Bridge of Sighs
Venice, Italy
Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale), Venice
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Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Paid, St Mark's Square museums ticket
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Opening hours
- Daily, morning to evening
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 2 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Highlights
- Great Council Hall, Golden Staircase, Bridge of Sighs
- Tour
- Secret Itineraries — book separately
- Time needed
- About 2 hours
- Vaporetto
- San Zaccaria or San Marco, 2 minutes
Key facts
14th–15th c.the Gothic façades were built
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English Wikipedia1438–1442the Porta della Carta gateway went up
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English Wikipedia≈ 54 × 25 mthe Great Council Hall, among Europe's largest rooms
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English WikipediaParadiseTintoretto's canvas, one of the largest oil paintings in the world
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English Wikipedia1923the palace became a museum
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English WikipediaA short history
For more than a thousand years Venice was an independent republic ruled by a doge elected for life. His palace on the lagoon was residence, parliament, court and chancery in one. Its present form dates from the 14th and 15th centuries, when the famous Gothic façades facing the lagoon and the square were built.
They look almost upside down: light white arcades below, a lacy loggia above, and on top a massive wall patterned in pink and white marble — a heavy building seemingly resting on lace. The palace became a museum in 1923 and is now one of Italy's most visited sights.
Courtyard and staircases
Visitors enter from the waterfront, while the ceremonial Porta della Carta (1438–1442) between the palace and St Mark's leads into the courtyard. There stands the Giants' Staircase, guarded by Sansovino's colossal Mars and Neptune, where doges were crowned. Upstairs climbs the Golden Staircase (Scala d'Oro) under a gilded stucco vault, once used by ambassadors and honoured guests.
The painted halls
Venice's greatest 16th-century painters decorated the rooms. The Great Council Hall, about 54 × 25 m, is one of Europe's largest; over a thousand council members met here. The whole wall behind the doge's throne is filled by Paradise by Tintoretto and his workshop — one of the largest oil paintings in the world — beneath a gilded ceiling with works by Veronese.
Along the way are the Collegio and Senate halls with ceilings by Veronese and Tintoretto, the Hall of the Four Doors and the armoury. The route then crosses the Bridge of Sighs to the neighbouring building and back, its small windows framing the canal and lagoon.
What to see
- Gothic façades — pink-and-white marble over arcades.
- Giants' Staircase — Mars and Neptune.
- Golden Staircase — a gilded vault.
- Great Council Hall — Tintoretto's Paradise.
- Sala del Collegio — Veronese's ceiling.
- Bridge of Sighs from inside — views through the stone windows.
How to get there
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Bridge of Sighs is about 3 min away on foot.
- St Mark's Basilica is about 2 min away on foot.
- St Mark's Campanile is about 2 min away on foot.
More tips
- Vaporetto 1, 2 or 4.1 to San Zaccaria, 2 minutes along the quay.
- Vaporetto 1 or 2 to San Marco (Giardinetti), 3 minutes.
- The palace stands to the right of St Mark's Basilica, facing the lagoon.
- From the Rialto Bridge, 10–12 minutes' walk.
Is the Doge's Palace worth it?
Yes — it's Venice's essential museum and the key to understanding how the great maritime republic worked. Book online, arrive at opening or after 3 pm when the groups thin out, and allow about two hours. The St Mark's Square museums ticket usually also covers the Museo Correr and the Marciana library across the square.
Before you go
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You are ready for the visit
San Marco in half a day
The basilica, the Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs, the Campanile and a walk to the Rialto.
- St Mark's Basilica1 h · Paid
- 3 min walk from the previous stopDoge's Palaceyou are here2 h · Paid
- 3 min walk from the previous stopBridge of Sighs15 min · Free outside
- 3 min walk from the previous stopSt Mark's Campanile30 min · Paid
- 9 min walk from the previous stopRialto Bridge20 min · Free
5 places · about 4 h 23 min with walks · 18 min on foot in total
Nearby and on the way
How to do it right
- Book online.
- Quieter after 3 pm.
- Secret Itineraries — book ahead.
- Cross the Bridge of Sighs inside.
Questions
How long do you need at the Doge's Palace?
About two hours; add an hour for the Secret Itineraries tour.
Is the Bridge of Sighs included?
Yes, the palace route crosses the Bridge of Sighs from inside.
Where do I buy Doge's Palace tickets?
On the official Venice civic museums site or at the desk; the St Mark's Square ticket also covers the Museo Correr.
What are the Secret Itineraries?
A tour of the palace's hidden rooms — chancery, attics and Casanova's cell — by reservation.
What is Tintoretto's Paradise?
A huge canvas in the Great Council Hall, one of the largest oil paintings in the world.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia, Doge's Palace
- Official Venice civic museums site palazzoducale.visitmuve.it
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