Murano Glass Factory Experience: A Workshop in Venice
Venice, Italy
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Get an inside peek into the world-famous glassblowing factories of Murano with this small-group tour. From central Venice, ride a water taxi across the Venetian Lagoon to the colorful island of Murano. Watch a glassmaking demonstration by a master craftsman, and enjoy time to browse the factory showroom featuring finished works of art. Finally, attend your choice of hands-on workshop to create a take-home piece of jewelry or mosaic using authentic Murano glass.
- Visit an island factory to learn about the centuries-old tradition of glassblowing
- Watch a master craftsman at work during a private glassblowing demonstration
- A small group size ensures an intimate experience you won’t find in larger groups
- Make your own mosaic or piece of jewelry to take home using authentic Murano glass
What's Included
- Tour assistant
- Hands-on workshop (choose between jewelry or mosaic)
- Private transportationWatertaxi roundtrip
- Glass blowing demonstration
- Factory Tour
- 20% discount on purchase in the glass factory shop
- Tips
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Sestiere di S. Marco, 5310, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Chemist Farmacia Morelli in Campo San Bartolomeo, close to Rialto bridge
End point
- Vetreria Artistica Colleoni - Murano Glass FactoryFondamenta S. Giovanni dei Battuti, 12, 30141 Venezia VE, Italy
At the end of the tour participants will decide individually to return to Venice or extend to Burano and Torcello by themselves.
Itinerary
Meet up with your guide in the heart of Venice. From there, be whisked away on a short water taxi ride across the Venetian Lagoon.
Arrive at the island of Murano. As you wander through hidden streets, start to get immersed in the atmosphere.
Make your way to the Colleoni Glass Factory, where you have the exclusive opportunity to watch a private performance by a master glassblower. Observe as they demonstrate the art of glassblowing and sculpture techniques.
Afterwards, choose from one of the workshops and work with a local craftsman to create your own masterpiece. Leave the island with a tangible keepsake made from Murano glass.
Arrive at the island of Murano. As you wander through hidden streets, start to get immersed in the atmosphere.
Make your way to the Colleoni Glass Factory, where you have the exclusive opportunity to watch a private performance by a master glassblower. Observe as they demonstrate the art of glassblowing and sculpture techniques.
Afterwards, choose from one of the workshops and work with a local craftsman to create your own masterpiece. Leave the island with a tangible keepsake made from Murano glass.
1
Artistic Glassworks Colleoni
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
3.8
based on 468 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
constantine_f, Aug 2026
Our family of four left this tour feeling extremely disappointed, misled, and taken advantage of, especially considering the premium price charged for what is advertised as a Murano glass-making “experience.” In reality, we spent a total of only about 35 minutes watching someone make glass, and the supposed hands-on “workshop” was simply gluing broken pieces of tile onto a tiny 2x2-inch tile—there was absolutely no hands-on instructions. Even our two young daughters were confused and disappointed; this felt more like a simple craft activity for very young children (4-year olds rather then authentic Murano experience we believed we had purchased. Afterward, we were led into a showroom where the focus shifted to selling expensive glass pieces and discussing discounts, including better pricing if we contacted them directly, this was for 1 hour! This was a complete waste and never advertised. We didnt want to be sold on expensive glass but instead pushed to obtained free time walking around Murano on our own. When you compare the high price of this “workshop” with much less expensive glass-blowing demonstrations available elsewhere on Murano, we found the description and value extremely misleading. We called Viator immediately after leaving because our entire family genuinely felt we had fallen into a tourist trap, only to later be told that the operator considered the tour “completed” and that we needed to provide additional “documentation”—we didn’t realize we were expected to spend our vacation documenting a bad experience while it was happening in order to prove afterward that it was bad. Even more concerning, we later found other reviews describing remarkably similar experiences: a short demonstration, a basic tile/mosaic craft, being directed through a showroom fro a long period of time trying to be sold. My warning to other families and tourists is simple: understand exactly what you are paying for before booking—watching glass blowing and then gluing broken tiles onto a tiny tile is not that experience. We couldn’t even enjoy Murano itself as we felt so scammed and this tour left our family feeling that tourists are being charged a premium for an experience that does not live up to what we believed was being marketed.
Lauren_R, Aug 2026
This was not the best experience. I was hoping for more information about the glass blowing process and to get to watch the glass making up close. We were sitting on bleachers watching the man make glass from afar. Meanwhile, someone was telling us about the process but you couldn't hear or understand her very well. After we got to make a keychain, bracelet, or mosaic which was cool but I thought the overall experience could have been better.
Sam_M, Aug 2026
I think my expectations for the experience were clearly too high.
The best part was actually the private water taxi to and from Murano. It was a fantastic way to see Venice from the water and made the experience feel special.
The glassblowing demonstration was impressive to watch, and the artisans are clearly incredibly talented. However, this was probably my biggest disappointment. Having known a little about glassblowing beforehand (and even taken a class), I was surprised by how little explanation was provided. I learned essentially nothing about the Murano glassmaking technique, and at one point I found myself explaining to another person in our group what was happening. I would have loved even 10–15 minutes of explanation about the process, techniques, history, or what makes Murano glassmaking distinctive.
The “workshop” portion was also a stretch to call a workshop. We were essentially given a piece of wood and mosaic tiles to glue onto it, with very little direction or instruction, and were left to our own devices. This would be great for kids.
The showroom itself was beautiful and had some incredible pieces, though be prepared: authentic, high-end Murano glass is definitely not for the faint of heart when it comes to price.
Ultimately, we ended up leaving a little early and getting a spritz. Not a bad experience, but I’d recommend going in expecting transportation, a glassblowing demonstration, some time in the showroom, and a simple craft activity rather than an educational or hands-on Murano glass workshop.
Maria_B, Jul 2026
This was a fun and fascinating way to see the craft of glass blowing. Beautiful art! Included the boat trip through the canals
Farelle_F, Jul 2026
we never got to go because the tour guide did not show up. do not book this tour with this company. I’m asking for a refund when we called the tour guide from the phone number available. He said we canceled. He made up a lie and said we canceled from the number that we called him from which nobody has been called out of the phone that we called him from today.
Laura_C, Jul 2026
I would absolutely recommend this tour! We are a family of 7 with kids ages 8-16. It was great for the adults and kids. The meeting place was easy to find. We enjoyed the private taxi over. We got to watch the glass masters make a glass and horse. The guides were great with my family and showing us things along the way. Then we got to do the workshop and make a piece of jewelry or mosaic. We never felt rushed on the tour. Going through the shop afterwards felt like a beautiful museum of art. We were not pressured to buy anything. We had some time left over to walk around and we grabbed a snack before heading back on a private boat taxi. Great experience! Great activity to do in Venice that helps you appreciate some of the unique qualities here.
Roxanne_L, Jul 2026
Excellent tour showing how glass is blown and made. We took the entire family. The kids (17,14 and 3) especially enjoyed watching the creation of the horse and had fun with the mosaics and bead bracelets. Would definitely do this again.
Megan_D, Jul 2026
Absolutely beautiful spot. The craftsman is incredible and was so fun to see in action. The taxi ride over was worth it too!
Craig_M, Jun 2026
The water taxi was convenient and the glass blowing demonstration was amazing. This tour was unlike anything we’ve done before.
Tami_L, Jun 2026
Our guide met us in the square. It ended up being just us (2 adults and 4 kids).
Giavanni (guide) explained how everything would go and some history along the way to the island.
The tour was perfect. Long enough to see a vase and horse being made. Then we got to make a mosaic or jewelry keepsake to take with us.
We went through all the galleries of gift shops. We even had some time to walk the island, grab a lemonade for the kids and cappuccino for us before the water taxi took us back to San Marco square.
10/10 recommend! We felt the value for the price was amazing!
Stephanie_R, Jun 2026
We loved this tour/activity so much!! From the second we were greeted by our guide to the private water taxi to the warmth and kindness from the glass makers, it was a 10/10 every step of the way. Everyone in our family said this was the best part of the trip! Highly recommend!
Leslie_T, Jun 2026
This is a great activity for kids of all ages. We didn’t get much history about the glass making and the taxi ride back dropped us off at a different location. Otherwise it was really interesting and we enjoyed the glass museum and looking at all of the different designs of glass.
Kylee_B, May 2026
Such a fun tour we loved getting to watch the process in person of glass blowing and the island in general was beautiful!
Natalie_M, May 2026
Wonderful experience without spending too much. Well looked after and your guides were amazing. Highly recommend!
Stephanie_C, May 2026
Easy to find meeting location. Giovanni was courteous and messaged me on What’s App the morning of, which was appreciated. My family and I enjoyed the demonstration, and the workshop. I made myself some earrings. After some shopping we had some free time before returning to the main land. It’s great, short trip to see what Murano is known for. And on the way back it was so clear we could see the Swiss Alps.
Gayla_H, May 2026
Very disappointing.. Demo was less than 15 minutes, and your own glass making was a small cardboard square that you glued on broken glass or made a child’s bead bracelet. Sales pressure was strong and gallery was disarrayed.
Mike_J, May 2026
The hug e glass blowing was very interesting - our guide provided some good detail, explanations - the craftsmen were amazing
Chris_W, May 2026
Hosts were knowledgeable and friendly. There is ample opportunity to see finished works and shopping.
Myriam_N, May 2026
It was overrated. Watching the maestro blow glass and make an animal was beyond amazing. However it costs 10 eu. At the door. The rest was for the trip (Vapporettos cost 17eu, both ways) and the workshop activity was below par. Maybe you would get a 15-29 eu earring out of it.
Joan_L, Apr 2026
Your tour guide is really just an escort from the boat to the factory. The glasswork is beautiful we watched them make vases and horses. Prices were high. This tour length could be cut down dramatically. Also we didn’t get dropped off at same place we started.
Mike_T, Apr 2026
OVER PRICED
SUPER SHORT
Spent the majority of the tour in a craft class. Class meaning here is some broken pieces of glass to make a mosaic. Have fun.
Might have been fun for a 6 year old.
Then the glass master demonstration seemed to only last about 15 minutes? Which was very fun and exciting to watch.
You might be better off getting to the island on your own, booking a glass shop tour/demo on your own. And having more time and freedom.
This one went direct to the factory tour, did the craft, watched the demonstration, and then pushes you through their showroom of items for sale.
Unless you're in the market for a €20.000 murano fish tank, this might not be the best one to go to. Then directly back to the main island. Zero time to explore anything else. So we opted to skip the taxi ride back (that was part of the over priced paid), walk around on or own, then took the City boat line back.
Yes, fascinating works of art.
Yes, pretentious sales person.
Yes, awesome tour guide.
Yes, direct taxi booked roundtrip by tour guide.
Felt like I should buy something just to support the art. And after we walked around on or own after the tour, we found plenty of other places that were selling nice pieces for a fraction of the price.
LOOK ELSEWHERE
Or maybe try the earlier time slot. I think everyone was ready to go home.
Giovanna_C, Mar 2026
We took a boat ride to the island where the glass factory is located. Then we watched the artisans make a pitcher out of glass. It was very informative. Afterwards, we made jewelry and got to browse the glass showrooms.
Pablo_M, Jan 2026
Activity is too fast and mostly focused on shopping. They show 15 min of how they work with the glass, then they put you to build a bracelet and then give you over an hour to shop in their store
Danielle_M, Nov 2025
A great way to see the glass making by a master glass blower. It was a small group and very informative. We had a chance to ask questions and watch a couple of demonstrations. We then toured the glass gallery and had an opportunity to visit the shop if we wanted. The water taxi trip ver and back was great and we also had time to walk around the island and explore before heading back.
William_H, Oct 2025
Tremendous experience watching and learning about Murano Glass Blowing. Had a terrific time watching the team effort.
Terri_B, Oct 2025
We were an hour late so perhaps our experience was not as it should have been. We were taken to a classroom and given 3 options of things to make. We selected bracelet and were given instruction. The bracelets are not made to last, they are on white twine, and in fact both broke within 2 days. We had an amazing glass blowing demonstration. We then walked through a retail area with medium prices. Wish we had been on time to know what the true experience would have been, we wanted to learn and do glass blowing which did not happen.
Baiju_V, Oct 2025
The glass making experience is amazing but it feels like a sales pitch throughout the excursion for something that we pay to go to.
Katie_R, Oct 2025
The excursion was not worth the money we paid. The glass demonstration while impressive lasted no longer than 5 minutes. The workshop was an activity you would do at kindergarten. The majority of the experience was spent having salespeople trying to sell you overpriced trinkets. We were finished an hour earlier than advertised. Would not recommend
Catriona_C, Oct 2025
Very talented glass artists during demonstration. The workshop was a lot of fun with Julie and so nice to take home self-made mosaic/jewellery. The show rooms afterwards were exceptional.
Radhika_A, Aug 2025
Enjoyed seeing the master at work, but it was very quick. A little disappointed with the craft activities. It wasn't that unique. I felt that more time was spent in the showroom encouraging us to buy the work.
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