Venice, Doges Palace - tour company recommendations

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Hi - does anyone have any recommendations for a good guided tour for the Doges Palace in Venice? There are a few to choose from so first hand advice will be super helpful. I will be there with an 11yo in April.

I’m not sure it matters tbh. You can just go to St Marks Square on the morning and find a tour that looks good. It will be enormously crowded. The tour guide probably won’t mention it but pay attention to the floors. The tiles are stunning.

The Palazzo Ducale runs the Secret Itinararies Tour which is very good and booked directly on their website.

http://palazzoducale.visitmuve.it/en/pianifica-la-tua-visita/special-itineraries/secret-itineraries-tour/

It is worth booking as much as possible in advance for Venice as queues can be really long. Plus everyone you meet is trying to sell you something or scam you. A lot of companies selling tours of the palace are just reselling the Secret Itinararies tour for more money.

I’d second the Secret Itineraries Tour. We loved it. Just book direct on the website

Amazing - thank you!

Just updating my thread in case anyone else searches for this. The secret itinerary tour was really good in itself, and gives you entrance to the rest of the Doges Palace afterwards. It also meant we didn't need to queue to get in, just went up to the ticket. Office showed our ticket at the entrance and went straight into the courtyard where we met the guide. So for lots of reasons, I would say definitely worth it and better than winging it on the day.

Oh – also secret itineraries really wasn't clear about where to meet for the tour when you book online, but go through the main entrance and the meeting point is on your right just after the stairs and the queue for the toilets.