Venice Lagoon Islands Tour: Torcello, Burano, Murano Guide

Three islands, three centuries of craft, one guide who knows them all

A guided tour of Venice's lagoon islands—Torcello, Burano and Murano—led by a licensed local guide in English or Italian. The tour includes entry to the Torcello archaeological site and skip-line access to the glass factory and lace workshop, plus a full-day vaporetto ticket for independent exploration afterward. Children from age 1 are welcome; the tour runs 5.5 hours and covers the islands by public water bus.

The Experience

You arrive at the lagoon already oriented. Your guide meets you and boards the vaporetto—Venice's water bus—to start in Murano, the island your guide grew up on. At a working glass factory, you watch masters shape molten crystal by hand, a craft that has run here for a thousand years. The skip-line entry means you step straight into the workshop instead of waiting outside; afterward, you have time to browse the Glass Master street on your own if you want to buy.

Burano comes next, the fishermen's island famous for lace and color. Your guide takes you to the Vidal family's atelier, where you see how Venetian lace is still made by hand—the same technique that has survived centuries. You get a full hour free here: some travelers sit down for a seafood lunch (risotto di pesce, calamari, cicchetti), others walk the bright streets and shop at their own pace. Your guide suggests what to eat but leaves the choice to you.

The final stop is Torcello, the oldest settlement in the lagoon, founded when Romans fled the Barbarian invasions. You climb the old Roman watchtower and walk the archaeological site with skip-line access to the museum. Only nine residents live here now, and the island feels frozen in time—a stark contrast to the bustle you left behind. When the tour ends, your vaporetto ticket is valid for the whole day, so you can stay longer or head back to Venice whenever you're ready.

What’s included

• Skip-line entry to the Torcello archaeological site and museum.
• a guided visit to a working glass factory in Murano with watch-and-learn access to the masters.
• a guided visit to the Vidal family lace workshop in Burano to see traditional Venetian lace made by hand.
• a full-day vaporetto (water bus) ticket valid for independent travel after the tour.
• a licensed tour guide fluent in English or Italian.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Andreapaolo Barbini Accompagnatore Turistico

Is this one for you?The tour moves at a steady pace across three islands by water bus, with walking on each one and climbing the Torcello watchtower—it suits travelers comfortable with boat travel and moderate walking, and it works well if you have a free afternoon and want the islands explained by someone who knows them rather than navigating alone.

Traveler reviews

4.87★★★★★★★★★★

77 verified traveler reviews

5 ★72

4 ★3

3 ★0

2 ★1

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What exactly do you see at the glass factory in Murano?

The Murano glass factory visit lets you watch master craftspeople shape molten crystal into finished pieces by hand—the skip-line entry gets you straight into the workshop to see the work happen.

Is there time to eat lunch in Burano, or do I have to bring food?

Burano includes a full hour of free time, and your guide suggests local seafood restaurants where you can eat, but you can also shop or walk the streets instead—the choice is yours.

What was Torcello before it became so quiet?

Torcello was the first settlement in the Venice lagoon, founded by Romans escaping Barbarian invasions, and it was once a thriving community; today only nine residents remain, and the archaeological site preserves that ancient history.

Do I need to buy a separate vaporetto ticket, or is it included?

A full-day vaporetto ticket is included, so you can ride the water buses between the islands during the tour and stay longer on any island afterward if you want.

Can children come on this tour?

Children are welcome from age 1; the tour runs 5.5 hours on the water and islands, so consider your child's comfort with boat travel and walking.

Is there a fee to enter Venice itself?

On certain dates, day-trippers from outside Venice pay a €5 access fee to the city; check the official Venice website (cda.ve.it) to see if your visit date requires it and what exemptions apply.