Venice Islands: Murano Glass, Burano Colors & Torcello Tour

Murano glassblowing, Burano colors and Torcello’s ancient calm in one half-day

You’ll float from Venice to Murano for live glassblowing, wander Burano’s bright canals with time for photos or lace shopping, then cross to peaceful Torcello with its ancient cathedral: all with a local guide and easy boat travel between islands. Expect laughter, color, maybe some surprises, and memories that linger longer than you’d expect.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Venetian Lagoonpass by
2. Murano50m
3. Burano50m
4. Venice Islands50m
5. St. Mark's Squarepass by

Half-day tour of Venetian islands

• Depart from St. Mark's Square
• Navigate through Venetian Lagoon
• Visit Murano glass factory and island center
• Explore colorful houses in Burano
• Visit Torcello island and its cathedral
• See Attila's throne on Torcello
• Cross the Devil's Bridge

The experience

The first thing I remember is the sound of the water slapping against the side of our motorboat as we pulled away from San Marco. There was this salty breeze, almost sharp, and a group of older Venetians chatting nearby, their voices bouncing around. Our guide, Martina, pointed to the skyline and told us how the lagoon has its own moods. I tried to take a picture but mostly ended up with blurry blue water and my own thumb. So yeah, not my finest photography moment.

Murano was our first stop. The air inside the glass factory was warm and smelled faintly like burnt sand (if that makes sense). We watched a man shape molten glass into something delicate. He spun it so quickly I almost missed the moment it became a vase. Martina explained how these techniques go back centuries. She said her uncle once worked here, which made it feel less like a demonstration and more like someone’s family story. I wanted to ask more but got distracted by all the tiny colored animals in the shop window.

Burano hit me with color before I even stepped off the boat: yellow, pink, green houses stacked along narrow canals. There were two women arguing gently over lace patterns outside a shop. One waved at me when I tried to sneak a photo (I think she knew). The bakery smell drifted out somewhere. I never did find it but now I wish I’d looked harder. Walking those streets felt like wandering through someone’s childhood drawing.

Torcello was quieter than both: almost empty except for birds and this old couple sitting on Attila’s throne (Martina laughed and said it’s good luck). The cathedral felt cool inside, mosaics catching what little sunlight there was. It’s strange how close these islands are to Venice but how different they feel. You could almost forget there’s a city just across the water. On the way back, everyone went quiet for a bit. I guess we were all thinking about something else by then.

Options for this experience

7 options

Guide in English, French or Italian09:30

Guide in English, German or Italian10:30

Guide in English, French or Italian14:30

See 4 more options

Guide in English, French or Italian11:30

Guide in English or Italian11:00

Guide in English, German or Italian13:30

Guide in English, Spanish or Italian12:30

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

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

What’s included

• Your day includes shared motorboat travel between Venice, Murano, Burano and Torcello.
• entry to a working glass-blowing factory on Murano.
• and guidance throughout from your local tour leader before returning by boat to your starting point in Venice.

Days and timesDaily · 7 departure times, from 09:30 to 14:30

AgesAges 13+ · 6 to 12 years · Under 6 — Free

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it starts

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h 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 today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bucintoro Viaggi

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

In English and Italian, with 7 departure times. In French, at 09:30, 11:30 and 14:30. In German, at 10:30 and 13:30. In Spanish, at 12:30.

Can children come?

6 to 12 years; under 6, 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 24h before the start.

How long is the Murano Burano Torcello tour?

The tour lasts about half a day, with 30–40 minutes spent on each island.

Where does the Venice islands tour depart from?

The boat departs daily from San Marco Giardinetti or Venezia Santa Lucia Railway Station.

Is there a glass-blowing demonstration on Murano?

Yes, you’ll visit a Murano glass factory and see artisans at work during the tour.

Is this Venice lagoon tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels.

Are infants allowed on this Venice islands day trip?

Infants are welcome but must sit on an adult's lap. Prams or strollers are allowed.

Does the tour include pickup from hotels?

No hotel pickup is included. Departures are from set meeting points in Venice.

What is included in the Murano Burano Torcello tour?

The tour includes motorboat transport between islands, a guide (tour leader), and entry to a Murano glass factory.

How much time do you get on each island?

You’ll spend about 30–40 minutes exploring each island: Murano, Burano, and Torcello.