The Doge's Palace in Venice is one of the city's absolute top attractions. A visit there is a must. After all, for centuries it was the seat of the doges (the heads of state of Venice). It was also the seat of the government of the Republic of Venice.
The seat of government
Magnificent Interiors
Unfortunately, we can't show you any pictures of the magnificent interiors. You're not supposed to just walk into someone else's house, take pictures, and post them online.
Entrance on the south side
On the south side is the entrance to the Doge’s Palace for visitors who pay on site. The preferred entrance for visitors who have reserved online in advance is on the left side of the Doge’s Palace. Depending on the season, there are always lines at the ticket office entrance. Admission currently (April 2025) costs exactly €30.00 per person. And as is typical for Venice, there are especially many visitors in the city—and thus also at the Doge’s Palace—on weekends.
The 3 Entrances to the Doge's Palace
As you can see in the picture here, the Doge’s Palace has three entrances: the left entrance is for visitors waiting in line at the ticket office. You can often expect to find a line here. Especially in the morning. The middle entrance is for visitors who have already purchased a valid ticket online, and the right entrance is for groups with Travel Guide. Various online providers offer tickets at the same price as at the venue. This way, you can avoid potential lines.
Seating under the arcades
Especially in the afternoon, when many visitors to Venice start to get tired, the seats under the arcades at the Doge's Palace are very popular for taking a short break. During Carnival, people gather here wearing masks, especially when it rains.
Sighs Bridge and Prison
To the right of the Doge's Palace, you'll see the prison, connected by a small bridge. One of the city's most famous sons was imprisoned here: Giacomo Casanova. The bridge itself is also a major tourist attraction: the Bridge of Sighs.
The 2 Red Pillars
The Doge’s Palace also has many sights to see on the outside. Numerous statues and features, such as the two red columns, are clearly visible to everyone. Unfortunately, almost all visitors walk right past them without a second glance. As Goethe is said to have remarked, „You only see what you know.“ Since we won’t be repeating this over and over, we ask that you explore the exterior sights of the Doge’s Palace in our free Travel Guide „To learn about “open secrets.”.