The islands of Murano and Burano sit in the northern Venice lagoon, both reachable by vaporetto from Fondamente Nove. Murano is famous for its glassblowing industry, which has operated continuously on the island since 1291 when Venice moved its furnaces here to reduce fire risk to the city. Burano, 45 minutes further by boat, is a fishing community of painted houses in green, yellow, turquoise, red, and orange - one of the most photographed scenes in northern Italy.
Top Tours at a Glance
| Tour | Duration | Price (from) | Group Size | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murano, Burano & Torcello Boat Tour | Half day | from €25 | Up to 30 | Guided boat tour, glassblowing demo included |
| Murano & Burano Half-Day Island Tour by Boat | 4 hrs | from €29 | Small group | Expert guide, glass factory visit, Burano lace museum |
| Venice Lagoon Islands Guided Cruise | Half day | from €22 | Up to 25 | Panoramic boat, three islands in one trip |
| Murano Glass & Burano Colours Guided Visit | 5 hrs | from €35 | Small group | In-depth cultural guide, artisan workshop access |
| Private Murano & Burano Boat Tour | 4 hrs | from €89 | Private | Flexible itinerary, private guide and boat |
Browse all Venice island tours → GetYourGuide
Getting There: Vaporetto Routes and Tickets
The ACTV vaporetto is the only way to reach Murano and Burano from central Venice. Take the No. 4.1 or 4.2 from Fondamente Nove, on the northern edge of Venice proper. Journey time to Murano Colonna (the main landing stage) is approximately 15 to 25 minutes depending on the line and stop. The vaporetti run from approximately 06:00 to midnight with reduced frequency after 20:00.
Tickets and passes as of 2026:
- Single journey: approximately €9.50
- 24-hour travel card: approximately €25
- 48-hour travel card: approximately €35
- 72-hour travel card: approximately €45
For a Murano and Burano day trip, the 24-hour card is the right choice - you will use it for at least 4 journeys (Venice to Murano, Murano to Burano, Burano to Venice, and likely a stop in between). Buy at any ACTV booth or from machines at Fondamente Nove.
Murano: The Island of Glass
Murano is larger than Burano and has a genuinely lived-in character beyond the tourist strip. The main canal - Rio dei Vetrai - is flanked by glass showrooms, studios, and the occasional working furnace. The island’s permanent population is around 5,000, and several good restaurants and bakeries serve visitors rather than catering exclusively to coach groups.
Glassblowing Demonstrations
Glassblowing furnaces (fornaci) operate year-round but demonstrations are usually scheduled in the morning, from approximately 09:00 to 12:00. Entry is typically free at small studios in exchange for a sales pitch in the showroom. Larger, more reputable studios charge a small fee - approximately €5 to €10 - for formal demonstrations with more detail on technique.
Studios worth visiting:
- Fornace Mian - family-run since 1903, demonstrations daily in summer
- Vetreria Artistica Colleoni - mid-scale studio with chandelier and sculpture work
- Venini - the most internationally known Murano brand, the showroom doubles as a design museum
The Museo del Vetro (Glass Museum) at Fondamenta Giustinian 8 is open daily except Tuesday, from approximately 10:00 to 18:00 (closing at 17:00 November to March). Entry is approximately €10 as of 2026, or included with the Musei Civici multi-site pass (approximately €25). The collection spans 2,000 years of Venetian glassmaking and includes Roman pieces alongside 20th-century Murano design.
What to Eat on Murano
Busa alla Torre on Campo Santo Stefano is the island’s most reliable restaurant - fish-based risotto, sarde in saor (sweet-sour sardines), and simple grilled fish. Mains approximately €18–26. Book in advance in summer. For something lighter, Osteria al Duomo on Campiello Duomo serves cicchetti (small plates) and local wine.
Burano: Coloured Houses and Lace
Burano is 45 minutes from Murano by Line 12 vaporetto - take this direct rather than backtracking to Venice. The island’s colourful house facades are painted under strict municipal regulation: owners must submit an application specifying the exact colour, and the commune approves it based on the historical colour scheme of the row. The effect is a continuous, coherent palette rather than random decoration.
The island is also known for lacemaking - Burano lace (merletto di Burano) was one of the most prestigious luxury textiles in 16th- and 17th-century Europe. Genuine handmade lace takes weeks to produce and is priced accordingly - items starting from approximately €80–120 for small pieces. The Museo del Merletto (Lace Museum) on Piazza Galuppi is open daily except Tuesday, 10:00 to 17:00, entry approximately €5 as of 2026.
Walking Burano
The island is walkable in 30 to 40 minutes. The main photographic stretch is along Via Galuppi and the canals behind the church. Piazza Galuppi - the central square - has several restaurants and a fish market in the mornings. The Church of San Martino (free entry) has a leaning bell tower visible from most angles of the island.
Restaurants on Burano:
- Osteria al Gatto Nero - the most celebrated fish restaurant on the island, risotto di go (goby fish) is the signature dish, approximately €28–35 per person for a full meal, reservations essential
- Trattoria da Romano - long-established, serves local lagoon fish, approximately €25–32 per person
- Riva Rosa - lighter option, small plates and local wine
Planning Your Day
A logical itinerary: depart Fondamente Nove at around 09:00, spend the morning on Murano (glass museum + demonstration + lunch), board the Line 12 ferry to Burano at approximately 13:30, spend the afternoon walking the island and visiting the lace museum, then take the direct Line 12 return to Venice (approximately 50 minutes back to Fondamente Nove) in time for early evening.
If adding Torcello, board Line 9 from Burano (5 minutes) after lunch, visit the cathedral and Attila’s throne (a stone seat of uncertain but likely medieval origin), then continue to Venice from Torcello.
Practical notes:
- Avoid weekends in summer - both islands become significantly more crowded
- Murano is quieter and less touristy than Burano; arrive early to beat day-tour groups which typically arrive from 10:00
- Bring cash - several smaller restaurants and stalls do not accept cards
- The last direct Line 12 from Burano to Venice typically departs around 20:30 - check the ACTV timetable (actv.avmspa.it) before your visit as schedules change seasonally