If you’re staying in Venice, I highly recommend taking a day trip to Murano and Burano. It is easy to explore these islands on your own without a tour and they provide a nice break from the crowds in San Marco.
*This post may contain affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I appreciate your support.
Buying a Vaporetto (water bus) Ticket to Murano and Burano
You can buy your vaporetto ticket from a kiosk and I would recommend getting a 24 hour pass to cover the stops between the islands and back to Venice. I chose to visit Murano and Burano on my last full day in Venice, so I could also use the 24 hour ticket the next morning to the train station. The stunning views on the way to the islands are an added bonus to your day trip.
Murano and Glassblowing
Murano is known for their glassblowing and they have tons of shops with varying levels of prices. I wandered around the island for a bit, taking note of items I was interested in and their prices. The shops closest to the vaporetto station tend to have the highest prices, so I definitely recommend checking out multiple shops before making a purchase. You can also pay to see a glassblowing demonstration. Some places let you buy a demonstration ticket online or you can buy them in person. I came across multiple shops that offered demonstrations, but I did not pay to see one. I’ve seen glassblowing before and did not feel like it was something I needed to see again. I highly recommend grabbing some lemon basil gelato from Murano Gelateria. This was so refreshing on a hot summer day.
Burano
The colorful fishing village of Burano is stunning and resembles a postcard. They are known for their lace-making and have plenty of local artist shops. Burano is the perfect place to grab some lunch while you enjoy the views. I highly recommend the scallop gnocchi at Riva Rosa. Take some time getting lost in the alleyways of Burano and you will find some picture perfect spots without anyone around. I enjoyed Burano more than Murano and recommend spending more time in Burano.
How much time to spend there?
I kept my day free because I really wasn’t sure how much time I would want to spend on the islands. I left around 10am, went to Murano first, and then headed to Burano where I got lunch and spent more time roaming around. I made it back to Venice closer to 5 pm and grabbed some cicchetti at Ombre e Cicheti da Pinto when I got back. You need to make sure you take into consideration the time it takes to get to the islands and back. The vaporetto takes around 30 minutes to get to Murano and then it’s a 45 minute ride from Burano back to Venice. If you only have time for one, I would definitely choose Burano. You can always get Murano glass back in Venice.
Must Have Items for your Day Trip
- Supergoop sunscreen is my go-to facial sunscreen
- Rectangular Sunglasses
- Floral sundress
- Stylish Tote Bag to carry your belongings and souvenirs
- Linen pants to keep you cool in hot weather