Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat

Overview

Available languages

English

5 hours

Mobile ticket

Cruise the Venetian Lagoon by private water taxi and meet the artisans keeping Venice’s traditional crafts alive. You’ll see demonstrations of traditional glassblowing on the island of Murano, and traditional lacemaking on Burano. The tour includes discounts on souvenirs from both demonstration workshops. Both islands have plenty to see, and you’ll have ample time to explore.

Additional Info

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Please note that the order of island visits and demonstrations may vary due to local conditions and availability. Glassblowing and lace-making demonstrations are hosted by working artisans and may change without notice. The tour operates in all weather and involves moderate walking.

The Municipality of Venice has introduced an Access Fee that applies on specific dates. To avoid any inconvenience, we recommend checking the official guidelines and completing the necessary registration through the provided link before your visit. (https://cda.ve.it/en/ Official Link for Registration)

Some sites visited lack shade and can be hot under direct sunlight. We recommend bringing a hat, sunscreen and a bottle of water in warm weather.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Isola di Murano

The enchanting islands of Murano and Burano are the perfect change of pace from Venice’s crowded streets and waterways. And the perfect way to reach them is by private water taxi. Faster and sturdier than a gondola, nimbler and less crowded than a waterbus, water taxis are the premier way to travel in Venice. Few visitors get to experience them, but yours is included, along with an expert local guide who’ll explain Venice’s history as a titan of trade along the way. Your first port of call is a specially chosen glassblowing workshop on Murano. In the Middle Ages, only Murano’s artisans possessed the secrets of this craft, and sharing them was punishable by execution. You’ll get to witness modern glassblowers wield those once secret techniques, shaping delicate and dazzling works of art from molten glass. Then admire the workshop’s finest work in its gallery, and perhaps take home a piece of your own – with a tour discount. Or explore more of Murano, including its peaceful canals and stunning Byzantine church.

2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Included

The locals of nearby Burano still maintain the island’s tradition of handmade lace, some of the finest anywhere in the world. You’ll get to observe lace being hand-stitched the way it has been for generations. Then visit the lace museum to see the island’s greatest work, or simply enjoy the photo opportunity provided by the colorful houses, brightly painted so sailors could see home as they returned from the sea. When you cross the lagoon back to Venice, you’ll have a renewed appreciation of the crafts that put the city on the map so long ago.

2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Included

What‘s Included

Glassmaking demonstration in Murano

Round-trip transportation by private boat just for your group

Lacemaking demonstration in Burano

Enjoy a personal experience with an expert local guide in groups of up to 22.

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Gratuities

Options

Murano & Burano- Italian Group

Murano & Burano- English Group

Murano & Burano - Private

Reviews

4.65

7,501 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

6017

827

349

123

185

Great day, great guide. Beautiful islands.
kimw603,,Dec 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had the best day with Silvia as our guide. Silvia was so lovely and informative and her English was excellent. Murano and the visit to watch glass blowing was amazing and beautiful. Then onto Burano with the colourful homes and the lace making store. Such a beautiful day. A million thank yous to Silvia. 🥰
Visited Murano and Burano islands for a tour / had a good time exploring the islands -
wendymc61,,Dec 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great tour - very good information supplied - enjoyed the demonstrations - Sarina very friendly guide and helpful. Boat ride showed us some highlights along the way
Amazing experience with Monica zorzetto
558mahrukhr,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I went to Murano and Burano island with tour guide Monica Zorzetto. Her presentation and description of the places was excellent.
Murano & Burano tour
Aliena G,,Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
It’s fascinating! So many gorgeous things to see – and you can buy them, too. Serena was a wonderful, knowledgeable guide.
If you come to Venice and...
Rick H,,Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
If you come to Venice and don't visit these Islands, you have missed out. This is a must do. Alena was an excellent guide.
Worth visiting islands
Cruiser12648872850,,Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Good tour. Well organised and started promptly. Elaina was a great local guide. Recommend for first visit to Venice- thank you
Thing to do whilst you are there
gatisc2015,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was ok wasn’t nothing like wow yes it was worth to go but don’t expect to much glass factory was nice and intersting and burano island was so clour full.
Glass blowing fun
Bonecraze,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was a great value allowing us to explore multiple places and see a couple islands out on the open ocean! Great food and great company!
Luciano and Frankie made this experience!
N9160JSwendyf,,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Overall we enjoyed this excursion. Our guide, Frankie, was amazing. Very kind, knowledgeable, and fun to be with. She was the best part of it. The glassblowing was also very cool, and meeting Luciano, a 70 year glass blowing master, was a once in a lifetime experience. What I think you need to know though is that the glass blowing demonstration was about ten minutes, and the lace making demonstration was about two minutes. The rest of the day we were left to shop. So keep in mind that this is mostly a boat ride to the islands. If that’s what you’re looking for, great. Book it. I was expecting a bit more in the way of both demonstrations. After the very quick glass blowing demonstration, they bring you to a gallery full of high priced glass items. (Most 20-100k) That part was interesting, the glass is beautiful. However the blond woman who worked there was very pushy. She saw me looking at jewelry and swooped. Started pulling out everything and trying to get me to try it on and when I refused to immediately buy a $500 bracelet, she sighed in exasperation, even though I explained I hadn’t gotten to look through the rest of the first floor yet and hadn’t even seen the second floor and I wanted time to keep looking before committing to what I was purchasing. I would have bought the bracelet but her attitude (and awful perfume that was making me sick) made it a no-go. I decided to spend my money in Venice instead. In Burano, we were taken into a shop where a woman was sitting in the back making lace. We all crowded around her and were given a two minute description of what she was doing, told not to video, and that was it. The gelato on the island was very good, and I bought a soft cashmere scarf. Overall the tour was a nice day and inexpensive, so I don’t regret going. I just expected a little more information and less shopping. But it’s a tourist attraction so I guess that’s to be expected.
Glass, lace and Venetian History
Dreamer320508,,Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Elly was fantastic. Funny, knowledgeable and approachable. Length of visit good. It was nice to be in a smaller group. Especially enjoyed the glass blowing and what it is like to live as a Venetian.