Doge's Palace Audio Guide
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Top sights near Doge's Palace

Discover the Treasure of Venice with this skip-the-line ticket and official self-guided audio tour of the Saint Mark's Basilica! Please, note the entrance ticket includes access to and audio tour of the ground floor only! Access to and an audio guide of the museums and terraces is NOT included! Located in St. Mark square, right next to the Doge's Palace, the Saint Mark's Basilica has always been the center of Venice's public and religious life. Today, it is open both for prayer and for the opportunity to admire its extraordinary artistic heritage. Start your incredible journey in front of the Basilica, learning about its history and architecture. Then, bypass the crowds and plunge into the story, which is a tale like no other. Venice brought Byzantium's spiritual and material heritage to the West and preserved it till now, so travelers from all over the world could experience its grandeur. Be lucky to see 8000 square metres of mosaics covering the Basilica walls, vaults, and cupolas. Marvel at a unique architectural collection consisting of masterpieces of different types, epochs, and origins. As a bonus, when you've finished exploring the basilica and the square, we invite you on a stroll through the city of Venice. The route is designed to guide you through narrow cobblestone streets, over picturesque bridges, and alongside the shimmering Grand Canal, providing a structure to your discovery of Venice, concluding on the vibrant Rialto Bridge.

When you visit Venice, you can't miss Fortuny Palace, with its centuries worth of history. When you pass through the front door, you immerse yourself in the customs and traditions of Venice. Its unique facade is characterised by seven openings, while its interior has wooden lintels and marble pillars. Its architectural beauty is what attracted the designer Mariano Fortuny, who decided to restore the palace and give it back its lost beauty. Amongst the designer's creations, you can admire the winter garden and painting studio located on the first noble floor. The space features art of female figures, allegorical images, satyrs and exotic animals, parrots, and monkeys enveloped in floral and vegetable motifs, garlands and grotesques. Make sure to admire the Fortuny family's antiques collection and spectacular examples of textile production during your visit.

Duck out of the thronging crowds at St. Mark's Square, and enjoy a little holiday in the mind of a genius, with a ticket to Negozio Olivetti. Designed by celebrated Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa, this boutique museum is the perfect counterpoint to Venice's Gothic and Moorish architecture - and its bustling crowds! Epitomizing Scarpa's innovative use of space, the understated elegance of Negozio Olivetti offers a bite-size slice of calming modern design, without a single pigeon in sight!

Put your city plans aside and head to the rolling Euganean Hills for a taste of early 16th-century, aristocratic Italian life. The Villa dei Vescovi (Bishops' Villa) was intended as a place for nobleman Alvise Cornaro's intellectual friends to gather and discuss the importance of art and nature. As you do! Explore the fancy rooms and spot the homages to the great outdoors in the frescoes on the walls. The views across the vineyards outside are magical. Why not bring a picnic?

The Museum of Natural History Venice, with its two rich exhibition floors, will do nothing but surprise you! On the ground floor you'll find the Cetacean Gallery – with the skeleton of a baleen whale and a young sperm whale – and the Tegnùe Aquarium, which reconstructs a particular underwater rocky environment of the Upper Adriatic Sea. On the upper floor, the museum is divided into three parts: the first is dedicated to fossils, the second recounts the evolution of collecting nature and the birth of scientific museology, and the third illustrates the variety of living forms and the complexity of adaptations and specialisations. Prepare to be amazed by our natural world at the Museum of Natural History Venice.

Discover the interiors of the enchanting La Fenice Theatre in Venice with this skip-the-line entrance ticket! Whether you're a lover of opera or simply want to immerse yourself in the beauty of one of Italy's most celebrated theaters, this opera house is sure to leave you captivated and inspired. This ticket offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at La Fenice, taking you to areas typically overlooked by the public, such as the Royal Box and the Apollo Rooms boasting some magnificent details of the Baroque interiors. You'll be able to explore the stunning architecture and ornate interiors of La Fenice securing the heritage of the incredible performances that have taken place within its walls. Photos and artifacts will tell you the story of the theatre's founding, its tumultuous past, and its triumphant rebirth after devastating fires. Experience the magic of one of the most renowned opera houses and admire the artistry of this iconic venue. WeGoTrip is an authorized reseller of Venezia Unica services.

Once the home of Venetian nobles, two world-class museums occupy the space inside this opulent ex-palace. Explore a huge collection of 19th and 20th-century paintings, as well as Expressionist and Surrealist art in The International Gallery of Modern Art. In the Oriental Art Museum, ogle the many treasures from Prince Enrico di Borbone's jaunt across Asia from 1887–89. Marvel at beautiful antique Islamic ceramics, an exquisite carved Chinese chess set from the 18th century, and more.

With this combo ticket you'll get skip-the-line access to two of Venice's most interesting museums! Explore the art of Venetian lace-making from the 16th to the 20th centuries at the Lace Museum, then check out the largest collection of Murano glass in history at the Glass Museum.

Get lost in the various rooms of the Scuola Grande dei Carmini, founded on 1598 as a laical confraternity. History unravels beneath your feet as you explore numerous, priceless works of art, including the famous ceiling. It's worth a bit of neck strain to feast your eyes on the paintings by Giambattista Tiepolo above your head! The artist worked tirelessly in 1739 and 1749 to create the famous nine canvases, depicting scenes of spiritual virtue. The interior rooms of the Scuola have fully preserved the original antique furnishings.

If you wanted a no-frills adventure in Venice, this is not it. Explore the art of Venetian lace from the 16th to the 20th century at the Lace Museum and learn about the art of tatting (also known as lace)! More than 200 rare and valuable objects are preserved in the open archive here, including drawings, photographs, and other lace charms. On the first floor of the museum, you'll find four rooms packed with lacey-based items. Learn about the evolution of the art of lace-making in Venice over the centuries, and get up close to over 200 rare and precious examples. During museum opening hours, you can even see skilled master lacemakers at work, custodians of an art handed down over the centuries.
Things to do in Venice
Attractions in Venice
Cities in Italy
About Doge's Palace
Address
Piazza San Marco, 1Open in Google MapsOpening hours
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Best time to visit
Crowd level
Directions
Doge's Palace is one of Venice’s most important historic landmarks, serving for centuries as the political heart of the Venetian Republic. Built in its celebrated Gothic form mainly during the 14th and 15th centuries, it was both the residence of the Doge and the seat of government, law courts, and state administration. Inside, lavish chambers and monumental halls reflected the wealth, power, and ceremonial culture of Venice. The palace is especially noted for its grand council rooms, richly decorated interiors, armoury, and prison areas connected by the famous Bridge of Sighs. Today, Doge's Palace remains a powerful symbol of Venetian civic identity and artistic achievement, showing how closely architecture, politics, and spectacle were linked in historic Venice.
Before you enter
- Arrive 10–15 minutes early for security checks at Doge's Palace.
- Wear comfortable shoes; the palace visit includes many halls, stairs, and long walking sections.
- Check current opening hours before visiting, especially for Friday and Saturday evening openings.
- Carry only essential items, as larger bags and umbrellas may need to be checked.
What to expect
- Expect ornate Gothic architecture, grand chambers, and richly decorated ceilings throughout the palace.
- Plan around 2–4 hours to explore Doge's Palace comfortably.
- The prison section feels darker and more austere than the ceremonial rooms.
- Rooms can be crowded later in the day, especially around the largest halls.
During your visit
- Start with the main state rooms before crowds build in the busiest galleries.
- Pause in the Great Council Hall to appreciate its scale and decorative detail.
- Take your time crossing the Bridge of Sighs for its historic atmosphere.
- Look for contrasts between the luxurious chambers and the stark prison spaces.
About Doge's Palace
Doge’s Palace receives visitors daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The time for the last entry is 5:00 PM.
You can visit Palazzo Ducale any time of the year, and it’s an indoor museum. Therefore, you don’t need to concern yourself with the weather conditions.
The best time to visit this museum is on weekdays from 9:00 AM till noon because the number of visitors is lower.
This imposing Venetian Gothic building was the seat of power of the Doge of Venice, the head of the Venetian Republic. Here’s what you can do in this magnificent building:
- See an architectural masterpiece. The building belongs to the Venetian Gothic style and is incredibly well-preserved. Massive marble columns, intricate decorations, beautiful sculptures – there is a reason this building is one of Venice’s top-tier attractions.
- Explore the house of rulers of Venice. As times changed, so did Doge’s Palace. It started as a castle before serving as the Doge’s residence, administrative building, and even a prison. You can explore all these changes and roles of Palazzo Ducale alone or in a tour group.
- Visit marvelous exhibitions and events. Doge’s Palace hosts many events and exhibitions under its roof. The current exhibition, These Writings, When Burned, Will Finally Cast a Little Light, explores contemporary art and how it can speak about universal themes.
Traveling by vaporetto is the best option, and you can reach Palazzo Ducale from multiple locations across Venice.
For example, you can get to Doge’s Palace from Santa Lucia Railway Station by boarding a vaporetto on Lines 1, 2, 4.1, and 5.1. Exit the vaporetto on Vallaresso or San Zaccaria stop for Line 1, Giardinetti for Line 2, and San Zaccaria for Lines 4.1 and 5.1.
Access to Doge’s Palace is part of the St. Mark’s Square Ticket that you can purchase online or on the spot.
Tickets for adults cost €25 online and purchased at least 30 days before the visit or €30 on the spot. Children (6 to 14 y.o.), students, and seniors pay only €13 for online tickets or €15 on the spot.
Taking the tour Venice: Magnificent Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica is a perfect opportunity to see Palazzo Ducale, admire the magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica, and walk across the iconic St. Mark’s Square.
FAQ about Doge's Palace
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