Venice: Murano & Burano Islands Glassblowing & Lace Tour

Two Islands, Two Crafts: Murano's Furnaces & Burano's Painted Houses

You board a vintage wooden boat in Venice and travel across the lagoon to Murano, where you watch glassblowers at work inside an active furnace. Then you cross to Burano to see lace makers and walk through the island's famous pastel-colored streets. Your guide handles the history and context. The boat and all island visits are included. You're back in Venice by early afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each3 stops

1. Venetian Lagoonpassing by
2. MuranoEntry included1h
3. Burano1h

Murano and Burano Islands tour

• Board vintage wooden boat
• Enjoy landscape and island history
• Watch glassblowing show in Murano
• Explore colorful Burano island
• See lace makers at work

The experience

Picture this: you're sitting on a wooden bench inside a glass furnace on Murano, watching a master artisan plunge a long iron rod into 1200-degree heat, and within minutes a vase or drinking glass takes shape in front of you. The whole thing happens in silence except for the roar of the fire. That's the first stop on this Venice Lagoon boat tour, and it's the kind of moment that doesn't translate in photos. You have to be there to feel the heat and see how fast the work actually is.

The tour runs as two separate islands, each with its own rhythm. After the glassblowing demonstration on Murano, you cross back onto the vintage wooden boat and head to Burano, where the whole scene flips. Instead of furnaces, you get narrow canals lined with houses painted in shades of pink, yellow, blue and green so bright they almost hurt to look at. A lace maker shows you how the work gets done (needles and thread moving in patterns that take years to master), and then you have time to walk around, grab lunch if you want, or just stand there taking pictures because the place really does look like someone painted it that way on purpose. A qualified guide is with you the whole time, pointing out the history and the details you'd miss on your own.

The boat itself matters here. It's not a ferry packed with a hundred people. It's a smaller wooden vessel, the kind that actually fits the lagoon and the pace of these islands. You get a seat, you get commentary about the water and the landscape as you cross, and you're not fighting for space or air. The whole experience runs about half a day, which is long enough to see both islands without feeling rushed, but short enough that you're back in Venice proper by early afternoon. Be at the meeting point 10 minutes early with your printed voucher. That's the one rule that matters for logistics.

What’s included

Your experience includes pickup on a vintage wooden boat, a qualified tour guide for the full duration, a live glassblowing demonstration inside a working Murano furnace where you sit front-row, a lace-making demonstration on Burano, and free time to explore both islands. The boat is fully covered, and public transportation options are available nearby if you need them.

Options for this experience

3 options

Standard guided tour of the islandsGuide in 4 languages · 10:30Shared guided tour lasting 5 hours; times are approximate. Murano, Burano & Torcello tour: take a guided trip through the Venetian islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. Starting point: Riva degli Schiavoni, 4142, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

Islands Private TourGuide in 4 languages · 5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00Itinerary: Murano & Burano Islands. Private guided tour lasting 4 hours, travelling by private speed boat. Starting point: Venice Tours srl - Priority Tickets San Marco Square Monuments, Calle de le Rasse, 4536, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

Islands Semi-Private TourGuide in English · 09:00, 10:00 and 14:00Lasts approximately 5 hours. Starting point: Venice Tours srl - Priority Tickets San Marco Square Monuments, Calle de le Rasse, 4536, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 5h 30m, runs every day, 6 start times, from € 29.90 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 27

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by CITY TOURS CO. LTD

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the two most famous craft islands in the Venetian Lagoon without arranging your own boat, timing the demonstrations, or figuring out which furnace or lace workshop is worth visiting: the guide and the fixed schedule handle all of that.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs roughly half a day, with travel time on the boat plus time on each island. Most travelers finish by early afternoon.

Do I need to pay an entry fee to Venice?

On certain dates, day visitors to Venice must pay a €5 access fee. Check the official Venice city website to see if your travel date requires it and what exemptions apply.

Can I buy glass or lace on the islands?

Yes. Both Murano and Burano have shops selling glasswork and lace, though prices are higher on the islands than in Venice proper.

Is this tour suitable for older travelers or people with mobility issues?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. You'll walk on uneven cobblestone streets on both islands and board a boat, so consider your comfort with those movements.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes the vintage boat, the qualified guide, entry to the glassblowing furnace, the live demonstration, the lace-making demonstration, and visits to both islands.

Can I visit Torcello Island too?

Torcello is available as an optional add-on on certain tour dates. Check availability when you book.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring your printed voucher and arrive 10 minutes early. Comfortable walking shoes help on the cobblestone streets. Sunscreen and water are useful, especially in summer.