Venice: St Mark's, Doge's Palace, Murano & Burano Tour

Summary

Venice icons, island crafts and a gondola ride in one day

You’ll skip long lines at St Mark’s Basilica and wander through Doge’s Palace with stories from your guide, float down Venice canals on a gondola ride, then ferry out to Murano for live glassblowing and stroll Burano’s colorful streets watching lace makers at work. It’s a packed day—but you’ll feel like you’ve touched both sides of Venice.

What’s the experience like?

“So you’ve never seen glass blown before?” That’s what our guide Marco asked while we were still buzzing from the echo of footsteps in the Doge’s Palace. I’d already lost track of time—first the gold mosaics in St Mark’s Basilica (skip-the-line tickets actually saved us at least an hour), then wandering those shadowy palace halls where Marco told us about masked balls and old court punishments. The Bridge of Sighs looked smaller than I’d pictured. Maybe it was the drizzle or just the way everyone went quiet for a second as we crossed it.

The gondola ride came right after—no singing, thank God, but our gondolier Paolo had this dry sense of humor and pointed out a lion carving I’d never have noticed. The water smelled faintly briny, mixed with something sweet from a bakery nearby. We glided past peeling facades and laundry lines; at one point Paolo called out to another gondolier in Venetian dialect and they both laughed. It felt like slipping into someone else’s daily rhythm for half an hour.

Lunch was on our own (I grabbed cicchetti at a bar near the pier—sticky fingers, totally worth it). Then we caught the boat to Murano. Watching the glassblower twist molten orange into a vase was almost hypnotic—there’s this blast of heat when he opens the furnace door that makes you step back instinctively. I tried to say “grazie” properly; Marco just grinned.

Burano was last—those houses really are that bright, like someone turned up the saturation filter too high. We watched an older woman make lace by hand in her shop window; her fingers moved so fast I couldn’t follow. The air smelled like seaweed and paint. I bought a tiny piece of lace for my mom because she used to sew when I was little. Anyway, if you want to see Venice’s big names plus these quieter corners (and you don’t mind walking), this day trip from Venice covers more ground than I expected. Still thinking about that glassblower’s hands.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Venice highlights and island crafts

• Enter St Mark's Basilica
• Tour Doge's Palace interiors
• Enjoy gondola ride through canals
• Lunch break (own expense)
• Watch glass blowing in Murano
• See lace making in Burano

Top questions

How long does the Venice: St Mark's, Doge's Palace, Murano & Burano tour last?

The tour is designed as a full-day experience combining major sites in Venice with visits to Murano and Burano islands.

Is lunch included on this day trip from Venice?

No, lunch is not included—you’ll have free time to find lunch on your own between activities.

Are skip-the-line tickets provided for St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace?

Yes, skip-the-line entry is included for both St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace except during November–March when lines are minimal at the basilica.

Is transportation between Venice, Murano, and Burano included?

Yes, round-trip transportation by boat between Venice and the islands is included in your tour.

How many people are in each group?

The group size is small—up to 20 participants per tour.

Is there a live demonstration of glass blowing on Murano?

Yes, you’ll watch a live glass blowing demonstration on Murano with explanations from your guide.

What do you see on Burano during this tour?

You’ll walk through Burano’s colorful streets and visit a lace making workshop where locals demonstrate their craft.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is provided; you meet your guide at a central location in Venice.

Can infants or children join this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join—the tour is suitable for all fitness levels and prams/strollers are allowed.

What’s included

Your day includes skip-the-line entry to both St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace with guided tours inside each landmark, plus a 30-minute shared gondola ride led by an experienced gondolier. After some free time for lunch (not included), you'll enjoy round-trip boat transfers to Murano for a live glass blowing demonstration with your guide present throughout, then continue to Burano for time exploring its vibrant streets along with a lace making workshop visit before returning to Venice together as a group.