How To Get Doge Palace Tickets

Getting Doge Palace tickets is easier than you may think. This post will tell you all the available options.

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 you should know before visiting Doge’s Palace, obviously including how to get tickets. There are various options available – just pick whichever suits you better. 

Why Visiting Doge’s Palace Is A Must-Do In Venice

Together with its lagoon, Venice is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 – and for a good reason. This is a city like nowhere else, and  the second most visited city in Italy after Rome. There is no denying that Venice is crowded with tourists. 

One of the symbols of Venice, Doge’s Palace is also one of the most popular tourist attractions in town. 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. The numbers have significantly dropped in the last couple of years, but you still should get tickets beforehand. Here’s how to do it.

5 Ways Of Getting Doge Palace Tickets

Way N. 1: Buy your tickets via the official website

This is the official website of Doge’s Palace. 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.

The official price of St. Mark’s Square Museums is €30, and that of the Secret Itineraries tour is €32. There is an additional €1 booking fee.

The Secret Itineraries tour is available in English at 10:00 am; 11:30 am and 1:00 pm. The tour 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 sites such as GetYourGuide or Tiqets. Tickets will be slightly more expensive (a matter of a few Euros), thought that’s not necessarily the case (some third party reseller sites actually apply the same price as the official site).

The main benefit is that you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle and time when booking, there usually is more availability, confirmation takes a matter of minutes, and tickets are usually fully refundable up to 24 hours before the activity. You won’t have to print your ticket – just show the mobile voucher or use the app.

Tiqets sells tickets to Doge’s Palace at exactly the same price as the official site. You can get your tickets here.

You can also get last minute fast track tickets, here.

For tickets to all St. Marks’ Museums – including Doge’s Palace – valid for one day, click here. For a 180-days pass, click here.

Way N. 3: 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 start at €45 and can last between 1 and 4 hours.

You can book your guided tour of Doge’s Palace (also going to St. Mark’s Basilica) here or here.

If you want something slightly more budget friendly, click here.

For a tour of Doge Palace that also goes to St. Mark’s Basilica, click here.

Way N. 4: Plan on visiting Doge’s Palace at odd hours

Finally, 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, you can simply book a guided night tour via a third party site. For more information, click here.

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 a Venice City Pass or City Card, which typically includes the most important attractions in town. These include Doge Palace, St. Mark’s Museum, Chorus Churches, La Fenice Theater and more.

City Passes in Venice will usually also include a Vaporetto Pass, which is helpful if you intend to move around by public transport.

You can get your Venice City Card on Tiqets here.

Other Useful Information For 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 really recommend trying to get your tickets in person: the line can be quite long, and at times you may be standing in line for up to two hours, 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.

Book in advance

This is the most popular attraction in Venice, and if you care to visit, you can’t just swing it. 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. 

What to do if Doge Palace tickets are sold out

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 bulks and in advance, and chances are you will find something available.

It’s likely you will have to join a guided tour – which will obviously be a bit more expensive than the plain ticket.

Take a look at this site to see if the Secret Itineraries tour is available. It costs €32, just the same price you see on the official site.

If even that is sold out, you may want to opt for a guided tour such as this one.

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.

Opening times

Doge’s Palace is open every day from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

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.

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, follow ups and the like. Third party sites allow last minute cancellations and rescheduling, and there will always be a customer service representative ready to answer your emails and speaking your language. 

Prices of Doge Palace tickets and free visits

These are the official prices of tickets to Doge Palace. To each of them, you have to add a €1 online booking fee.

ST. MARK’S SQUARE MUSEUMS – €30. 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 – €15: 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 – €32.

REDUCED SECRET ITINERARY TOUR – €20 for children aged 6 to 14; students aged15 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.

Security checks

Everyone visiting Doge’s Palace will have to go through security checks. Avoid bringing in bulky items, umbrellas, knives as they will slow down the security check process and you will be asked to leave them at 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 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 got the St. Mark’s Square Museums ticket you can also visit Correr Museum and the Archeology Museum (among others). Other places to visit include St. Mark’s Basilica and St. Mark’s Tower. 

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

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