6 Best Murano and Burano Tours from Venice (by an Italian)

Taking one of the many Murano and Burano tours from Venice is an easy way to see two of the most beautiful islands in the lagoon. Murano is famous for its glassblowing tradition, while Burano is known for its colorful houses, lace-making history, and delicious local biscuits.

I’ve been to Venice many times, and Burano is still my favorite island in the lagoon. It’s tiny, colorful, easy to wander, and probably one of the prettiest places in Northern Italy.

If you’re still planning your time in the city, start with my guide to the best things to do in Venice, then use this post to choose the right Murano and Burano tour for your day on the lagoon.

To help you choose, I’ve rounded up the best Murano and Burano tours from Venice, including classic small-group boat tours, private experiences, local-style vaporetto tours, and one full-day Venice tour that includes the islands too.

➥ Why trust me? I’m Italian, born and raised in Bologna, and I’ve spent the last 10+ years helping millions of travelers plan trips around Italy. I’ve visited Venice several times, so I know what makes a Murano and Burano tour worth booking: good logistics, enough time on the islands, and the right balance between guided context and free time.

For this post, I’m recommending tours from Viator and Walks. I like using both for their flexible cancellation policies. Most tours can be canceled up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Best Murano and Burano Tours: Quick Picks

Short on time? These are the Murano and Burano tours I recommend most:

OUR PICK: Best Murano and Burano Tour

Duration: 5 hours
Type: Small-group guided boat tour
Best for: First-time visitors who want the best balance of Murano, Burano, guide time, and free time

This Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat is my top pick because it does the classic island route very well. You get a proper guide, private boat transfers for the group, and enough time to actually enjoy both islands.

You’ll meet near San Marco and board a private boat with a small group, capped at 22 people. From there, you’ll cross the Venetian Lagoon toward Murano, with your guide giving context about the islands and Venice’s long history on the water.

In Murano, the focus is glassblowing. You’ll visit a glass workshop, watch a live demonstration, and learn why this island became so important for Venetian glass. You’ll then have free time to browse the showroom, and to explore more of the island.

Then you’ll continue to Burano, my favorite island in the lagoon. This is where the tour slows down a bit. You’ll learn about the lace-making tradition by attending a lacemaking demonstration, see the colorful canals and houses, and have time to wander on your own.

I’d use that free time for photos, a short walk away from the main canal, and maybe some bussolà cookies for the boat ride back.

The only small caveat is that the lace-making demonstration is not always available on Monday tours. Still, this remains the most balanced choice for most travelers, especially if it’s your first time visiting Murano and Burano.

Why this is the best tour

This tour has the best mix of everything I’d want in a Murano and Burano day trip: a knowledgeable guide, private boat transfers, a small-group format, glassblowing in Murano, lace in Burano, and free time to explore. It feels organized without being too rigid, which matters a lot on these islands.

Read what the reviews say:

“ Our guide, Mura, was delightful and enthusiastic. She made the trip to Murano and Burano so much fun! Her history was every bit interesting and not dry. Lots of fun facts. Both islands were special, each in its own way. Loved the glass blowing exhibition on Murano and the colorful houses of Burano. Perfect day! Highly recommend.”

Linda_L – Read more reviews

This tour includes: Private boat transfers, an expert guide, headset when needed, a glassblowing demonstration in Murano, and a lacemaking demonstration in Burano when available. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Best Premium Murano and Burano Tour with Wine

Duration: 4.3 hours
Type: Premium small-group boat tour
Best for: Travelers who want Murano, Burano, and something more special than the usual island tour

This Premium Lagoon: Murano Glass, Burano & Sant’Erasmo Winery is the most distinctive tour in this list. It still covers Murano and Burano, but it also includes a stop on Sant’Erasmo, the quiet agricultural island often called Venice’s garden.

You’ll start in central Venice and board a private boat with a small group of up to 20 people. As you travel through the lagoon, your guide points out Venice’s famous landmarks from the water, including St. Mark’s Square, Doge’s Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs.

The first main stop is Murano, where you’ll visit a glass factory for a private glassblowing demonstration. After the demo, you’ll have some free time to explore the island before continuing to Burano.

In Burano, your guide leads you through the colorful streets, passing places like the old fish market and the main church area. You’ll also have free time to visit a lace shop, take photos, or simply wander. Burano is tiny, but it’s one of those places where a little aimless wandering is the whole point.

The final stop is Sant’Erasmo, where you’ll visit a local vineyard and enjoy a glass of wine. Choose this if you want a more memorable lagoon experience. Skip it if your main goal is spending the longest possible time in Burano or visiting Torcello.

Pros

• More unique than a standard two-island tour
• Small group of up to 20 people
• Private roundtrip boat transfer

Cons

• Does not include Torcello
• Pricier than basic shared boat tours

This tour includes: Private roundtrip boat transfer, a local English-speaking guide, a private Murano glassblowing demonstration, a guided walking tour, a Sant’Erasmo vineyard visit, and a glass of wine. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Best Local-Style Murano, Burano and Torcello Tour

Duration: 5.5 hours
Type: Guided tour by public vaporetto
Best for: Travelers who want to visit the islands the local way, but with a guide for context

This Gems of the Lagoon: Torcello, Burano & Murano with a Real Local is a very different option from the polished private-boat tours. Instead of traveling on a private boat, you’ll use the public vaporetto, Venice’s water bus, with a licensed tour leader.

This makes it a good fit if you like doing things in a more local way, but still want someone to explain the islands and handle the route. It’s especially useful if you want to include Torcello, which is quieter and more historical than Murano and Burano.

From Venice, you’ll travel by vaporetto to Torcello, where you can see one of the oldest areas of settlement in the Venetian lagoon and visit the archaeological area.

After Torcello, you’ll continue to Burano, where the focus is colorful streets, lace tradition, and local life away from central Venice. The last stop is Murano, where you’ll visit a glass factory and gallery.

The major caveat: the 24-hour vaporetto ticket is not included, and it costs extra. This is not the smoothest tour in the list, and public transport can be crowded. But if you want a more local-style experience with a guide, this is the one I’d choose.

Pros

• Uses the public vaporetto, so it feels more local
• Includes Murano, Burano, and Torcello
• Small group of up to 15 travelers

Cons

• The 24-hour vaporetto ticket is not included
• Public transport can be crowded
• Not ideal if you want a very comfortable or luxury experience

This tour includes: A licensed tour leader, Torcello archaeological area admission, Murano glass factory entrance, and a Burano lace industry visit. The vaporetto ticket is not included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Private Murano and Burano Tours

Best Luxury Private Tour to Murano and Burano

Duration: 4 hours
Type: Private boat tour
Best for: Couples, families, and travelers who want the easiest private experience

This Luxury Tour of Murano & Burano by Private Boat and Guide is the best private option if you want Murano and Burano without the stress of shared group logistics. You’ll have a private guide and private boat just for your group, which makes the whole thing smoother.

The tour includes hotel pickup, so it’s a good choice if you want the easiest possible start. You’ll travel by private boat through the lagoon, with the itinerary focused on the two most famous islands rather than trying to squeeze in Torcello too.

In Burano, you’ll see the colorful streets, visit a lace workshop, and taste traditional Burano cookies. In Murano, you’ll visit a glass factory and watch a private glassblowing demonstration.

This is the tour I’d recommend for travelers who want comfort and privacy, but don’t need to check every lagoon island off the list.

Pros

• Private boat and private guide
• Hotel pickup offered

Cons

• More expensive than group tours
• Does not include Torcello

This tour includes: Private transportation, a private guide, a private glass factory visit with glassblowing show, a Burano lace-making demonstration, and traditional Burano cookies. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Best Private Tour to Murano, Burano and Torcello

Duration: 4 hours
Type: Private motorboat tour
Best for: Travelers who want to see all three classic lagoon islands by private boat

This Private Excursion by Typical Venetian Motorboat to Murano, Burano and Torcello is the private tour to choose if you specifically want to add Torcello to your day.

You’ll be picked up at your hotel and travel by private water taxi or Venetian motorboat with a local guide. The route includes Torcello, Murano, and Burano, with stops for the main traditions and highlights of each island.

In Murano, you’ll visit a glassworks and see glassblowing in action. The itinerary can also include the Duomo di Murano, known for its long history and beautiful architecture. In Burano, you’ll have time to see the colorful houses and lace shops.

The trade-off is the pace. Four hours is not a lot for three islands, so Torcello is more of a quick stop than a deep visit. Choose this if you want a private overview of all three islands. Pick the private tour above if you’d rather move more slowly and focus only on Murano and Burano.

Pros

• Private boat and private guide
• Hotel pickup offered
• Good for travelers who want all three islands in one private tour

Cons

• Four hours is tight for three islands
• Not ideal if you prefer a slow pace

This tour includes: Hotel pickup, private water taxi, a private local guide, and visits to Murano, Burano, and Torcello. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

If you’re mainly looking for a custom experience in the city rather than the islands, I also have a guide to the best private tours in Venice.

Best Full-Day Venice Highlights Tour with Murano and Burano

Duration: 9.5 hours
Type: Full-day Venice highlights tour + islands
Best for: First-time visitors with one full day who want Venice’s main sights and the lagoon islands in one booking

This St. Mark’s, Doge’s Palace, Burano, Murano, and Gondola Tour is not the best choice if you only care about Murano and Burano. It is, however, a strong option if you have limited time in Venice and want to see as much as possible in one day.

The day starts in Piazza San Marco, where you’ll visit St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace with skip-the-line access. These are two of the most important sights in Venice, so having a guide here is useful, especially if it’s your first visit.

You’ll also take a 30-minute gondola ride, which is a nice bonus if you want the classic Venice experience without booking it separately. After that, there’s free time for lunch at your own expense.

In the afternoon, the tour continues to the lagoon islands. You’ll visit Murano for a glassblowing demonstration and Burano for lace-making and colorful streets. The island portion is shorter than on dedicated Murano and Burano tours, but that’s the compromise when you pack this much into one day.

Choose this if you want one big, efficient Venice day. Skip it if you’re dreaming of a slow island-hopping experience, because this is a full itinerary with very little downtime.

Pros

• Great value if you want several Venice experiences in one day
• Skip-the-line access for major Venice sights
• Small group of up to 20 travelers

Cons

• Very long day
• Lunch is not included
• Less free time on the islands than dedicated island tours

This tour includes: A professional English-speaking guide, skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace, a 30-minute gondola ride, roundtrip transportation to Murano and Burano, a glassblowing demonstration, and a lace-making demonstration. Lunch is not included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Is It Worth Taking a Murano and Burano Tour?

In most cases, yes. You can visit Murano and Burano independently by vaporetto, and that’s a perfectly good option if you want full flexibility. But a tour makes the logistics easier and adds context, especially in Murano, where the glassmaking tradition is a big part of the experience.

A good tour also helps you avoid the most annoying version of island-hopping: rushing from boat to boat, arriving with no idea what you’re looking at, and then accidentally spending most of your time near the busiest glass shops.

If this is your first time in Venice, I’d choose a guided tour. If you’ve been before, like public transport, and want to wander at your own pace, then visiting independently can also work well.

If you love seeing Venice from the water, you might also want to compare these with my guide to the best boat tours in Venice, which includes more options around the Grand Canal and the lagoon.

FAQ: Murano and Burano Tours from Venice

Can you visit Murano and Burano without a tour?

Yes, you can visit Murano and Burano without a tour by taking the vaporetto, Venice’s public water bus. This gives you the most flexibility, but you’ll need to plan the route, timings, and stops yourself. You also won’t get a guide explaining the glassblowing and lace traditions.

Is Murano or Burano better?

They’re very different. Murano is best for glassblowing and workshops, while Burano is better for colorful streets, photos, lace, and a slower village feel. Personally, I prefer Burano, but I think the best first visit includes both.

How long do you need for Murano and Burano?

You need at least 4 to 5 hours to visit both islands in a relaxed way from Venice. A half-day tour works well if you want the main highlights. If you’re visiting independently and want lunch or lots of photo time in Burano, plan closer to a full day.

Can you visit Murano, Burano and Torcello in one day?

Yes, you can visit Murano, Burano, and Torcello in one day. Many tours include all three islands, but the pace can feel rushed, especially if the tour lasts only 4 hours. Torcello is quieter and more historical, so it’s worth adding if you’re interested in the older side of the lagoon.

What other Venice tours are worth booking?

Besides Murano and Burano tours, I’d also look at guided tours of St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, the Grand Canal, and Venice’s food scene. I’ve rounded up my favorite options in this guide to the best Venice tours.