Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat
Overview
Available languages
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.
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.
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 - Private
Murano & Burano - Private
Murano & Burano- English Group
Reviews
7,581 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Just Absolutely Brilliant!
PaigeASamson,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great guided tour. Sylvia was very informative and had a lot of stories to tell about the other islands surrounding Murano and Bruano. The glass making was very interesting to watch and seeing all the products in the shop that was made were all very beautifully crafted. Bruano was gorgeous with all the colourful houses and we got some very yummy Gelato from there. Highly recommend doing this tour!
Murano Glass trip, value for money
Tony H,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour, fascinating insight into glass blowing and manipulating. Brilliant tour guide Eva, very knowledgeable with boundless enthusiasm.
You won’t want to Miss!
mayost12,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I highly recommend this tour! My mom has limited mobility and Serena along with the boat captain was really great with her. She was never felt rushed or uncomfortable with the tour. Now the tour was simply amazing and I learned so much about glass and lace. If it wasn’t for that tour I would have never gone to those islands.
Super!
Rebecca L,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Exactly as billed. Our guide, Frankie, was so friendly and patient, extremely knowledgeable and kind. The Islands themselves speak for themselves - a super day out.
Cheap and cheerful
TamB1986,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Cheap and cheerful, the guide was friendly and informative. Visits to both sites were short and sweet, but I guess there’s not much more to see once you’re there. Would’ve liked to see more of Murano other than just the glass blowing (which was good)! Murano was nice to see the glass making, albeit the items are expensive to purchase. Burano was pretty to see the houses. £27 each of the trip was worth it, as it breaks up the visit to Venice!
Beautiful Islands
Roam18163184110,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00This wasn’t a bad tour, but in retrospect, I could have done it on my own with water taxis. I’m not sure the guide added a lot of value. The islands are definitely worth visiting, even in the rain.
Fantastic tour due to fantastic host!
Ben-Jar-Min07,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Elena was a fantastic host! You could tell how much passion she has for the tour and how informative she was! The whole tour was great from start to finish and I would fully recommend to absolutely everyone who is visiting Venice! Xxx
An experience not to be missed!
Claire M,,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A truly authentic and unique experience seeing the process of creating beautiful art!!! FRANKIE was wonderful in her expertise and passion!!! Everything was perfect and highly recommended!!!
So-so
melissahT965UK,,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00We got unlucky with the weather this day. Very rainy. Murano was cool with a nice explanation and demonstration of glass making. Burano was a cute little island, but wish the lace making demonstration was more involved. It wasn’t very long and just moved to shopping.
Take a break…
pilarmI2801MA,,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Elena was our tour guide extraordinaire! So charming and knowledgeable. Great way to take a break from hectic Venezia and breathe some fresh air.
From €30.00
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