Private Night Tour of Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica

based on 32 reviews

Duration:3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Location: Venice, Veneto

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This Private Night Doge's Palace and St Mark's Tour is a perfect way to visit two of the most famous sights in the city. You will begin in St Mark's square, where you will hear all about the long history of this famous piazza, as you make your way to the Doge's Palace. Your private guide will regale you with the stories of famous prisoners who were kept in the dungeons of the Palace, as you roam the opulent rooms, prisons, courts and halls of the Doge’s Palace. Then, you will make your way to St. Mark's once it has already closed its doors. That's right! With this tour, you will have exclusive After Hours access: only you, your group, and your tour guide!!
Once inside the basilica, you will be mesmerised by a spectacular light show highlighting the sacred art and mosaics which adorn the golden mosaic ceilings. You will also see the Pala d'Oro altar, and descend into the crypt where St Mark himself is laid to rest.
We guarantee this to be a once in a lifetime experience!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Piazza San Marco
Your Private Night Doge’s Palace and St. Mark's Tour starts in one of the most beautiful and famous squares in all of Venice – St Mark’s Square – which has stood through wars, flooding, changes in governments for over a millennium. As you admire the square's romantic, historic and powerful atmosphere, your guide will give you a good idea of the timelines and history of this famous piazza before, as you make your way inside the Doge’s Palace.
2. Doge's Palace
An exemplary work of Venetian Gothic architecture, the Doge's Palace was once the seat of the Venetian Republic and their leader, the Doge. For over 700 years, this impressive palace has housed 120 powerful Doges, as well as government offices, prison cells and the Court. You will be mesmerized by the stories your guide will share with you as you stroll through the Doge’s private, ornate apartments and impressive halls with their enormous paintings and frescoes. Walking through the corridors with your private guide you will appreciate the whole gamut of Venice’s history, not only the romantic and polished side, but also its most secret and mysterious corners. This tour takes you behind the scenes, allowing you to learn about the fear and authority the Palazzo Ducale used to represent. Your private guide will regale you with the stories of famous prisoners who were kept in the dungeons of the Doge’s Palace...discover the most famous one!
3. Basilica di San Marco
By the time you exit the Doge’s Palace the sun will have set and darkness will have taken its place, offering the perfect atmosphere for your next stop. There will be no crowds and no waiting in line as we have EXCLUSIVE access to the basilica at night, so only you, your group, and your tour guide will be admitted. Imagine being alone at night in St Mark’s!! When you enter, the church will be in complete darkness and your guide will help you find the perfect pew. Get your camera ready, as one by one the lights will be turned on to reveal gorgeous golden ceiling mosaics. This is truly a one of a kind experience, which will leave you with unforgettable memories, making history come to life – and light! During your time in St Mark’s your guide will also take you to see normally restricted areas showing you the Pala D’oro, an ancient altarpiece made entirely of gold and silver, and access to the crypts where some of the wealthiest Venetians, including St Mark himself, were laid to rest.

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : K9363FEdeniseh
Our guide, Pamela was fantastic. She was knowledgeable, kept us moving and kept our small group together and engaged. Highly recommend!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-12 17:14:53

Posted By : SKALondon
We don’t often do tours but after coming to Venice for more than 30 years we decided to visit St Mark’s. We didn’t fancy the crowds there now are during the day so chose this.

Ottavia was our guide. There was one other private tour and two group tours and the other tours didn’t impact our tour.

The tour started with a tour of the square where Ottavia gave a bit of history on the square, Venice and the architecture. Some we knew some we didn’t. Then it was into the basilica for an hour. Yes you had to wait at mosaics pointed out to all tours or the Pala d’Oro but it never felt like waiting in a queue as Ottavia gave some history or pointed out something of interest.

During the tour all the lights were turned out and then relit one by one. You see the Pala d’Oro - generally only revealed for mass and the crypt which has a system to clear water and is used for services during tourist visits. A first for us.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-30 03:03:46

Posted By : Journey16387134170
We had a lovely time with Grazia on our first tour (of 5) with LivTours and I can't recommend enough! We learned so much about the history and values of Venice at Doge's Palace. And it was amazing to be able to see St Mark's Basilica in private at night with little other groups/people, a stark difference from how busy and crowded the square was during the day. Thank you to Grazia for sharing funny anecdotes along the way as well, especially about the Bridge of Sighs. Would 100% recommend!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-29 07:23:18

Posted By : Shiqiiris
The experience was amazing! We basically had a private tour as there was only me and my husband. We were hiven all the attention and felt confortavle to ask questions. Our tour guide Sabrina was very experienced and friendly. She taught us so much about the Doge Palace and the Cathedral. The after hour experience was incredible as we have never been to a similar tour. The tour agency was very responsible to update us the reporting time changes due to the opening hours changes.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-11-17 19:41:09

Posted By : Trek22617552163
Nico was such a wonderful tour guide! He is extremely knowledgeable & taught us so much. Very great & engaging personality. We are so happy to have met Nico & would recommend to our friends. His has an amazing depth of historical knowledge & expertise. Thank you so much Nico & Livtours! Grazie mille!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-10 16:34:29

Posted By : Sidney_C
Grace or Grazia was a fantastic guide for our night tour of Dodge’s Palace and St Mark’s basilica. We enjoyed our private tour and with very few other groups visiting at the same time we were able to take our time and truly soak in everything without large crowds of people. Grazia was warm and friendly and very knowledgeable about all of the history and made our tour entertaining and fun. I cannot recommend the night tour of St Mark’s Basillica enough, it is the best way to see it! I recommend this tour and especially Grazia to show you these wonders of Venice!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-04 17:40:42

Posted By : Brad C
Octavia is a marvelous guide who customized our tour based upon what we had previously seen.
Wish we had known we’d get a 1.75hr break before after dark portion of the tour. We ate prior to the tour thinking the tour would go from meeting time on through dark.
In reality the break was the best time to grab a bite.
The highlights of the tour for me were San Marco crypt, and just when the lights were beginning to be turned on inside San Marco.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-09-25 03:52:01

Posted By : patriciapN3914OD
Niko was a wonderful tour guide and showed us the beauty and history of Venice throughout the tour of Doge Palace and St Marks. It was so special, grand and informative.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-09-10 16:17:24

Posted By : A2196CZbriank
So much detail, Tour guide was exceptionally! Pointed out so many things I would have missed at first glance. Lots of history
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-09-04 12:19:40

Posted By : Danaylor
Our guide Octavia was fantastic. She shared so many historical facets of the Basilica and Palace and wove the pieces together so we could follow the thread of the church and the different murals

Going into the. Church after hours where they turned on the lights was magical. The beauty of the gold glistening throughout the ceiling was breathtaking. Truly enjoyed the tour
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-08-15 16:53:31