Group · 6 Max
3 hrs 30 mins
LivTours’ Doge’s Palace & St Mark’s Basilica Tour at Night semi-private tour showcases two of the most important monuments in Venice with an added experience: a unique light experience inside St. Mark’s Basilica.
On this semi-private tour (6 travelers max) you will gain an understanding of the stunning seaside fortress that has its roots in the year 810 AD and was later transformed into one of the most important palaces of the Mediterranean: the Doge’s Palace. You will learn how and why the Doge’s Palace, originally the palace of the Archduke of Venice, has changed significantly over the centuries.
In the remarkable St Mark’s Basilica you will have a unique and spectacular experience. You will enter the Basilica alone with only other LivTours travelers, in complete darkness. Once you find your seats, the light show begins: one by one the lights are turned on to expose the beautifully detailed golden mosaic ceilings. Your VIP entrance also offers a close look at the altar and crypt of the Basilica.
Join an evening tour and experience these two monuments without the crowds and in the magic of twilight.
Semi-Private tours and experiences are guaranteed six participants max.
Our prices always include tickets and reservations fees (no waiting in lines!)
Our tour guides and staff are selected experts and speak perfect English
Easy to book and prepay your tours with our secure payment system
Eco-sustainable tourism, designed to respect and support local culture, art and traditions
Your LivTours Venice Evening Tour begins when you meet your guide and fellow travelers – your group will be no more than six travelers total – in one of Italy’s most stunning squares: St Mark’s Square. Just off the Grand Canal, this expansive square is known for charming cafes and Italian-Gothic architecture. This has been a gathering place for Venetians for nearly two thousand years: the first church built in this square, where St Mark’s now stands, was constructed in 810 AD.
From your top-rated guide, you will learn about St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, the two most important buildings of this square. You will gain an understanding of the cultural influences behind the architectural beauty of the surrounding buildings and of Venice as a whole.
After admiring the square, it is time to explore the Doge’s Palace. Originally built as a fortress in the 800s, the space was transformed into a palazzo in the 1300s and renovated and improved over the following centuries. Doge’s Palace was expanded so much that it ended up sharing a wall with St Mark’s Basilica next door. After all, they could not expand into the sea! The Doge’s Palace hosts opulent rooms and endless tales of the Doges that lived here. The Doge was the highest ruler when Venice was an independent kingdom and not yet part of Italy. The tales are illuminating but also dark.
Before leaving the Doge’s Palace, your expert guide will take you to the famous Bridge of Sighs. You will find out why this Italian walkway has an English name and enjoy the views of the Lagoon of Venice from there.
Once you have finished exploring the Doge’s Palace, your guide will lead you and your group to the side entrance of St Mark’s Basilica, reserved for exclusive night time visits. You will be surprised just how dark it is inside the Basilica. Your guide will help you find a pew as you prepare for the lights to be turned on one by one, slowly exposing the detailed golden mosaic ceiling. The mosaics depict stories from the Old Testament with images of Noah, Adam, and Moses. Some scholars think these are replicas of the miniatures of ancient medieval manuscripts of The Bible. A night-time visit creates an ambiance which is absolutely unforgettable.
Taking this tour in the evening has even more advantages than the special light show, as you will be able to see the Pala D’oro ancient altarpiece up close, usually impossible with the hordes of daytime crowds. You will have time to admire the craftsmanship of gold and silver metalwork as well as the 1300 pearls and 1900 gemstones that adorn it.
You will also get to see the crypts where noble Venetians have been laid to rest. Learn how the crypt was moved in the 16th century to avoid flood damage and how it was sealed off for over two centuries only to be reopened in the 19th century.
This unique and unforgettable evening tour is perfect for all ages.
Due to the highly variable nighttime opening and closing times of Doge’s and St. Mark’s, your tour may need to take up to a 1.5 hour break between the two sites, in which case your guide will recommend a local restaurant or bar in which to wait. In some cases, however, there will be no break. In all cases, the total duration of the guided tour will ALWAYS be three hours, regardless of the break time.
LivTours’ group size of max 6 participants is and always has been based on sustainable travel, and we are proud to be at the forefront of change and innovation in the industry. LivTours is committed to providing travelers with truly sustainable tours with the lowest possible environmental impact, all while supporting the local industries and people of each unique destination. To learn more about how you can actively support sustainable tourism and how LivTours is contributing, click here.
All LivTours Semi-Private Group Tours are limited to 6 guests per tour guide. Our commitment to maintaining our uniquely tiny group sizes can sometimes be a little tricky, mathematically speaking. For example, we want to ensure that traveling families and friends can tour together so on rare occasions we may add one or two guests in order to not split groups. On that same note, you may also find yourself on tour with less than six people! We thank you for your understanding and flexibility.
By selecting Choose Dates Later / Buy as Gift at booking, any tour can be purchased without fixed dates. This is the perfect option if you want to purchase your tour as a gift for a loved one, or if you are in the pre-planning phase of your vacation. After booking, you will receive a Travel Voucher Code and full instructions on how to schedule your tours when ready. Once your travel plans are confirmed, you can easily use the Travel Voucher Code on the LivTours website to formally schedule your tours. You can find out more here.
