Board a comfortable boat from San Marco, watch a live glassblowing demonstration, and wander the rainbow streets of Burano with an expert local guide by your side.
Featured Tour
The Venice Islands: Murano Glass & Burano Colors-Guided Visit takes you on an unforgettable journey across the Venetian lagoon. Starting at the iconic San Marco area, you'll board a comfortable boat and sail toward two of Venice's most celebrated islands. An expert local guide leads every step, sharing stories, history, and insider knowledge that bring each destination to life in vivid detail.






About This Experience
Few experiences in Italy rival sailing across the Venetian lagoon to reach Murano and Burano. This guided visit begins at the heart of Venice — the San Marco area — where you board a comfortable boat and leave the city's busy calli behind. As the skyline fades, anticipation builds for the artistic and cultural wonders waiting just across the shimmering water.
On Murano, your guide leads you into a historic glass furnace where master craftsmen have practiced their art for centuries. You'll watch in amazement as molten glass is transformed into delicate sculptures before your eyes. After the demonstration, wander the island's charming streets and browse artisanal shops where genuine Murano glass pieces — from jewelry to chandeliers — are lovingly displayed and available to take home.
Burano greets you with an explosion of color. Every house facade is painted a different vivid hue, creating one of the most photogenic streetscapes in all of Europe. Your guide explains the island's fascinating history and the origins of its legendary lace-making tradition. Whether you're snapping photos, sampling local snacks, or simply soaking in the cheerful atmosphere, Burano delivers pure joy at every turn.
Travel Guide
Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Comfort is key on this island-hopping adventure. The tour involves walking along cobblestone streets and boarding a boat, so choose footwear accordingly. Lightweight, supportive shoes are your best friend here. You'll spend time both indoors at the glassblowing furnace and outdoors exploring the islands, so dressing in breathable, layered clothing ensures you stay comfortable regardless of the weather.
Burano's colorful streets are incredibly photogenic, so make sure your camera or smartphone is fully charged before departure. A small day bag is ideal for carrying your essentials without weighing you down. If you plan to purchase Murano glass souvenirs — which is highly recommended — consider bringing a soft pouch or a little extra padding in your bag to protect delicate items on the journey home.
Your adventure begins at the designated San Marco meeting point, where you'll join your group and meet your expert local guide. After a brief introduction, everyone boards a comfortable boat for a scenic ride across the Venetian lagoon. The journey itself is a pleasure — you'll enjoy open-water views of Venice's iconic skyline receding in the distance as you head toward Murano.
Once on Murano, the highlight is the live glassblowing demonstration, where a skilled artisan turns raw molten glass into a beautiful object right in front of your eyes. Your guide narrates the process, explaining the centuries-long history of the craft. After free time to explore Murano's shops, you sail onward to Burano, where the guide shares stories about the island's lace-making heritage and its distinctive painted houses.
Arrive at the San Marco meeting point at least 10 minutes early to avoid missing the group departure. Boat schedules depend on lagoon conditions, and punctuality ensures the experience runs smoothly for everyone. The tour operates in most weather conditions, but Venice can be breezy on the water even in summer, so a light windproof layer is worth packing regardless of the season.
Photography is warmly welcomed throughout the tour, including during the glassblowing demonstration — just respect the artisans' workspace by staying behind any safety markers. Shopping at Murano's glass studios and Burano's lace boutiques is entirely optional and at your own pace during free time. Be aware that genuine Murano glass carries an official certification mark, so look for it when making purchases to ensure authenticity.
Traveler Reviews
See why travelers rave about this murano and burano tour through Venice's most colorful islands.
"This was hands down the highlight of our entire Venice trip. Our guide brought us straight to a working glass furnace on Murano where we watched a master craftsman shape molten glass into a stunning horse in under two minutes — absolutely mesmerizing. Burano's candy-colored streets were even more vibrant in person than in any photo, and our guide shared the history behind why each house is painted a different color. The small group size meant we never felt rushed or lost in a crowd."
"I had tried to visit these islands independently on a previous trip and honestly found it overwhelming without context. This guided experience completely changed how I understood both places — the glassblowing demonstration was genuine and not at all touristy, and our guide clearly had deep personal connections to the artisans. Burano's lace-making tradition was explained so vividly that I actually bought a small piece as a meaningful souvenir rather than just a trinket. Highly recommend booking this over any self-guided visit."
"Overall a really enjoyable excursion that gave us a proper introduction to both islands. The glassblowing demonstration at the furnace was impressive and the guide's commentary on Burano's fishing heritage added so much texture to the walk. I'm giving four stars only because the ferry ride over was a touch long on a hot day, but that's entirely outside the tour's control. Everything organized by the tour itself was smooth and well-paced."
"We booked this as part of a family trip with two teenagers who are usually hard to impress, and they were completely captivated by the glassblowing. Watching a chandelier component take shape in real time in front of us was something none of us will forget. The transition to Burano felt perfectly timed — just enough space to explore, photograph the famous colored houses, and grab a slice of bussolà cake before heading back. Our guide Elena was warm, knowledgeable, and wonderfully entertaining throughout."
FAQ
Everything you need to know before setting sail on this island-hopping adventure.
Ready to discover the magic of Venice's legendary islands with the Venice Islands: Murano Glass & Burano Colors-Guided Visit?
Reserve Your SpotWith a 4.7-star rating earned from over 1,362 travelers, this is one of Venice's most trusted and beloved guided excursions. The combination of expert local knowledge, intimate group sizes, and genuine cultural immersion — from the heat of a Murano furnace to the pastel joy of Burano's streets — makes it an essential addition to any Venice itinerary.