Venice and Islands - Everything you can't miss in Venice in one day
Joined 2025
What can't you miss in one day in Venice? Piazza San Marco, the religious and political heart of Venice with the Basilica and the Doge's Palace. A walk through the hidden streets of the city, the most beautiful and important squares. The fascinating palaces of the city, La Fenice Theater and Murano and Burano, with a visit to a furnace after a boat ride on the lagoon. All this while listening to the history of Venice, its life, art and culture.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
St. Mark's Square
- St. Mark's Square at the pillar of the lion
Introduction
After the meeting with the clients there will be a short introduction to the tour we are going to do. Then I will start talking about the origins of the history of Venice and I will describe what you can see from where we are, the lagoon, Lido and the islands of San Giorgio Maggiore and Giudecca.
Doge's Palace
Now I will show the guests from outside the Doge's Palace, which was the government center of Venice, the center of the political splendor of the city. In the Middle Ages, Venice was really a very important state for the political balance of all Europe. The Doge's Palace is a mirror of the power of the Serenissima Republic of Venice. I will explain the highlights of the Venetian government system, the first democratic system in all of Europe. The doge as a president, not as a king. The Doge's palace was the center of justice in Venice too. Here were the court chamber and the prisons. The Bridge of Sighs was the connection between the court chamber and the palace of the prisons.
St. Mark Church
At the front of the facade of St. Mark's Church, I will describe the history of the cathedral, the significance of the gospel writer for us Venetians, his symbol—the winged lion—and the magnificence of the iconography in the mosaics that adorn the naves of the church.
The monuments of St. Mark's Square
Now we will go to the center of St. Mark's Square. I will describe to you the neoclassical Biblioteca Marciana designed by Jacopo Sansovino, the bell tower, the Procuratories, and the Clock Tower.
A walking tour through Venice's narrow streets.
Now we will leave St. Mark's Square and go to Santa Maria Formosa Square. On the way I will explain the foundations of the houses in Venice, the gondolas, the wells, the drink water system in the Middle Ages.
I will explain you how Venice is changing now, and how the Moses dams functions, the solution to the problem of the floating of the city.
In Santa Maria Formosa i will d
Campo San Giovanni e Paolo
Walking from Campo Santa Maria Formosa to Campo San Giovanni, I will tell you the number of the islands and of the bridges in the main center of Venice, and that in the Middle Ages Venetians had to move by boat through the city. I will describe to you the gondolas and their special shape.
In Campo San Giovanni you will see a huge church and the monument of Bartolomeo Colleoni by Andrea Verrocchio, the master of Leonardo da Vinci. You will be surprised by the view of the main hospital of Venice.
Murano
From Campo San Giovanni, we will go to Fondamenta Nuove to take the boat to Murano. On the way, we will see the San Michele island, the cemetery of Venice and then we will reach Murano. I will tell you the history of the famous island for the glass.
In Murano, we will visit a furnace of a glass factory, you will see the technic of the bowing glass and then the exhibition of the masterpieses of this factury.
Burano
The trip continues until we reach Burano, an enchanting island known for its colourful houses. This island is famous for its uniquely historical lace production. Women still weave today the famous Burano lace in the typical regional fashion. You can make a break for lunch in a restaurant and eat good fresh seafood from the lagoon; Burano maintains its active fishing industry.
In Burano we will stop for lunch. You can choose a good fish restaurant or just to eat the same thing lightly.
Rialto
The trip from Burano to Rialto by boat will take round half hours.
At the Rialto bridge, I will tell you the history of the oldest bridge on the Canal Grande, the main canal of Venice and describe you same wonderful palaces which belonged to aristocratic families in the Middle Ages, for example Palazzo Papadopoli, today a 7 star hotel and Palazzo Corner Loredan Farsetti, the mayor center of Venice.
Accademia Bridge
From Rialto, we will walk to Accademia Bridge. On the way, we will see the Teatro La Fenice, the main theater of Venice, where Maria Callas debuted in 1947, the Renaissance star case of Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, Campo Sant'Angelo, whit the lining bell tower.
From Accademia Bridge you will enjoy the view to other nice ex aristocratic palaces, as Palazzo Cavalli Franchetti and Ca' Venier dei Leoni, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
Zattere
Now we will walk over Accademia Bridge through Sestiere Dorsoduro. We will see from outside one of two gondola factory still existing in Venice. In Zattere we will finish the tour. Here, there is gelateria da Nico, where you can eat a good ice cream and enjoy the view of the Canale Giudecca.
Ending Point
Zattere
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
On the tour are included guide fee, transportation by boat to Murano and Burano and the visit of a glass factory.
In the tour are not included the cost of the lunch in Burano and the water taxi from Burano back to Venice (it cost round Euro 150 until 4 people, Euro 200 for more than 4 people).
In the tour are not included tickets to visit museums or palaces because it is just a walking tour through Venice.
Tour Important Information
This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Important message from the supplier
A tour last not less then 2 hours, but we can extend it to 3 or 4 hours. Tours to the islands Murano, Burano and Torcello take not less then 4 hours.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2025
About Tour Guide Massimo T.
My name is Massimo, but everybody knows me as Max. I was born in Gorizia in 1961. I moved to Venice in 1983 to study languages and literature at the Ca' Foscari Venice University and graduated in 1989.
My love for Venetian Art and History led me to become a licensed tour guide in 2009.
I'm married and have one daughter.
I offer private tours through the city for groups and families. It will be a pleasure for me to show you my city, to envolve you with Venetian histories discovering some secret places.
If you wish, you can write to me so that I can organise a tour in Venice that is best suited to your wishes and needs.
$570/ per person
More tours by Massimo T.
St. Mark's Square, the heart of Venice
If you are visiting Venice for the first time, you must start from St. Mark's Square: the heart of the Serenissima. Here lies its power, its wealth and its splendour. Different architectural styles blend harmoniously, from Venetian-Byzantine to Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical. We visit St Mark's Basilica, the religious and spiritual centre of Venice. Then we go to the Palazzo Ducale, the government centre of the Serenissima.
