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Venice: Doge’s Palace Prisons & Secret Itineraries Guided Tour

637 Reviews 4.42 out of 5 stars Based on 637 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards. Venice, Italy
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from $93.88 per person

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Venice: Doge’s Palace Prisons & Secret Itineraries Guided Tour Image 1
Venice: Doge’s Palace Prisons & Secret Itineraries Guided Tour Image 2
St. Mark's Basilica
Doge's Palace
Doge's Palace

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On average, this is booked 21 (0) days in advance.
1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
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Overview

Unlock the hidden history of Venice on the Secret Itineraries Tour of the Doge’s Palace, featuring skip-the-line access. Explore the lesser-seen areas of this iconic landmark, including secret archives, council chambers, the torture chamber, and the attic prison cell where Casanova famously escaped. Learn from your expert Guide the secrets of the Venetian Republic with stories of political intrigue, daring escapes, and the city’s rise to power.

Marvel at masterpieces by Venetian artists like Tintoretto and Veronese as you tour grand council rooms and opulent halls adorned with world-renowned art, including the world’s longest canvas painting.

Conclude your visit at the Bridge of Sighs, where prisoners once took their last view of Venice, and explore the Palazzo delle Prigioni at your own pace. This guided tour combines history, art, and exclusive access to reveal Venice’s most fascinating secrets.

What's Included

  • Access to Secret Rooms
  • Skip the Line Access to Doge's Palace
  • Free time at the "New Prison"
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Riva degli Schiavoni
30124 Venezia VE, Italy

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Piazza San Marco

Your tour starts on the Piazza San Marco, or St. Mark's Square, the main public square in Venice and a hub of the city's cultural, political, and social life. Surrounded by stunning landmarks like St. Mark's Basilica, the Campanile (bell tower), and the Doge's Palace, it features intricate architecture and lively open spaces. Known as "the drawing room of Europe," it has been a meeting place for centuries, attracting visitors with its historical charm, cafés, and vibrant atmosphere. It is also famous for its periodic flooding, known as *acqua alta*.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Doge's Palace

The Doge's Palace is a magnificent Gothic masterpiece that once served as the residence of the Doge and the center of Venetian government. As a visitor on the Secret Itineraries Tour, you will gain exclusive access to hidden areas of the palace, including the Doge's private chambers, the grim prison cells, and the interrogation rooms, offering a fascinating glimpse into the Republic's power and intrigue. This behind-the-scenes experience reveals the lesser-known stories of Venice's political history and its most infamous prisoners, such as Giacomo Casanova, making it an unforgettable journey into the past.
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1 hour 10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Ponte dei Sospiri

The Bridge of Sighs is a historic and iconic enclosed bridge connecting the Doge's Palace to the New Prison. Built in 1600, the limestone structure features small windows with stone bars and is known for its ornate design in the Baroque style. Its name comes from the legend that prisoners, crossing the bridge on their way to imprisonment or execution, would sigh at their last glimpse of Venice through its windows. Today, it is a popular symbol of Venice and a romantic attraction. You will walk through the bridge to enter the New Prison
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Palazzo delle Prigioni

The New Prison, or Palazzo delle Prigioni in Italian, is located across the Bridge of Sighs from the Doge's Palace and was built in the late 16th century to house the city's prisoners. Designed to improve conditions compared to earlier facilities, it features stark, somber cells and narrow corridors, offering a vivid glimpse into the justice system of the Venetian Republic. Visitors can explore this historic site at their own pace after crossing the iconic bridge, imagining the lives of the inmates and the weight of their final moments of freedom.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please note that the Municipality of Venice will implement an Access Fee on specific dates in 2025. To ensure a smooth experience, we recommend reviewing the official guidelines and registration procedures via the provided link before planning your visit (Official Link for Registration - https://cda.ve.it/en/ )
  • Please note: due to the tour content, children under the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Venice: Doge’s Palace Prisons & Secret Itineraries Guided Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CEST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-3731DOGES

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Reviews

4.42
637 reviews

Average 4.42 out of 5 stars based on 637 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
395
4 stars
162
3 stars
51
2 stars
12
1 star
17

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On average, this is booked 21 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (6)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Venice: Doge’s Palace Prisons & Secret Itineraries Guided Tour?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CEST).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Access to Secret Rooms.
  • Skip the Line Access to Doge's Palace.
  • Free time at the "New Prison".
  • Audio headsets when appropriate, so you can always hear your guide.
  • Expert English Speaking Guide.
The following is NOT included:
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off.
  • Gratuities.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 6. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Venice: Doge’s Palace Prisons & Secret Itineraries Guided Tour is as follows:

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Venice: Doge’s Palace Prisons & Secret Itineraries Guided Tour will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024

What's Included

Activity name

  • Access to Secret Rooms
  • Skip the Line Access to Doge's Palace
  • Free time at the "New Prison"
  • Audio headsets when appropriate, so you can always hear your guide
  • Expert English Speaking Guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please note that Doge's Palace doesn't admit bulky luggage (any luggage whose sum of the three sides exceeds 1 linear meter)
  • Please note that the Municipality of Venice will implement an Access Fee on specific dates in 2025. To ensure a smooth experience, we recommend reviewing the official guidelines and registration procedures via the provided link before planning your visit (Official Link for Registration - https://cda.ve.it/en/ )
  • Please note: due to the tour content, children under the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers

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Free Cancellation

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100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CEST).

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