from
$156
Ultimate Venice in a Day with Murano and Burano
Skip the lines at St. Mark’s & the Doge’s Palace, ride a gondola, and watch glassblowing
What's included
Explore Venice from every angle
Expert English-speaking guide
Timed-entry ticket for St. Mark’s Basilica
Timed-entry ticket for the Doge’s Palace
Guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica & the Doge’s Palace
30-minute shared gondola ride
Private boat ride to Murano & Burano
Glassblowing demonstration in Murano
Lacemaking demonstration in Burano
Free time to explore both islands
Guide tips
Lunch
Private gondola
Itinerary
Meet your guide at St. Mark's Square
Your day begins in St. Mark's Square, Venice’s centrally located and most iconic piazza. While your guide sets the stage for the day ahead, you’ll have time to take in the grand sight of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace towering nearby.
Enter St. Mark's Basilica
Thanks to skip-the-line tickets, you’ll soon find yourself in one of Europe’s most dazzling churches. Learn how relics, art, and politics shaped this Byzantine masterpiece, and don’t forget to look up—the golden mosaic ceiling alone tells centuries of stories!
Take a guided tour of the Doge's Palace
Next, pre-reserved tickets get you straight through the security line and into the Doge’s Palace, once home to Venice’s rulers and the seat of its government. Climb the Golden Staircase, cross the famous Bridge of Sighs, and follow your guide through grand halls filled with Renaissance art.
Relax on a sightseeing gondola ride
After exploring on foot, hop into a gondola for a serene 30-minute ride through Venice’s canals. It’s a chance to see the city from the water, passing under historic bridges and alongside centuries-old buildings in true Venetian style.
Take a lunch break
After your gondola ride, you’ll have a bit of free time near St. Mark’s Square to enjoy a lunch of your choice. Feel free to ask your guide for a quick local recommendation in the area.
Board a private boat on the Venetian lagoon
After lunch, it’s time to visit the colorful islands of the Venetian Lagoon on a stylish boat reserved just for your group. Meet up with your new tour leader to board the boat. Then sit back, enjoy the breeze, and watch the skyline of Venice drift away.
Watch a Murano Island glassblowing demonstration
Your first stop on the Venetian Lagoon is Murano, an island famous for its glassmaking heritage. The boat will drop you directly at a working studio, where you’ll watch a master shape molten glass into intricate designs. Then take a bit of free time to shop for a Murano glass souvenir or walk the town before boating to the next island.
Pause for a Burano Island lacemaking demonstration
A short boat ride later, you’ll find yourself on Burano, Venice’s most photogenic island. Pause to admire rows of brightly painted houses before meeting local women, who craft delicate lace by hand, for a demonstration. Then enjoy free time for photos among the vibrant streets.
Ride the boat to return to Venice
With your day winding down, enjoy one last private boat ride back to Venice. This is the perfect time to ask your tour leader any lingering questions and get some insider tips for the rest of your stay.
Your tour ends near St. Mark’s Square
Back at St. Mark’s Square, your Venetian adventure comes full circle. From skipping lines to gliding through canals and discovering artisan traditions, you’ve experienced the very best of Venice in one unforgettable day!
For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change
Select participants and date
Start times are in the product’s local time
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance!
Mon, 07 Sep 2026
Meeting and drop-off point
Important Details
Discover what to expect, what's included, and everything you need to know before booking.
Good to know:
Dress Code: Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women to enter St. Mark’s Basilica; entry may be refused otherwise. Please avoid wearing sandals, hats, shorts, skirts, or tops that expose your shoulders.
ID Requirement: A valid government-issued ID is required for entrance into St. Mark's Basilica. The name on your ticket (entered at check-out) must match the name on your ID, or you will be refused entry.
St. Mark's Basilica: Please note, the tour inside St. Mark's Basilica usually lasts around 20 minutes, as per the monuments rules and protocol.
Gondola Ride: Your gondola ride is a shared experience, with each boat accommodating up to five guests. A professional gondolier will operate the boat, but please note that this portion of the tour is not guided. The ride lasts approximately 25 to 30 minutes, including the time needed to board and disembark.
Tour Changes: All St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace tours are subject to potential time change due to ticketing. Please keep the date of your tour flexible. It’s possible that this itinerary may run in reverse, with Murano and Burano first.
Accessibility: This tour involves extensive walking, standing, and climbing stairs. It is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible and not suitable for guests with mobility issues. Please note that all guests will need to cross four bridges with their guide to reach the dock to board the private boat.
Weather Advisory: Doge's Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica may be closed unexpectedly and without much notice due to adverse weather events, maintenance, or safety reasons. High water may affect the boat tour. If these events occur, you will be notified as soon as possible with an alternative option.
Please note: As this tour includes a luxury private boat to Murano and Burano, it is very important that the group stays on time. Please be very aware of the meeting points given by your guide after free time on each island. The boat will need to depart at the scheduled time. Ferry transportation is available for return to Venice from Murano and Burano if you decide you'd prefer to stay longer on the islands.
Guides: Please note that you will have two different guides for this experience. An expert guide will lead your tour through St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace, while a tour leader will guide your experience to Murano and Burano. Your tour leader will take you to the glassblowing and lacemaking demonstrations on each island, offer helpful insight toward your free time, and assist all guests while on the private boat transfer.
Lunch: This tour has a quick lunch break of 30 minutes between experiences.
Bag Policy: Large backpacks or bags aren’t always allowed inside the attractions, so please pack light.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time. If you are late for your tour, reconnection is only possible during the lunch break.
Your 9.5-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica
Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of the Doge’s Palace
30-minute shared gondola ride (max 5 people shared experience)
Round-trip private boat to Murano and Burano
Glassblowing demonstration in Murano
Lacemaking demonstration in Burano
Free time to explore both islands
Free time for lunch
What to bring:
Government-issued ID
Comfortable walking shoes
Water bottle
Sunscreen (in summer)
Covering for knees and shoulders
Camera