Travel Guide
Everything you need to know — hours, tickets, tips, and how to make the most of your visit.
Overview
The former residence of the Doge of Venice and seat of the Republic's government, this Gothic palace connects to the city's former prisons via the Bridge of Sighs. Its lavishly decorated council chambers reflect Venice's centuries as a maritime trading power.
Insider Knowledge
Buy the combined St Mark's Square museums ticket to also cover the Correr Museum.
Book the Secret Itineraries tour for access to hidden rooms and the prison route.
Visit early or late in the day to avoid the biggest tour groups.
The palace connects directly to the Bridge of Sighs - do not miss crossing it.
Common Questions
Yes, the standard route crosses it en route to the former prisons.
Last entry is 1 hour before closing.
Book online in advance, especially for the Secret Itineraries tour.
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Nearby
The former residence of the Doge of Venice and seat of the Republic's government, this Gothic palace connects to the city's former prisons via the Bridge of Sighs. Its lavishly decorated council chambers reflect Venice's centuries as a maritime trading power.
Venice's main waterway winds past more than 170 palazzi built between the 13th and 18th centuries. A traditional gondola ride — or the far cheaper vaporetto water bus along the same route — remains the classic way to see the city's grandest façades from the water.
The oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal, Rialto has connected the city's two banks since the 16th century and is lined with shops. Nearby, the Rialto Market has sold fresh fish and produce to Venetians for over a thousand years.
This Byzantine-style cathedral, its façade and domes covered in golden mosaics accumulated over centuries, dominates St Mark's Square. Inside, the Pala d'Oro altarpiece — a jewel-encrusted gold panel — is considered one of the finest surviving examples of medieval goldsmith work.