Doge's Palace Tickets: prices, entrances and fees

Quick summary: official rates

Source: palazzoducale.visitmuve.it and CoopCulture, practical information section. Rates may change during the year; always verify before purchase.

What the basic ticket includes

The standard Doge's Palace ticket is one of the richest among Venetian monuments: it includes much more than a simple run through halls. The price includes:

• Complete museum route — Courtyard, Scala dei Giganti, Scala d'Oro, Doge's Apartments, Square Atrium, Four Doors Hall, Anticollegium, Collegium, Senate, Council of Ten, Compass Hall, Armory.
• Great Council Hall and Hall of Scrutiny — the political heart of the Republic, with Tintoretto's Paradise and portraits of Doges.
• New Prisons and Bridge of Sighs — crossing the bridge toward the cells, with views of St Mark's Basin filtered through Istrian stone grates.
• MUVE Audioguide App — available in Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese and Japanese.
• Access to the Opera Museum — section dedicated to original arcade capitals and medieval sculpture of the palace.

What is not included: Secret Itineraries, temporary exhibitions with separate tickets, entry to St Mark's Basilica (different management) and guided tours by private operators.

Comparison: which ticket is really worth it

1. Single Doge's Palace ticket

The simplest option. You go to the palace, take the tour, leave. Worth it if you have little time in Venice (1 day, cruise stop) and haven't planned to visit other museums. The online price (€30 booking well in advance) is one of the few Venice rates that rewards planning.

2. St Mark's Square Museums ticket

Includes Doge's Palace, Correr Museum, National Archaeological Museum and Monumental Halls of the Marciana Library. Pay once, valid 3 months, enter in any order. Costs just a few euros more than Doge's Palace alone: almost always worth it, even if you're unsure about the others. The Correr has Neoclassical rooms by Canova and a Venetian painting collection that alone justifies the extra ticket cost.

3. MUVE Friend Card

Costs around €50 (verify updated price), valid one calendar year and gives unlimited access to all 11 museums in the Venetian civic network: Doge's Palace, Ca' Rezzonico, Murano Glass Museum, Burano Lace Museum, Palazzo Mocenigo, Carlo Goldoni House, Ca' Pesaro, Natural History Museum and others. Pays for itself in 2-3 visits. Worth it if you spend more than three days in Venice and enjoy a slow museum experience.

4. Combined with St Mark's Basilica

For those traveling light and wanting to concentrate on St Mark's Square essentials, there's a combined package sold by external operators that includes priority Basilica entry + Doge's Palace (sometimes with audioguide or tour). Detailed information on our Basilica combo page.

5. Secret Itineraries

75-minute guided tour opening closed-to-public rooms: Chancellery, Torture Hall, Leads, Wells. Purchased separately (€32 full, €20 reduced) but automatically includes the museum route. If you have half a day, this is the best formula.

Discounts and free admission: who pays less

The discount system is clear but detailed. Here are the main categories:

• Children 0-5 years — free without needing documents.
• Ages 6-14 — reduced ticket at €15.
• Students 15-25 years — reduced with valid document (student card, ISIC).
• Over 65 — reduced with document.
• Rolling Venice cardholders — the city card for ages 14-29 offers reduced rates at all MUVE museums.
• ICOM, ICOMOS, professional journalists, certified Italian tour guides — free with valid membership.
• People with disabilities + 1 companion — free with documentation.
• Teacher escorts of school groups — free (max 2 per group).
• Residents of Venice municipality — free with residence document.

Audioguide: what to expect

The classic rental audioguide has been replaced by the free MUVE Audioguide app, downloadable from iOS and Android stores. Works offline once downloaded. Content quality is above average: texts written by museum curators, 60-80 minutes for the complete route, ability to choose individual halls.

Operational tip: download it from your hotel the night before. It's about 250 MB and connectivity in the palace is predictably weak. Bring personal earbuds — none are provided.

How to book online: step by step

1. Pick your day and time slot. The ticket is named and has an entry slot (usually 15 minutes).
2. Choose the package. For most visitors, the single Doge's Palace or St Mark's Square Museums is the right choice.
3. Enter name, surname and email. The ticket arrives as PDF with QR code.
4. Save the ticket on your smartphone — no need to print it.
5. Arrive 5-10 minutes before your slot at the priority entrance in St Mark's Square. Show the QR. Enter without a queue at the ticket desk.

If you need to change the date, check the seller's policy: most Tiqets packages allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Frequently asked questions about tickets

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