Venice Doge’s Palace - The Legacy of the Roman Empire™
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Our Doge's Palace tour offers a deeper look into Venice’s history. Led by expert guides, you'll explore key rooms and stories that shaped the Republic, from political decisions to daily life behind the palace walls. During the visit, you will cross the iconic Bridge of Sighs, just as Casanova once did when he made his daring escape from the dark and wet prisons of the Doge's Palace.
If you're looking to elevate your visit with a truly exclusive experience, the Secret Itineraries of the Doge’s Palace reveal the hidden side of Venetian power. This special tour goes beyond the public halls, uncovering restricted areas where covert trials and political intrigue unfolded. Explore private offices, secret archives, and chilling spaces like the Chamber of Torture and the cramped Pozzi cells. Perfect for history lovers and curious minds, the Secret Itineraries offer a rare, immersive glimpse into the shadowy heart of the Venetian Republic.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Suggested comfortable clothing
The tour may be shared with guests not in the same group
Unfortunately, this tour is not fully accessible for wheelchair users or people with mobility disabilities
Small group
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. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
The secret itineraries option is not suitable for children under 6 years old, pregnant women or individuals with claustrophobia.
Following new regulations effective July 1st, all travelers visiting St. Mark’s Basilica must provide their full names — not just the lead traveler. Failure to do so may result in denied entry
What To Expect
Piazza San Marco
Admire the most beautiful square in the world, Piazza San Marco.
Palazzo Ducale
Discover the majestic Doge's Palace.
Options
Classic Guided Tour in French
French Starting point: Venice Tours srl - Priority Tickets San Marco Square Monuments, Calle de le Rasse, 4536, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Classic Guided Tour in English
English Starting point: Venice Tours srl - Priority Tickets San Marco Square Monuments, Calle de le Rasse, 4536, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Express Guided Tour
Duration: 1 hour Starting point: gondola ride, Calle larga de l'Ascension, 1257, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
What‘s Included
Bridge of Sighs Access
Doge's Palace Prisons Access
History Gallery: a unique Vr experience of Piazza San Marco in the past
St. Mark's Basilica Visit (if option is selected)
Audio-receiver device/headphones to hear the guide clearly
Doge's Palace Secret Itineraries (if option is selected)
Priority Access to Royal Palace & San Marco Museum (not included in the Secret Doge Palace Option)
Professional Guide
Priority Ticket to Doge's Palace
Hotel pick up and Drop Off
Food & drinks
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
48 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Worth seeing.
Diane D,May 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Interesting history. Very beautiful inside with beautiful ceilings and paintings. Sara, our tour guide, was awesome. Made the tour a fun experience!
Doge tour
Amy B,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00We were added to the tour midway through and it started 25 minutes late due the guide running behind. We were just told to jump in the line. We never even knew the guides name. It was hard to hear him at times. Overall just not the best experience.
Dog Palace - Bridge of Sighs and new prisons
Encarnacion Q,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The guide is very good. Tour somewhat at the pace and very general ... ok for those who just want a nice overview. I thought it would be more detailed anyway... too bad!
Disappointing
Allen A,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00The audio guide didn’t work. While the guide was knowledgeable, he left the group 2/3 of the way through the tour and we had to finish on our own
Doge's Palace
Amy S,Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was short & sweet. Very nice to have a guide to provide the information & it made getting in very easy!
Didn’t get what I paid for
Joseph L,Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00Not happy. Booked Doge Palace Tour with Secret Itineraries option but was given standard tour instead. I took my complaint to the tour office but was brushed off.
Amazing guide, informative and entertaining.
Elizabeth W,Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an excellent guide. She was informative as well as entertaining. We would definitely recommend thus tour.
Was not the Secret Itineraries tour
rdarco,Aug 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Tour advertised the Secret Itineraries but this was just the normal tour. Did not contain any exclusive content. Tour was ok, just not what we paid for.
DO NOT BOOK THIS TOUR
L1098QHamandaw,Jun 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Do not book with this company. This is a bait and switch scam. They falsly advertise for the secret itinerary tour and you purchase tickets for the "mystery and secrets tour" to go see what they advertise on the site of Casanova's staircase, chamber of secrecy, entire prison and we received the normal guided tour which is not what we paid for. I asked 2 people, the guide and the person at the meeting point if this was correct tour they both assured me it was and then put us in the normal tour. We saw nothing that we paid to see. And had no customer support to fix the situation.
Bof
Alexandra b,May 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00There were 25 people visiting the secret passages, which is way too many in my opinion. The guide was so far ahead that the second part of the group could not hear even with the radios because the sound cut off. In addition, the activity started 30 minutes late and the guide passed super fast ...
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