Tickets Venice

A complete guide to Doge's Palace entrance

Where is Doge's Palace located?

Address: P.za San Marco, 1, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy.
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Doge's Palace is right next to St. Mark's Basilica. It is situated in the heart of Venice, overlooking the Riva degli Schiavoni seafront promenade.

Nearest landmark: St. Mark’s Basilica (180 m)
Nearest airport: Venice Airport (1 hour away)

How to get to Doge's Palace?

How many entrances does Doge's palace have?

The Doge's Palace primarily has one main entrance for visitors, the Porta del Frumento (Grain Gateway) facing the waterfront Riva degli Schiavoni, the most commonly used entrance for visitors. Additional entrances that were functional in the past include:

  • Waterfront side entrance: Facing the Venetian lagoon, historically used by the Doge and for deliveries, now used for private events and special tours.
  • Bridge of Sighs: An entrance for prisoners connecting the palace to the New Prison, not accessible to the public.

Understanding the layout of Doge's Palace

Doge's Palace entrance location & getting there

Main entrance - Porta del Frumento

Location: Facing the Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront on the palace's right side, if approaching from St. Mark's Square.
Average wait time: 30-45 minutes with standard tickets, 3-5 minutes with skip-the-line tickets
Timings: 9am - 7pm; last admission 6pm
Accessibility: Yes
Who is it for? General public entrance for all visitors.

The Porta del Frumento (Grain Gateway) is the main public entrance to the Doge's Palace. Unlike its grand name suggests, it wasn't historically used for grain deliveries. Built in the 15th century, this gateway features simple Renaissance architecture, contrasting with the palace's overall Gothic style. Look out for the lion sculptures flanking the entrance, symbolizing the power of Venice.

Disabled access at Doge's Palace

Visitors with can enter through an accessible entrance with a ramp. Spacious hallways make navigating the palace a breeze. Elevators are available upon request to reach different floors, ensuring you can explore all the palace has to offer. Restrooms are also accessible, and there's even a hearing loop system in place for those who need it.

While most areas are accessible, there are a few exceptions. Due to their historic layout and architecture, the Secret Itineraries, Prisons, and Armory are not wheelchair accessible.

Frequently asked questions about Doge's Palace entrance

Aim for off-peak hours! The palace tends to be less crowded early mornings or late afternoons on weekdays. Invest in some time-saving magic with skip-the-line tickets or a guided tour. They'll whisk you past those long queues and straight to the palace entrance.

More reads

Doge's Palace Prisons

Plan your visit

Skip-the-line tickets