Things to do in

Marciana National Library

Visit the Doge's Palace, an important historic landmark that served as the seat of Venetian political power for centuries. As you explore the seat of a 1,000-year republic, you’ll travel back in time to the Middle Ages. Marvel at the rich details of the magnificent gold staircase and spectacular works of art. Relive the anguish of the prisoners as they crossed the famous Bridge of Sighs. Your admission ticket also includes entry to the Correr Museum on St. Mark's Square. The building was originally designed as a residence for Napoleon, and later became the Venetian residence of the King of Italy.

Skip the long lines to the Doge's Palace to marvel at the magnificent halls of the former seat of power of the Venice Empire at your own pace. Get a handy guide book to explore the palace and associated museums, with 8 suggested itineraries. Learn about life in the city in centuries past through the sculptures and paintings of the Museo Correr. Explore the city's naval power at the crossroads of the East and West. Then, climb aboard the most iconic mode of transportation in Venice and cruise down the Grand Canal and smaller waterways by gondola. See sights such as La Fenice Theatre and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection from the water. Admire the noble Ca’ Dario Palace and Punta della Dogana, with its breathtaking view of St. Mark’s Basin.

This 5-hour program includes a 2-hour guided city tour and admission to several of the museums on St. Mark’s Square. Travel back into the history of one of the world's most beautiful cities. Led by an expert guide, you’ll discover the most significant monuments of the city, and explore some hidden paths as well. Experience the beauty of St. Mark's Square and learn more about the Republic of Venice and how it achieved its dominant position. Take a leisurely walk through the elegant area surrounding the Rialto Bridge, and learn how it was a busy crossroads in commercial life, teeming with local and foreign merchants. The Rialto is still the pulsing center of shops and commercial life in Venice, as well as home to the city’s picturesque food and fish markets. At St. Mark's Square you'll have the chance to visit some of the most important museums of the city, including the Doge's Palace, the Museo Correr (and its current exhibition), the Museo Archeologico Nazionale and the monumental rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana. Be sure to get ready for some amazing photos in the central sestiere (district) with its beautiful squares and crumbling mansions along with the ancient churches, ateliers and bridges.

Enjoy a guided tour in Palazzo Ducale and discover its splendid rooms and its hundreds of masterpieces. Explore the halls where the Doge ruled the ancient Republic of Venice. Cross the Bridge of Sighs to reach the cold Prisons Palace, where many important figures were imprisoned, including Casanova. Visit the museum in Saint Mark’s square and head to the Basilica of Saint Mark, adorned in magnificent pure gold mosaics. Admire the breathtaking view of St. Mark's square, the heart of Venice, from the Basilica's terrace. Learn about the history of the artworks decorating the church. Witness, and even assist, a glass demonstration in an ancient furnace near Saint Mark's Square. See the best of Venice, day or night, on a self-guided tour of the San Marco and Rialto areas. This mobile app includes a map that guides you through the city. Listen to the audio narration of the city’s highlights. Take in 31 attractions on the route, including the glorious La Fenice theater, Rialto Bridge with its local markets, and the Accademia Bridge. Don't forget to check the 2D map to see how different Venice looked in the past. The map includes historical views of what Venice would have looked like between 1100 and 1700.

Meet your guide and enter the breathtaking Doge’s Palace. The guide will escort you through its stunning rooms where the Doges lived and decided the fate of the glorious Venetian Republic. Admire the Golden staircase and incredible artwork by famous Italian artists such as Tiepolo and Tiziano. You will cross the Bridge of Sighs to go inside the cold and dark Venetian prisons, where the Casanova was held. Next, the guide will bring you to St. Mark’s Basilica, also known as the Golden Cathedral, thanks to its stunning mosaics made of pure gold. Here, you will discover its long history. The beauty of this five-dome Basilica will certainly impress you. Visit the Basilica's terrace with a copy of the famous horses, the St. Mark's quadriga, and admire the most beautiful view of the heart of Venice: St Mark’s Square. Discover St. Mark’s Museum and admire objects of various kinds and origins belonging to the Basilica, including the original quadriga which was moved from the terrace after the last restoration. After a break for lunch, join a guided walking tour departing from St. Mark’s Square. Admire the city's main monuments such as the Clock-Tower, Procuratie Vecchie, and the Bell Tower. Then you will visit the famous Campo (square) Santa Maria Formosa, the house of Marco Polo, The Church of San Giovanni and Paolo, and the Rialto Bridge with its traditional market. At the end of your activity, you will have the opportunity to take the free optional tour of a glass factory very close to Saint Mark’s square. This brief 20-minute tour features a glass crafting demonstration. Please follow the instructions that the staff will provide to you locally. You may visit the other magnificent locations around St. Mark’s Square such as Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale, and the Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana.

This is an unforgettable experience through the most important palace of the Venetian Republic, where you will learn how Venice was ruled down through the centuries. Find yourself surrounded by hundreds of artistic masterpieces in its marvelous rooms, paintings and sculpture from the best of Venetian artists. Walk in the steps of tormented and anguished prisoners by crossing the world-famous Bridge of Sighs to the old Venetian prisons, where among others Giacomo Casanova was jailed. After the Doge Palace tour, you will get on gondola for a romantic and unforgettable ride through the charming and picturesque waterways to the impressive Grand Canal with its historical palaces which belonged to the rich Venetian families of the past. Along the journey, see Mozart’s and Desdemona's House, La Fenice Theatre, Rio de le Ostreghe and on the Grand Canal, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection Palace, La Salute Church, Punta della Dogana and a breathtaking overview of Saint Mark’s basin. With this special ticket you will be able to visit the marvelous palaces by yourself in St. Mark’s Square: Royal Palace now Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale (National Areological Museum) and Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana. Find out how the Venetians lived in the past and many paintings, sculptures, old coinages and artworks of the famous Venetian artists. Don’t forget to visit the Napoleon wings which house the rooms of Sissi, the Empress of Austria.