Walk through one of the world's most magnificent Gothic palaces and discover the extraordinary story of a republic that lasted over a thousand years — the Doge's Palace in Venice is the most spectacular and historically rich landmark in the city. Marvel at gilded state rooms, Tintoretto's enormous Paradise painting, the opulent Golden Staircase, ancient armouries, and the haunting Bridge of Sighs — all in a single unmissable visit in the heart of St. Mark's Square.
Key Highlights
- Admire Tintoretto's Paradise — one of the largest oil paintings in the world — filling the entire end wall of the magnificent Hall of the Great Council
- Cross the legendary Bridge of Sighs and walk the same route once taken by prisoners from the courtroom to their cells
- Marvel at the glittering Golden Staircase, reserved exclusively for Venetian nobles and decorated with gilded stucco and frescoes
- Explore the palace's remarkable Armoury — one of the finest collections of medieval and Renaissance weapons and armour in Italy
- Enjoy reserved timed entry, skipping the ticket office queue and entering at your reserved time
About Doge's Palace Ticket
Standing at the edge of the St. Mark's waterfront with its extraordinary pink and white Gothic facade, the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) was for nearly a thousand years the seat of the Most Serene Republic of Venice — the centre of political power, judicial authority, and diplomatic ceremony for one of the most remarkable civilisations in history. Today, it is Venice's most visited paid attraction, and with a reserved timed entry ticket, you bypass the ticket office queue and walk straight in at your chosen time.
Inside, the palace unfolds across a succession of magnificently decorated rooms that represent the full might and artistic ambition of the Venetian Republic. The Golden Staircase sets the tone immediately — a gleaming corridor of gilded stucco, carved reliefs, and frescoed ceilings commissioned to awe visiting dignitaries and ambassadors before they reached the Doge's presence. The Hall of the Great Council is the most breathtaking room in the palace — a cavernous chamber where the entire ruling class of Venice once assembled, its walls lined with portraits of the Doges and its far wall entirely covered by Tintoretto's extraordinary canvas Paradise, measuring 22 metres wide and 7 metres tall and widely regarded as the largest oil painting in the world. The Doge's private apartments, the Magistrates' Rooms, the Council of Ten chambers, and the remarkable Armoury — stocked with over 2,000 pieces of weaponry accumulated over centuries — complete an itinerary of extraordinary breadth and variety.
The visit culminates at the Bridge of Sighs — the covered stone bridge connecting the palace to the New Prisons, whose name derives from the sighs of condemned prisoners taking their last glimpse of Venice through its latticed windows as they were led to their cells. Walking the bridge from inside is one of Venice's most atmospheric and haunting experiences, and is included with the standard entry ticket. Your ticket also includes entry to the Museo Correr — the civic museum of Venice overlooking St. Mark's Square — making it one of the best-value cultural tickets in the city. Book your Doge's Palace Venice ticket now on Thrillark and save up to 17%.
Inside, the palace unfolds across a succession of magnificently decorated rooms that represent the full might and artistic ambition of the Venetian Republic. The Golden Staircase sets the tone immediately — a gleaming corridor of gilded stucco, carved reliefs, and frescoed ceilings commissioned to awe visiting dignitaries and ambassadors before they reached the Doge's presence. The Hall of the Great Council is the most breathtaking room in the palace — a cavernous chamber where the entire ruling class of Venice once assembled, its walls lined with portraits of the Doges and its far wall entirely covered by Tintoretto's extraordinary canvas Paradise, measuring 22 metres wide and 7 metres tall and widely regarded as the largest oil painting in the world. The Doge's private apartments, the Magistrates' Rooms, the Council of Ten chambers, and the remarkable Armoury — stocked with over 2,000 pieces of weaponry accumulated over centuries — complete an itinerary of extraordinary breadth and variety.
The visit culminates at the Bridge of Sighs — the covered stone bridge connecting the palace to the New Prisons, whose name derives from the sighs of condemned prisoners taking their last glimpse of Venice through its latticed windows as they were led to their cells. Walking the bridge from inside is one of Venice's most atmospheric and haunting experiences, and is included with the standard entry ticket. Your ticket also includes entry to the Museo Correr — the civic museum of Venice overlooking St. Mark's Square — making it one of the best-value cultural tickets in the city. Book your Doge's Palace Venice ticket now on Thrillark and save up to 17%.
Inclusions
- Reserved timed entry to the Doge's Palace
- Access to all open rooms, halls, the armoury, and the Bridge of Sighs
- Entry to the Museo Correr
- Entry to the National Archaeological Museum of Venice
- Entry to the Monumental Rooms of the Marciana National Library
Exclusions
- Personal expenses
- Transport
Insiders' Tips
Book the first available time slot of the day for the quietest experience in the Hall of the Great Council — the room becomes very crowded by mid-morning. Stand at the far end of the hall and look back at Tintoretto's Paradise from a distance before getting close — the full scale of the painting only reveals itself from 20 metres away
Additional Information
Operating Hours
- 9:00 am - 06:00 pm
- The last admission is 1 hour and 30 minutes before closing
- Partially wheelchair accessible — some areas have limited access due to historic staircase structures
- Cloakroom, bookshop, and cafe available on site
- Secret Itineraries tour requires a separate guided ticket
- Large bags must be left in the cloakroom
Cancellation Policy
- No Cancellation and Non-refundable
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Doge's Palace in Venice?
The Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is Venice's most iconic landmark and the former seat of the Most Serene Republic of Venice — a Gothic masterpiece on St. Mark's waterfront that served as the centre of political, judicial, and diplomatic power for nearly a thousand years. Today it houses one of the most extraordinary collections of Venetian art and state rooms in the world, including Tintoretto's enormous Paradise canvas, the Golden Staircase, and the legendary Bridge of Sighs.
What is Tintoretto's Paradise at the Doge's Palace?
Paradise is a monumental oil painting by Jacopo Tintoretto measuring 22 metres wide and 7 metres tall, filling the entire far wall of the Hall of the Great Council — widely regarded as one of the largest oil paintings in the world. Commissioned in 1588 after a fire destroyed the previous painting, it depicts hundreds of figures in an immense heavenly scene and is the single most overwhelming work of art inside the Doge's Palace.
What is the Bridge of Sighs and is it included in the ticket?
The Bridge of Sighs is a covered stone bridge connecting the Doge's Palace to the New Prisons, built in 1600 and named for the sighs of condemned prisoners who crossed it after sentencing, taking their last glimpse of Venice through its latticed stone windows. Walking the bridge from inside the palace is included with the standard Doge's Palace ticket and is one of the most atmospheric and memorable moments of any Venice visit.
What is the Golden Staircase at the Doge's Palace?
The Golden Staircase (Scala d'Oro) is the magnificent ceremonial staircase of the Doge's Palace, designed by Jacopo Sansovino and decorated with extraordinarily lavish gilded stucco, carved reliefs, and frescoed ceilings. Reserved exclusively for Venetian nobles and dignitaries, it was designed to impress and overwhelm important guests before they reached the Doge's chambers, and it remains one of the most opulent interiors in Venice.
Is the Museo Correr included with the Doge's Palace ticket?
Yes, the Doge's Palace ticket includes entry to the Museo Correr on St. Mark's Square — Venice's civic museum housed in the Napoleonic Wing — along with the National Archaeological Museum of Venice and the Monumental Rooms of the Marciana National Library. The Museo Correr covers Venetian history, art, and lifestyle from the Republic era through the 19th century and is a substantial additional attraction included in the same combined ticket.
What are the Secret Itineraries at the Doge's Palace and are they included?
The Secret Itineraries (Itinerari Segreti) are a separately ticketed guided tour of the restricted areas of the Doge's Palace not accessible with standard entry — including the torture chambers, the attic prisons where Casanova was famously held, and the hidden passages used by the Council of Ten. This experience requires a separate guided ticket and must be booked in advance, as places are limited and it is not included in the standard Doge's Palace admission ticket.
Are there evening opening hours at the Doge's Palace?
Yes, from May 1 to September 26, 2026, the Doge's Palace is open until 11:00 PM every Friday and Saturday — offering an evening visit experience that is significantly less crowded than daytime hours. Evening visits are widely considered one of the best ways to experience the palace, with the grand council rooms and waterfront views taking on an entirely different and magical atmosphere after dark.
Is the Doge's Palace accessible for wheelchair users?
The Doge's Palace is partially wheelchair accessible, though the historic structure means some areas — particularly those involving staircases — have limited access. Wheelchair users are advised to contact the palace in advance to discuss the most accessible route and confirm which rooms can be visited comfortably, as the accessibility situation varies across different parts of the building.
How long should I spend at the Doge's Palace in Venice?
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours exploring the Doge's Palace at a comfortable pace, covering the main state rooms, the Hall of the Great Council, the armoury, the Bridge of Sighs, and the prisons. Adding the Museo Correr on the same day extends the experience to 4 to 5 hours in total — both are included in the same ticket and the Correr is a short walk across St. Mark's Square.
Do I need to book Doge's Palace tickets in advance?
Advance booking is strongly recommended for the Doge's Palace, as it is Venice's most visited paid attraction and on-site ticket queues can extend to two hours during peak season from April to October. Booking through Thrillark saves up to 17% on the standard rate with instant confirmation and a reserved timed entry slot secured before you travel. Please note that Doge's Palace tickets are non-refundable once purchased, so confirming your visit date carefully before booking is essential.
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