Murano Tours and Tickets

There are several ways to experience the island of Murano in the Venetian lagoon. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best options available right now:

• Murano and Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat

• Murano Glass Experience With Visit to the Burano Lace Island

• Private Tour of Murano Island: Discover the Art of Artisanal Glassblowing

• St Mark's, Doge's Palace, Murano, and Burano Tour With Gondola Ride

• Venice Lagoon Islands: Murano & Burano Guided Tour

For most travelers to Venice, the main cost of visiting Murano is transportation. A regular ACTV vaporetto (water bus) ticket costs about €9.50. However, if you plan to visit Burano and Torcello, guided tours start at a reasonable €25 and often include artisan craft-making demonstrations such as glassblowing on Murano.

Yes, Murano is worth visiting, especially if you are interested in glassmaking or Venice's artisan history. It also makes for a (slightly) calmer half-day trip, away from the crowds of central Venice. Besides watching glassmaking demonstrations and browsing shops selling Murano glass, the island has several restaurants for lunch.

Per one customer who booked the Half-Day Murano and Burano Island Tour by Private Boat, "Perfectly timed tour of Murano and Burano. Murano glassmaking was a very beautiful experience, and Burano town has some of the most beautiful coloured houses. Our guide was great, which added to the experience."

No, you don't need to be on one of the many Murano tours to visit. 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 on the same day trip.

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 or visit a glass museum, 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 led by local guides 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.

When you're done at the island of Murano, Venice has a ton of other fun things to do. Per other travelers, here are some of the top attractions to visit:

• St. Mark's Basilica

• Doge's Palace

• St. Mark's Square

• Rialto Bridge    

• Grand Canal 

View Viator's guide to all the attractions in Venice.