Opening hours
When the Doge's Palace is open
Seasonal opening times, daily closed periods, holiday checks and entry rules. Plan around last admission, not just closing time.
Summer season
1 April to 31 October
- Open
- 09:00 to 19:00
- Last admission
- 18:00
Winter season
1 November to 31 March
- Open
- 09:00 to 18:00
- Last admission
- 17:00
Museum information reviewed . Special closures, events and holiday changes can apply. Verify the official visitor announcements for your date. This is a reference timetable, not a live open/closed status.
Daily schedule
Weekly hours and closed periods
The regular schedule runs Monday through Sunday, subject to museum notices. All times are local Venice time (Europe/Rome). No routine weekly closing day is specified in the current visitor information.
| Day | 1 April–31 October | 1 November–31 March |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 09:00–19:00 | 09:00–18:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00–19:00 | 09:00–18:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00–19:00 | 09:00–18:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00–19:00 | 09:00–18:00 |
| Friday | 09:00–19:00 | 09:00–18:00 |
| Saturday | 09:00–19:00 | 09:00–18:00 |
| Sunday | 09:00–19:00 | 09:00–18:00 |
Usual summer closed period
19:00 until 09:00 the following day. Last entry is normally 18:00; closing procedures begin at 18:30.
Usual winter closed period
18:00 until 09:00 the following day. Last entry is normally 17:00; closing procedures begin at 17:30.
Exceptions
Holidays, closures and evening visits
Check holiday dates separately rather than assuming an annual closed-day list. The current museum page publishes the seasonal schedule and asks visitors to check announcements for extraordinary changes.
Christmas Day
25 December · Check the holiday notice
The current MUVE visitor page does not confirm a fixed annual closure for this date. Verify the specific year’s notice or contact the museum before booking.
New Year’s Day
1 January · Check the holiday notice
Do not assume that the usual winter schedule—or a closure stated elsewhere—applies. Check the museum’s holiday arrangements for your visit date.
Special evening openings
Late openings are announced for specific dates and days, not automatically for every evening in May–September. Do not assume a 23:00 closing time unless a current museum notice confirms it for your date. Check the last-entry time and ticket arrangements too.
Separately arranged after-hours visits
MUVE asks for after-hours requests at least five working days before the desired date, subject to availability and confirmation. This is a separate arrangement, not permission to remain after closing with an ordinary ticket.
MUVE after-hours visit informationA room closure, restoration or event can restrict parts of the route even when the building is open. Check current closure and visitor notices before you travel.
Before you arrive
Important visiting information
Last admission and closing procedures
Last admission is 18:00 in summer and 17:00 in winter. The museum starts closing procedures 30 minutes before closing: normally 18:30 in summer and 17:30 in winter. Enter earlier if you want time for the main rooms.
Tickets without a specific entry slot
The museum currently states that St Mark’s Square Museums tickets without a specific entry time slot are admitted to the palace from 12:00 onwards. The building’s 09:00 opening does not override your ticket’s entry conditions.
Guided-tour departures
Tours have their own departure and meeting times. The museum warns that a delay of more than 15 minutes can mean exclusion from a guided tour. Arrive with a buffer and follow the instructions on your booking.
Security and luggage
Advance booking does not bypass security checks or guarantee immediate entry. Suitcases, trolleys and bulky luggage must be left elsewhere before arrival; smaller bags and umbrellas may be directed to the cloakroom.
Museum Pass and combined tickets
The museum lists Doge’s Palace among the venues covered by its Museum Pass and St Mark’s Square Museums ticket. Check validity and admission conditions; a pass is not automatically a reservation for Secret Itineraries or another special tour.
Free-entry days are not automatic
Do not assume a national first-Sunday free-entry scheme applies here. MUVE publishes its own concessions and Musei in Festa dates; the current Musei in Festa offer is for eligible local residents, not every visitor.
Source: MUVE visitor information, tickets and announcements. Conditions can change; follow your booking confirmation and current museum instructions.
Timing
Choosing your slot
If your ticket allows early entry, a morning visit can be a practical choice. Late afternoon can also suit your itinerary, but neither time guarantees quieter rooms. Tickets without a specific slot can have a later admission rule.
Give yourself a realistic window. If last admission is 18:00 and you want two hours inside, you are better off entering well before then so you are not rushed through the Great Council Chamber.
Your booking page may show specific entry slots. Pick one with a buffer for security and for finding the Porta del Frumento. Our planning guide covers the route.
Questions
Hours FAQ
What is the difference between closing time and last admission?
Last admission is the latest usual time to enter: 18:00 in summer and 17:00 in winter. The palace closes at 19:00 or 18:00 respectively, and closing procedures begin 30 minutes earlier. Last entry is not a full sightseeing slot.
Which dates count as summer hours?
The usual summer schedule runs from 1 April to 31 October, 09:00–19:00. Winter runs from 1 November to 31 March, 09:00–18:00. Extraordinary notices can override either schedule.
Is there a regular weekly closing day?
The regular seasonal schedule is shown for Monday through Sunday, with no routine weekly closing day specified in the museum’s current visitor information. Check official notices for extraordinary closures, events and restricted areas.
Is Doge’s Palace closed on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day?
The current museum visitor page does not confirm fixed annual closures on 25 December or 1 January. Check the specific holiday notice or ask the museum before travelling; do not rely on an unverified closed-day list.
Is Doge’s Palace always open until 23:00 in summer?
No. Extended evening openings are date-specific announcements, not the regular April–October schedule. Check current dates, days and last admission before planning an evening visit.
Can I stay after normal closing time?
Not on the basis of ordinary admission. MUVE describes separately arranged after-hours visits, requiring a request at least five working days before the desired date and confirmation of availability.
Can every ticket holder enter at 09:00?
No. Your ticket’s conditions matter. MUVE currently states that St Mark’s Square Museums tickets without a specific entry slot are admitted from 12:00 onwards. A guided tour follows its booked departure time.