---
title: St. Mark's, Doge's Palace & Gondola Ride with Murano and Burano
lang: en
type: tour
city: Venice
country: Italy
price: 187
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 4.63
reviews: 1060
duration_minutes: 570
languages: [en]
free_cancellation: "true"
guidekin_pick: City and islands, 9h 30m
rank_in_category: 20 of 25 (Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours)
schedule_checked: 2026-09-25
data_updated: 2026-10-04
canonical: https://guidekin.com/italy/venice/tours/st-mark-s-doge-s-palace-gondola-ride-with-murano-and-burano/
---

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

**Guidekin's take:** The full set in one day: timed entries with a guide to St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, a shared gondola ride, then a boat to Murano for glassblowing and Burano for lace with free time on each. Lunch is at your own expense, large bags stay outside, and the stop order depends on the start time. 4.63 from 1060 reviews for 9h 30m.

In our comparison: #20 of 25 in Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below).

## Overview

This full-day Venice tour brings together the city’s greatest hits and lagoon islands in one carefully planned route. Start with timed-entry tickets and guided visits to St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, where golden mosaics, grand halls, the Golden Staircase, and the Bridge of Sighs reveal the power of the Venetian Republic. Then shift from footpaths to canals with a shared gondola ride before a quick lunch break near St. Mark’s Square. 

In the afternoon, board a private boat to Murano and Burano, where artisan traditions take center stage through glassblowing and lacemaking demonstrations. With expert guiding in the morning, a tour leader for the islands, and transport arranged between major experiences, this tour covers Venice by land, canal, and lagoon in one seamless experience.

## Before you book

- Meeting point: Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early.
- Entry ticket included: skip the ticket desk
- Starts 08:30, 08:45, 09:00: 3 departures a day
- Food included: Free time for lunch
- Strollers OK: infants accepted
- Children from €93: ages 0 to 5

**Pickup:** No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point

## Key facts

- Price: from €187 per person
- Duration: 9h 30m
- Rating: 4.63/5 from 1060 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Free cancellation (see policy below)
- Likely to sell out
- Operator: The Tour Guy
- Group: Shared tour
- Guide languages: English
- Tickets: Admission included
- Start times: 08:30, 08:45, 09:00
- Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket
- Price checked on Viator: 2026-09-25

## Reviews

4.63 from 1060 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
91% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 968 of 1060.

- 5 stars: 840 (79%)
- 4 stars: 128 (12%)
- 3 stars: 46 (4%)
- 2 stars: 17 (2%)
- 1 star: 29 (3%)

### What reviewers say

Reviewers value the guides and range of sights; the amount of walking and standing can be tiring in hot weather.

**Praised:**
- Knowledgeable guides explain the palace, basilica and island traditions
- Convenient coordination of sightseeing visits and boat transfers
- Exploring Burano is a highlight for many travellers
- Glassblowing and lace demonstrations on the islands
- Gondola rides are a welcome addition to the sightseeing

**Complaints:**
- Walking, standing and stairs can be tiring, especially in hot weather
- Some have time for lunch, while others struggle to fit a meal between tour sections
- Some have enough time to explore, while others want longer on the islands, especially Burano
- Some struggle to understand the guide, while others find the commentary clear

Written by Guidekin from the 100 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (2026-07-03 to 2026-10-03); last checked 2026-10-04.

## What's included

- Free time to explore both islands
- Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica (€12)
- Glassblowing demonstration in Murano
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Lacemaking demonstration in Burano
- 30-minute shared gondola ride
- Free time for lunch
- Round-trip private boat to Murano and Burano
- Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of the Doge’s Palace

## Not included

- Lunch
- Guide tips

## Itinerary

1. **Basilica di San Marco** (30m; admission included) - 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.
2. **Palazzo Ducale** (1h 30m; admission included) - 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.
3. **Venice** (30m) - 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.
4. **Venice** (1h) - 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.
5. **Isola di Murano** (1h 45m) - 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...
6. **Burano** (1h 45m) - 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...

## Schedule

- Runs: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Departures: 08:30, 08:45, 09:00
- Schedule last checked: 2026-09-25
- These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout.

## Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

## Meeting point

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. 
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJvQec0eixfkcRoU1yYGcYsTY

Ends: back at the meeting point

## Good to know

- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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)

## Compared with other Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours

| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **This tour · #20 of 25** | €187 | 9h 30m | 4.63 (1060) | shared |
| [Venice Deluxe Tour](/italy/venice/tours/venice-deluxe-tour/?format=md) | €220 | 3h | 4.98 (825) | shared |
| [Private or Semi Doge's Palace & Saint Mark's Basilica Guided Tour](/italy/venice/tours/private-or-semi-doge-s-palace-saint-mark-s-basilica-guided-tour/?format=md) | €199 | 2h 30m | 4.97 (431) | private |
| [Venice Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Semi-Private Tour, Max 6 People](/italy/venice/tours/venice-doge-s-palace-st-mark-s-semi-private-tour-max-6-people/?format=md) | €189 | 2h 30m | 4.96 (248) | shared |

Ranked #20 of 25 in Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €12 to €580, median €103; typical length 3h. 3 of 25 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market.

Full list: https://guidekin.com/italy/venice/doge-palace-st-marks-tours/?format=md

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