Venetian lagoon islands private boat tour: Murano glassblowing & Burano lacemaking

Explore the most famous islands of the Venetian lagoon with this 4 hour semi-private boat tour, accompanied by an expert guide and discover the timeless arts of glass blowing in Murano and lace making in Burano. Immerse yourself in the unique charm of the silent canals and squares of these two magnificent islets.

Duration
4 hours

Available
Every day

Private Tour
Max 8 people

Meeting Point
Royal Gardens

Start time
09:00am or 2:00pm

Immersed in the Venetian lagoon, not far from Venice and its treasures, the islands of Murano and Burano smell of ancient traditions and can offer unique emotions and unforgettable views. Discover the most famous islands of the lagoon with this intimate boat tour accompanied by an expert guide and gain perspective on the ageless arts of Murano glassblowing and Burano lacemaking and the mastery of artisans, as well as delight in the unique charm of the tranquil canals and piazzas of these vibrant islets.

Tour program of the Murano and Burano private boat trip:

Meeting point at the Royal Gardens, on the waterfront of St. Mark’s Square and start of the boat tour.
Enjoy the scenery as you ride along the water through the Venice lagoon, heading to the island of Burano which is the first stop of the boat tour. See with our own eyes the lines of technicolor houses that have taken over Instagram; legend has it that people started painting their houses in bright colours so that fishermen coming home after their exhausting work could tell which house was theirs even when there was thick fog. According to a different story though, drunkenness rather than the fog was the reason why they couldn’t find their way home. Either way Burano has those fishermen to thank for its unique charm.
The island has also been a centre of lace making for centuries, and many of the around 3,000 residents still make the intricate designs by hand. Enjoy some time to explore Burano, browsing in the lace shops or wandering around the island, getting lost in its narrow alleys and being enchanted by its bright colours.
After a pleasant stroll around the Island of Burano, we’ll make our way to Murano, renowned for the production of glass. The island is filled with furnaces pumping out heat and smoke, glassblowers worked in shops and studios molding and shaping swirls of colored glass into spectacular chandeliers, vases, figurines, beads and jewelry.
Visit a selected glass-factory to see a demonstration of glass-blowing as well as visit the factory’s showroom to admire the high quality of glass produced on the island.

The price includes: Professional skipper – English speaking guide – Entrance to the glass factory.

The price does not include: Hotel pick-up and drop-off.

Do not forget: Camera – Sun hat – Comfortable shoes.

Maximum: 8 people on board.

To know more about your boat trip...

How to reach Murano and Burano from Venice?

Burano and Murano are two important and interesting islands of the Venetian lagoon. To reach Burano and Murano from Venice you have two alternatives: by public transport or by booking a private tour with an expert guide. If you choose to visit Murano and Burano by public transport, then consider taking two vaporettos from Fondamenta Nuove (Venice) first to Murano and then to the island of Burano. Alternatively you can book a panoramic boat tour with stops on the island and an expert guide and visit the islands of Burano and Murano from Venice in one day and in total relaxation.

Murano or Burano: differences between the two islands

If you are in Venice you can’t miss a visit to the nearby islands of Murano and Burano. The differences between the islands of Murano and Burano are many, the most marked is certainly the one related to their respective craft schools: in fact, while Burano is famous all over the world for its lace, Murano is known in the world for its artistic glass with which for example chandeliers, glasses, and jewels are worked and that represent real works of art. Of the two islands, Murano is certainly the largest, in fact it has an inland roadway similar to that of Venice, while Burano is smaller and can be recognised by the colour of its houses, so garish that it is thought to have been a choice aimed at helping navigation during the days of dense fog.

Burano: the lace tradition

The name of Burano goes hand in hand with the manufacture of lace, handmade masterpieces of an ancient tradition. Legend has it that a young fisherman, betrothed to a girl, was tempted by the sirens singing during his navigation. The young man, however, was not enchanted and the Queen of the Sea, fascinated by such fidelity, hit the side of the boat with her tail and, with the foam that came from this movement, formed a very elegant wedding veil for the bride. The veil was so beautiful that it was admired and imitated by all the young women of the island, refining their craft techniques and giving life to the famous tradition of the lacemakers of Burano. It is no coincidence that a real Lace School was opened in Burano, founded in 1872 by Countess Adriana Marcello, where the most famous lace in the world was produced. The secrets of lacemaking, together with over one hundred examples of the School, are now kept inside the Lace Museum of Burano opened in 1981. Buying a Burano lace today means having a piece of history of an ancient and unrepeatable craft.

How much is a Burano lace?

The cost of the Burano lace goes from 10 euros upwards, depending on the size and the difficulty of the handicraft work required. There are many shops in Burano where lacemakers make a demonstration of their fine work. In ancient times, as today, you are fascinated to watch the Buranelle lacemakers at work in the artisan shops of Burano, the speed and experience of their movements are amazing.

Burano: curiosity

The island of Burano is not only famous for its lace. The first thing that catches the visitor’s eye is the bright colour of the houses. It seems that these bright colours not only helped the sailors during the foggy days, but also represented the various families of the island. In fact in Burano there are few surnames, even if very common, to indicate the main families who have always lived on this island. During your stop in Burano, do not forget to taste the “bussola”: these are characteristic yellow and doughnut-shaped biscuits that are typical of the island’s gastronomy.

Murano: history and tradition of Murano glass

Murano is known all over the world for the handcrafted glass with which artistic masterpieces are created: vases, glasses, any embellishment for the home, from jewellery to statues. According to some legends, the processing of Murano glass was so important for the economic livelihood of the city of Venice that the factories were moved from Venice to the island of Murano precisely to prevent the glass masters from easily moving from the island and thus spread this ancient and precious art. The first examples of Murano glassworks date back to the year one thousand and are kept inside the Glass Museum of Murano. Seeing them processed, from the fusion of the raw materials to the moment they are shaped by hand to create unique objects, is an unmissable experience.

Murano blown glass

There are different techniques for working Murano glass, among the best known is the blown glass or solid glass that is worked at high temperatures by glass craftsmen. Blown glass takes its name from the particular technique used, which consists of blowing inside a long rod to shape the glass.

How much is Murano glass?

Murano glass is particularly precious both for the material used and for the completely handmade manufacturing process, handed down from father to son. A tip to recognise the real Murano glass: the most careful eyes will notice small imperfections (such as bubbles or small irregularities) that, however, are not present in industrial products; also from this, in addition to the stamp of authenticity, you will ensure the originality of what you are buying. The starting prices of objects made of Murano gas are also commensurate not only with the product and the skill of the glassmakers, but also with the designers who are constantly experimenting with new shapes and colours to create unique and refined products.

Q&A

How long is the Venetian lagoon islands boat tour?

The boat tour lasts around 4 hours.

Do I have some free time to visit the islands on foot?

Yes, you will have some free time to visit Burano and in Murano you will visit a typical glass factory.

The entrance fee to the glass factory in Murano is included?

Yes, the entrance fee to the glass factory in Murano is included in the boat tour cost.

Are there toilet breaks during the tour?

On board there is the opportunity to use the restroom and you can use also public toilets on both the islands.

Will the tour be cancelled in case of heavy rain or rough sea?

Yes, in case of bad weather/sea conditions the tour might be cancelled. In case of cancellation we are happy to offer our customers the choice of an alternative date or, in case of inability to rebook, the full refund.