St. Mark's, Doge's Palace & Gondola Ride with Murano and Burano

Enter St. Mark’s Basilica with a timed-entry ticket and follow your guide inside one of Venice’s most important churches. See golden mosaics and learn how relics, art, and politics shaped this Byzantine landmark.

Continue into the Doge’s Palace with a timed-entry ticket and guided tour. Walk through grand halls filled with Renaissance art, climb the Golden Staircase, and cross the Bridge of Sighs as your guide explains Venice’s former seat of political power.

Next, board a shared gondola for a 30-minute sightseeing ride through Venice’s canals. Pass under historic bridges and along centuries-old buildings while a professional gondolier operates the boat.

Then, enjoy a quick lunch break near St. Mark’s Square. Lunch is at your own expense, and your guide can offer a local recommendation in the area.

Meet your afternoon tour leader and board a private boat reserved for the group. Cross the Venetian Lagoon toward Murano, with views of the Venice skyline as the city drifts behind you. Arrive on Murano, an island known for its glassmaking heritage. Visit a working studio for a glassblowing demonstration, then enjoy free time to shop for Murano glass or walk through town before your next stop.

Continue by boat to Burano, known for painted houses and lacemaking traditions. Watch a lacemaking demonstration with local artisans, then enjoy free time for photos and exploring the island streets. Ride the private boat back to Venice as your full-day tour winds down. The tour ends near St. Mark’s Square, about two blocks from the Doge’s Palace, at the same place where the Murano and Burano boat departs.