Sestiere San Marco
Doge's Palace
Seat of Venetian power
Grand palace of power, ceremony, and justice, the political heart of Venice for centuries. Behind its ornate facade are vast painted halls, intricate chambers of government, and even prisons connected by the Bridge of Sighs.
San Marco + 4-min walk
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Admission: €35. Included with official Venice passes.
Additional resources
What makes this place special
Pink marble columns
Look for the two distinctive columns among the white colonnades facing the Piazzetta San Marco. From here, the Doge would appear in public, sometimes to pronounce death sentences.
Monumental chambers
If you thought the exterior was breathtaking, wait until you get inside: grand halls adorned with large, stunning paintings by artists such as Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese and Bellini.
Chamber of the Great Council
This enormous hall, measuring 53 × 25 meters (174 × 82 feet), is one of the largest rooms in Europe. It once held the meetings of the Great Council, where the decisions of the Venetian Republic were made.
Armoury
Across four rooms, the Armoury displays more than 2,000 pieces, from suits of armor to firearms and ceremonial weapons. It offers a vivid look at the military side of Venetian power.
Prisons
The Bridge of Sighs links the palace's prisons to the labyrinthine New Prisons, which remained in use until 1940. It's striking to imagine the opulent halls of power existing alongside such cramped and oppressive cells.
Discover more about Doge's Palace through 26 photos with explanations.
Open galleryWhat to experience here
- Walk through gilded chambers where ceilings are covered in vast painted scenes.
- Descend into the prisons and cross the Bridge of Sighs, where the atmosphere shifts dramatically.
- Take in the contrast between political power above and confinement below: the defining experience of the palace.
- Explore hidden areas further with a secret itineraries tour.
How to visit Doge's Palace
Think the facade facing Piazzeta San Marco and Riva degli Schiavoni is impressive? You need to step inside…
Whether you prefer a self-guided visit with a ticket or pass, or a regular or special group tour, here are four ways to visit the interior of the Doge's Palace.
Standard ticket
With this timed-entry ticket, you can explore the palace at your own pace. It also includes same-day access to the Museo Correr.
Official tourist passes
A tourist pass can be a great option if you plan to explore more than just the Doge's Palace.
You can choose between two official passes: the MUVE Museum Pass or the all-inclusive Venezia Unica Pass.
Both include access to the Doge's Palace from noon (12:00 pm) onward, without the need to book a time slot in advance. Simply use the dedicated entrance for pass holders and go straight inside.
Each pass also comes with additional benefits.
The Museum Pass grants access to all of Venice's civic museums, including Ca' Rezzonico and the Glass Museum in Murano.
The Venezia Unica Pass includes all the benefits of the MUVE Museum Pass, while adding access to additional attractions across the city, such as Scuola Grande dei Carmini and Fondazione Querini Stampalia. You can also add a public transport pass, creating a convenient all-in-one option for exploring Venice.
Classic guided tour
Enhance your visit with expert insights as a guide leads you through the Doge’s Palace's publicly accessible spaces on a standard ticket, including the monumental Chamber of the Great Council, the interior of the Bridge of Sighs, and sections of the historic prisons.
A guided visit helps you understand how these rooms connect to the political and judicial history of Venice, adding context that turns the impressive interiors into a more meaningful experience.
You'll also find tours that combine the Doge's Palace with St. Mark's Basilica, which is a great way to see both if your time in Venice is limited.
Secret Itineraries tour
Explore rooms otherwise closed to the public - including the torture and inquisition chambers - on this fascinating behind-the-scenes tour.
Once the tour concludes, you can continue exploring the Doge's Palace as you would with a standard ticket.
Booking in advance is recommended, but with a bit of luck, you might find last-minute availability.
Prison break
Included in the Secret Itineraries tour are the concealed attic chambers where Casanova famously escaped in 1756.
Confined to his own cell, he was allowed occasional walks in the prison garret, where he discovered an iron bar and smuggled it back hidden inside his armchair.
Day after day, he chipped away at the ceiling bit by bit - until he finally made his legendary escape.
Virtual tour
Still undecided whether to go?
Explore the palace on Google Arts & Culture, from the comfort of your current location.
A total of 120 Doges
The Doge held the highest political position in the Venetian Republic, serving as both head of state and head of the oligarchy.
The word doge comes from the Latin "dux", meaning "leader".
Elected through a highly complex voting procedure by the Great Council - composed of members from Venice's noble families - the Doge was the only Venetian authority to hold office for life.
Although he performed numerous ceremonial duties, he held no real executive, legislative, or decision-making power.
Instead, Venice was governed by the Great Council, the Senate,and other magistracies, with the Doge serving as the symbolic head of the Republic.The first Doge took office in 697, and the last was forced to abdicate by Napoleon in 1797.
A hall of equal grandeur
The grand upper hall at Scuola Grande di San Rocco rivals the size of the palace's largest rooms and echoes its style, with intricate woodwork and overwhelming ceiling paintings.
Tintoretto - one of the palace's main artists - spent 23 years at the Scuola creating over 50 dramatic religious scenes sure to leave you in awe.
Your questions, answered
Common questions about visiting Doge's Palace, answered to help you plan your visit.
Do I need to reserve an entry timeslot?
Only if you choose the standard ticket, known as the St.Mark's Square Museums Pass. With any of the official city passes, you can enter the Doge's Palace anytime after noon (12:00 PM).
When can I visit the other included museum?
You can visit Museo Correr at any time before or after your Doge's Palace visit. Note that with a standard ticket or a Secret Itineraries tour, the museum visit must be done on the same day.
What luggage can I take inside?
You won't be allowed through the security check with suitcases, trolleys or bulky bags - that is, any luggage whose total dimensions (length + width + height) exceed 1 meter. Medium-sized bags, larger backpacks, umbrellas, and any other items deemed unsuitable by security must be left at the cloakroom, where storage is free of charge.
The tour starts in 5 minutes, but I need to use the toilet and there's a long queue. What should I do?
Try the toilets on the first floor: they usually have shorter lines, since most visitors use the ones on the ground floor. Take the stairs next to the cloakroom to go up.
What else to see here
While visiting Doge's Palace, be sure to check out this highlight:
What to see nearby
These attractions are within walking distance of Doge's Palace:
super close
St. Mark's Basilica
tops 5 mins
St Mark's Campanile
tops 5 mins
Clock Tower
tops 5 mins
Museo Correr
tops 5 mins
San Zaccaria
tops 5 mins
Riva degli Schiavoni
5-10 min away
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