Venice Islands Tour: Murano Glass & Burano Lace Demonstrations

Glassblowing, lacemaking, and the lagoon islands in one morning or afternoon

A guided boat tour of Venice's islands departing from San Marco, with live demonstrations of glassblowing in Murano and lacemaking in Burano, plus walking time in both villages. The tour runs 4 to 5 hours with a professional guide speaking English, Spanish, Italian or French, and includes boat transport, a radio receiver to hear the guide, and entry to the demonstration workshops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Murano and Burano islands

• Board boat at San Marco area
• Arrive at Murano island
• Watch glassblowing demonstration
• Explore Murano streets and shops
• Travel to Burano island
• See colorful houses and take photos
• Attend lace-making demonstration

The experience

The boat leaves San Marco and carries you across the lagoon to Murano, where a master glassblower works at the furnace in front of you: shaping, spinning and transforming molten glass into a finished piece in minutes. You watch the whole process, then have time to walk Murano's narrow streets and browse the artisanal glass shops that line them. The glassblowing demonstration is the centerpiece, but the island itself is small enough to cover on foot without rushing.

From Murano, the boat heads to Burano, famous for two things: the brightly painted houses that line the canals and the tradition of lace-making that built the island's reputation centuries ago. Your guide shares the history as you walk, and you'll see a lace demonstration showing how the delicate work is done by hand. Like Murano, Burano rewards wandering. The colored facades are real, not a backdrop, and the narrow streets open onto small squares where locals still live and work.

You'll wear a radio receiver throughout so the guide's voice reaches you even in a crowd or across open water. The tour operates in multiple languages at different departure times. Check which hour suits your language before booking. Public transport runs near the meeting point if you need to reach San Marco from elsewhere in Venice, and the pace suits all fitness levels since most of the day is either on the boat or on flat, walkable streets.

What’s included

• Comfortable boat transport from San Marco to Murano and Burano and back.
• live glassblowing demonstration at a Murano glass factory.
• guided walking tour of Murano island.
• guided walking tour of Burano island.
• lace-making demonstration in Burano (included in most options).
• radio receiver so you hear the guide throughout.
• professional tour guide in your chosen language.

Options for this experience

5 options

Murano and Burano cruiseGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 14:30Languages offered: English, French, Spanish and Italian. Itinerary: Murano and Burano lagoon islands. Tour type: guided tour. Duration: 5 hours, times are approximate. Boat: comfortable speedboat built for a smooth ride and clear lagoon views. Starting point: Riva degli Schiavoni, 4142, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

Murano+Burano+Torcello CruiseGuide in English, Spanish or Italian · 10:30Guided in English, French, Spanish and Italian. Itinerary: the lagoon islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. Tour type: guided tour. Duration: 5 hours, times are approximate. Boat: panoramic double-decker boat. Starting point: Riva degli Schiavoni, 4142, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

Murano and Burano premium tourGuide in English · 09:30Language: English. Itinerary: Murano and Burano, islands of the lagoon. Tour type: guided tour, small group. Duration: 5 hours. Boat: premium boat. Starting point: Riva degli Schiavoni, 4142, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

See 2 more options

Murano and Burano with food and wineGuide in English, Spanish or French · 10:00, 10:30 and 11:00Languages offered: English, French, Spanish and Italian. Itinerary: a Murano glassblowing demonstration and Burano, the colorful island of fishermen. Tour type: guided tour. Duration: 5 hours. Food and wine: three traditional Venetian cicchetti served with a glass of wine. Boat: comfortable panoramic boat for a smooth, relaxing ride. Starting point: Riva degli Schiavoni, 4142, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

Murano and Burano semi-privateGuide in English · 09:00, 10:00 and 14:00Duration: about 5 hours. Starting point: Venice Tours srl, Priority Tickets San Marco Square Monuments, Calle de le Rasse, 4536, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:30

Book up toStart time

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

GroupUp to 30

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.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by CITY TOURS CO. LTD

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see traditional Venetian crafts in action rather than in a museum or shop. The glassblowing and lacemaking demonstrations are the core of the day, and the boat and walking time let you explore both islands without arranging separate transport or entry tickets yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

In English, with 8 departure times. In Spanish and French, at 10:00, 10:30 and 11:00. In Italian, at 10:30.

Can children come?

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

What exactly happens during the glassblowing demonstration in Murano?

A professional glassblower works at the furnace in real time, shaping and finishing a piece of glass while you watch from a safe distance. The demonstration shows the full process from molten glass to a completed object, and you'll have time afterward to explore the island's shops and streets on your own.

Is the lace-making demonstration included in all tour options?

The lace demonstration in Burano is included if you select an option that covers the island. Check your chosen package, as some focus on Murano and Burano while others add Torcello or food and wine experiences. The glassblowing demonstration in Murano is included in every option.

How much free time do I have to walk around Murano and Burano?

The tour is 4 to 5 hours total, with time built in at each island to explore on your own after the demonstrations. The exact breakdown depends on your departure time and group size, but both islands are small and walkable, so you'll see the main streets and shops without feeling rushed.

Do I need to arrange my own way to San Marco, or is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is not included, so you'll need to reach the San Marco meeting point on your own. Public transportation options are available nearby if you're staying elsewhere in Venice.

What's the difference between the standard tour and the Premium or Semi-private options?

The Premium option and Semi-private option offer smaller groups or additional amenities compared to the standard Murano & Burano Cruise. The Premium and Semi-private tours include the same demonstrations and island visits. The main difference is group size and experience level. Some options also add Torcello island or a food and wine component if you want to extend the day.