Doge's Palace

The palace was the home of the doge and the seat of government and justice for the Republic. You enter by the courtyard and climb the Golden Staircase to rooms covered in gilded ceilings and painted allegories of Venetian power. The Hall of the Great Council is the largest room, with Tintoretto's Paradise on one wall. The route ends by crossing the Bridge of Sighs to the old prisons.

What to look for

• The Golden Staircase
• The Hall of the Great Council
• The Armoury
• The Bridge of Sighs and the prison cells

Opening hours

Open daily 09:00 to 19:00 from 1 April to 31 October and 09:00 to 18:00 from 1 November to 31 March. Last admission is one hour before closing, and closing procedures start 30 minutes before. Closed on 25 December and 1 January.

Source: Palazzo Ducale (Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia), checked October 5, 2026

Tickets and booking

Adult ticket €35. The standard adult ticket is 35 euros, and the official site lists 30 euros when bought online at least 30 days ahead. It includes the Correr Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the Marciana Library rooms and the museum audioguide app.

The palace recommends reservations. It now also sells tickets without a fixed entry time, so booking ahead does not tie you to a slot.

Getting there

San Zaccaria is the nearest vaporetto stop, about two minutes on foot from the palace entrance.

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Tip

Go at opening. The big halls are far easier to take in before the first tour groups arrive.