The islands of the northern lagoon are the classic day out from Venice. Murano has been the home of Venetian glassmaking since the 13th century; Burano is the fishermen’s island famous for lace and its brightly painted houses; and Torcello, once more populous than Venice itself, preserves a Byzantine cathedral with some of the finest mosaics in Italy.
From the Lido they are across the lagoon, so the easiest plan is either a half-day boat tour from San Marco, which combines all three, or line 14 from the Lido towards Punta Sabbioni and Burano. Allow a full day to see them properly by vaporetto.
Top things to do at Murano, Burano & Torcello
Watch glass being blown on Murano
Several furnaces offer demonstrations. For something deeper than the ten-minute show, book a small-group artisan visit, and see the Glass Museum.
Photograph Burano’s colours
Every house is painted a different colour. Walk away from the main street to the quieter canals, and try a buranello biscuit.
Find peace on Torcello
A few minutes from Burano by boat, Torcello is almost deserted: the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, its mosaics and the bell-tower view reward the effort.
How to get to Murano, Burano & Torcello
- By tour: the most popular option is a half-day boat trip from the San Marco area to all three islands — take the vaporetto from the Lido to San Zaccaria first.
- By vaporetto from the Lido: line 14 runs towards Punta Sabbioni and Burano; for Murano, change at Fondamente Nove. Check current timetables.
- Pass: an ACTV travel pass makes island-hopping much cheaper than single tickets.
Insider tips
- Start early — the islands are busiest from late morning to mid-afternoon.
- Genuine Murano glass carries a trademark; be wary of cheap imports sold as local.
- Murano, Burano and Torcello are outside the Venice access fee zone.
Best tours & tickets for Murano, Burano & Torcello
These top-rated experiences pair well with a visit to Murano, Burano & Torcello:
Boat tour from €24 Venice: Murano, Burano & Torcello Half-Day Boat Tour
The most-booked lagoon trip in Venice, with more than 18,000 reviews: a boat hops you from the San Marco waterfront to the three northern islands in one afternoon. From the Lido it is a short vaporetto ride to the departure point, which makes it the easiest island day you can plan.
- Glass-blowing demonstration on Murano
- Free time among the coloured houses of Burano
- The Byzantine cathedral island of Torcello
Workshop from €69 Venice: Murano VIP Glass Experience with a Local Artisan
Many Murano "demonstrations" are ten minutes before the shop. This small-group visit takes you into a working furnace with an artisan, and gives the island’s centuries-old craft the time it deserves.
- Inside a working furnace, not just a showroom
- A master glassmaker explains the craft up close
- Small group
