Venice: Murano, Burano & Torcello Private Motorboat Tour
Three Islands, One Boat: How Venetians Actually See Their Lagoon
You'll ride a private motorboat to three working islands in Venice's lagoon: watch glass-blowing on Murano, wander the painted streets of Burano, and stand in a 7th-century basilica on Torcello. Hotel pickup and a local guide are included, and the small group size means you're not herded through with hundreds of other visitors. The boat moves on your schedule, not the vaporetto's.
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Step-by-step itinerary
- Venice Islands20m
- Duomo di Murano15m · entry included
- Burano1h 15m · entry included
Private boat tour to lagoon islands
- Travel to Murano island
- Visit glass factory and watch glass blowing
- Explore Murano historical area
- Visit Murano Basilica
- Travel to Burano island
- Discover colorful village and local biscuits
- Travel to Torcello island
- Visit first Basilica of Venice
The experience
"You want to know the lagoon? Don't take the vaporetto with two hundred people," our guide said as we stepped into the private motorboat. "You take this." And that's the difference. A private water taxi means you're not following a schedule printed for tourists. You move at the pace of the three islands themselves: Murano first, where the glass masters still work in their foundries, then Burano with its riot of painted houses and the smell of fresh Bussolà biscuits, and finally Torcello, where the first basilica of Venice stands quiet and almost empty on an island that's mostly water and sky now.
Murano hits you first with the heat of the furnaces. You can watch a glass master blow and shape molten glass into something that'll outlast the building it sits in. It's the kind of thing that sounds touristy until you see the concentration on his face and realize this is just Tuesday for him. The Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato sits on the same island, a 7th-century church that arrived here when people were still fleeing the mainland invasions. The mosaics inside are worn and tilted, and the guide will tell you why, but you'll already feel it. This place has been standing for fourteen hundred years.
Burano is the postcard version of Venice, except it's real. The houses are painted in colors that seem too bright until you're actually there and realize they're exactly right: reds, yellows, blues, greens, all of them faded just enough to look lived-in. Fishermen still moor boats here. The lace shops and the seafood restaurants aren't performing for you. They're just there. You get time to walk, to buy those biscuits, to sit and watch the water. Then the boat takes you back out to Torcello, the third island, where the basilica is older than most of Europe's cathedrals and the population is maybe forty people.
The whole tour runs on the private boat's schedule, not the public ferry's, which means you're not racing between stops or waiting for a crowd to clear. Hotel pickup is included, so you don't have to navigate to the dock yourself. A minimum of two people per booking keeps the group small enough that the guide can actually talk to you, not at you. If you're visiting Venice for the day from outside the city, there's a €5 lagoon access fee on certain dates. Check the official Venice tourism site to see if your visit falls on one of those days.
What’s included
- Transport by private water taxi to all three islands, hotel pickup from your Venice accommodation, and a private tour with a local guide who knows the lagoon and its history.
- The guide will take you through the glass-blowing demonstration on Murano, give you time to explore Burano's streets and shops, and lead you through the basilica on Torcello.
- Everything except meals and purchases is covered.
Options for this experience
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You pick the guide language when booking.
Before you book
Prices and times updated today
Operated by Glass factory Colleoni Murano
Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the three main lagoon islands without the crowds of the public vaporetto and without arranging your own boat and timing: the private motorboat and included pickup mean you show up at your hotel and the logistics are handled. It's built for small groups, which is what makes the guide's attention and the unhurried pace possible.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What languages is the guide in?
Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 17 years); Infant (under 3): 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.
Do I have to buy glass or lace on Murano and Burano?
No. You can watch the glass-blowing and walk the streets without purchasing anything. The guide will show you the workshops and shops, but there's no obligation to buy.
Is the basilica on Torcello always open?
The 7th-century basilica is a working church and a major attraction on Torcello. Hours can vary seasonally, so ask your guide about access when you arrive.
What if I'm pregnant or have health concerns?
The tour isn't recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or mobility issues. The boat ride and walking between stops require moderate fitness.
Is there a minimum group size?
Yes, a minimum of 2 people per booking is required. You can book as a pair or join others.
Do I need to pay the Venice access fee?
On certain dates, visitors from outside Venice pay a €5 lagoon access fee. Check the official Venice tourism site (cda.ve.it) to see if your visit date is affected and whether you qualify for an exemption.
Can I bring a baby?
Yes, infants are allowed but must sit on an adult's lap during the boat ride.
What should I wear?
Comfortable walking shoes are essential. You'll be on your feet moving between the boat and the islands, and the streets of Burano are uneven.
Venice: Murano, Burano & Torcello Private Motorboat Tour
4h · EN · ES · FR · IT · at your hotel
from € 200 per person
4.68455 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider