St. Mark's, Doge's Palace & Gondola Ride with Murano and Burano
Recommended by 91% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Venice, Italy
- 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
This tour is the perfect pick for time-tight travelers visiting Venice. Save yourself the hassle of booking tickets and waiting in long lines and opt for this convenient one-day itinerary instead. As well as skip-the-line admission and guided tours of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace, the trip also includes a scenic gondola ride and visits to Murano and Burano to watch glass-blowing and lace-making demonstrations.
- Check off Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica in a day
- Maximize time in Venice with skip-the-line tickets
- Take part in an essential Venice experience—a gondola ride
- Enjoy a guided visit to Murano and Burano Islands with round-trip transportation
What's Included
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica (€12)
- Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of the Doge’s Palace
- 30-minute shared gondola ride
- 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
- Lunch
- Guide tips
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Colonna di San TodaroP.za San Marco, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early. Between the two big columns in St. Mark’s Square (columns of San Marco & San Teodoro) located on the south side of the square, near the canal. Your guide will be holding a "The Tour Guy" sign.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Basilica di San Marco
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Palazzo Ducale
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
Venice
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Venice
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
5
Isola di Murano
1 hour 45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Burano
1 hour 45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Please refrain from bringing big back packs or bags, because they are not allowed inside.
- A valid government-issued ID is required for entrance to St. Mark's Basilica. The name on your ticket (entered at check-out) must match the name on your ID, or you may be refused entry.
- Please note that depending on the start time the itinerary order can vary.
- This tour consists of two parts and includes free time for lunch (at your own expense)
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 1,000 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Scot_L, Jul 2026
Two great locations that could have been better enjoyed with a tour guide that was receptive to the importance of Christianity in Venice. Our guide refused to acknowledge the importance of Christianity in the incredible art within Doge’s Palace and used St. Mark’s as an opportunity to challenge three points of the Bible. Five stars for the attractions as they were incredible. One star for the guide (The Tour Guy) for the omissions and editorials. I would have preferred no commentary to her opinions. Next time I will do my homework to search for a supportive Christian guide.
Vanessa_L, Jul 2026
Amazing experience. It was a long day but worth every minute. Our tour guides Claudia and Roberta were phenomenal! Their knowledge and love for the island made this experience all the more memorable.
We learnt so much and enjoyed every minute of it.
CatherineJ_F, Jul 2026
Order of day trip may pivot. Bought church tour in the morning and Murano/Burano in afternoon. You switched the order and it was too hot. I got sick and could not attend afternoon session. Did email yesterday to let guide know. Was not previously informed order could change.
Corrinne_P, Jul 2026
Full day, great experience!
Morning session was touring the palace & basilica then gondola ride. Break for lunch, great timing!
Guides were knowledgeable and friendly.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you, Corrinne! We are thrilled you had a great experience on our full day combo tour, and we are glad the lunch break timing worked out perfectly between exploring the palaces and enjoying your gondola ride. Please tell your friends and family to book with The Tour Guy for their next big Italian getaway, and we hope to see you again soon!
Brian_S, Jul 2026
The guided tour of Murano and Burano was a very cool experience. Our guide Claudia did a great job giving us many history lessons and a well guided tour .
Unfortunately- what I booked 4 months ago wasn’t what we got today . I booked a multi activity combo with not only the Murano and Burano islands but also St Marks , Doges Palace and a gondola ride. 4 months later which was today - we only were given the opportunity to for island tour because “there was an update with the booking and repackaging of the combo activity . To add more insult to the situation- today was our last day in Venice with no way to see St Marks or Doges Palace . We felt cheated and disappointed with how Viator has not only created misleading packages and “confirmations “but also showed how unfair their practices are when it’s plainly obvious they created a product with no true customer service. Don’t book this combo package - you will get cheated just like we did .
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Brian, thank you for highlighting Claudia's great work and the history lessons you enjoyed during the Murano and Burano portion of your day. We are genuinely sorry to hear that the rest of your itinerary did not match your expectations. Because ticket availability at high-demand sites like St. Mark's and the Doge's Palace can fluctuate, adjustments to combo packages are occasionally necessary to ensure we can still provide a quality experience on the ground. However, we never want our guests to feel let down on their final day in Venice. We have brought this specific timeline directly to our Venice Operations Manager to review how this package transition was handled. We appreciate your feedback as we work to constantly improve our coordination.
Manish_K, Jul 2026
It is a great experience if you are short of time in Venice. One can cover all the important points of interest in one go without worrying about logistics. However if you have more time, one can split Gondola ride and Burano island trip.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you Manish!
We love taking care of the Venice logistics so you can seamlessly enjoy the gondola and islands. Please share your great experience with friends and family, and let The Tour Guy host your next big vacation!
Vicki_K, Jul 2026
Excellent overview of Venice, Murano and Burano. Thorough and knowledgeable guides. Would definitely recommend!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thanks Vicki! Our island tours are special. Tell your family about The Tour Guy and let's explore again soon!
Ron_P, Jul 2026
Amazing from a historical point of view. Especially the history of the lace.Flavia was so knowledgeable. She told us where to go, what to see, and provided the historical background. She was absolutely amazing!!! An 11 out of 10.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello Ron! An 11 out of 10 is the ultimate praise! Flavia truly loves bringing history alive, especially unique details like the lace-making traditions of the islands. We look forward to welcoming you back for another amazing journey!
Jennifer_R, Jun 2026
The Tour Guy never disappoints us. They have top notch guides who care about your experience. Definitely recommend them for any tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for the kind words, Jennifer!
We are thrilled to hear that our guides hit the mark and showed you a great time in Venice. Exploring the highlights of the lagoons and islands is always special when you have a top-notch guide leading the way. We would love to welcome you back for another adventure soon, so please tell your friends and family about The Tour Guy for their next trip!
Staceyann_R, Jun 2026
Murano and Burano tour was great. However the gondola ride was not what I expected. We went on a private boat to the island instead. Which was not bad but I was expecting a gondola ride
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Staceyann, thank you for sharing your feedback with us.
We are glad to hear you enjoyed the beautiful islands of Murano and Burano. We are sorry for any confusion regarding the gondola portion of your day. Logistically, we utilize private water taxis to safely and quickly transport guests out to the islands, while the traditional gondola ride is a distinct experience included in the itinerary. We want to ensure everything is crystal clear for you, so please reach out to our team at support@thetourguy.com so we can look into your booking details and get this resolved. We appreciate your feedback as it helps our team continuously improve our communication.
Ariella_S, Jun 2026
Wonderful tour guides the whole time. Especially Flavia! Beautiful and thorough way to explore Venice in a day. Would recommend to anyone who has a short stay in Venice and wants to see as much as possible.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed exploring Venice with our guides, especially Flavia. It's great to know the tour gave you the opportunity to experience so many of the city's highlights in a short amount of time. We'll be sure to share your kind words with Flavia. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back to Venice again soon!
john_f, Jun 2026
Great tour! I'd recommend it to anybody that would like to get the history of Venice and see some amazing sites. great tour!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi John, thank you so much for the great review. We are delighted to hear you had such a wonderful time learning about the history of Venice and seeing its incredible sights. Your recommendation means the world to us, and we hope to welcome you back on another tour in the future.
Reyna_J, Jun 2026
The Murano trip was only arranged to see the glass factory. Nothing else. No time to explore. Only 1 hr in Burano which is hardly enough time to eat a gelato or browse. The guide would not honor the voucher for St. Marks cathedral, the palace or the gondola. Is better to get on a Vaporetto by yourself and enjoy.
I feel I was ripped off.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Reyna,
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We are sorry to hear that the structure of the day did not meet your expectations, though we want to gently clarify how this full-day experience is designed. The itinerary is structured exactly as advertised to balance several major Venetian highlights in a single day, including skip-the-line entry and guided tours of both St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, a traditional gondola ride, and round-trip boat transportation to the islands. Because we include both a glass-blowing demonstration on Murano and a lace-making demonstration with some free time on Burano, the island stops are precisely timed to ensure the group returns to Venice in time to meet our strict, pre-booked monument entry slots. Our guides are required to honor all valid vouchers for the complete package, and our Venice Operations Manager is currently reviewing the day's logistics to ensure everything ran smoothly on the ground. We appreciate your insights as we always look for ways to optimize our schedules, and we wish you the best on your future travels.
Doug_M, Jun 2026
Amazing day! We enjoyed the experience tremendously and have no regrets but only cherished memories.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much, Doug!
We are thrilled to hear you had an amazing day in Venice and came away with such cherished memories of St. Mark's, the Doge's Palace, the islands, and your gondola ride. Packing the absolute best of Venice into one seamless experience is what we love to do. We would love to welcome you back for another adventure soon, and please tell your friends and family about The Tour Guy so they can make some unforgettable travel memories of their own!
Sylvia_K, Jun 2026
This was a very full day of taking in the main sites of this glorious city. The two guides Roberta and Christina were incredibly knowledgeable and pleasant. We could never have gotten so much into one day without the tour. This was well worth the money!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Sylvia,
thank you for sharing your experience! We completely agree—Venice is absolute magic, but trying to navigate St. Mark's, the Doge's Palace, a gondola ride, and the islands of Murano and Burano all on your own in a single day can be overwhelming.
We are so glad that Roberta and Christina were able to seamlessly coordinate everything for you while sharing their incredible knowledge. Hearing that the excursion felt well worth the investment means the world to us. If your friends or family are planning a trip to Venice, please send them over to The Tour Guy so we can help them maximize their time just like you did. Until next time, safe travels!
Sheila_T, Jun 2026
Long tour but a little bit of everything- great to get all of the major items in one. Really enjoyed the gondola ride
dcfett63, Jun 2026
This was a long day, but we got to experience a lot! We went to Murano first, then Burano. Our guide was very knowledgeable and appeared to enjoy her job. We had approximately 30 minutes before the St. Mark's tour began, so "lunch" was a quick "grab-and-go" sandwich we found. Be aware, the seagulls are super aggressive and wife was dive bombed by a seagull trying to get her sandwich which was peeking out of her bag about 1/2"!
Our guide for the next portion was very animated and knew his history! St. Mark's Basilica is gorgeous, Doge's Palace was filled with paintings and the guide brought them to life for us. He stopped at various spots which allowed us to take photos. The 30 minute gondola ride began/ended about a block from St. Mark's Square.
Would definitely recommend this tour, but it's a long day!
Ricky_G, Jun 2026
The tour is a long one (9+ hours) but you do a lot! You get to tour the inside of St Marks Basilica and the Doge Palace along with trips to Murano (Glass Blowing Demonstration) and Burano (Cute island town with colorful homes and Lace making demonstration) along with a Gondola ride!
victoria_l, Jun 2026
The full day tour is a great way to experience the best of Venice. All tickets included. Just give you guide a tip and maybe a gelato to pay!
Thor_K, Jun 2026
Amazing palace, very knowledgeable guide who knew lots about the history. St. Mark's church was spectacular, a definite must.
Margaret_C, Jun 2026
Loved it! Very interesting and informative! If you only have 1 full day in Venice, this tour is perfect!
Amanda_S, Jun 2026
A great way to experience Venice! Our tour guide for St. Mark’s and Doge’s palace was informative and interesting. Gondola ride was fun. Murano and Burano were relatively quick stops but still felt like we hit the highlights
Jennifer_E, Jun 2026
First part of trip was great, doge’s palace and st marks are stunning. Tour guide was funny and knowledgeable. He offered to take pics of us on our phones throughout tour. Burano and Murano are such small islands. Not much to do but still beautiful. The glass blowing location they took us to was very expensive but you’re not obligated to buy. Very solid tour if u want Venice in a day!
Rosemarie_P, Jun 2026
This trip was amazing! It is just a sample of the beauty of Venice. It was well worth it! Phillipe was great! I needed the elevator and he was helpful and caring. I really appreciated that. He was knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. The gondola ride was well done and not rushed. Flavia took us to the islands of Murano and Burano. She was also very knowledgeable. I loved the Murano glass demonstration but I loved Burano's charm. I came back very happy. I would highly recommend this tour!
Margy_L, Jun 2026
This was a great experience. We avoided long lines and learned so much about Venice. Burano was so beautiful.
Dawn_T, Jun 2026
Kiarra did the morning tour and Claudia did the afternoon tour. Both were great. Both were very informative and knowledgeable of Venice, its history, and were very engaging with the participants. Make sure you have good audio before going because at times, the audio was unclear for some. Unfortunately, when we came, we also came with a thunderstorm which made our time in Burano shorter.The only thing I would change, would be to add more time to Burano - no fault to the touring company It’s a beautiful small island.
Amelia_G, Jun 2026
It’s a great tour, especially if you only have a limited time in Venice our tour guide was very knowledgeable fantastic and well tuned to our needs.
Jody_P, May 2026
Great excursion! Burano and Murano was amazing! Doges Palace was great a bit long and the Bascilia could’ve been a bit longer.
Response from Host, May 2026
Hi Jody,
Thank you so much for sharing your review with us.
I am so glad to hear you had a great excursion and that you found Murano and Burano to be amazing parts of your day. Because this is a comprehensive tour designed to cover Venice's biggest landmarks all in one go, finding the perfect balance for everyone's pacing at each stop can sometimes be a challenge. We really appreciate your constructive feedback regarding the time spent inside the Doge's Palace and the Basilica, as it helps us review our itineraries to ensure the best possible experience.
Thank you again for joining us, and we hope you had a wonderful rest of your time in Venice.
Wilson_H, May 2026
If you are unfortunate to take this tour on the day of a nationwide transportation strike hopefully you will know enough in advance to plan for an alternative means of getting to the starting point of the tour. You will not get any alert or assistance from the tour people. Our hotel was 2 miles from that point and since the water taxis were on strike we decided against walking 2 miles to take an all day walking tour only to have to walk the 2 miles back at the end of the tour.
Response from Host, May 2026
Hi Wilson,
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am very sorry that the nationwide strike disrupted your travel plans and prevented you from joining the tour.
While we completely understand how frustrating it is to deal with unexpected public transit closures, these strikes are entirely outside of our control as a tour operator. Because our tours still go ahead as scheduled for everyone who is able to make it, it is ultimately up to our guests to check local transit updates and arrange their own way to the designated meeting point.
We know navigating Venice during a strike is incredibly stressful, and we truly wish it hadn't impacted your day this way. We appreciate your feedback regarding communication during these difficult city-wide events.
Charlene_P, May 2026
Rita T. is a very knowledgeable tour guide. She was by far the best guide we have had in a while. She goes out of her way to make sure all participants are comfortable and their needs met (bathroom breaks, seating, elevator rides instead of stairs for those with walking difficulties).
Response from Host, May 2026
Hi Charlene,
Thank you so much for the wonderful review.
We are absolutely thrilled to hear that Rita made such a fantastic impression and that she was the best guide you have had in a while. She is incredibly knowledgeable, but we are especially proud to hear how attentive she was to everyone's comfort and accessibility needs throughout the day. It really makes all the difference when a guide goes above and beyond to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for every single guest.
I will be sure to pass your lovely compliments along to Rita. We hope you had a magical time during the rest of your stay in Venice.
Likely to Sell Out
From $114.45
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Likely to Sell Out
St. Mark's, Doge's Palace & Gondola Ride with Murano and Burano
1,000
9 hours 30 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$114.45
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
Attractions in Venice, Italy
- Frari Church (Basilica dei Frari) Tours & Tickets
- Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli (Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli) Tours & Tickets
- Venetian Lagoon (Laguna Veneta) Tours & Tickets
- St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) Tours & Tickets
- Giardini della Biennale Tours & Tickets
- Venice Jewish Ghetto (Ghetto di Venezia) Tours & Tickets
- Venice Lido (Lido di Venezia) Tours & Tickets
- Casinò di Venezia Tours & Tickets
- Marco Polo's Home (Casa di Marco Polo) Tours & Tickets
- Campo San Bartolomeo Tours & Tickets
- Murano Tours & Tickets
- Biblioteca Burano Tours & Tickets
- Campo Santa Margherita Tours & Tickets
- Peggy Guggenheim Collection (Collezione Peggy Guggenheim) Tours & Tickets
More attractions near Venice, Italy