Things to do in Venice Italy: Murano and Burano
- May 5
- 7 min read
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Taking a day trip to the Islands of Murano and Burano is one of our favorite things to do in Venice Italy. Murano is known for its glassmaking tradition; Burano for its lovely hand-crafted laces. From Venice, it is a short vaporetto ride across the lagoon to the car-free streets and colorful piazzas of Murano and Burano.
Though the islands get crowded at mid-day, Murano and Burano have a village-like feel. A day trip to the islands allows you to enjoy all the beauty of Venice at a more intimate pace. In Murano, you can attend a glassblowing demonstration and workshop. In Burano, shop for lace products and visit fishing piers.
After the hustle and bustle of touring Venice’s museums and palaces, the islands are a great place to slow your tempo. Find each other getting lost in the winding ribbons of rainbow houses. Drop in at neighborhood churches and enjoy Italian-island cuisine. Read on, for our ideas about things to do in Murano and Burano Italy.
VENICE ITALY TOURS & ATTRACTIONS
WHERE ARE THE VENETIAN ISLANDS
Murano and Burano are part of the Venetian Islands. Located in the Venetian Lagoon, they are frazioni (villages) of Venice Italy.
Murano Island consists of 7 islets; Burano is made up of four. The tiny land masses are connected by a series of bridges spanning canals. Both communities are full pedestrianized. Travel is by foot or boat along the canals. Most people will travel to the islands by vaporetto (water bus), water taxi, or on a private tour.
By Vaporetto: Take Line 12 from Fondamente Nove; 10 minute ride to Murano; 40-45 minute ride to Burano.
By water taxi: Venice, Murano, and Burano Water Taxi Tour
MURANO AND BURANO TOURS
Bundled tours that include Murano and Burano (and sometimes Torcello) are very popular day trips from Venice. Both islands are small and you can see a lot in 5-6 hours. Boat transport, a narrated cruise, and a glass factory demonstration are often built into these excursions.
Here are some well-reviewed Murano and Burano tours:
WHERE TO STAY IN THE VENETIAN ISLANDS
The islands of Murano and Burano are primarily residential. Although the islands get crowded during the day; other than an evening walk, there is little to do after dinner on either island. Plan an overnight on Murano or Burano if you enjoy the allure of a quiet fishing village. Otherwise, book accommodations in Venice.
Consider one of these well-reviewed hotels:
Hyatt Centric Murano Venice - 4-star hotel in a former glass factory
Casa Burano: Charming guest house in Burano
Hotel Marconi: Value hotel near Rialto Bridge. (Venice)
Hotel Locanda Vivaldi: Boutique hotel overlooking Riva degli Schiavoni (Venice)
VENICE ITALY WEATHER & BEST TIME TO VISIT
Murano and Burano Italy are located on the Adriatic Sea (part of the Mediterranean Basin). The climate is hot in the summer (high 80’s F in July) and cool in the winter (high 40’s F in January). It is humid and rainy throughout the year.
The best time to visit Murano and Burano is during the spring/early summer (April, May, June), or early autumn (September) when the weather is not too hot or humid. At this time of year, most everything is open, crowds are not at peak, and there is less chance of flooding and fog.
MAP OF MURANO ITALY
MAP OF BURANO ITALY
THINGS TO DO IN VENICE ITALY: EXPLORING MURANO AND BURANO
Things to Do in Murano Italy
Immerse in Murano’s Glassmaking Tradition
The glassblowing industry was relocated from Venice to Murano Italy in the 13th century in order to preserve trade secrets and decrease the risk of fire in the city. Since that time, glassmakers have passed the art form down from one generation to the next. Today, glassblowing is a major economic driver on the island.
While in Murano, attend a glassblowing demonstration on a factory floor. Shop for treasures (vases, chandeliers, jewelry, and dishes) in opulent showrooms, and learn about the history of glassmaking at the Murano Glass Museum (Museo del Vetro). Or, reserve a spot at a glassblowing workshop, and create your own masterpiece.
Tip: When shopping for glass; look for a "Vetro Artistico Murano" sticker of authenticity.
Try one of these workshops or tours:
Explore Fondamenta Dei Vetrai
On Murano Island, Fondamenta dei Vetrai is known as the “Street of the Glass Masters.” The promenade runs along the village’s main canal. It is lined by multi-colored villas that house stores and businesses.
Here, you will find many art galleries and the glass factory showrooms. The boulevard is also packed with fun boutiques, bakeries, and restaurants. Stroll Forndamenta dei Vetrai for a taste of everything that Murano Italy has to offer.
Visit Murano’s Historic Churches
The churches in Murano Italy are simpler than those found in Venice, but no less beautiful. There are three Byzantine-Romanesque churches on the island to visit.
At the Basilica Dei Santi Maria e Donato look for its 12th century mosaic pavement and bone relics behind the alter (said to belong to a slain dragon). At the Church of Santa Maria Degli see a large crucifix and fine glass chandelier. At the Church of San Pietro Martire there are paintings by Bellini and Veronese to admire.
Discover Murano’s Courtyards, Canals, and Bridges
As a walking village consisting of 7 islets, it is impossible to see Murano without crisscrossing its many bridges. Some of Murano’s best views are experienced atop these passages. See the Murano Clock Tower, Faro Lighthouse, and other island landmarks from this vantage.
As you tour, veer off of the main walkways. Just a block back, the crowds thin. Observe boats parallel parked along the canals in front of houses. Discover tucked-away courtyards and covered alleys (“soto portegas”) with quieter shops (and sometimes better prices).
THINGS TO DO IN VENICE ITALY
Things to Do in Burano Italy
Stroll Burano’s Colorful Streets
Burano Italy, where every house is painted brightly, is known as one of the most colorful towns in the world. The rainbow streets are said to have originated as a way for wives to lead their fishermen husbands’ home through the fog.
In the present day, property owners must choose their villa’s tint from an approved palette of colors. We think that walking Burano’s narrow streets, and observing all the shades of island life – houses, boats, awnings, umbrellas, laundry drying, and curtained doorways – is the best way to spend your time this charming maritime village.
Discover Burano’s Lace Making Tradition
Another of Burano’s traditions, the industry of lacemaking, traces back to its nautical roots. The art form developed on the island as an offshoot of repairing fishing nets. During the 16th and 18th centuries lacemaking became a major industry with a number of lacemaking factories and schools on the island.
Today, visitors will find many shops selling lace items (some with village women stitching in a corner). You can learn about the history of Burano lace at the Lace Museum (Museo del Merletti di Burano).
TIP: When lace shopping look for a seal of authenticity.
See the Leaning Tower of Burano and Piazza Galuppi
Piazza Galuppi is the main square on Burano Island. The busy piazza is lined with shops and eateries; and often hosts musicians and street performers. You will find the Lace Museum here as well as the 16th century Church of San Martino.
Inside the church, view paintings by the Italian artists Tiepolo and Tintoretto. Outside of the church, get a few photographs of the church’s campanile (bell tower). Built on swampy ground, the bell tower tilts (like the Leaning Tower of Pisa).
DAY TRIPS FROM VENICE
Watch the Fishermen at the San Marco Cooperative
Don’t leave Burano with taking a walk along Fondmenta Cao di Rio a Destra. Follow it to the outer edges of the island where you will find the San Marco Cooperative (San Marco Pescatori di Burano). The piers around the fishermen’s association are a great place to watch boats unload their catch and prepare for the next day.
Things to Do in Murano and Burano Italy
Enjoy the Italian Island Cuisine
The Islands of Murano and Burano are sprinkled with eateries. Discover wine and coffee bars, gelaterias, bakeries, and specialty food stores (chocolate, olive oil, and vinegars). In most establishments, the seafood is fresh and the al fresco dining is plentiful. Request the “menu del Giorno” (daily special) for the best value and freshest ingredients.
Shop for Treasures to Take Home
Consider saving some of you souvenir dollars for the Islands of Murano and Burano. Invest in a piece of authentic Murano Glass or some handmade Burano Lace (both pricey – but worth it!). Or, shop the souvenir kiosks on the main piazzas (Campo Santo Stefano or Piazza Galuppi) for inexpensive tee shirts, mugs, tablecloths, masks, and other baubles.
BEST MURANO AND BURANO PHOTO SPOTS
Murano Phots Spots
Campo Santo Stefano
Blue Comet Glass Star by Simone Cenedese.(in Campo Santo Stefano)
Faro Lighthouse
Murano Clocktower (Torre Dell’orologio).
Palazzo da Mula
Burano Photo Spots
Bepi’s House (Casa Bepi)
Leaning Tower of Burano
Tre Ponti (Three Bridges)
Ponte dell’Amore (Love Viewing Bridge)
Via Baldassare Galuppi
We hope you enjoy this amazing day trip from Venice, Laura and Randy
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