Murano

The best way to visit Murano is on a boat tour of the Venice islands. These tours make stops on Murano to see traditional glassblowing, the island of Burano, famous for its lace-making, and Torcello, believed to be the first populated island in the Venetian lagoon. Private tours let you enjoy a boat ride across the lagoon, visits to artisan workshops and factories accompanied by an expert tour guide, and a bit of free time for shopping and exploring without having to navigate Venice’s complex vaporetto (ferry) system between the islands.

• Murano glassblowing and Burano lace-making demonstrations make for great photos.

• Both Murano glass and Burano lace are famous for their impeccable craftsmanship—and prices reflect that. Be wary of “bargain” prices, which often mean counterfeit goods.

• Murano’s glass shops are known for their hard-sell techniques, which can be uncomfortable. To avoid being strong-armed, always book your Venice islands tour through a reputable company.

If visiting without a tour, from St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco), take vaporetto (ferry) 4.1 from the San Zaccaria stop, or a private water taxi from the Grand Canal boat launch, just steps from St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.

The Venice islands are most crowded in the summer. From November through February, Venice is relatively quiet, though the temperatures can make for a chilly boat trip across the lagoon.

Murano’s Basilica di Santa Maria e San Donato, one of the oldest in Venice, is famous for its exquisite Byzantine mosaics. It’s also known for what’s on display behind the altar: four massive rib bones said to be from a dragon slain by St. Donatus in Greece.

No, you don't need to join a tour to visit Murano. You can always take a vaporetto (ferry) or water taxi there and explore independently. However, a tour is a much more convenient option, particularly if you want to see the islands of Burano and Torcello at the same time.

It depends—Murano is better to visit if you're interested in Venetian glass, and it's one of the most popular of the Venetian Islands. However, Burano is a must for photographers, with its picture-perfect colorful houses. If you don’t want to choose, keep in mind most island tours stop at both.

You’ll need around one or two hours in Murano to see the sights and get a feel for the island. Murano is not very big, making it easy to navigate on foot. Most people just come for a stroll, to see a glass-blowing demonstration, and to learn about its history.

The water taxi from Venice to Murano takes about 20 minutes each way. Water taxis are a convenient, but more expensive, way to visit the island. Travelers on a budget (or those wanting to visit multiple islands on one trip) should consider taking a vaporetto (ferry) or joining a tour instead.

Murano is a car-free destination, so most people get around by walking. You can also take a gondola from point to point on the island, which is great if you want to relax and take in the sights. If you take a tour to Murano, expect to do some walking.

Yes, you can visit Murano and Burano in one day. Most tours from Venice to Murano stop in Burano to see the island's beautiful, multi-hued houses and to visit a lace factory. Some tours also include a stop in Torcello, a small island that's known for its lovely cathedrals.