offers a chance to skip the lines and make the most out of your time in Venice. With an experienced guide leading the way, you'll gain access to exclusive knowledge and fascinating stories that bring the palace to life. The tour provides a deeper understanding of Venice's past, from the opulence of the public chambers to the haunting atmosphere of the prison cells. You'll witness masterpieces by renowned artists and learn about the intriguing tales behind them. By choosing this tour, you'll embark on an enriching journey through history and culture, ensuring an unforgettable visit to one of Venice's most iconic landmarks.

Good to know

During the Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour, remember to wear comfortable shoes as there is considerable walking involved. It's advisable to arrive at the meeting point a few minutes before the scheduled start time to ensure a smooth experience. While photography is allowed in most areas of the palace, flash photography and video recording are not permitted. It's worth noting that this tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so make sure to arrange transportation accordingly. Prepare to be amazed by the grandeur of the palace, the fascinating stories you'll hear, and the breath-taking views of Venice from the Bridge of Sighs. Don't miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to discover the hidden gems within the Doge's Palace.

Reviews

Previous visitors have praised the Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour for its insightful guides, fascinating historical information, and seamless organization. Travelers have expressed their awe at the beautiful artwork on display, particularly the works by Tintoretto and Veronese. The commentary provided by the guides has been lauded for adding depth and context to the palace's history, making the experience more engaging and memorable. Visitors have also noted the convenience of skipping the lines, allowing them to maximize their time exploring the palace and its surroundings. Overall, reviews indicate high levels of satisfaction with the tour, with many visitors recommending it as a must-do activity in Venice.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

Doge's Palace

Enjoy a 2 hrs in depht tour of the Doges Palace and visit the famous Prisons.

Admission Included

Scala dei Giganti di Palazzo Ducale

While standing in the courtyard as your guide will introduce you to the Doges Palace architecture and history, see and learn about the Giant Staircase leading up to the Palace and used for formal entrances.

Admission Included

Ponte dei Sospiri

(Pass by)

Walk over the famous Bridge of Sighs connecting the Doge's Palace to the Prisons and learn why it was given this name.

Porta Della Carta

(Pass by)

Learn about the Main entrance of the Doges Palace, the paper door that links the Doges Palace to St Mark's Basilica.

Reviews

(455)

4.5 (455)

F90KQjohnw

Alessandro was an engaging guide, a proud Venetian who shared his love of Venice and brought the history to life. Not only did he share stories of the Doge’s Palace, but also of everyday life in Venice thru the ages. Highly recommend.

Austin_H

Incredible history, beautiful location, you can’t go wrong visiting Doge’s palace. The histories and story behind this place are awe inspiring. This tour was rather frustrating though. Our guide was very concerned with the school groups, to the point of rushing us through many points so they could not pass us. She offered no opportunities for pictures, often stood right in front of what she was describing, then immediately rushed off to the next thing. We spent far too long outside in the courtyard discussing only tangentially related history and the inside portion felt very rushed. She also did not provide radios for our group of 7 and was constantly turning and looking at what she was describing making hearing her nearly impossible.

Guy_L

Katyi is an extremely informative and enthusiastic guide who began setting the scene for what we were about to see by explaining how Venice was constructed and then grew and developed into what we see today. By building up the layers of our understanding in a most generous way she gave us the tools to make sense of what we were seeing and thereby enhanced our experience and enjoyment of it all.

756MargaretG

Definitely worth a visit, took us approximately 1 1/2hrs to get round. Didn’t book in advance, paid at the entrance, no queue and cost €30 each.

745makenac

Our tour guide Lorenzo was amazing! He took the time to answer any questions we had and told amazing stories of the history of Venice. My only recommendation is that I would have liked to be in the St.Marks Basilica longer since we were in there for about 20-25 mins before heading to the boat ride. Overall, would definitely recommend!

H5135CVtimr

Lorenzo was full of energy super positive and extremely knowledgeable. I would recommend any friend take this tour and get a great insight into the lives of the rich and famous in Venice's history.

Jason_H

Our guide Ketty was amazing! She made the tour very interesting and offered insights I don't think we would have gained with another guide. I highly recommend the tour and Ketty in particular.

Michael_Z

The tour was outstanding. Elena was an amazing and extremely knowledgeable guide. She answered all our questions and really focused on our interests

aleisem2020

Excellent tour. Easy meet-up location, tour guide was wonderful. We learned a lot and even go to go through a secret passage in the palace! Definitely worth the money.

Sightseer16367910131

We had an amazing tour, and our guide was very informative! He took the time to give background history of Venice and tied it all together to bring more relevance and understanding to what we saw with him during the Doge's Palace & Prisons Tour. Thank you!
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-05-05 05:51