Murano and Burano: The Perfect Day Trip From Venice (2026 Guide)

Last updated: 11 October 2026

The pretty little islands of Murano and Burano sit in the Venetian Lagoon, just a short vaporetto ride from the city. Murano is famous for its glass, and Burano for lace and the brightly coloured houses that line its canals. Together they make the perfect day trip from Venice, and I’d even argue the food is better out here too.

Both islands are far more laid back than Venice itself, with canalside cafes, glass workshops and some of the most photogenic streets in Italy. Here’s everything you need to plan your own day, plus my photo diary for a bit of colourful inspiration.

Murano and Burano at a glance

• Can you do both in one day? Yes, easily. Line 12 links them, and the whole trip works well in 5–7 hours from Venice.
• How long do you need? Allow around 2 hours on Murano and 3 hours on Burano, including lunch.
• Short on time? Pick Burano for the colours and photos, or Murano if you’re more interested in glassmaking.
• Best ticket: a 24-hour vaporetto pass (€25) works out cheaper than single tickets.
• Venice access fee: the islands are exempt, so this is a great way to spend a fee day out of the centre.

If you’d like a more detailed guide to the city itself, check out my guide to spending a weekend in Venice.

How to get to Murano and Burano

The easiest way to reach both islands is by vaporetto (Venice’s public water bus) from Fondamente Nove, on the northern edge of the city. It’s about a 15-minute walk from Rialto, or about 20 minutes from Piazza San Marco.

Route	Line	Journey time
Fondamente Nove → Murano (Colonna)	4.1 or 4.2	About 10 minutes
Fondamente Nove → Murano (Faro)	12	About 9 minutes
Murano (Faro) → Burano	12	About 30–35 minutes
Fondamente Nove → Burano (direct)	12	About 40–45 minutes
Train station / Piazzale Roma → Murano	3 or 4.2	Around 25–30 minutes
San Zaccaria → Murano	4.1 or 4.2	Longer loop around the city; handy if you’re staying near San Marco

Top tip: stay on Line 12 the whole way. Hop off at Murano Faro, explore, then catch the same line on to Burano.

Vaporetto tickets

• Single ticket: €9.50, valid for 75 minutes including changes.
• 24-hour pass: €25. Doing Murano and Burano and getting back takes at least three single tickets (€28.50), so the day pass is better value.
• 48-hour pass: €35, worth it if you’re in Venice for the weekend.

Buy tickets at the booths and machines at the main stops, or on the AVM Venezia app. Always validate your ticket at the reader before you board, as inspectors are common on the island routes. Timetables change seasonally, so check the ACTV website before you go.

A perfect day trip itinerary

1. 9:00am – Catch Line 12 from Fondamente Nove to Murano Faro. Get there early to beat the tour groups.
2. 9:15am – Wander Murano’s canals, watch a glassblowing demonstration and visit the Museo del Vetro.
3. 11:30am – Back on Line 12 to Burano.
4. 12:15pm – Lunch on Burano (seafood risotto is the thing to order).
5. 1:30pm – Explore Burano’s colourful streets and the Lace Museum.
6. 3:30pm – Optional: hop over to Torcello, just a few minutes away.
7. 5:00pm onwards – Line 12 back to Fondamente Nove, ideally as the light turns golden over the lagoon.

If you’d rather end with Burano’s sunset colours, simply do the trip in reverse and take Line 12 to Burano first.

Exploring Murano

Murano has been famous for glass for centuries. Its skilled craftsmen create beautiful vases, chandeliers and jewellery through glassblowing, much of which is exported around the world. It’s a calmer, more local-feeling island than Venice, with romantic canalside cafes and gorgeous glass shops.

Watch a glassblowing demonstration

Several furnaces around the island open their doors for short demonstrations, where you can watch a master turn molten glass into a horse or vase in minutes. We stopped by the Mezzega Glass Factory for a fascinating demonstration.

Visit the Museo del Vetro

If you’re interested in the history of glassmaking, the Museo del Vetro (Glass Museum) is a must. It’s housed in the former palace of the bishops of Torcello and holds the world’s largest historical collection of Murano glass, with pieces from the 15th to the 20th century.

• Tickets: €15 full price, €7.50 reduced, with the audioguide included.
• Combo ticket: €20 covers the Glass Museum, Burano’s Lace Museum and the Torcello Museum, and is valid for three months.

See the Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato

Just round the corner from the museum, this 12th-century church has a stunning mosaic floor. It’s free, peaceful and often overlooked by those visiting Murano for the day.

How to buy authentic Murano glass

Not all the glass sold on Murano (or in Venice) is made here, and cheap imports are common. Look for the official Vetro Artistico® Murano trademark sticker, buy direct from a furnace showroom, and be wary of anything that looks too cheap. Most reputable shops can ship larger pieces home for you.

Exploring Burano

Burano is the island everyone falls for. Its fishermen’s cottages are painted in every colour imaginable, from candy pink to bright turquoise, and every corner feels like a postcard. Local legend says the colours helped fishermen find their way home through the lagoon fog, and residents still need permission before repainting.

Wander the colourful streets

The best way to see Burano is simply to wander and get lost. Step away from the main street, Via Baldassarre Galuppi, and you’ll find quieter canals with washing strung between the houses. Go early or late in the day for softer light and fewer crowds.

Learn about Burano lace

Lacemaking has been at the heart of Burano for centuries. The real handmade lace is beautiful but very expensive, as a single piece can take weeks to make. Most of the lace in the souvenir shops is machine-made, which keeps it far more affordable, so ask before you buy if authenticity matters to you.

To see the real thing, visit the Museo del Merletto (Lace Museum) on Piazza Galuppi. It’s included in the €20 islands combo ticket.

Spot the leaning bell tower

The campanile of San Martino church leans noticeably to one side, and it’s one of Burano’s quirkiest sights. Look out for it above the rooftops as you wander.

Cross to Mazzorbo

A wooden footbridge links Burano to its quieter neighbour, Mazzorbo, which has a walled vineyard and lovely lagoon views. It’s a peaceful escape when Burano gets busy.

Got extra time? Add Torcello

If you have a spare hour or two, Torcello is just a short hop from Burano on Line 12. It was once home to thousands of people but is now one of the quietest islands in the lagoon, with only a handful of residents.

The highlight is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, founded in the 7th century and filled with glittering Byzantine mosaics, including a huge Last Judgement. Nearby you’ll find the stone seat known as Attila’s Throne and the parapet-free Devil’s Bridge. The Torcello Museum is included in the €20 islands combo ticket.

Where to eat on Murano and Burano

I genuinely think the food is better on the islands than in central Venice, and it’s often better value too. Main courses are around €10–15 rather than the steeper prices in Venice. Burano is the place for seafood, so it’s the ideal lunch stop.

• What to order: Burano’s signature risotto di gò, made with goby fish from the lagoon, plus fresh fritto misto.
• Sweet treat: pick up some bussolà or esse biscuits, Burano’s traditional butter biscuits, from a local bakery.
• Where I ate: In Burano, we ate at Trattoria Cafe Vecio on Via Baldassarre Galuppi. Absolutely delicious meal, although I didn’t opt for the risotto and instead had the Spaghetti al Pomodoro.

Restaurants on the main streets fill up quickly at lunchtime in summer, so book ahead or eat a little earlier than the crowds.

Should you book a tour or go it alone?

Visiting Murano and Burano independently is easy and cheap with a vaporetto day pass, and you can go at your own pace. A guided boat tour is worth it if you’d rather not navigate the timetables, want a glassblowing demonstration included, or are short on time.

If that sounds like you, this half-day Murano and Burano boat tour covers both islands with transport sorted (from £25 per person).

Or you can go with a private transfer and a guide to both islands for a little more (£42 per person).

Tips for visiting Murano and Burano

• Go early. Tour groups arrive mid-morning, so the first couple of hours are much quieter.
• Know about the Venice access fee. On peak days in spring and summer, day-trippers pay a fee to enter Venice’s historic centre. Murano, Burano and Torcello are exempt, though you’ll still need to register if you pass through the centre on a fee day. Check the official access fee website for current dates.
• Validate your ticket. Inspectors regularly check the island routes, and fines for unvalidated tickets are steep.
• Check the last boats. Line 12 runs late, but services thin out in the evening and change by season.
• Bring cash. Some smaller bakeries and cafes prefer it.
• Wear comfy shoes. You’ll be on your feet all day, and there are lots of bridges.

Murano and Burano FAQs

Where to stay in Venice

For your base in Venice, I’d suggest considering the following areas:

• San Marco: right by the main sights. Convenient for a short trip, but the busiest and priciest area.
• Dorsoduro: artsy and a little calmer, close to the galleries and the Zattere.
• Cannaregio: more local, with great cicchetti bars and easy access from the train station.
• Castello: quieter backstreets, just a short walk east of San Marco.

Some of the best luxury hotels in Venice are:

• Hotel Danieli, A Four Seasons Hotel (double rooms from £1,100 per night)
• The Gritti Palace (double rooms from £889 per night)
• Baglioni Hotel (double rooms from £521 per night)
• Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace (double rooms from £274 per night)

For a few more affordable suggestions, I’ve popped a couple here:

• Palazzo Veneziano (double rooms from £224 per night)
• Palazzetto Pisani (double rooms from £133 per night)
• NH Collection Venezia Palazzo Barocci (double rooms from £190 per night)

Murano and Burano as a Day Trip from Venice

So there you have it, my guide to spending a day on Murano and Burano. Short and sweet, these two little islands are the perfect escape from the crowds of central Venice, with colourful streets, centuries-old crafts and some of the best food in the lagoon.

Make sure to check out my other Italy guides here:

• Verona Travel Guide: Best Things to Do in Verona, Italy
• Weekend in Venice: How to Plan the Perfect Weekend
• Ravenna Travel Guide: Best Things to Do in Ravenna, Italy
• Day Trips from Bologna: 8 of the Best Places to Visit near Bologna, Italy

Disclaimer: This visit to Murano and Burano was entirely paid for by myself. There was no involvement from the tourism board or a hotel. This is an independent guide.

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