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New Prisons, Doge's Palace
Culture & history

Culture & history

Our most recommended New Prisons, Doge's Palace Culture & history

Venice: Doge's Palace Reserved Entry Ticket

1. Venice: Doge's Palace Reserved Entry Ticket

Skip the ticket line to Doge's Palace in Venice, a historic landmark that served as the seat of Venetian political power for centuries, with this reserved entry ticket. Admire its Gothic architecture. Also get entry to the Museo Correr, National Archeological Museum, and Marciana Library. Enter the Doge's Palace to explore the seat of a 1000-year republic and travel back in time to the Middle Ages. Relive the anguish of the prisoners as they crossed the Bridge of Sighs. Admire the palace's impressive structure and ornamentation, from its 14th and 15th-century original foundations to the significant Renaissance and opulent Mannerist adjunctions. Marvel at the rich details of the magnificent gold staircase and spectacular works of art. Also, enjoy entry to the Museo Correr on St. Mark's Square, a building that was originally designed as a residence for Napoleon, and later became the Venetian residence of the King of Italy.

Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica with Terrace & Doge’s Palace

2. Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica with Terrace & Doge’s Palace

Combine the top two sights in Venice on one extraordinary tour led by a local guide. With pre-reserved tickets and skip-the-line access, head straight into St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace for a guided experience. Select the 8 AM tour to enjoy exclusive early entry to the Doge's Palace and have the door opened exclusively for your group an hour before the general public arrives. First, step inside Venice's most important church—St. Mark's Basilica—and gain a full appreciation for its east-meets-west architecture and breathtaking gold mosaics. In the company of a local guide, get up close with some of the basilica’s greatest treasures, such as the millennia-old Quadriga of four gold horses. Have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to admire beautiful views from the balcony over St. Mark's Square. At every step of the way, you’ll hear the fascinating story of how most of the basilica's prized possessions ended up here by less-than-honest means. The second stop on your itinerary is no less beautiful. The Palazzo Ducale, or Doge's Palace, was home to the doge, or duke, of Venice and his seat of government. Skip the long line with pre-reserved tickets and walk straight inside to explore huge council chambers, incredible audience rooms, and a stunning ballroom with larger-than-life works by renowned Venetian masters such as Veronese and Tintoretto. Hear the intriguing history of this building that housed the world's oldest republic—as well as its fascinating government and even an incarcerated Casanova. To finish your morning of discovery, walk in the footsteps of many a less-fortunate Venetian from centuries past. Head over the Bridge of Sighs from the inside and into the grim New Prisons—a stark yet fascinating contrast to the opulent halls and galleries that lie within the palace just across the narrow canal.

Venice: Doge's Palace Skip-the-Line Ticket with Guidebook

3. Venice: Doge's Palace Skip-the-Line Ticket with Guidebook

Save precious time and skip the long lines to the former seat of power in Venice. Enjoy fast track entry to the magnificent Doge's Palace and wander around the amazing halls and corridors at your own pace. Cross the Bridge of Sighs from the inside to reach the prisons where criminals were kept, including Casanova! Use the handy guide book, provided in your chosen language, to learn the history of the palace and its masterpieces of art. Continue to the nearby Museo Correr to explore the way of life of the locals of Venice through the centuries on the upper floors of the Procuratorie Nuove. Create your own adventure and use the 8 suggested itineraries in the guide book to discover the different palaces of St. Mark’s Square. See sculptures, paintings and libraries that reveal the true might of the city's naval history.

Venice: City Pass with Museums, Churches & Public Transport

4. Venice: City Pass with Museums, Churches & Public Transport

Make your trip to Venice more comfortable with the Venice City Pass. Gain access to all of the city's prominent churches, museums, monuments, and more. Choose from multiple-day passes, with the option to add public transportation tickets. Visit the Byzantine monuments of St. Mark's Square and venture inside the former palace of the dukes, Doge's Palace. Get access to all 16 churches of the Chorus Circuit such as Chiesa di Santa Maria del Giglio, Chiesa di Santo Stefano, and Santa Maria dei Miracoli. Make your way to the Museo Correr, Archaeological Museum, Biblioteca Marciana, Ca' Rezzonico, Ca' Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art, Glass Museum on Murano Island, Natural History Museum, Museo di Palazzo Mocenigo, Carlo Goldoni's House, Lace Museum on Burano Island, and Museo Fortuny. List of museums:Doge's PalaceMuseo CorrerArchaeological MuseumBiblioteca MarcianaCa' RezzonicoCa' PesaroNatural History MuseumMocenigo PalaceCarlo Goldoni HouseLace Museum on Burano IslandGlass Museum on Murano IslandMuseo Fortuny The 16 Churches of the Chorus Circuit include: Santa Maria del GiglioSan StaeSanto StefanoSant'AlviseSanta Maria FormosSan Pietro di CastelloSanta Maria dei MiracoliSantissimo RedentoreS.Giovanni ElemosinarioSanta Maria del Rosario (Gesuati)San PoloSan SebastianoSan Giacomo dall'OrioSan GiobbeSanta Maria del Carmelo (Carmini)S.Giovanni Battista in Bragora

Venice: St. Mark's City Pass with Doge's Palace Entry

5. Venice: St. Mark's City Pass with Doge's Palace Entry

Book the St. Mark's City Pass for your trip to Venice and get entry to Doge's Palace, the 3 museums on St. Mark's Square, 3 churches on the Chorus Circuit, and the Querini Stampalia Foundation. Make the most out of your time in the city by selecting one of the options that include public transport. Start exploring at St. Mark's Square, where your pass affords you free entry to Doge's Palace. Then, head to the other museums located on the square, with free entry to the Correr Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, and Biblioteca Marciana. Your pass also includes entry to the Querini Stampalia Foundation and 3 historic churches on the Chorus Circuit, the Church of Santa Maria del Giglio, the Church of Santo Stefano, and the Church of Santa Maria Formosa. Choose an option that includes transportation, and benefit from the use of all public transport services in the city of Venice, including vaporetto and buses, trams, and the People Mover. 

Venice Museum Pass & Doge's Palace Entrance Ticket

6. Venice Museum Pass & Doge's Palace Entrance Ticket

Admire the San Marco Civic Museums, such as the Doge’s Palace, Correr Museum, National Archaeological Museum, Biblioteca Marciana, and more with your Venice museum pass. Glimpse into the past as you explore the treasures and cultural traditions across various museums and historic churches. Museums of St. Mark's Square (available with the Venice Museum Pass and Venice Museum Pass Plus): • Doge's Palace • Correr Museum • National Archaeological Museum • Biblioteca Marciana If you select the Venice Museum Pass Plus option you will also enjoy entry to the following civic museums: • Ca' Rezzonico • Carlo Goldoni's House • Mocenigo Palace • Ca' Pesaro (Modern Art Gallery and Oriental Art Gallery) • Glass Museum (Murano) • Lace Museum (Burano) • Natural History Museum Both options include the following historic churches in the Chorus Pass: • Chiesa di Santa Maria del Giglio • Chiesa di Santo Stefano • Chiesa Santa Maria Formosa • Santa Maria dei Miracoli • San Giovanni Elemosinario • Ca’ San Polo • San Giacomo dell'Orio • San Stae • Sant'Alvise • San Pietro di Castello • San Redentore • Santa Maria di Rosario • San Sebastiano • San Giobbe • Santa Maria Del Carmelo - I Carmini • San Giovanni Battista in Bragora

Venice: Doge's Palace Guided Tour With Skip-The-Line Tickets

7. Venice: Doge's Palace Guided Tour With Skip-The-Line Tickets

Join a local guide on a tour of Venice's top attraction with convenient pre-reserved tickets. Benefit from priority access, saving you precious hours waiting in line. Immerse yourself in the captivating stories and rich history behind the city's major highlights. Begin your journey at the iconic St. Mark's Square, where your guide will reveal the historical, social, and political significance of this renowned public space. Admire the stunning Clock Tower and Marble Lions that are integral to St. Mark's storied past. Enjoy a leisurely stroll to the lavish Doge's Palace, with pre-reserved tickets that grant instant access to the political heart of the former Empire, bypassing long queues. Marvel at the awe-inspiring Gothic architecture of the palace and discover the supreme authority and wealth of the ruling Venetian Doges, along with the skilled 14th-century sculptors who worked on the palace. Explore the Old Prison, a section of the Doge's Palace, and learn about the poignant Bridge of Sighs, a notable landmark in Venice's history. Hear the captivating tale of the infamous Casanova and his life in Venice, gaining enough knowledge to continue exploring the city on your own. Extend your stay at the Palace after your tour finishes, and take advantage of the tour's included tickets to the Correr Museum on St. Mark's Square, a stunning residence designed for Napoleon. Explore the museum at your leisure after the tour ends, with tickets valid for the entire day.

Venice: Early Entrance Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica

8. Venice: Early Entrance Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica

Step inside the Doge's Palace before it opens to the public and skip the lines at the stunning St. Mark's Basilica. Embark on a guided tour of these Venetian landmarks before soaking up the panoramic views of Venice from the Basilica's terrace. Begin your guided tour with an early visit to the Doge's Palace. Wander through this immense building without the usual crowds and marvel at the Giants' Staircase and paintings by Paolo Veronese. Watch how the morning light changes inside this elegant marble-and-gold palace. Make your way onto the Bridge of Sighs. Walk in the footsteps of historic prisoners being marched to their fate and hear about the anguish and torment that gave the bridge its poetic name. Continue to St. Mark's Basilica and marvel at its intricate exterior, which has evolved over the centuries. Feel the ambiance at the stunning Piazza San Marco before bypassing the long lines to the Basilica with your fast-pass tickets. Once inside, gaze up at the spectacular complex of gold-covered domes and arches towering overhead. Glance down at the intricate 11th-century flooring with its geometric animal motifs and learn about the basilica's history as a symbol of Venice. Finally, climb the stairs to the terrace and be greeted with breathtaking views across Venice. Finish your tour by admiring iconic city landmarks from above, such as Piazza San Marco, the island of San Giorgio, the Campanile, and the Clock Tower.

Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge's Palace Evening Tour

9. Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge's Palace Evening Tour

Escape the crowds on a late afternoon guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, and discover 2 of the icons of Venice away from the crowds. Meet at the Correr Museum (Museo Correr) in St. Mark's square, under the portico just outside the entrance of the museum. Then, enter the Doge's Palace to learn more about the center of power during the Venetian Republic. See the sumptuous apartments of the Venetian rulers, as well as the Hall of the Great Council with its stunning frescoes by Veronese and Tintoretto. Hear secret stories behind the art, such as why one doge in the painted series is covered by a black veil. Learn how the were dukes were elected, and what they did. Explore the massive armory and spooky prisons. Cross the Bridge of Sighs on the inside, and hear why it is not quite as romantic as you might have thought! After a short break, continue to the Byzantine basilica of St. Mark's, and see its gilt decorations after the crowds have left for the day. A custodian of the cathedral will unlock its doors so that you can experience like only a doge could. Marvel at the gemstones of the Pala d’Oro altarpiece. Visit the crypt, where the bones of St. Mark are said to be kept. Admire mosaics in the soft glimmer of the evening light, and learn about Venetian art and history from your passionate guide.

Venice: Doge's Palace of Mysteries and Secrets Guided Tour

10. Venice: Doge's Palace of Mysteries and Secrets Guided Tour

Discover the deepest secrets and mysteries shrouding the beauty of the Doge's Palace in Venice on a guided tour. Explore hidden chambers and intriguing tales within this architectural gem. Immerse yourself in the heart of Venice and unveil its best-kept enigmas. Accompanied by a passionate guide, be led through intriguing stories of politics, dark conspiracies, and enigmatic figures that shaped the destiny of Venice. Uncover the veil of mystery surrounding the Doge's Palace. Walk along the corridors where ancient secrets reside and be captivated by the history and art interwoven in this symbol of power and mystery. Next, 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. Then continue your journey on your own as you explore the opulent halls of the Royal Palace. Visit the elegant rooms once inhabited by Empress Sissi and enter Napoleon's magnificent ballroom. Get a fascinating insight into the art and history of Venice.

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What people are saying about New Prisons, Doge's Palace

I would highly recommend buying queue jump tickets as there were long queues when we visited in January. The palace has breathtaking interior decoration and will amaze you!

Our guide was amazing. He was funny, and was very invested in the city’s history and importance to italys tourism. One of our best tours while travelling Italy.

Clare is a fantastic tour guide. She was so full of energy and made the tour engaging and informative !

Great time saver, I bought them on site to avoid the queue. Beautiful place

Skip the line is always a time saver! Would recommend.