The check in location was easy to find and the ladies who helped us with our tickets were very friendly. The entry was quick and easy without waiting. However, this audio guide had VERY little historical information and some of it was out of order. For example, the app explained how a doge was erased from history and his portrait was painted over. We went backwards to find the painting because we thought we missed it, but it was actually several rooms ahead. No information was given about the artists who painted or sculpted any of the pieces which are incredible. Not much about time frames of the building or any significant information about any of the Doges. We were disappointed that we didn’t get more historical information to help us learn about what we were seeing. The large groups crowded everywhere and pushed through the doorways and/or blocked them.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- St Mark's Basilica Skip-the-Line Tour (if option is selected)
- Correr Museum Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket
- Campanile Skip-the-Line Entry (if option is selected)
- Special audioguide for Doge's Palace
- Doge's Palace Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket
Excludes
- Phone device
- Headphones
- Guided tour of Doge and Campanile options
Itinerary
Begin in Venice’s most famous square, surrounded by the Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Campanile, and historic arcades. This is the setting where religious ceremonies, political events, and public celebrations shaped Venetian life for centuries.
Included in every option. Enter the former seat of the Venetian Republic and explore its grand institutional chambers with your audioguide. Admire richly decorated halls, monumental paintings, and the spaces where Venice’s rulers governed an empire built on trade, diplomacy, and maritime power. The audioguide helps reveal the ceremonies, political decisions, and hidden tensions that once filled the palace.
Included with the Doge & Basilica Audioguide, Doge & Basilica + Terrace, and Doge & Basilica + Campanile options. Step inside Venice’s most celebrated church and admire its golden mosaics, marble decoration, soaring domes, and Eastern-inspired architecture. With your audioguide, discover how the Basilica became a symbol of Venice’s faith, wealth, and connections across the Mediterranean.
ncluded only with the Doge & Basilica + Campanile option. Meet your host and continue to the Bell Tower entrance before visiting independently with your audioguide. Rise above St. Mark’s Square and enjoy sweeping views over the Basilica’s domes, Venetian rooftops, and the lagoon. This option offers the most elevated perspective of Venice and is ideal for visitors who want to complete their cultural experience with a panoramic view of the city.
The Biblioteca Marciana, also known as the Marciana Library, is one of Venice's most important cultural institutions, located in the iconic St. Mark's Square. Designed by the renowned architect Jacopo Sansovino, this grand Renaissance building houses an extensive collection of ancient manuscripts, rare books, and classical texts. Highlights include original works by prominent scholars and priceless illuminated manuscripts. The library's stunning interior features magnificent frescoes and intricate woodwork, reflecting the rich artistic heritage of Venice. The Biblioteca Marciana serves as a vital repository of knowledge and a testament to the city's long-standing intellectual and cultural legacy.
The Ponte dei Sospiri, or Bridge of Sighs, is one of Venice's most famous landmarks. This enclosed bridge, made of white limestone and featuring ornate stone bars, connects the Doge's Palace to the historic prisons across the Rio di Palazzo. Built in the early 17th century, the bridge earned its evocative name from the sighs of prisoners glimpsing their last view of Venice through its windows before being led to their cells. Today, the Bridge of Sighs is a popular attraction, symbolizing both the beauty and the poignant history of Venice.
The Correr Museum, located in Venice's historic St. Mark's Square, offers a comprehensive journey through the art, history, and culture of Venice. Housed in the elegant Napoleonic Wing, the museum's extensive collection includes artworks, maps, manuscripts, and historical artifacts that span from the Renaissance to the 19th century. Highlights include masterpieces by Venetian painters, detailed city maps, and rooms dedicated to the daily life and political history of the Venetian Republic. The Correr Museum provides an immersive experience into Venice's illustrious past and its rich artistic heritage.
The National Archeological Museum in Venice, located in the heart of St. Mark's Square, houses a remarkable collection of ancient artifacts. Established in the 16th century, the museum features an extensive array of Greek and Roman sculptures, ceramics, coins, and inscriptions. Highlights include classical statues, intricate mosaics, and a notable collection of antiquities that offer insights into the daily life, art, and culture of ancient civilizations. With its rich historical exhibits, the National Archeological Museum provides a fascinating journey through the ancient world, set against the backdrop of Venice's own storied history.
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Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
The instructions re meeting the tour operative with the tickets were clear but they must have moved before we arrived (we were on time, but only just). They did try to phone (phone was on silent as we had been in the Basilica) and then send the tickets via Whats App. The central Crown Tours team did reply immediately when I contacted them. So we had tickets but no audio guide. Lesson: turn up before the meet time! Not keen on the Doge's Palace as far too ornate, but that is personal taste. Still worth visiting, and you do get to walk over the Bridge of Sighs (twice; in each direction). There was a separate ticket for the Correr Museum, that was valid for 24 hours, so we went the following day. Really liked this. Beautiful opulent but tasteful rooms, and lots of interesting maps, globes, sculptures etc to see. Really liked the modern light art installations. So, a hiccup to start with, but overall a good experience and definitely worth avoiding the queues.
Suggest a guided tour first time to the Palace but the second time on your own with the audio is the way to do it. We found the audio from the Palace was better.
I was very glad I booked this group when I saw how long the standard lines were. I would definitely book this group again. It was definitely a time saver.
We arrived in Lido Di jesolo and were told by reception there was a general transport strike, no notification or warning from the tour company about it ,but they messaged me to confirm my attendance the day before !? ! how are tourists supposed to know about local transport strikes in advance? They wouldnt give us a reschedule- then offered a reschedule for €42 when I stressed that a courtesy info would have avoided this altogether. Lost £139 and my 70yr mum was devastated we didn’t get to see the sites. Absolutely disgusted at lack of customer communication or care.
Firstly, the guides met us in the wrong spot which caused much confusion. I found them in the shade at the Doge Palace instead of where they should have been. Thank god for the purple shirts! Overall the guided audio tour was woefully inadequate. If you purchased the audio tour at the locations you get dozens of guided portions but the Crown guided tour had about 11-12. So much history not covered. I was using my phone to research parts right and left. Plus, getting to the front of the line was the best and only part I would recommend.
Picked up tickets smoothly, host was at the location as stated. Wonderful walk through Doge’s Palace without waiting in line. Well worth visiting.
You can stay for a long time, or a short time with the self-guided tour with audio guide - whatever your preference is. It was nice to skip-the-line, and easy to find the Crowne Tour guides to retrieve our tickets and instructions for the audio guide.
Little disorganized at first to get our tickets and there was no true skip-the-line. But, once inside the liberty to walk at our own pace was very nice. The palace was beautiful and the audio was easy to use and informative.
A must see attraction in Venice, tour operator very efficient and we received our tickets very easily from the tour guide. Highly recommended.
I was disappointed that you are only allowed into about half of the palace. You can not see the actual living quarters, ballroom, etc. The parts that you can see are beautiful with great paintings and very ornate moldings. The prison was interesting. It is hard to imaging people being kept in a place like that.
Very organized and helpful. This audio tour was very informative and I enjoyed taking my time looking around the palace at my own pace. There was text to read too which was wonderful since my earbuds stopped working shortly after arriving at the palace. I think there was more information provided with this tour than most as I was closely looking at certain objects (like the chastity belt) that no one else was paying much attention to. Highly recommend!
Crown Tours operates this tour and their representatives did not show up at the designated meeting spot and time for our tour. Our group of 5 was left standing in the wind and rain for 45 minutes while I searched the area, then called & texted for help multiple times. Finally, someone answered the local support number and helped us find their Doge's Palace reps by talking us through with live directions over the phone. Turns out, the reps were staying dry under a roof, far away from the location specified as our meeting point by an earlier text. Also, they were not identifiable as Crown Tour reps with any branded clothing or flags. Impossible to locate in the crowd! Very poor communication and customer support. Eventually we got our tix & took the tour, soaking wet. Not recommended to prepay for this!
Easy peasy! Met with the staff, downloaded the audioguide app, went right in to the Doge palace, no wait. Could tour at our own pace.
Crown staff well prepared. Timely. Helped with downloading app. App easy to use. Doge’s was a great place to see. Recommend it!
The audio tour was very limited, only covering a few of the many rooms. You would be better served by using another company with a better audio tour.
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