Murano

Day Trips

Discover the most charming and famous islands of the Venetian Lagoon on this full-day excursion. Marvel at the beautiful surroundings of Venice and learn more about Venetian life and traditions. Start your journey in a comfortable motorboat leaving from the St. Mark's area, and move toward your first stop, the island of Murano. Stay for approximately 1.5 hours on the island and take your time to explore it on your own. Visit a glass factory and learn how glass masters create their masterpieces with a glass-blowing demonstration. Don't miss the massive Basilica of Santi Maria e Donato, one of the oldest Churches in the Venetian lagoon originally built in the 7th Century. Return to the motorboat and head to Burano Island. Immerse yourself in its quaint and colorful houses for around 2 hours. According to a local legend, Burano gets its rainbow appearance from the fishermen who painted their houses in bright colors to find their way home when returning from sea. The island is also known internationally for its rare artisan lace. Hop back on the motorboat, and ride to the last stop, Torcello, the first settlement in the Venetian Lagoon. During your 1-hour unguided stop, be sure to visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, founded in 639. Take a selfie with Attila's Throne in the background, an ancient stone chair where chief magistrates were inaugurated, or go up the Bell Tower and take a beautiful picture of the surrounding area. At the end of the tour, ride back to the point of departure.

Spend some time on the most famous Venetian islands, known throughout the world for their picturesque scenery, craft traditions, and unique history. See the glass factory of Murano, lace shop on Burano, as you visit 3 different islands. Depart from near Saint Mark’s Square or Santa Lucia Train Station, and take an enjoyable trip across Saint Mark’s Basin. On the boat, a live guide will illustrate the history of the lagoon and the three islands you will visit.  Your first stop will be the island of Murano. Sometimes referred to as the “Island of the Glass,” you will visit one of its famous glass factories and see the glass being manufactured and blown. Afterward head to Torcello, the most ancient of the inhabited islands. Continue to Burano, admiring the natural environment and the minor islands spread all around you. Enjoy some free time in Burano, a typical fishing island with colorful contrasts and chocolate-box painted houses. Look out, too, for much evidence of its renowned lace making and embroidery industry and try some of Burano’s notable homemade cakes. Please note that once on the ground, this is not a guided tour. The guide will escort you to the glass factory in Murano and the lace shop in Burano. Afterward, you will have time to explore each island on your own.

Climb aboard a comfortable motorboat for a half-day trip around the Venetian islands of Murano and Burano, and discover a more local and authentic side to Venice. Depart from a pier close to St. Mark’s Square for a convenient crossing to Murano. Cross the lagoon to the “Island of Glass” as you hear fascinating stories about the city. On landing, go to one of the famous glass factories to see how the colorful glass ware is blown. Alternatively, stroll the quiet streets of the island at leisure. Continue to Burano to discover one of Venice Lagoon’s most picturesque islands. See the major sights, learn about the history of the island, before spending some free time wandering around the chocolate box houses. Admire the bright colors of the fishermen’s island and visit a typical lace museum.

Meet your local guide in a central location near Piazza San Marco and board a private boat to learn more about the Venetian lagoon and its islands. Stop on the characteristic island of Murano, and visit the 7th-century Church of Santa Maria e San Donato. Stroll through the silent streets for about 15 minutes to arrive at an old glass factory where the glass blowers are still working. Benefit for some free time to shop or explore the rest of the island. Then, travel by private boat to the nearby island of Burano. Upon arrival, take in the colorful houses of one of the most enchanting parts of Venice. Lose yourself in the picturesque streets and discover lovely corners. You will have free time to enjoy lunch on this tour. Return to the main island of Venice for a glass of sparkling Prosecco at the end of your tour services.

Discover the artistic heart of Venice on an unforgettable cruise by motorboat. Get stunning views of the lagoon from the panoramic boat as you cruise towards the islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello. Enjoy an audio guide with a digital map to discover the history and legends of the 3 islands by your self, and take marvelous pictures of Venice and its lagoon. See the 16th-century Benedictine monastery on San Giorgio Maggiore and pass the famous Venice Lido before arriving at Murano. Visit one of the glass-blowing factories of its glass manufacturing industry, known throughout the world for its refined techniques and use of color.  Continue to the neighboring island of Burano and admire the brightly painted fishermen’s houses. See some of the lace products made on the island, and then sail to the sparsely populated island of Torcello, where the estuary was first settled in 452 AD. Admire the mosaics of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and see the adjacent Church of Santa Fosca as the only reminders of the island glorious past.

Escape the crowds of central Venice and catch a glimpse of what life in the city used to be like, as an island of artisans famous for their traditional craft skills, passed down from generation to generation. Your guide will keep you entertained on the short boat ride to the small island of Murano, famous for its glass making traditions. Historically, Murano glassblowers were the only Europeans that knew how to create a mirror, and their skills were so valued they were banned from leaving Venice on the threat of execution. Watch a craftsman in action and listen to a description of the process in English. Learn how silica sand becomes glass, and how the glass is given color. Afterwards, there will be time to browse the huge collection of glass art, and wander the island on your own. Back on the boat, cruise to the tiny island of Burano to see the brightly-painted houses huddled tightly together along streets and canals. Burano’s main claim to fame is its centuries-old lacemaking tradition. Stroll through the streets to a small building where women feverishly stitch lace, just as their mothers and grandmothers used to do. Your guide will explain the process of this dying art. Then, you can follow in the footsteps of Michelangelo and pick out your own keepsake. Or, wander the winding streets, sampling delicious cookies at local bakeries. Unlike other tours, this excursion intentionally omits Torcello to provide you with more time on Murano and Burano, and with less time on the boat or trekking inland.

Enjoy a full-day boat tour to discover the 3 most famous islands of Venice Lagoon: Murano, famous for glass artworks; Burano, with its colorful houses and unique handmade laces; and finally Torcello, the island from which Venice was born. The tour starts just a few steps far away from Venice Train Station in front of the Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant. After hopping onboard the boat, head to Murano, and stop there for 1.5 hours. Here, visit one of the many glass factories located on the island and attend a glass-making demonstration. Alternatively or afterward, walk to the lighthouse or visit iconic sights like the Basilica of Santi Maria and Donato, the Glass Museum, and Palazzo da Mula. The second stop of this 6-hour tour is Burano, with its marvelous colored houses. Spend 2 hours here, and choose how to enjoy them: strolling around the island, tasting typical fish-based dishes, shopping in the many lace artworks ateliers, or visiting the Lace Museum, housed in the historic Palazzo del Podestà of Torcello. The last stop of the tour is Torcello, where Venetian civilization was born in the 7th century when local folks sought refuge on the island to escape the Barbarians’ invasions on the mainland. Torcello is a very small island with only 10 inhabitants, but it is so rich in history that it is well worth a visit. Don't miss the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, the ruins of the Baptistery of San Giovanni Evangelist, “Attila’s Throne,” and the Devil's Bridge, today still wrapped in a mysterious legend.

Sail to Murano, visit one of the island’s glassworks, and attend a demonstration of a master glassmaker. Alternatively (or additionally), you can walk to the lighthouse or opt for a visit to the iconic sights of Murano, such as the Basilica of Santi Maria and Donato, the Glass Museum, and Palazzo da Mula. Next, visit Burano, highlighted by its colorful houses. Enjoy some free time to visit the leaning bell tower, the house of Bepi Suà, or the Lace Museum.  Your last stop will be Torcello, where Venetian civilization was born. The first settlements date back to the 7th century when local folks sought refuge on the island to escape the Barbarian invasions. Today Torcello has just over 10 inhabitants, but its historical and artistic testimonies make it a very popular destination for visitors from all over the world. Enjoy a splendid panoramic view of a Venetian lagoon before returning.

Get picked up at your hotel by your English-speaking guide and visit two of Venice’s most popular islands, Murano and Burano. Get an insight into the daily life and pace that differ on each island in order to fully understand Venetian culture. Your first stop is the island of Murano, which is renowned worldwide for its long tradition of glass making. Witness firsthand the skill of glassblowing and see the locals working on other traditional crafts. Pick up some unique souvenirs or presents for the family here. Next, head to Burano, which you’ll be able to see from the shore thanks to its vividly colored buildings. Enjoy some free time to wander around, meet the locals, enjoy a cup of coffee and take some memorable pictures. Finally, stroll through some smaller and secret pathways, crossing the island’s most popular and lively neighborhoods, before reaching the end point of the tour - San Marco’s Square.