1 – Palazzo Ducale
1 – Palazzo Ducale. The Doge’s Palace, once the pinnacle of power in Venice, was both the government headquarters and the Doge’s residence.
Now a fantastic museum, a visit to Venice is truly incomplete without exploring the Palazzo Ducale, a Gothic architectural marvel; that once stood as the heart of Venetian power.
The “St Mark’s Square Museums ticket”: at a money-saving bundled price, grants entry to “ the Doge’s Palace” as well as the “Museo Correr”, the “Archeological Museum” and the “Biblioteca Marciana”, and are all located in or around Piazza San Marco.
We have published a significant number of comprehensive and illustrated posts on the Doge’s Palace, the Doges and the many attractions to be found in St Mark’s Square; all below in the Links Section. Therefore, I have kept the text of this post to services offered and cost structures.
Introduction 1 – Palazzo Ducale
- History Museum and the most visited in Venice.
- San Marco District.
- Suggested duration allowance: 3 – 4 hours.
- Vaporetto stops: San Marco and San Zaccaria.
It was once the foremost seat of power in Venice; housing both the government and the personal residence of the Doge, the head of the Venetian state. Adminstrative offices, law courts, grand stairways, council halls, apartments and prisons were all fit into this complex yet efficient beautiful building. Since 1923, the Palazzo Ducale, which is the most important museum of Venice; tells the history of the Serenissima, the longest lasting republic in history.
Nestled in the heart of St. Mark’s Square and in the 9th century a fortress, the Doge’s Palace has developed into a tour de force of ornate Gothic architecture in St Mark’s Square, with important Renaissance and Mannerist additions.
Inside, visitors can walk through the sumptuous apartments of the Doge, into vast chambers decorated with paintings by the likes of Tintoretto and Titian, where governmental departments met and over the iconic “Bridge of Sighs” into the dark prisons. Legend has it that prisoners “sighed” as they caught their last glimpse of Venice before imprisonment. It even has “Bocche dei Leone” ( Mouth’s of the LIon complaint boxes) carved into the walls; used for anonymous citizen reports that hint at the complex social fabric of the Republic.
If you’re interested in Venice’s political past – it’s a must-see for anyone seeking to understand the soul of Venice.
The “St Mark’s Square Museums ticket”: at a money-saving bundled price, grants entry to “ the Doge’s Palace” as well as the “Museo Correr”, the “Archeological Museum” and the “Biblioteca Marciana”. and are all located in or around Piazza San Marco.
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St. Mark’s Square Museums Ticket
It is important to check online before you visit as price structures and reductions are rather complex and subject to change with inflationary pressures.
The St. Mark’s Square Museums ticket is a fantastic way to explore Venice’s cultural heart at a bundled price and here’s how much it costs and what it includes
The ticket is valid for 3 months from the date of purchase, but only allows one entry per museum. You can collect it at either the Doge’s Palace or the Correr Museum.
If you’re planning a deeper dive into Venice’s museums, there’s also a Venice Museum Pass that covers even more sites across the city.
PRICE STRUCTURE AND REDUCTIONS (as of September 2025)
- Full Price: €30
- Reduced Price: €15
- For children aged 6–14
- Students aged 15–25 (with ID)
- Visitors over 65
- ISIC card holders
- Free Admission:
- Children under 6
- Venetian residents
- Disabled visitors with escort
- Authorized guides and interpreters
- Teachers accompanying school groups (up to 2 per group)
- ICOM members and select heritage card holders
INCLUDED ATTRACTIONS
This ticket grants one-time access to each of the following four museums, all located in or around Piazza San Marco:
| Museum | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) | Gothic masterpiece, political chambers, Bridge of Sighs |
| Museo Correr | Venetian art, history, and Napoleonic wing |
| National Archaeological Museum | Ancient sculptures, coins, and relics |
| Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana | Renaissance architecture and rare manuscripts. |
ONLINE BOOKING REDUCTION
| Ticket Type | Price (Online ≥30 days before visit) | Regular Price |
|---|---|---|
| Full Price | €25 | €30 |
| Reduced Price | €13 | €15 |
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SECRET ITINERARIES TOUR.(includes visit to the Doge’s Palace)
Full price ticket: 32,00 euro Reduced ticket: 20,00 euro* Children aged from 6 to 14; students aged from 15 to 25; citizens over 65; Venetian residents; holders of the Rolling Venice Card; holders of the VeneziaUnica Pack; holders of the combined ticket to the St. Mark’s Square Museums; holders of the Museum Pass; holders of the Clock Tower ticket; I.C.O.M. members; holders of ISIC – International Student Identity Card. * I.D. required Book online your “Secret Itineraries” tour at the Doges’s Palace >
https://palazzoducale.visitmuve.it/en/pianifica-la-tua-visita/tickets/
MUVE APP AUDIOGUIDE
Audioguide available in six languages for 5 €: ITALIANO, ENGLISH, FRANÇAIS, ESPAÑOL, DEUTSCH, KOREAN.
How to use this service:
Discover the Doge’s Palace in Venice with the new MUVE APP audio guides! A modern and interactive system you can use DIRECTLY ON YOUR SMARTPHONE to accompany you on your visit among the splendid masterpieces of the Doge’s Palace !
- 1. DOWNLOAD THE MUVE APP (freely available from the iOS or Android store) TO YOUR SMARTPHONE!*
- 2. BUY THE MUVE APP AUDIOGUIDE SERVICE – Online at the link >>> – At the museum Ticket Office or directly at the Audioguide Desk (payment in cash only) in the Doge’s Palace
- 3. ACTIVATE THE AUDIOGUIDE SERVICE ON YOUR SMARTPHONE At the Audioguide Desk, show that you have purchased the service to receive a QR code to activate the app. Launch the MUVE APP, click on the QR code scanner, scan the activation Qr code and you will then be able to effect the check-in and start your visit! To avoid connection problems, we invite you to download the audio guide content (texts, audio, and images) before your visit. _ The Audioguide Desk staff will be available for assistance and info _ * Storage space required on device: 500Mb. For a glitch-free and full experience with the MUVE APP from Android or IOs device, it is suggested to upgrade to the following versions of its operating system: Android 10.0; IOs 13.0
https://palazzoducale.visitmuve.it/en/the-museum/multimedialita/muve-app-audioguide
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MY TOP 25 MUSEUMS. Select your museum and click on the link below:
1 – Palazzo Ducale (The Doge’s Palace) Not linked
2 – Peggy Guggenheim Collection
6 – Scuola Grande di San Rocco
7 – San Servolo Insa*e Asylum Museum
8 – Palazzo Grassi (Francois Pinault Collection)
11 – Fondazione Querini Stampalia
24 – Museo Provinciale di Torcello
25 – Museo Archeologico Nazionale
LINKS (internal – external)
Official Website Palazzo Ducale
The Museum – Exhibitions/Events Catalogue – MUVE Education – Plan your visit – Contacts – Tickets. The detailed audio guide is also well worth the extra cost. Remember prices change due to the general inflationary environment – so always check the official website.
You Tube Video – Venice: Palazzo Ducale- Exploratory Tour with Paintings in 4k)
To widen your experience and enjoyment before visiting, please see my comprehensive and illustrated posts below:
All you need to know about the Doge’s Palace: The Doge’s Palace
San Marco – District and Attractions
The Doge’s Palace – Capital Columns
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