Two islands, one lagoon
Murano and Burano lie in the Venetian lagoon, north of the main island. Murano is known for glassmaking and has a glass museum. Burano is known for lace and for its rows of brightly painted houses, and has a lace museum. A third island, Torcello, is quieter and easy to add.
All three are reached by public vaporetto, the water bus, so you do not need a guided tour. A tour can still help if you want to see glass being made or prefer not to plan the boats yourself. Guided groups on Murano, Burano and Torcello are limited to 25 people.
How to get to Murano and Burano
Vaporetto lines as of autumn 2026. Check the current timetable before you go.
| From | To | Line | Journey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fondamente Nove | Murano Colonna | 4.1 and 4.2 | 9 to 10 min, about every 10 min combined |
| Fondamente Nove | Murano Faro | 12 | Line 12 stops on Murano only at Faro |
| Piazzale Roma or Ferrovia | Murano | 3 | About 17 to 21 min |
| San Marco or San Zaccaria | Murano | 7 | Seasonal only |
| Fondamente Nove | Burano | 12 | About 40 to 45 min, every 20 to 30 min by day |
| Burano | Torcello | 9 | About 5 min |
Fondamente Nove, "the new embankments", is the quay on the northern edge of Venice where most island boats leave. The line 3 timetable quoted here applies from 1 September 2026, so check it on the day.
Alilaguna boats also call at Murano Colonna and cost €10 (blue and red lines). All vaporetto lines named above are covered by the €9.50 single ticket, valid for 75 minutes, and by the 24, 48 and 72-hour and 7-day passes. Alilaguna is not covered. Each single ticket is valid for 75 minutes, so a return trip to Burano needs two tickets. If you plan to hop between islands, a pass is better value.
Our picks: Murano and Burano
The cheapest boat or a small group with a guide.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Murano and Burano by boat with glassmaking
A small group of up to 22 with an English-speaking guide, a glass and lace demonstration and headsets.
Check availability →
Murano and Burano half-day lagoon trip
A boat between the islands with a live guide on board and a glassblowing demonstration in Murano. There is no guided walk on the islands.
Check availability →Murano, Burano and Torcello tours
Boat trips to the lagoon islands, glassblowing visits and guided half-day tours, with live prices and availability.
Murano: glass and the glass museum
Murano is a short boat ride from the northern shore of Venice. Glassmaking is the reason to come: the island has workshops and shops, and a museum that shows the history of the craft. If you want to see glass being worked, ask at a workshop or book a tour that includes a visit, as we could not confirm which workshops offer demonstrations.
The Glass Museum is open every day. From 1 April to 31 October it opens from 10 am to 6 pm, and from 1 November to 31 March from 10 am to 5 pm. A single ticket price was not confirmed in our research, but the museum is included in the Museum Pass (€50, or €25 reduced).
Buy glass with care. Ask where an object was made and whether it is handmade, and compare prices between shops.
Burano: lace and colour
Burano is smaller and quieter than Murano. The main sight is the island itself: narrow canals lined with brightly coloured houses. The Lace Museum tells the story of Burano lace and is open from 10 am to 4 pm, closed on Mondays. Summer and winter hours are the same.
Two details make the visit easier. Line 12 runs every 20 to 30 minutes by day, so check the last boat back before you settle in for lunch. And Burano is a place where people live: stay on the paths, keep your voice down near houses and do not block doorways when taking photos.
Museum tickets and Torcello
Prices and hours in 2026.
Island combo ticket
€20, or €10 reduced. It covers the Glass Museum, the Lace Museum and the Torcello Museum, one entry each, and is valid for three months. Reduced: children 6 to 14, students 15 to 25, over 65s and holders of the Rolling Venice card.
Torcello Museum
Summer 11 am to 5:30 pm, winter 11 am to 5 pm, closed on Mondays. Torcello is reached from Burano by the short line 9, about five minutes.
Torcello cathedral
The cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is the island's main sight. We could not confirm its entry price or opening hours, so check on site before planning around it.
Fee days
The small lagoon islands were exempt from the 2026 access fee. For 2027 the rules are still to be set.
Access fee guide →According to one source, line 12 stops at Torcello only on request, which you must arrange by phone with the operator ahead of time. Going via Burano and line 9 is the simpler plan.
A half-day plan
One way to do both islands without rushing.
Morning: Murano
Take line 4.1 or 4.2 from Fondamente Nove, visit the Glass Museum and a workshop, then walk back to the stop.
Midday: Burano
Go back to Fondamente Nove, take line 12 to Burano and have lunch there. The Lace Museum closes at 4 pm.
Afternoon: Torcello or home
Add the five-minute hop to Torcello if you have time, or take line 12 back to Fondamente Nove.
Murano and Burano: frequently asked questions
How do I get to Murano from Venice?
From Fondamente Nove take line 4.1 or 4.2 to Murano Colonna, about 9 to 10 minutes. From Piazzale Roma or the station, line 3 takes about 17 to 21 minutes.
How long does it take to reach Burano?
Line 12 from Fondamente Nove takes about 40 to 45 minutes and runs every 20 to 30 minutes by day.
Can I visit both islands in one day?
Yes. Many visitors do Murano in the morning and Burano after lunch. Keep an eye on the return boat times.
Are the museums open every day?
The Glass Museum is open daily. The Lace Museum and the Torcello Museum are closed on Mondays.
Is the vaporetto ticket enough?
Yes. The €9.50 single ticket and the passes cover the water bus lines to the islands. Alilaguna boats need their own ticket.
Do I need a tour?
No, but a tour can save planning time and may include a glassblowing visit. Groups are limited to 25 people.