Venice Murano & Burano Private Tour: Glass & Lace Demo

Murano glassblowing and Burano lace on a private Venice islands tour

You’ll cross the lagoon by private water taxi to Murano’s fiery glass studios (watch artisans shape molten color into art), then stroll Burano’s rainbow streets with your guide. See lace made by hand and soak up stories only locals know. It’s slow-paced and personal: you’ll feel part of Venice’s quieter side for an afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Murano and Burano islands

• Travel from Venice to Murano
• Watch glassblowing demonstration
• Walk Murano island with guide
• Visit Church of San Donato
• Admire Murano Cathedral
• Boat ride passing San Michele Island
• Boat ride passing Building Bridges sculpture
• Explore Burano's colorful streets

The Experience

The vaporetto driver waved us over, but I realized I’d left my hat in the hotel lobby, classic. Our guide, Marta, just grinned and said the sun would “wake us up better than any espresso.” She was right. The light on the lagoon was sharp, almost silvery, as we pulled away from Venice toward Murano. There was this strange mix of diesel and salt in the air, and I kept thinking about how close everything looks on a map but how far it feels by boat. Marta pointed out San Michele cemetery island. She told us Venetians still visit family there every week.

I didn’t expect the glass workshop to be so…loud? The furnace roared like a subway train and the artisan’s hands moved so fast I barely caught what he was doing. He shaped glowing orange glass into a vase while his colleague joked in Venetian dialect (I understood none of it, but everyone laughed). The smell reminded me of burnt sugar. Marta explained how glassblowing was once such a closely guarded secret that leaving Murano could get you exiled, or worse. We saw the old Church of San Donato too. Its mosaic floor looked like it had soaked up centuries of footsteps.

On Burano, everything felt softer: the houses looked like someone spilled a box of crayons across the canal. An old woman sat under her laundry line making lace. She let me try for about two seconds before shaking her head (gently). Lunch was just bread, cheese, and a tiny glass of wine at a café where the owner argued with his cousin about football scores. I still think about that view from the bridge: laundry flapping above green water, kids fishing off the dock. We wandered until we lost track of time, which felt right somehow.

Options for this experience

3 options

Guide in English5 departure times, from 09:00 to 15:00

Guide in Spanish or French5 departure times, from 09:00 to 15:00

Guide in Chinese09:00

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

What’s included

Your day includes private water taxi transportation from Venice to both Murano and Burano (and back), live demonstrations with local artisans for both glassblowing and lace-making traditions, a flexible guided walking tour on each island with plenty of stories along the way, and all commentary from your personal guide throughout these four hours together.

Days and timesDaily · 5 departure times, from 09:00 to 15:00

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by CITY TOURS CO. LTD

Traveler reviews

4.81★★★★★★★★★★

401 verified traveler reviews

5 ★340

4 ★49

3 ★9

2 ★3

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

In English, Spanish and French, with 5 departure times. In Chinese, at 09:00.

How long is the Murano & Burano private tour?

The guided tour lasts 4 hours including transportation between islands.

Is hotel pickup included for this Venice islands day trip?

The tour includes private transportation by water taxi from Venice to Murano & Burano and back.

Will we see live demonstrations on this tour?

Yes, you’ll watch traditional glass-blowing in Murano and lace-making in Burano.

Are there walking tours on both islands?

Yes, your guide leads walking tours through both Murano and Burano with commentary.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No lunch is included but there are cafés available during free time on Burano.

Can I customize the itinerary or pace?

The itinerary is flexible to suit your interests and schedule within the 4-hour window.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with mobility issues?

This experience may not be recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Are entry fees or demonstration costs covered?

Yes, all demonstration fees are included as part of your private tour package.