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    Palazzo Ducale

    4.5 (142 reviews)
    Closed 8:30 am - 7:00 pm

    Palazzo Ducale Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Palazzo Ducale

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    Thaovi T.

    This place is immense and absolutely stunning - from the grand halls to the incredible artwork, every detail blows you away. I especially loved the prison area. It's eerie but fascinating to see where prisoners were held and imagine the stories behind those walls. Crossing the Bridge of Sighs is a must, too.

    Maruko X.

    The Palazzo Ducale is a palace built in Venetian Gothic style, and one of the main landmarks in Venice. The palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice, and the supreme authority of the former Republic of Venice. The massive ceilings are impressive, and the visit to the prisons are interesting too. I recommend spending at least two hours here, or possibly half a day if you'd like checking more thoroughly.

    Linda T.

    When looking up things to do in Venice, this was one of the top places suggested to visit. Admission wasn't steep, and it's not as crowded. No air conditioning, just lots of fans and open windows. There was so much to view in here and so much history. We didn't follow a tour but still had a great time walking around. There are so many levels of the prisons to walk through. You even walk through the Bridge of Sighs here!

    Zacharias P.

    Everybody says that the Ducal Palace is a must when visiting Venice and in some ways it is. Most people want to say that they were able to see it. But is it worth it? In my opinion, not really. I wasn't overly impressed. Don't get me wrong, architecturally it is a masterpiece and you can get a real sense for the grandeur of the place from the outside. I was hoping that on the inside it would have been set up in the way that it was while the dukes were living there - that you'd be able to see bedrooms furnished, dining rooms, kitchens, throne rooms etc. but it doesn't look anything like that. It's a series of large empty rooms with beautiful frescos but no sense of what it was like as a working palace. It was thoroughly disappointing for that reason. I was more impressed by the Correr across the street. But, I can say that I went and I don't regret it. The line for the toilet is longer than the line to get in! I did like the dungeons.

    Fred T.

    Another of the must see items in San Marcos Square. The Doge's (I wonder what one of the most powerfull men in the world at the time of their reign would make of them being a meme crypto currency today?) Palace was at one time the center of powerful empire. Both palace, meeting hall, seat of government, and jail it is quite spread out and I would plan on spending several hours here to even scratch the surface. The highly ornate rooms coupled with the art makes for an interesting comparison to the bleakness of the jail areas. Pretty sure you 100% wanted to be a guest of the former. Aside from that it is a typical palace. We did not go as part of a group rather just me and my son wandering about. I would highly advise getting tickets ahead of your visit as the lines were crazy long most of the times we walked by. Also for me at least it was alot like driving down PCH 1 South of Big Sur, it get a bit repetitive "Oh look yet another ornate room with huge paintings" but still worth a visit. The cafe is covered in a separate review

    Chris L.

    An amazing amazing palace. So much to see and take in. Hires a private tour guide for 4 hours. The PERFECT thing to spend your money on. She knew the history and was an archeology and art history major. The history of the palace and the people is rich with intrigue and stories of resilience. Take a tour, go by yourself. Hire a guide. It really doesn't matter but you must go and enjoy this other worldly place.

    Courtyard
    Lisa S.

    The Doge's Palace was our highlight today. Our ticket also gave us access to 3 other museums. The entry line went quickly and we were inside enjoying the art and learning a bit about the government of Venice. The Doge played a large role in the history of Venice so it's definitely something you should try and see. The art and opulence of the rooms were a stark contrast to the jail nearby. You get to walk the bridge of sighs and imagine what it must have been like for prisoners at that time. Loved the architecture and learning more about the history of Venice.

    The torture chamber (seriously).
    Douglas H.

    As with most of Venice the Doge's palace is very beautiful and not to be missed.  it is very large so please allow yourself several hours to see it.  if you pay extra for the "secret tour" you will get to see parts of the palace that others cannot like the torture chamber and the prison cell were Casanova was kept (and the story of his escape).  in the courtyard you will find a small cafe with adequate meals and a very well kept bathroom. Come la maggior parte di Venezia, il Palazzo Ducale è molto bello e da non perdere.   è molto grande quindi per favore concediti diverse ore per vederlo.   se paghi un extra per il "tour segreto" potrai vedere parti del palazzo che ad altri non piacciono: la camera delle torture e la cella della prigione dove fu tenuto Casanova (e la storia della sua fuga).   nel cortile troverete un piccolo bar con pasti adeguati e un bagno molto ben tenuto.

    Maggie H.

    Do the secret itineraries tour at the Doge's Palace! The 5 stars are all for that. You get to go behind the scenes in the prison where Casanova and other notables were held. You go down secret passageways. Our tour guide spoke English well and she was funny. Sorry-not sorry that I'm not into artwork and you don't get to see the personal side of the Doge's Palace, like the bedrooms, or anything like that.

    Doge Palace
    Carrie M.

    Doge Palace is a must-see attraction in Venice. It is a beautiful palace, but palaces and museums do start blending together especially on a big Europe trip. I recommend buying a timed-entry ticket online in advance. To be honest, the thing I remember the most from this palace was the absurdly long restroom lines. There was a bathroom attendant with a whole cordoned area for the line, which is kind of hilarious.

    Wide angle view of Sala del Maggior Consiglio (Chamber of the Great Council) - Palazzo Ducale
    Michael S.

    Between Basilica di San Marco and the waterfront at Piazza San Marco awaits this stunning, must-see Venetian landmark. It's known as Doge's Palace in English and justifiably hailed as 5 stars by Yelp elite because Palazzo Ducale is the finest palace in one of the world's truly transcendent cities. Study up on Wikipedia, prepare at the visitmuve.it site, and watch some YT vids if you WANT ... or don't ... and just go ... cause Doge's Palace has been awesome since construction began in 1340 ... or when it became a museum 99 years ago (in 1923) ... or whenever Dogecoin came into existence. Palazzo Ducale is still awesome today with everything you'd expect representing the best of Venice on display. The wealth. The power. The art. The huge giant art. The gothic architecture. The lavish style. The prison. The Bridge of Sighs. The courtyard. The history. It's all at Palazzo Ducale. Tips: * Open: 10:00a - 6:00p * Admission: €25 * Discounts for locals, students, & families * Secret Itinerary: €28 * Multi-museum pass: €35 * Audioguide: €5 * Self-guided tours: 1 - 6 hours * Museum cafe: small * Bookstore: a-ok Highlights: * The entrance courtyard & Senator's Courtyard * Museo dell'Opera (famous facade & columns) * La Scala d'Oro (aka the Golden Staircase w/24k gold) * Sala del Senato (the senate chamber) * The Tintorettos (the famous Tintoretto paintings) * Sala degli Scarlatti (men in scarlet room) * Sala dello Scudo (room with the coat of arms) * Sala delle Mappe (room with gigantic maps) * Hall dei Filosofi (Philosophers Hall) * Sala dello Scrigno (The Coffer Room) * Sala del Maggior Consiglio (Hall of the Great Council) * Sale dell'Armeria (Armory museum) * The prisons (Giacomo Casanova escaped from here) * Ponte dei Sospiri (walk inside the Bridge of Sighs) * The special visiting art exhibitions

    Ceiling
    Boon C.

    Doge's Palace is a palace, court, and connected to jail house. This palace residence is a powerful Doge of Venice. He has supreme authority like a king. The person who found guilty will be the resident of next door jail house. The palace is beautiful. It connected bu bridge of sigh to the prison next door. The criminal who found guilty take the last breath walk through the bridge and has a sigh because this is last time they see sunlight through the bridge and sigh. That why call bridge of sigh. The palace has series of arc. It look spectacular outwardly. The welcome stair way is well decorated on the ceilings and side. You may want to paid attention to the ceilings and the floor tile. They are beautiful. The great hall use for party and gathering. The interior courtyard overlooking the St. Mark Basilica. One tip. Buy the combo ticket at Correr Museum. When you come to visit the Doge's Palace is a fast past since you already has the ticket. So visit Correr museum first because the line is shorter.

    Kari C.

    The Doge's Palace is a must see when in Venice. It is at the center of the local history and had a huge presence in the country's history and international platforms also. It's rooms are pleasant, regal and even mysterious. When stepping through the palace doors, you feel as if you've stepped back in time. We stood in line for around 20 minutes and were able to buy our tickets at the door. The line for this is much faster than getting in St. Mark's. There were a few different ticket options. It is best to select the one that gives admission to several museums in Venice. It costs the same price as the regular admission. Interpretation devices run around 5 euro each. They are worth the investment in order to get the most out of your visit. Enjoy.

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    2 years ago

    Spectacular work in that era are builder's and artisans. The gold ceilings were amazing.

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    Very cool palace. I recommend checking it out when you're in Venice. There's a lot of cool photo opportunities while you are here too.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Palazzo Ducale Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Palazzo Ducale

    The Doge played a large role in the history of Venice so it's definitely something you should try and see.

    Mentioned in 43 reviews

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    Peggy Guggenheim Collection - June 22, 2025.

    Peggy Guggenheim Collection

    4.4(89 reviews)
    0.8 km
    €€

    I'm obsessed with every thing about Peggy Guggenheim & the area of Dorsoduro that surrounds the…read moreCollection. Just a delightful home on the Grand Canal, small & intimate with such diversity that the moment we left I was already craving a revisit. Beautiful garden memorial to Peggy & her beloved dogs. "Peggy's ashes are buried her beloved pooches are also with her. This is the only case in the world where the creator of a museum is buried inside" The courtyard is peaceful and allows for a few areas to reflect before or after visiting the collection inside. Of course, the delight is the canal entrance to the terrace showcasing the bronze Marino Marini "Angel of the City" statue of a rider on a horse with outstretched hands and an erect phallus that is said to once upon a time be detachable to prevent the nuns who were passing by from seeing it. Eventually stolen enough times that it was soldered in place. What a place !! What an island !

    Mega over-crowded! We bought tickets online because it may "sell out". I don't think they would…read moreever sell out-seems packing hundreds of people into very small rooms and hallways was just fine. Large student groups of uninterested kids and bougie aficionados with no self-awareness abound. Not sure if the art or people watching was more insufferable. We spent about 20 min inside before we bailed. Also, 90% of the art looks like what second graders produce and parents would hang on a fridge. Want to see art? Walk thru any of the art galleries with photography and oil paintings for sale-far better plan. Not sure how this gets nearly 5 stars. During the very busy season this place must be even more insane. How about limit the crowds, especially for those with the foresight to pre-purchase tickets to avoid what we experienced.

    Photos
    Peggy Guggenheim Collection - June 22, 2025.

    June 22, 2025.

    Peggy Guggenheim Collection - Take the ordinary and make it dance   
      -E.Hemingway

    Take the ordinary and make it dance -E.Hemingway

    Peggy Guggenheim Collection - From the terrace on the Grand Canal

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    From the terrace on the Grand Canal

    Museo Correr

    Museo Correr

    3.8(17 reviews)
    0.2 km

    Museo Correr, is the Corner Museum, and I'm sure they get their name being in the corner of St…read more Mark's Square. Admission to this museum was included with our ticket for the Doge's Palace so we decided to check it out. Just to manage expectations, visiting this after the Doge's Palace made the visit very lackluster and underwhelming... ... but it's more important to prioritize going to the Doge's Palace at an earlier time to avoid crowds so I wouldn't advise on coming here first. If you're limited on time, you can skip it. This museum captures the history, art, and daily life of the Venetian Republic. We saw ancient maps and globes. It was fascinating to see how the world was perceived before the discovery of North and South America. There were also paintings and sculptures from famous Italian artists. There were also historic documents and objects from the old republic.

    This was one of my favorite museums in Venice, and I'm truly shocked that some reviews on here…read morerecommend skipping it. I guess it depends what you're into. The museum is situated right on st. Marks square directly opposite st. Marks basilica and is in a palatial building that stretches across the square. The archeological museum Is also a part of this same collection. Architecturally the building is fantastic, and the rooms rival those of the Ducal palace. Unlike the ducal palace; this museum also has a whole bunch of artifacts which relate to the history of Venice. My favorite parts were the classical sculptures, the medieval maps, and the extensive coin collections. Ticket was a common with the ducal palace. This museum also had fewer people and that also made it more enjoyable.

    Photos
    Museo Correr
    Museo Correr
    Museo Correr

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    Punta della Dogana

    Punta della Dogana

    4.3(3 reviews)
    0.4 km

    How does the Punta della Dogana have only 1 other yelp review?…read more When I was planning my trip to Italy my son, who I was meeting there, mentioned that he'd heard Venice to be good for about 2 nights, maybe 3. I reasoned that spending too long in Venice was probably impossible and was proven correct. It gives you time to see and experience things different than do the hordes of people who ascend on Venice each day. That's how I explain the single review for Punta della Dogana: most visitors to Venice are seeking a different sort of art experience. Punta della Dogana, a major contemporary art museum, sits in a gorgeous 15th century customs house surrounded by canals on either side. One of its best features - besides the quietude to be found inside - are the water views from various inside locales. During my visit the entire museum was given over to a single exhibiting artist. Damien Hirst and his "Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable" filled the museum. Impressive? Yes. Tiring? Yes. I'd rather have seen a greater variety of artists but suffice to say I now know a lot about Damien Hirst and - spoiler alert - the story told in Hirst's exhibit is 100% fabricated. Cheeky artist. I enjoyed my visit to Punta della Dogana and later would look back on it as a respite from the relentless volume of ancient marble statues and paintings depicting religious scenes. Contemporary art speaks more loudly to me. Free indoor storage lockers are available to museum patrons on a first-come, first-served basis. If you're in search of a quiet and gorgeous space, or need a break from all of the stuff you supposedly came to Italy to see consider a visit here. It might not get the press of some of Venice's other museums but it is, most definitely, worthy.

    This is a prime venue and location to showcase contemporary Art. The views are jaw dropping, high…read moreceilings, contemporary decor set in a historical building. The program is of great quality, featuring some of the world's most prominent Artists.

    Photos
    Punta della Dogana
    Punta della Dogana
    Punta della Dogana

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    The Glass Cathedral Santa Chiara

    The Glass Cathedral Santa Chiara

    5.0(4 reviews)
    2.2 km

    On our water bus on the way to Murano from Venice, I did some quick research on glass-blowing…read moredemonstrations. There is no shortage of options but you want to make sure you pick a good one. The Glass Cathedral Santa Chiara stood out to me because it's at the very top of TripAdvisor's list of the top attractions in Murano. I tried to make a reservation online but they don't allow day-of reservations so we tried our luck in person. Luckily, it worked out. It's a short walk from the water bus station. Though I will say it's a bit tough to find because the cathedral is a bit hidden. Once you walk in, you see how beautiful the cathedral is and you already feel like you're in the right place. We arrived at a good time and got tickets for the next show. You can just pay for the demonstration itself or add beverages as add-ons e.g. beer, wine, Aperol spritz, mixed drinks, etc. We added Aperol Spritz which is served in a nice glass (I would expect nothing less in Murano). From there, there is some bench seating and a few tables where you can view the demonstration. The artist performing his craft was an artist in the true sense of the word. He wasn't there to entertain the crowd. He didn't seem friendly. But he loves his craft. And I love that. It was super impressive to see him do his thing and create multiple works of art along the help with his assistant. Murano is known for having the best glass-blowing in the world so you'll see a lot of advanced techniques and you'll get a grasp of the skill needed to create what you can buy at stores or online. It makes you appreciate even more the value of handmade goods. Seeing a glass-blowing demonstration is a must when you're in Murano and this place may very well be the best!

    We stopped in and enjoyed the glass blowing demonstration. Very affordable entry fee and our kids…read more(4 and 6 years old) entry was free. The staff were friendly and our kids enjoyed themselves!

    Photos
    The Glass Cathedral Santa Chiara
    The Glass Cathedral Santa Chiara
    The Glass Cathedral Santa Chiara - The artist pursuing his craft.

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    The artist pursuing his craft.

    Canal Grande - From Rialto Bridge

    Canal Grande

    4.6(149 reviews)
    0.7 km

    The waterways are the lifeline of Venice and the Canal Grade, or Grand Canal, is the main water way…read morethat connects everything in Venice. If you look at the map of the islands, the Grand Canal connects everything with a graceful S shape. In the medieval and renaissance times, Venice was a major trade area and an essential route for merchant ships bringing spices, silk, and other goods from the east. Our gondolier told us how there weren't bridges until Napoleon came along. Everyone traveled around by boat and the closer to the water the richer they were. Even today, traveling by water is the main method of getting around the city. When we first arrived, we saw movers with a crane on their boat hauling furniture. On our last day there, we even saw ambulance by water. It was also such a treat being able to take a gondola ride as part of our experience in the city. I enjoyed the day to day moments of walking around and exploring the city and taking photos on the Grand Canal. Every scene was so unique and stunning.

    This waterway runs the entire length of the Lagoon of Venice! There is much traffic on the…read morewaterway: water buses, water taxis, gondolas and private boats and amazing to see how they navigate it all. I purchased a 3-Day Water Bus pass and it allowed me to enjoy the beautiful views, massive buildings, Rialto Bridge and exquisite architecture of all the other buildings along the waterway.

    Photos
    Canal Grande - Early morning views

    Early morning views

    Canal Grande - Venice still waking up..

    Venice still waking up..

    Canal Grande - Nothing like it, some of the buildings date to 13-16th century

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    Nothing like it, some of the buildings date to 13-16th century

    Palazzo Ducale - museums - Updated July 2026

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