Private Palace Tours in Italy: 15 to Book

1.Private 4hrs Venice Tour: Doge’s Palace, Grand Canal & St Mark’s

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 715 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $594Our pick

Review of a private Venice tour covering Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s Basilica, hidden lanes, and a Grand Canal motorboat ride.

“We did the 5 hour tour with Lorenzo and he was amazing. It was about 95 degrees out on the day of our tour and he was very sensitive about the heat with our group of three. He was extremely informative about the history of Venice and balanced that well with some fun and laughter.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Private Entry Doge Palace & St. Mark Terraces Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 337 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $72

Enter Venice’s Doge’s Palace before opening, skip St. Mark’s Basilica lines, cross the Bridge of Sighs, and enjoy terrace views.

“This early entrance tour was the way to go. We were able to see both the palace and the basilica before the crowds entered. Our guide, Alicia (spelling?), was fantastic! She was incredibly knowledgeable, humorous and well prepared. This tour was definitely money and time well spent.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Private or Semi Doge’s Palace & Saint Mark’s Basilica Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 316 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $240Top rated

Review of a private Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica tour in Venice, with skip-the-line entry, guide insight, price, tips, and FAQ.

“Our Private Tour Guide was amazing! Very informative and knowledgeable and very considerate of our needs. The Tour was incredible and the time just flew by!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Venice Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Semi-Private Tour, Max 6 People

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 192 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $228

Review of Venice’s Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica tour, with skip-the-line entry, expert guides, small groups, value, and practical tips.

“Thank you Tuilla for an amazing time at St. Mark's and Doge's Palace. We appreciated your knowledge and enthusiasm. The history, art, and architecture was stunning. Thank you for a wonderful tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Campania: Royal Palace of Caserta Guided Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 93 reviews · 2 hours · from $47Best value

Tour Caserta’s Bourbon palace with a private guide, skip the ticket line, and see royal apartments, the chapel, theater, and grand staircase.

“Ottima esperienza per visitare la reggia di Caserta. Terminata il tour rimane tutto il tempo per visitare i giardini. Consigliato”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Palazzo Vecchio: Magnificent Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 61 reviews

Explore Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio with a private guide, from Medici rooms and Renaissance art to Dante’s mask and Leonardo’s secret fresco.

“Une visite très intéressante avec Alexandra. de nombreuses explications sont données au cours de la visite. Avec de l'histoire, de la géographie, de l'histoire de l'art, de la géopolitique. les nombreuses questions que j'ai pu poser ont trouvé à chaque fois une réponse. On ne voit pas le temps passer.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Private Tour – National Museum of Palazzo Massimo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $150

Explore Rome’s Palazzo Massimo with a private English guide, ancient art, Villa Livia frescoes, the Boxer at Rest, and admission included.

“Don't bother with the guide. He never showed up. Enjoy the museum on your own. The collection is amazing.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 46 reviews · from $186

Review of Florence’s private Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens tour, with guide details, highlights, price value, timing, access, and booking advice.

“Martina was very cool… if are interested on reviewing the history and art with full detail. She will definitely is the option..”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 38 reviews · 3 hours · from $260

Tour Florence’s Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens with a private guide, Renaissance art, Medici treasures, sculptures, and skip-the-line entry.

“Christina was very sweet, knowledgeable, and went with our pace.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 38 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $287

Review of Florence’s private Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens tour, with art highlights, practical tips, guide quality, price value, and booking advice.

“Alessandro is probably one of the most knowledgeable guides we’ve had (we travel a lot). He could answer any questions - no matter how obscure, not only of history, but art, Florence and travel in Tuscany. His pace was perfect for us, with detailed explanations of all that we were seeing. He integrated all information from Pitti Palace with all other sites around town. He allowed ample time for questions and made sure we could remain in the museum after our visit was done, while giving suggestions of what to explore afterwards. We highly recommend him and the tour!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Private Tour – Palazzo Barberini

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $138

Review of Rome’s private Palazzo Barberini tour, with Caravaggio, Titian, Cortona, practical details, value, timing, and booking advice.

“private tour - amazing experience - brought the museum to life - knowledgeable and entertaining - best museum experience in Rome”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Doge’s Palace small group or private tour with a local guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 2 hours · from $74

Tour Doge’s Palace with a local guide, cross the Bridge of Sighs, see Casanova’s prison, and enjoy skip-the-ticket-line entry in Venice.

“We where super lucky first because we had an amazing tour with Ilaria 🩷, friendly she guided as through the Doge’s Palace sharing her knowledge with us, She shared details of the history of the Palace that made the tour incredibly interesting.And second because although we booked for a group tour we where the only ones so Ilaria was our private guide 😊 for two very fabulous hours.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Palazzo Vecchio: Private Guided Museum Tour & Tower Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 18 reviews · from $186

Review of Palazzo Vecchio’s private tour, Medici rooms, Hall of the Five Hundred, and Arnolfo’s Tower with Florence views.

“Our guide Costanza was excellent. Very knowledgeable and informative, answered all of our questions”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Colosseum, Roman Forum and Emperors’ Palace Private Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $359

Review of Rome’s private Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum tour, with practical advice on guides, value, timing and who should book.

“Guide was funny, personal and extremely knowledgeable. Our group had a wonderful time and everyone raved.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Doria Pamphilj Palace Gallery and Museum Private Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $343

Tour Doria Pamphilj Palace in Rome with a private art guide, skip the line, royal rooms, and masterpieces by Caravaggio, Raphael, and Bernini.

“Max was a knowledgeable guide who was passionate about art and the history behind each painting we saw. It was a private tour so we could stop and rest when needed or linger over art we loved such as the Caravaggios. Superb experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review