Visiting Murano & Burano Islands is the best way to spend your time away from Venice’s busy crowds during summertime. I’ve heard of these two islands of the Venetian lagoon, but never thought I was ever going there until now that I visited Venice.

We got the Vaporetto (water bus) from Venice early in the morning and firstly got off at Murano and then moved on to Burano Island. With a €20 day ticket you can use the Vaporetto as much as you wish for 24 hours so this was a good opportunity to take a trip to these two islands. There’s no point to pay for a private tour on these islands or take a private taxi to get there. The Vaporetto is the cheapest solution to take you there.

You’ll need to half a day in order to visit both. To be honest, we went to the kiosk shop to purchase a Vaporetto ticket and the owner advised us to get the 24 hour ticket and visit first Murano, have lunch in Burano and take the Vaporetto via Lido to come back to Venice.

Murano – the island of glass

Murano is famous for glassmaking and until today it still preserves the secrets of antique glass manufacturing. The skilful techniques and skilled hands have produced some amazing pieces.  As soon as you get of the Vaporetto you will see factory glasses and many shops selling glass.

You can’t miss Campo Stanto Stefano spot with the abstract blue glass sculpture in the middle of the square. It’s Large enough to amaze you.

We didn’t have the chance to visit a factory glass since they are closed during summer because of the hot weather (in order to manufacture glass they use heat) which makes it unbearable for the workers.

Authentic Murano glass is very expensive but it’s beautiful. We entered some shops displaying and selling Murano glass sculptures and jewellery and they were stunning. We were amazed. Be careful when buying Murano glass and have in mind that authentic glass holds a trademark ‘Vetro Murano Artistico’.  Avoid buying cheap glass from souvenir shops.

After wandering around in Murano we got the Vaporetto for our way to Burano. The most suitable route is to get like 12 from Faro (lighthouse) and get off at Burano.

Burano – the island of color and lace

Burano is almost 11km far from Murano and is known for its painted colour houses which are all in different colours. They say that when a house owner wish to paint their house they have to apply to the government in order to inform them what colour they can use. Stories tell that fishermen used to paint their houses in order to spot from a distance.

The island is famous for lace making and you can see many shops selling them. There’s a museum where you can admire delicate lace but I didn’t had the time to visit – or to be honest it would not please me. Piazza Galuppi is near to the main town square of Burano and the major attractions. Here’s you’ll see the Leaning Bell Tower of St. Martin Bishop.

The best thing to do whilst in Burano is to just wander through the streets. Walk along the canals, admire the colored houses, the gardens and the boats. After wandering around Burano we had lunch and then got the Vaporetto back to Venice via Lido. It took us more than an hour to get back but it was an enjoyable journey.

Comparing Murano & Burano, I prefer Burano, which is the island of the colors.

Dora’s Advise

  • Purchase a €20 Vaporetto 24 hr ticket
  • Do not go there on a private tour – it’s not needed.
  • Enjoy the Vaporetto ride via Venice to Murano and then Burano to Venice (via Lido)
  • Go early in the morning in order to avoid the crowds.
  • In Murano step in a glass factory
  • In Murano buy something from the glass shops (authentic Murano glass holds the trademark ‘Vetro Murano Artistico’
  • If, by any chance, you have heard of Torcello, which is near Burano, you don’t have to go. You’ll be wasting your time.

Enjoy my Murano & Burano photos