Know Before You Go: Visiting the Venice Islands

The best Venice island day trips generally include a stop to watch Venetian glassmaking in Murano, plus time to stroll along the colorful houses in Burano. These two islands are renowned for their artisan crafts—glass for the former and lace for the latter—and many tours visit the Murano Glass Museum and Burano Lace Museum.

Full-day island tours may also include Torcello, considered the site of the first lagoon settlement, and its Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, one of the oldest churches in Venice. Murano and Burano have direct water bus connections and can be covered in half a day, while Torcello is located farther north and requires connecting in Burano.

With their glass workshops and pastel houses, Murano and Burano attract the highest numbers of visitors to the lagoon islands and can be overrun in the high season. Fortunately, there are plenty of lesser-known alternatives that are home to some of the most fascinating hidden gems in Venice.

San Michele has been the site of Venice’s atmospheric monumental cemetery for centuries, and sits just a short ride by water bus or water taxi from central Venice. Meanwhile, rows of grape vines blanket Mazzorbo—a rare sight in Venice—and wine lovers can even visit for a vineyard tour and wine tasting at the Venissa winery.

The most complex element for any island-hopping in Venice itinerary is getting to and between the lagoon islands. The main islands and many secondary islets are located along the city’s public vaporetto routes, and these water buses are the least expensive—but the most time-consuming—way to get around.

Private water taxi transfers are faster and offer more flexibility to set your own schedule, but the hefty price tag for each ride can take a sizable chunk out of your travel budget. The most efficient and affordable way to explore, therefore, is via small-group Venice boat trip that includes transportation to two or more of the headliners.

There are Venice islands tour options to suit any schedule and budget. If you’re short on time, join a small-group tour that covers Murano and its glassmaking workshops in just a few hours by water taxi or water bus. Half-day private and group tours stop at Murano and Burano and include either water taxi transfers or water bus tickets, plus a guide to help navigate the tricky transfers.

Full-day tours of Murano, Burano, and Torcello are ideal for those who want to visit the main lagoon islands in one day, accompanied by the insights and assistance of a guide. Alternatively, book a private tour to explore San Michele, Mazzorbo, or other under-the-radar lagoon islands.

With the important exception of the glass ateliers and shops on Murano, most of the Venice lagoon attractions are outdoors. Therefore, the best seasons to visit are spring and fall to avoid winter’s choppy seas and icy winds, as well as the summer heat and crowds.

Tours generally set off from central Venice in the morning and cover Murano and Burano in half a day, or those two headliners plus Torcello over a full day. Afternoon tours focus on Murano and Burano, heading back to central Venice by early evening. You can also overnight on one of the main lagoon islands to experience the magical atmosphere once the day trippers have left.

When touring the islands in the Venetian lagoon, comfort is key, as you’ll spend a lot of time getting on and off boats and walking outdoors. Wear shoes that can withstand hours on your feet, and loose-fitting clothes that you can layer if the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Pack a hat and sunscreen in the summer and an extra sweater or jacket on cooler days—the temperatures on the windswept islands are often colder than in central Venice—plus a scarf or other item to cover your shoulders when entering churches. Don’t forget your camera and extra battery pack to capture your day in photos.

The services offered on the islands in Venice’s lagoon vary widely. Murano and Burano brim with restaurants, shops, public parks, restrooms, and accommodations for overnight stays, while Torcello has just a smattering of eateries and B&Bs.

San Michele is entirely taken over by the cemetery and church, offering no services at all, whereas Mazzorbo is dominated by its resident winery, its wine bar, and restaurants. If you’d like to dine or overnight on the lagoon islands, confirm the local offerings before arrival, especially for the smaller and more remote destinations.

Accessibility varies by island and by type of tour. Public water buses and many private water taxis can accommodate passengers in wheelchairs, though travelers should confirm accessibility in advance (especially in the case of private water taxis).

Murano and Burano have accessible routes that follow paved and cobblestoned lanes and bridges with ramps; some glass workshops in Murano also feature ramps at the entrance. Torcello, San Michele, and Mazzorbo, however, are slightly more challenging to explore with a wheelchair, so visit with a guide who can lead you along routes that avoid steps and other architectural barriers.

• How many islands are there in the Venetian Lagoon? There are around 120 islands that make up Venice, and more than 40 of them are scattered through the Venetian lagoon surrounding central Venice. The most famous are Murano, Burano, and Torcello, followed by San Michele and Mazzorbo.
• Are all of the islands in the Venice Lagoon inhabited? No, quite a few of the Venice Lagoon islands are uninhabited and home to nature reserves or ruins. Some can be visited as part of a tour or day trip, while others are privately owned or closed to the public.
• Are all the islands in the Venetian Lagoon accessible by water bus? No, the local vaporetti lines only cover the most popular inhabited islands, including Murano, Burano, and Torcello. To reach the smaller and uninhabited islands surrounding central Venice, you will need to hire a taxi boat.
• Are there beaches on the Venetian islands? A handful of Venetian islands have public beaches suitable for swimming and sunbathing. The most famous beaches line the shores of Lido, but Pallestrina and the peninsula of Treporti also attract locals and tourists to their sandy beaches.