Doge's Palace Ticket Options in Venice
Picking the right ticket can make or break your visit to the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale). The place is run by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia (MUVE) and you've got a few options: the standard St. Mark's Square Museums ticket (palace + three other museums), the special guided tours (Secret Itineraries and Hidden Treasures), and the Museum Pass if you're doing several civic museums. Below we break down each one so you can choose the Doge's Palace tickets that fit your plan.
St. Mark's Square Museums Ticket (Standard Entry)
The go-to option is the St. Mark's Square Museums ticket: one ticket for the Doge's Palace, the Correr Museum, the Archaeological Museum, and the Marciana Library. Use it the same day or within the period shown when you buy. Most people pick this when they want the palace plus the main museums on the square. Buy online and you pay less; buy at least 30 days ahead and you can get an even cheaper rate. Kids, students, seniors and others get reduced prices—see our prices and discounts pages.
Skip-the-Line and Fast-Track Tickets
Queues at the Doge's Palace can be brutal, especially in peak season. Plenty of sellers offer skip-the-line or fast-track tickets—usually the same St. Mark's Square museums ticket but with a fixed time slot so you bypass the main queue. If you book through a third party, make sure the ticket clearly says timed entry and that it's valid for the Doge's Palace. Turn up a few minutes before your slot with your confirmation and ID. Skip-the-line is a lifesaver when you're short on time or with kids or older folks.
Secret Itineraries Tour – Behind the Scenes
The Secret Itineraries tour takes you into bits of the palace that are normally off limits: the Pozzi (old cells), the Piombi (including Casanova's cell), the Chancellery, the torture room, and more. A guide leads the way; departures are at set times in Italian, English, and French. Your ticket covers the tour plus later access (on your own) to the rest of the palace and the other St. Mark's Square museums. It's popular and places are limited—book ahead. Full details on our Secret Itineraries page.
Doge's Hidden Treasures Tour
The Doge's Hidden Treasures tour is the other “behind the scenes” option: the Doge's private rooms and recently restored spots like the Chiesetta and Antichiesetta. Same idea as Secret Itineraries—fixed times, reserved ticket, and after the tour you can explore the rest of the palace and the other St. Mark's Square museums. Groups are small. If you're into the Doge's private life and rare art, this one's for you. More on our Hidden Treasures page.
Museum Pass – Palace Plus Other Museums
Planning to hit several civic museums in Venice? The Museum Pass might be worth it: six months validity, one entry per museum—Doge's Palace, Correr, Ca' Rezzonico, Glass Museum in Murano, Lace Museum in Burano, and more. Clock Tower isn't included. If you're in town for a few days and want more than just the palace, have a look at our Museum Pass and combined tickets pages.
How to Book Doge's Palace Tickets
You can book through the official call centre (Italy: 848082000; abroad: +39 041 42730892), by email (address on the official MUVE site), or via trusted online sellers. If you use a third party, pick a solid one and confirm the ticket is valid for your date, time, and the right museums. Lots of people book skip-the-line or fast-track online to save time. Keep your confirmation and bring ID on the day.
Time Slots and Last Admission
Winter (1 Nov–31 Mar): palace closes 18:00, last entry 17:00. Summer (1 Apr–31 Oct): closes 19:00, last entry 18:00. If your ticket has a time slot, get there on time—some guided tours won't let you in if you're late. Some tickets without a slot only let you into the Doge's Palace from 12:00; check your ticket conditions. Full times: working hours.
Family and Group Bookings
Families can get reduced rates and deals like Seniors + Junior (two adults + at least one young person pay less). Schools have a set price per student. Big groups may need to use whisper audio gear. We've got the details on our family and student pages. When booking for a group, make sure everyone has the right ticket type and you've got any ID you need (e.g. student cards).
What to Bring on the Day
Ticket (or confirmation + ID if you're collecting on site), a valid ID, and comfy shoes. Big bags and suitcases go in the free cloakroom. The Secret Itineraries and Hidden Treasures tours use stairs and tight spaces—not for everyone. If you have mobility or health concerns, check the official visitor info before booking.