St. Mark's Square, the heart of Venice
Joined 2025
If you are visiting Venice for the first time, you must start from St. Mark's Square: the heart of the Serenissima. Here lies its power, its wealth and its splendour. Different architectural styles blend harmoniously, from Venetian-Byzantine to Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical.
We visit St Mark's Basilica, the religious and spiritual centre of Venice. Then we go to the Palazzo Ducale, the government centre of the Serenissima.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
St. Mark's Square
- In St. Mark's Square, at the pillar of the lion at front of the water.
Introduction
After welcoming the guests, I will start the tour, introducing the origins of the history of Venice.
I will explain why the first inhabitants of the Venetian lagoon had to live in such an unhealthy place and how it was possible for Venice to become one of the most important, beautiful and richest cities in the world in the Middle Ages.
Doge's Palace
We will entry to the Palazzo Ducale, the government seat of of the Serenissima. After visiting its various rooms, you will clearly understand the development of the institutional, political and economic system of the Republic and at the same time, you will be amazed by the magnificent works of the greatest Venetian artists such as Titian, Tintoretto, Paolo Veronese and many others.
St: Mark's Church
Then we will visit St Mark's Basilica, the religious and spiritual centre of Venice. Here I will show you the highlights of the mosaic iconography, its spiritual message. You will see in these brilliant mosaics the description of the New and Old Testaments of the Bible, the Vangelis, the lives of various saints, the Apocalypse and the Last Judgement. Then we will visit the Presbytery and the Pala d'Oro, the most beautiful masterpiece of the Byzantine goldsmiths. fter visiting the Presbytery, we will visit the museum, where we can admire the famous quadriga, the four horses looted by the Venetians in Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade, and the terrace above the church portal. From there you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Piazza San Marco.
The Monuments in St. Mark's Square
After the visit to St. Mark's Basilica, we will return to the centre of St. Mark's Square, where I will describe to the guests the other important monuments, the Procuratie, the Clock Tower, the Bell Tower, the Marciana Library, with their history and architectural style.
Those who wish can then take the free boat to Murano to visit one of the most beautiful glass factories.
Ending Point
St. Mark's Square
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee is included.
Meeting point at the Pillar of the Lion in St Mark's Square. It is a guided tour through the most important monuments in Venice. With me you will skip the line to the Doge's Palace.
Skip the line tickets for the Basilica are included in the fee.
The price does not include entrance tickets to the Doge's Palace (30 euros per person, students and seniors over 65 pay 15 euros).
You will pay me the tickets at the entrance, I will arrange them and then we entry to the Doge's Palace direct.
Tour Important Information
It is recommanded to have confortable shoes.
In the Doge's Palace there is the possibility to use elevator for guests with problems to the legs or in wheelchair.
In the Basilica it is difficult for guests in wheelchair to visit the Presbitery with the Pala d'Oro and to reach the museum with the terrace
Sunday morning the Basilica is closed the the guests because there is the holly mess. On Sunday tours will start only from 14:00.
Important message from the supplier
A tour last not less then 2 hours, but we can extend it to 3 or 4 hours. Tours to the islands Murano, Burano and Torcello take not less then 4 hours.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2025
About Tour Guide Massimo T.
My name is Massimo, but everybody knows me as Max. I was born in Gorizia in 1961. I moved to Venice in 1983 to study languages and literature at the Ca' Foscari Venice University and graduated in 1989.
My love for Venetian Art and History led me to become a licensed tour guide in 2009.
I'm married and have one daughter.
I offer private tours through the city for groups and families. It will be a pleasure for me to show you my city, to envolve you with Venetian histories discovering some secret places.
If you wish, you can write to me so that I can organise a tour in Venice that is best suited to your wishes and needs.
$370/ per group
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Enjoy the real heart of Venice! I will be pleased to introduce you to the most fascinating Square in the World! Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark’s Basilica are the major monuments in Venice. Let’s come with me to discover the political and religious heart of the Serenissima Republic!
