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Explore Venice’s iconic islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello on a scenic boat tour. Discover glassmaking, lace artistry, and ancient history in a half-day adventure.

Highlights

• Watch live glassblowing at a traditional Murano glass factory.
• Explore Burano’s colorful houses and famous lace-making traditions.
• Visit ancient Torcello, Venice’s oldest and most historic island.
• Enjoy scenic boat rides through Venice's picturesque lagoon.
• Experience the rich history and culture of Venice's iconic islands.

Description

Explore the enchanting Venetian lagoon and its three most famous islands—Murano, Burano, and Torcello—on a fascinating half-day tour. Known worldwide for their unique beauty, vibrant traditions, and artisan craftsmanship, these islands offer a glimpse into Venice’s rich history and culture. Starting near Piazza San Marco or the Santa Lucia train station, this tour takes you on a scenic boat ride through the San Marco Basin, where you’ll enjoy stunning views of the lagoon and its surrounding islands. As you glide through the tranquil waters, your guide will share insights into the lagoon's history and introduce the three islands you’re about to visit. Your first stop is Murano, famously known as 'the island of glass.' For centuries, Murano has been the heart of Venetian glassmaking, producing some of the finest glass art in the world. Upon arriving, you’ll head to one of the island’s renowned glass factories, where you'll witness firsthand the intricate art of glass production. Watch as skilled artisans demonstrate the ancient techniques of glassblowing and shaping molten glass into delicate works of art. This live demonstration offers a mesmerizing look at the craftsmanship that has made Murano glass so sought after. After the factory visit, you’ll have approximately 15 minutes of free time to explore Murano on your own, perhaps visiting a glass gallery or enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the island. Next, the tour continues to Torcello, the oldest of the inhabited islands in the lagoon. Once a thriving center of Venetian civilization, today Torcello is a quiet, sparsely populated island that feels like a step back in time. With its tranquil surroundings, ancient ruins, and charming churches, Torcello offers a glimpse into Venice's early history. You’ll have time to stroll around the island, visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, or simply enjoy the serenity of this historic site. While Torcello may be less bustling than Murano or Burano, its peaceful ambiance and rich history make it a highlight of the tour. The final stop is the vibrant island of Burano, a traditional fishing village famous for its brightly colored houses and intricate lace-making traditions. As you approach the island, you’ll be greeted by a picturesque scene of vivid, multicolored homes lining the canals—an ideal spot for photography enthusiasts. Burano is renowned for its lace-making, an artisan craft that has been passed down through generations. Your guide will take you to a local lace shop, where you’ll learn about the intricate process of lace production and see some exquisite handmade pieces. After the lace demonstration, you’ll have ample free time to explore Burano at your own pace. Wander through the island’s charming streets, visit the shops filled with local handicrafts, or sample some of Burano’s famous homemade cakes, like the traditional Bussolà or Esse cookies.

Includes

Boat transfer Visit to Murano Visit to Burano Visit to Torcello Free time to explore all the islands Entrance to the glassworks Visit to the lace shop Multilingual informative commentary on board the vessel

Important Information

• The tour has a guide only on the boat; the islands are seen on your own. This tour is not private. If the chosen time is not available, you will be transferred to another time on the same day. These changes do not depend on us. Therefore, when booking you are aware of this possible change, subsequent refund requests will not be accepted. Example: If you choose the 9:30 am time slot and the ticket office closes at that time, you will be transferred to the first available time slot, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 14pm or 14:30pm. Importantly, we ask you to arrive 20 minutes before the departure of the tour, because you have to show your voucher at the ticket office and receive the tickets, if you do not arrive on time or miss the meeting point, you will miss the tour. If you miss the tour, you will not receive a refund Important notice for last-minute reservations (same day or overnight): in case of lack of seats, the customer will be placed on the day following the reserved date.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund