Glass, lace and silence
Murano, Burano & the lagoon islands
Murano glass ateliers and a furnace, Burano lace, the Mazzorbo vineyard and Torcello – by private motorboat or vaporetto.
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Plan your trip · The lagoon islands
How to visit Murano, Burano and Torcello: on your own or with a guide
A practical guide to the islands of the lagoon of Venice, Italy: how to get there by vaporetto, what to see, how much time to allow, and when a private guide helps.
- Licensed guide no. 05000058
- Guiding since 2008
- Private tours only
- EN · IT · FR
In short
How do you visit Murano, Burano and Torcello from Venice?
To visit Murano, Burano and Torcello from Venice, take the public vaporetto from Fondamente Nove: ACTV line 12 calls at Murano, Mazzorbo and Burano, and Torcello is a short hop beyond Burano. All three islands fit in a full day; in half a day it is wiser to choose two. You can go on your own, or with a licensed guide such as Daniela Zarpellon, who plans the order of the islands and the connections and travels with you by vaporetto or by private motorboat run by a licensed operator. Quotes are tailor-made and free, with a reply within 24 hours.
Three islands, three stories
What is the difference between Murano, Burano and Torcello?
Often sold as one excursion, each island tells a different chapter of the lagoon.
Murano: the island of glass
In 1291 the Republic ordered the glass furnaces to move to Murano, largely for fear of fire in a city of wooden houses. See the Rio dei Vetrai, the Museo del Vetro in Palazzo Giustinian and Santa Maria e San Donato, with its 12th-century mosaic floor.
Burano: lace and colored houses
A fishing village whose houses are painted in strong colors. Around Piazza Baldassare Galuppi you find the leaning bell tower of San Martino and the Museo del Merletto, in the former Palazzo del Podestà, home of the Burano Lace School from 1872 to 1970.
Torcello: where it all began
Once a thriving town, now a green, almost empty island. The cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, founded in 639, holds 11th- and 12th-century Byzantine mosaics, including a vast Last Judgment, beside the church of Santa Fosca and the stone seat known as Attila's Throne.
Mazzorbo: the quiet neighbor
Joined to Burano by a wooden footbridge, Mazzorbo has a walled vineyard of the historic Dorona grape and far fewer visitors.
How to get to Murano and Burano by vaporetto
The islands are served by ACTV, the public waterbus company. The gateway to the northern lagoon is Fondamente Nove, on the north shore of the city. These are the lines in ACTV's official timetables at the time of writing; services change with the seasons, so we always check them when we prepare your day.
| Where you start | Line | Islands served | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fondamente Nove | 12 | Murano (Faro), Mazzorbo, Burano, Torcello on some runs | The direct line for Burano, roughly 40–45 minutes. Torcello only on passenger request on some runs. |
| Piazzale Roma, Ferrovia (Santa Lucia station) | 3 | Murano | Direct from the arrival points of Venice. |
| Fondamente Nove, San Zaccaria, Giudecca, Piazzale Roma | 4.1 / 4.2 | Murano | Circular lines around the city. |
| San Zaccaria (San Marco area) | 14 | Burano | A longer route via the Lido and Punta Sabbioni. |
| Burano | Short connection | Torcello | A few minutes; check the service for your date. |
For how tickets and passes work, and how to read the vaporetto map, see our guide to getting around Venice. Fares are not included in our tours.
Timing
In which order should you visit the islands?
A realistic full day, starting from Fondamente Nove. The order can be reversed to avoid the busiest hours.
Morning: Murano
Murano is the closest island: start here while the furnaces are working. Allow one and a half to two hours.
Late morning: on to Torcello
Continue with line 12. Seeing Torcello before lunch leaves Burano for the softer afternoon light. Allow about one and a half hours.
Afternoon: Burano and Mazzorbo
Finish in Burano, with a walk across the footbridge to Mazzorbo. Allow at least two hours.
Return to Venice
Line 12 brings you back to Fondamente Nove; in high season late-afternoon boats can be crowded.
Only half a day? Choose Murano and Burano, or Burano and Torcello.
Murano and Burano on your own or with a private guide?
The islands are easy to reach on your own. What a guide adds is context and time: without the story, Murano can look like a row of shop windows and Torcello like a field with a church.
On the private lagoon islands tour, licensed guide Daniela Zarpellon plans the order of the islands around boat times and crowds, explains glassmaking techniques and the history of Burano lace, and reads the mosaics of Torcello with you, in English, Italian or French. You travel by vaporetto, or by private motorboat run by a licensed operator, which you book directly or which is quoted separately on request. Daniela does not drive the boat.
| On your own | With a private guide | |
|---|---|---|
| Planning | You check lines, timetables and openings yourself | Route, island order and connections planned for your date |
| Transport | Public vaporetto | Vaporetto, or private motorboat from a licensed operator, booked by you or quoted separately |
| Context | Signs and guidebooks | History of glass, lace and the lagoon, explained on site |
Practical
Tips for a day in the lagoon
Tips
- Start early: the first boats are calmer and the furnaces are at work.
- On Burano, remember that people live in the colored houses: keep voices low and do not step into doorways for photos.
- A glass demonstration may end in a showroom; you are free to look without buying.
Good to know
- Opening times of the Glass Museum, the Lace Museum and Torcello's cathedral vary: we always check them when we prepare your tour.
- Museum and cathedral tickets and vaporetto fares are not included in the guide fee.
- For the Venice access fee and its rules, check the City's official site and our Venice travel tips.
FAQ
Murano, Burano and Torcello: your questions
How do I get to Burano from Venice?
The direct way is ACTV vaporetto line 12 from Fondamente Nove, which stops at Murano and Mazzorbo on the way; the trip takes roughly 40–45 minutes. Line 14 from San Zaccaria also reaches Burano, on a longer route via the Lido. Check ACTV's official timetable for your date.
How do I get to Torcello?
Torcello is a few minutes by boat beyond Burano. According to ACTV's current timetable, some line 12 runs call at Torcello on passenger request, and a short connection from Burano is also available depending on the season. Check the service for your date before you go.
Can you see Murano, Burano and Torcello in one day?
Yes, a full day is enough for all three if you start early and keep moving. In half a day, choose two islands.
Burano or Murano: which is better if I only have time for one?
It depends on what you enjoy. Murano is about craft, glass and industry; Burano about color, lace and village life. If you like Byzantine art and quiet places, consider Burano with Torcello instead.
Is Torcello worth visiting?
If you are interested in the origins of Venice, yes: the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta holds a remarkable cycle of Byzantine mosaics, and the island is calm and green. It suits a full day.
How much does a private tour of Murano and Burano cost?
Every private tour is quoted individually because it is tailor-made. The quote depends on length, number of guests, language, season and any boat or third-party services, such as a private motorboat. Free and without obligation, reply within 24 hours.
Keep planning
Fit the islands into your stay
See where a lagoon day fits in our 2- and 3-day Venice itineraries, explore the rest of our Venice travel guide, or look further afield with our day trips from Venice. If you would like the whole trip planned around you, Venice Stay Design helps you pace the days; you book everything directly.
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