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Venice Murano & Burano Private Boat Tour with Glass & Lace

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/9

Duration4h

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · IT +2

PickupAt your hotel

Venetian lagoon colors, glassblowing heat and Burano’s quiet streets

You’ll board a private boat from Venice with a local guide, watch master glassblowers at work in Murano, stroll Burano’s colorful lanes tasting bussolai cookies, and meet Anna in her lace workshop. Every stop feels personal — you’ll hear laughter in kitchens and see sunlight bounce off canals. It’s not just sights; it’s little moments that stay with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private boat from Venice to Murano
Watch master glassblower show
Boat crossing to Burano island
Walk around colorful Burano houses
Taste typical bussolai cookies
Visit historic lace-making atelier
Return to Venice by private boat

The Experience

We were already gliding away from Venice before I’d even finished my coffee — the city shrinking behind us, water slapping at the hull. Our guide, Lucia, pointed out a low mist clinging to the lagoon. She knew everyone: waving to another boatman, joking about how you can always spot locals by their shoes. The air smelled faintly salty, but then we pulled up at Murano and it changed — suddenly warm and sharp from the glass furnaces. Inside the factory, I stood too close (I think) and felt my cheeks flush as the master spun molten glass into shapes I still can’t believe were real. He grinned at my wide-eyed look; maybe he’s seen it a thousand times.

Afterwards we crossed to Burano — it’s just a short hop but feels like another world. The houses are all those wild colors you see in postcards, but brighter somehow when you’re right there. Lucia led us down an alley where laundry flapped overhead and an old woman nodded from her doorway. We stopped for “bussolai” cookies (I ate two before anyone noticed), buttery and sweet with this hint of lemon that lingers on your tongue. In the lace workshop Anna showed us her hands — honestly, they moved so fast I couldn’t keep up. She laughed when I tried to say “merletto” properly; probably butchered it.

The ride back was quieter. Sun flickered on the water and for a second everything felt suspended — Venice ahead of us again but now it looked different somehow, softer maybe? I kept thinking about that moment in the glass factory when time seemed to slow down around the fire. If you’re looking for a day trip from Venice that doesn’t feel rushed or staged — well, this was it for me.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation by boat from Venice across the lagoon to both Murano and Burano islands, entry into an original Murano Glass Factory with a live glassblowing show led by one of the masters of the island, guided walks through colorful Burano including tasting traditional bussolai cookies along narrow lanes, plus an insightful visit inside an historic hand-made lace workshop where you’ll meet Anna for a live demonstration before returning comfortably by boat to Venice again.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Shome Venice