Venice Day Tour of St. Mark’s, Doge’s Palace, Murano & Burano, with Gondola

Then follow your guide to your private transportation to Murano to see the 1,200-year-old glassblowing traditions. A stop at the colorful island of Burano is also included so you can snap those coveted photos.

St Mark’s, Doge’s Palace, Murano, and Burano Day Tour Description

Your 9-hour tour includes:

• Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica

• Access to upper terrace

• Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of Doge’s Palace

• 30-minute gondola ride

• Free time for lunch

• Round-trip transportation to Murano/Burano

• See a glassblowing demonstration in Murano

• See a lacemaking demonstration in Murano

• Free time to explore both islands

• Maximum group size of 20

• A fun, local guide

St. Mark's Basilica

Step back in time into the famed “Church of Gold” where you’ll quickly see how it got its nickname. With roots dating back to the 11th century, you’ll marvel inside this incredible basilica as your guide brings its history to life. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the highlights in here thanks to your skip-the-line entry. And you’ll get the rare opportunity that most tourists miss—heading up the 42 steps to the terrace for a view of Venice’s skyline.

Once inside, it's clear why the basilica is nicknamed “the Church of Gold.” With over 45,000 square feet of gilded mosaics constructed over eight centuries, the interior of St. Mark's Basilica is unlike anything you've ever seen. The basilica is so richly outfitted partly due to the conquest of Constantinople. After the city fell in 1204, treasure was shipped back and installed in St. Mark's Basilica. Included in the haul were the four bronze horses and the Pala d’Oro (high altar retable of St. Mark's).

Please note that St. Mark's is a sacred place, so we ask both men and women to cover knees and shoulders, otherwise you might be refused entry and you’ll miss out on a portion of your tour. We understand the summers in Venice can be hot, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.

Doge’s Palace

Up next is your skip-the-line entry to the Doge’s Palace where the rule of law (or the whims of the Doge) were executed fully. This impressive palace sits right next to the basilica and has its own incredible history filled with tyranny and tragedy. The Doges of Venice’s past ruled their territory with an iron fist and helped create Venice as the center of trade at its peak.

You’ll follow your guide to the Golden Staircase, the grand ballroom, the prison cells in the dungeon, and the Bridge of Sighs. Make your way across this bridge and envision what it must have been like as a prisoner seeing your last glimpse of freedom.

One of the palace's most impressive features is the Golden Staircase, considered the most valuable staircase ever built. It connects the first floor of the palace to the third, where the Doge's offices were located. Your guide will show you the grand offices from which Venice was ruled for centuries, including the rooms that housed the powerful Council of Ten—the city's governing body.

Gondola Ride

You can’t spend time in Venice without doing the most iconic activity: a gondola ride. This 30-minute ride might become your most memorable activity in Venice as you sit in a historic old gondola powered by a true Venetian gondolier. They know each canal intimately and will ensure you get some great photos (with them too!).

Trip to Murano

After your lunch break, meet your guide at the designated meeting point to board a private water taxi to the island of Murano. This pre-arranged transportation makes this tour completely worth it. You can get to the island in less than half an hour rather than the hour or more you’d have to wait on the public ferry.

Murano is the island famed for its 1,200-year-old history of intricate glassblowing techniques. You’ll get to stand right inside an authentic glassblowing shop and learn all about this tradition that’s been handed down for generations. Many shops will claim to sell Murano glass, but after this trip, you’ll know how to spot authentic Murano glasswork.

You’ll have a little free time to explore this little island too. See how many glass sculptures you can find around the city!

Trip to Burano

Next is a trip over to the island of Burano on your fast, private water taxi. Your guide makes all of this transportation easy and will tell you about the islands as you travel too. Burano is known for those Instagram-beloved, colorful houses that are almost too colorful to be real. It’s a fun little island that’s worth exploring a bit to find the perfect homes and viewpoints for memorable photos.

But first, you’ll get to see a lacemaking demonstration by women who have been taught this historic craft for generations. Lacemaking is a lost art in our modern world, so this is a rare opportunity to see an intricately beautiful skill.

At the end of your time here in Burano, follow your guide back to your water taxi that will return you back to your departure point in Venice. Your full day tour in Venice, Murano, and Burano will be one for the books!