Venice Secret Itineraries Doge’s Palace Tour

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.

Meeting Point

Riva degli Schiavoni

Riva degli Schiavoni, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

Meet in front of the Doge's Palace, facing the lagoon on the left side of Ponte della Paglia, the bridge with the view of the Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs).

What's included:

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

Not included:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off

What to expect:

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Piazza San Marco

Venice, 31024

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*.

5 minutes

Doge's Palace

Piazza San Marco, 1, Venice, 30124

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.

1 hour, 10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Ponte dei Sospiri

Piazza San Marco, 1, Venice, 30124

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

5 minutes

Palazzo delle Prigioni

Calle Seconda de la Fava, 4209, Venice, 31024

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.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included