The Best of Venice: St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, & Gondola Ride

Make the most of your time in Venice with a well-crafted itinerary that hits the top attractions 

Venice is like no other city, there is so much to see and do that the days fly by. However, if you only have a short amount of time, this tour is a convenient way to cover the key highlights in a day. You'll start at Rialto, with its iconic bridge and bustling fish market, where you'll learn how this floating city was built and the way water has shaped its history and culture. Next, you'll embark on a delightful stroll through the maze of calli and campi, as Venetian streets and squares are called, seeing the sights hidden within them while hearing about local history. To truly get a taste of the local way of life, you'll also get to enjoy a scenic gondola ride for 30 minutes. After some free time for lunch (short break), you'll continue the tour at St. Mark's Square. Your skip-the-line tickets will take you straight into the marvellous Basilica where you'll admire its beautiful golden mosaics and intriguing mix of architectural elements and artistic styles. Finally, you'll visit the Doge's Palace, which was the seat of the government during the Venetian Republic and now offers a wealth of artistic treasures to explore. You'll also get to walk over the infamous Bridge of Sighs connecting the palace to the prisons.