Getting Doge Palace tickets is easier than you may think. In this post, I will explain the various options available, so that you can make an informed decision when you buy.
Palazzo Ducale, as it is called in Italian, is a beautiful Venetian Gothic building located in St. Mark’s Square – the very heart of Venice.
The center of power until 1797 (when the city fell to Napoleon), this is where the Doge – aka the Duke – of Venice lived and ruled over the city-state. Today, this is one of the city’s most popular attractions.
The best way to visit Doge’s Palace is to get tickets in advance, as this guarantees a much smoother experience. In this post, I will explain everything how to get Doge’s Palace tickets and other useful information that will help you plan a smooth visit.
These are the best options for Doge’s Palace tickets:
Let’s now look at the various options in a bit more detail.
How To Buy Doge Palace Tickets
Way N. 1: Use Doge Palace tickets official site
This is Doge Palace tickets official site. Once you click on the link for the St. Mark’s Square Museums tickets, it sends you to the Doge Palace tickets official website, which frankly is less than user-friendly.
I tried getting tickets for myself a bunch of times and gave up as it is a real hassle.
Tickets to Doge Palace on the official website cost €31.
The prices of the pass for all the Museums in St. Mark’s Square (which gives you access to Doge Palace and several museums nearby) are as follows:
ADULTS – €31;
STUDENTS BETWEEN 15 AND 25, OVER-65, KIDS BETWEEN 6 AND 14 – €16;
CHILDREN AGED 0 TO 5 – Free.
The prices of the Secret Itineraries tour on the official website are as follows:
ADULTS – €33;
STUDENTS BETWEEN 15 AND 25, OVER-65, KIDS BETWEEN 6 AND 14 – €21.
The tour is available in English daily at 10:00 am; 11:30 am and 1:00 pm. It lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes, but keep in mind you only have a guide on the Secret Itineraries, after which you will be visiting Doge’s Palace by yourself. You’ll have to print your ticket and take it with you.
The website makes no mention on whether the tickets can be reimbursed or the date of the Secret Itineraries tour changed once purchased.
Way N. 2: Buy your tickets via a third-party site
A much easier way of getting Doge’s Palace tickets is by going via third-party booking sites such as GetYourGuide or Tiqets. Tickets aren’t necessarily more expensive – most of the time, they cost exactly the same, and if anything it will be a matter of a few Euros.
The main benefit of getting your tickets via a third-party booking site is that you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle and time when booking. The sites are more user friendly and there usually is more availability.
Confirmation takes a matter of minutes, and tickets are usually fully refundable up to 24 hours before the activity if you select the option (though rescheduling is not allowed). You won’t have to print your ticket – just show the mobile voucher or use the app.
My favorite third-party booking site is GetYourGuide. You can get Doge’s Palace tickets at the official price on GetYourGuide. This ticket is not refundable.
Another side I recommend using is Tiqets as it sells tickets to Doge’s Palace at exactly the same price as the official site. This ticket is refundable for an additional fee.
You can also get last-minute fast track tickets which are perfect if you haven’t had time to plan.
GetYourGuide sells tickets to all St. Marks’ Museums – including Doge’s Palace – valid for one day, and a 180-day pass – both of them allow free cancellation.
Way N. 3: Get a combination ticket
This is how to buy Doge Palace tickets if you want to visit some but not all of the attractions in St. Mark’s Square. The combinations you need are the following:
Combined St. Mark’s Basilica ticket and Doge Palace – it gives you access to Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica skip-the-line access. To be clear, that’s one of the unmissable places to visit in Venice! What I love about this option is that you also get access to St.Mark’s Museum, to the Pala D’oro and to St. Mark’s Basilica terrace.
There’s also the option of this combined ticket for Doge Palace and St. Mark’s Bell Tower – the tower (Campanile di San Marco in Italian) is a fabulous place to get views of Venice.
Keep in mind that these combination tickets don’t allow rescheduling and cancellations. However, you’ll have an audio guide that you can also use off line on your smart phone.
Way N. 4: Go on a guided tour
A place like Doge’s Palace well deserves an expert guide that will share important information about its history, architecture, and all the art on sight. Tours aren’t cheap, but they are honestly worth it.
Guided tours enter the site via the reserved entrance and just have to pass the security checks. Guided group tours can last between 1 and 4 hours depending on what they include and are usually refundable as long as you cancel within 24 hours of the tour.
My favorite tour is this guided tour of Doge Palace which also goes to St. Mark’s Basilica. It’s operated by Walks of Italy which only uses local guides and it’s extremely reputable.
Take Walks also runs this Exclusive Alone In St. Mark’s And Doge’s Palace Tour which is a great option to visit both places without the crowds (the tour starts much later in the afternoon). It also allows you to see the Pala d’Oro (Golden Altar) which is definitely an additional perk!
There’s also this excellent group tour that includes access to St. Mark’s Basilica Terrace too. The price in this case is per group.
You can check here for more options for Doge Palace tours.
Way N. 5: Get the Venice City Pass
This is an excellent way of getting your Doge’s Palace Tickets. A number of sites sell the Venice City Pass or the St. Mark’s Square Pass.
The first typically includes the most important attractions in town – Doge Palace, St. Mark’s Museum, Chorus Churches, La Fenice Theater, St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Bell Tower, and more.
It will also usually also include a Vaporetto Pass, which is helpful if you intend to move around by public transport.
I recommend this Venice City Pass which is the most comprehensive option as it includes more attractions as well as a gondola ride. It is the best option if you are planning to spend a few days in the city. What’s great about it is that you can book your time-slot for each attraction on the same site you use to buy it.
The St. Mark’s Square Pass is a bit more basic, but also more budget-friendly.
This St. Mark’s Square Pass allows you to select a starting date, then you can book a time slot for each attraction on the same page. You don’t even have to visit all the attractions on the same day.
In the case of both passes, rescheduling is not allowed.
Way N. 6: Plan on visiting Doge’s Palace at odd hours
Finally, you can visit at odd hours to avoid the crowds. Most people will be going for lunch between 1:00 and 2:30 pm, so those may be good times to get in if you haven’t pre-purchased tickets beforehand. Keep in mind this isn’t a guaranteed method of avoiding the lines.
Alternatively, a much better options may be that of going later in the evening or on a night time guided tour. You can even visit beyond the opening times, but keep in mind this option is available for groups only, tickets will be more expensive (and you won’t have a guide) and you have to especially request this via email at eventi@civicimusei.com five days in advance.
Otherwise, I recommend booking this guided night tour via a third-party site: it has excellent reviews and the booking site is easy to use.
Q&A About Visiting Doge’s Palace
Can you get tickets to Doge’s Palace in person?
Tickets to Doge’s Palace can be bought in person at the ticket office, where you will pay €30 (basically you will only save on the €1 online booking fee).
However, I don’t recommend trying to get your tickets in person: the line can be quite long, which is a real nuisance if you have limited time in the city (not to mention, it can be very hot in the summer, or quite cold and wet in the winter months).
Likewise, I don’t recommend trying to purchase the Secret Itineraries tour in person at the last minute, as it is often sold out and spaces on the tour are limited.
Prices of Doge Palace tickets and free visits
These are the official prices of tickets to Doge Palace.
ST. MARK’S SQUARE MUSEUMS – €31. This includes Doge’s Palace, Correr Museum and the Archeology Museum and is valid for 3 months. Don’t confuse it with the Museum Pass, which costs €41.
REDUCED TICKETS – €16: available for children between 6 and 14 years of age; students between 15 and 25 years of age; elderly people over 65; holders of the International Student Identity Card and of the Venice Rolling Card.
AUDIOGUIDES – €5.
SECRET ITINERARIES TOUR – €33.
REDUCED SECRET ITINERARY TOUR – €22 for children aged 6 to 14; students aged 15 to 25; elderly people over 65; holders of the International Student Identity Card and of the Venice Rolling Card.
FREE TICKETS – Venetian citizens and residents; children up to 5 years of age; disabled people and their chaperon; officially registered Italian tour guides; teachers accompanying school groups (up to 2 teachers per group). As explained on the site, free tickets can’t be obtained in advance, but can only be issued at the ticket counter upon presentation of the requested documentation.
Modifications to the reservation and refunds
Changing or canceling tickets booked via the official website is a real hassle and will involve sending several emails and follow-ups.
Third-party sites allow last-minute cancellations and rescheduling (for an additional fee), and there will always be a customer service representative ready to answer your emails and who speaks your language.
What to do if Doge Palace tickets are sold out
Doge’s Palace is the most popular attraction in Venice, and if you care to visit, you must book it in advance.
If you forget to make reservations, or yours is a last-minute trip, check the official website to see if anything is available for the day you want to visit, so that you can avoid going otherwise.
Tickets on the official website sell out quite quickly, especially those for the Secret Itineraries tour. If that’s the case, head over to third-party resellers such as GetYourGuide. They usually buy tickets in bulk and in advance, and chances are you will find something available.
You will likely have to join a guided tour – which will be a bit more expensive than the plain ticket.
In short, here are my recommendations:
Look on Tiqets for last-minute fast-track tickets.
If even that is sold out, consider joining this well-rated guided tour.
Doge Palace opening times
Doge’s Palace is open every day from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (1 November to 31 March) and from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm (1 April to 31 October).
Last admission is always 30 minutes before closing time.
Should you want to visit Doge’s Palace beyond the opening times, send a request via email at eventi@civicimusei.com a minimum of 5 days in advance to check availability. Tickets will cost €80 for a party of up to 20.
How to get to Doge’s Palace
Doge’s Palace is located in Piazza San Marco 1. The visitors’ entrance is Porta del Frumento. Here are the vaporetti that go all the way there:
FROM PIAZZALE ROMA
- Take line 1 and get off at Vallaresso or San Zaccaria;
- Take line 2 and get off at Giardinetti;
- Take line 4.1 or 5.1 and get off at San Zaccaria.
FROM SANTA LUCIA RAILWAY STATION
- Take line 1 and get off at Vallaresso or San Zaccaria;
- Take line 2 and get off at Giardinetti;
- Take line 4.1 or 5.1 and get off at San Zaccaria.
FROM LIDO DI VENEZIA
- Take line 1 and get off at Vallaresso or San Zaccaria;
- Take line 5.2 and get off at San Zaccaria.
Is Doge Palace Worth Visiting?
Every time someone asks me “is Doge Palace worth visiting?” I have no doubts in saying it is.
Venice is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and the Doge’s Palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in town, for good reasons!
Since it was built, in 1340 (though research shows that some parts were built as early as the 10th century), this represented the center of power in La Serenissima – The Most Serene Republic of Venice; a city-state that remained independent for more than 1100 years, while many other in Italy fell prey to invaders.
Doge’s Palace is a great example of Venetian-Gothic style. Inside there used to be law courts, offices, courtyards, stunning stairways and lavishly decorated ballrooms.
The largest and most beautiful room in the palace is the Chamber of the Great Council, used for the meetings of the Great Council, where male members of Venice’s most prominent families would have a seat.
There was also a prison on the ground floor. More prisons (the Prigioni Nuove) were built in the 16th century on the other side of the canal, and connected to the palace via the Bridge of Sighs – a name that described the sighs prisoners would let out once they gave the final look to the canal and the lagoon before being locked up.
Doge’s Palace has been a museum since 1923. The exquisite building houses paintings by prominent artists such as Tintoretto, Titian, Veronese and Tiepolo.
Back in 2017 more than 1.4 million people – an average of 4,000 per day – visited Doge’s Palace, making it the most visited attraction in town.
Other Useful Info For Visiting Doge Palace
Security checks
Everyone visiting Doge’s Palace has to go through security checks. Avoid bringing in bulky items, umbrellas, and knives as they will slow down the security check process and you will be asked to leave them in the cloak room.
Photography inside Doge’s Palace
You aren’t allowed to take photos during the Secret Itineraries tour.
Toilets and other facilities at Doge’s Palace
You will find toilets, a bookshop, a café and even baby changing facilities in the museum.
Accessibility of Doge’s Palace
Doge’s Palace is fully accessible to people with disabilities, but if taking a tour double check if it is suitable for people with limited mobility. Guide dogs are allowed.
Dress code
Dress modestly when visiting Doge’s Palace. Beachwear and anything skimpy is deemed unacceptable. Admission is also denied to those covering their faces.
Other attractions near Doge’s Palace
The entire area of Piazza San Marco is packed with attractions, and if you get the St. Mark’s Square Pass you can also visit St. Mark’s Basilica and St. Mark’s Bell Tower, the Correr Museum and the Archeology Museum (among others).
Further Readings
If you are planning a trip to Italy, make sure to check my other posts:
- The Best Things To Do In Venice
- What To Wear In Venice
- The Best Tips For Visiting Venice
- Where To Stay In Venice
- 16 Best Day Trips From Venice, And 3 To Avoid
- 17 Reasons To Visit Italy As Soon As Possible
- 37 Unmissable, Fun And Cheap Things To Do In Rome
- 13 Fantastic Day Trips From Milan
- A Great Itinerary For A Summer Week In Trentino
- 5 Short But Rewarding Hikes In The Dolomites Of Trentino
- 67 Extremely Useful Travel Tips For Italy
- What To Do And What To Avoid When Planning A Trip To Italy
Pin It For Later!
I am planning on buying the museum pass for Venice once we get to Venice. But can I make entry reservations ahead of buying the museum pass? I would like to book an entry time for the doges palace but I don’t see how to do that when you’re planning on buying the full museum pass for Venice. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thank you
You can buy the museum pass online, and use that to reserve your spots. You can’t reserve spots without the pass.
where to buy, I only come up with tours
Option 1 has clear links to the official website.
Thank you Claudia for sending me to the most direct and cheapest websites for tickets and for all your great information and tips.
Booking 30 days in advance gives great discounts for parking, ACTV and museum/churches in Venice too, which seems new.
You are welcome!
Hello I am disabled I would like to hav my free tickets in advance for the Doges Palace how do I get these please. I would like to avoid the queuing there Thankyou
They are not available in advance. You can only get free tickets at the door.
Ciao Claudia. I’m a little confused by your option 3, Get a Combination Ticket, where it says “Combined St. Mark’s Basilica ticket and Doge Palace – it gives you access to Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica skip-the-line access. To be clear, that’s one of the unmissable places to visit in Venice! What I love about this option is that you also get access to St.Mark’s Museum, to the Pala D’oro and to St. Mark’s Basilica terrace.”
When I click on that link and look at the various choices, the choice you describe is something I can’t find. There are “TOURS” that seem to cover a lot of this but there is no “ticket” option for what you describe.
Hello Tony, I changed the link as it was confusing indeed. Thanks for pointing this out. The combination you need it this one https://www.tiqets.com/en/venice-attractions-c71510/venice-super-combi-p1059433/?partner=myadventuresacrosstheworld
Thank you Claudia. This looks like a tour, though, and I don’t see anything in the description about Pala D’Oro.
This one is definitely a ticket https://www.tiqets.com/en/doge-s-palace-st-mark-s-basilica-skip-the-line-b49320/?partner=myadventuresacrosstheworld
The Pala d’Oro is the altar retable at St. Mark’s Basilica, so if you visit that, you’ll also be able to see the Pala d’Oro.
Grazie mille!
You are most welcome!
Hmm. Caudia, if you click on the Read Description link for St. Mark’s Basilica, it says that the Golden Altar (Pala D’Oro) is not included. 🙁
I see that now. In this case, you have two options:
Either join a guided tour such as this one https://www.takewalks.com/venice-tours/st-marks-basilica-doges-palace-night-tour?tap_a=29820-5cdfbc&tap_s=591436-5983e7 which is a bit more expensive but super good, it goes to both places and includes the Pala d’Oro.
Or else, get separate tickets for Doge Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. For St. Mark’s Basilica, the only way to get tickets to see the Pala d’Oro is via the official website (unless, as said before, you join a guided tour).