Venice Murano & Burano Private Boat Tour with Glass & Lace

Summary

Colorful houses, glassblowers at work and quiet canals in Venice’s islands

You’ll slip away from Venice’s bustle by private boat to visit Murano’s legendary glassblowers and Burano’s vibrant canals and lacemakers. Watch real artisans at work, wander narrow streets lined with painted homes, and share stories with your local guide before gliding back across the lagoon — it all feels personal here.

What’s the experience like?

I’d always seen those photos of Burano’s painted houses but somehow, actually standing there, it felt different — brighter, almost like someone had dialed up the color just for us. Our guide, Marco, met us near St. Mark’s (he waved a little sign and grinned when we looked lost), then we hopped onto this sleek private boat instead of the usual crowded ferry. There was a salty breeze on the water and I could hear snippets of Italian from other boats passing by. The ride out to Murano was quick but I kept craning my neck to see every church dome and crumbling brick wall along the way.

Murano itself smelled faintly of smoke when we stepped off — not unpleasant, more like someone’s fireplace in winter. Inside the glass workshop it got warm fast; the glassblower barely glanced up as he spun molten glass into shapes I still can’t figure out. Marco explained how centuries ago these artisans weren’t allowed to leave Venice (apparently they knew too many secrets about mirrors?), which made me laugh — imagine being trapped on an island for knowing how to make vases. We watched him pull a glowing blob into a horse in under a minute. My hands were sweating just watching him handle all that heat.

Burano was next — only about 10 minutes away but it felt like another world. The houses really are every color you can think of, with laundry flapping above our heads and old women chatting from windowsills. We ducked into a tiny lace shop where two women stitched quietly while our guide translated their stories. One of them winked at me when I tried to say “merletto” (lace) in Italian — probably butchered it. I bought a tiny piece for my mom because honestly, watching them work made me realize how much patience goes into something so delicate.

The ride back was quieter; everyone seemed lost in their own thoughts or maybe just tired from wandering those crooked streets. The sun was lower now and everything had that golden haze you only get late afternoon in Venice. I still think about those colors sometimes, especially on grey days back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Murano and Burano Islands

• Meet guide near S. Zaccaria stop
• Boat ride to Murano island
• Watch glass-blowing workshop
• Explore Murano glass art
• Travel to Burano island
• See lace making demonstration
• Walk Burano colorful streets
• Return by boat to Venice

Top questions

How long is the Murano & Burano tour from Venice?

The tour is half a day, including travel time by private boat between Venice, Murano, and Burano.

Is transportation included on this day trip?

Yes, round-trip transportation from Venice is included by private boat with your group and guide.

Will I see live glassblowing on Murano?

Yes, there is a live demonstration at an authentic working glassblower’s studio on Murano island.

Do we have free time to explore Burano?

You’ll have some free time in Burano after the guided portion to wander or shop on your own.

Is lunch included during this tour?

No lunch is provided; you may wish to bring snacks or buy food during your free time on Burano.

Are hotel pickups available for this tour?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet your guide near the S. Zaccaria Vaporetto stop in central Venice.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with mobility issues?

No, unfortunately it isn’t suitable for wheelchairs or those needing special walking assistance.

How big is the group size for this experience?

The maximum group size is 22 people per departure.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting your expert English-speaking guide near St. Mark’s Square before boarding a private boat for round-trip travel between Venice, Murano and Burano. You’ll watch a live glassblowing demonstration in Murano, join a guided walk and exclusive lace-making demo in Burano (with time to explore), then return together across the lagoon by water taxi—all logistics handled for you.