In a nutshell
- Is a day trip from Venice to Murano worth it? Absolutely — and we’ll show you exactly what to see and do when visiting Murano.
- Don’t miss the Mazzuccato glass factory: watch the glassblowers at work, try blowing glass yourself, and pick up a genuine piece of Murano glass art to take home.
- Want to experience Murano without the crowds? Stay the night! Our top pick: the NH Collection Murano, set inside a beautifully converted former glass factory.
- You can cover all the highlights on Murano in three to four hours — which leaves plenty of time to also visit Burano and Torcello. The Murano–Burano–Torcello day tour covers all three in one go.
What you should know about Murano
Here are a few quick facts about Murano before you go:
- Murano is a small group of islands in the lagoon of Venice, sitting just under a kilometer from the old city.
- It’s best known for the production of Murano glass. There are several open glass factories where you can watch craftsmen blowing glass right in front of you.
- Just like Venice, Murano is completely car-free.
- But there’s more to Murano than glassblowing — the island is full of small canals, winding alleyways, and great restaurants. It makes a perfect day trip from Venice!
Glassblowers of Murano
Murano glass is produced nowhere else in the world but on this tiny island, which is exactly what makes it such a precious commodity.
What sets it apart are the vivid colors and patterns that the craftsmen create — no two pieces are ever quite the same.
Several open glassblowing workshops let you look over the shoulders of the artisans as they work.
Admission is free. It’s a nice gesture, though, to pick up a small piece from the attached shop.
Larger objects like a vase can run several hundred euros. A small figurine, on the other hand, is totally affordable and makes the perfect souvenir from Venice.
Heads up: Murano glass is sold all over Venice in souvenir shops, but most of it is cheap imitation. To make sure you’re getting the real thing, look for the “Vetro Artistico® Murano” seal.
From Venice to Murano
You can only reach Murano by water bus (vaporetto).
The fastest way is from the Fondamente Nove stop, which is about a ten-minute walk from the Rialto Bridge.
From there, lines 4.1 and 4.2 run directly to Murano and take around 20 minutes.
You can also board the same lines at the famous Venice landmark St. Mark’s Square or at the main train station. Just keep in mind that from those stops, the journey takes closer to an hour — the water bus winds through the center of Venice first.
Our tip: A day trip to Murano, Burano, and Torcello is seriously worth it. A glassblowing demonstration in Murano is included:
Book the Murano, Burano & Torcello day trip
Where to get off in Murano?
Murano has several water bus stops. We recommend getting off at the first one, Colonna. From there, you stroll past the first glassblowing factories and make your way leisurely into the center of the island.
If you’re short on time and want to head straight to the center, get off at the Venier stop — just make sure your line actually stops there.
If you’re planning to continue on to Burano or Torcello after visiting Murano, head to the Murano Faro stop.
And if you want to head straight back to Venice, simply return to the Colonna stop.
Things to Do on Murano
Rio dei Vetrai
When you step off at the Colonna stop, you arrive right at the canal Rio dei Vetrai — literally “canal of the glassblowers.” The name says it all: this is where you’ll find the highest concentration of glassblowing workshops on the island.
On both sides of the canal, small studios displaying their glass creations line up one after another. You can shop for authentic Murano glass here, stroll along the waterfront, or settle in at one of the canal-side restaurants.
Gino Mazzuccato Glass Factory
There are several glass factories on Murano where you can watch the artisans at work. But where entry is free, you usually won’t get much explanation of what’s actually happening.
That’s why a guided tour with a glassblowing demonstration at the large Gino Mazzuccato workshop is really worth doing.
The complex brings together a showroom, a café, and the glassblowing workshop all under one roof.
The furnaces here run seven days a week.
On the tour, you can even try blowing glass yourself — which is honestly one of the coolest things to do in Murano:
Book a tour of the Gino Mazzuccato factory
Museo del Vetro - the Glass Museum
If you want to go deeper into the history of glassblowing on the island, the Museo del Vetro is well worth a visit.
You’ll find both archaeological glass artifacts and modern works of art on display, plus a rotating exhibition and a small museum shop.
Admission costs 10 euros, but the museum is also included in the Venice Museum Pass.
Cathedral of Murano
Like so many small towns in Italy, Murano has its own cathedral — and not just a simple church, but a proper one.
It’s called Santa Maria e San Donato, and entry is free. It’s especially known for its stunning mosaic floor. The baptismal font is made of colorful Murano glass — naturally.
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The Murano lighthouse isn’t open to climb, but it’s still a lovely sight (© Irina Brester)
The black-and-white striped lighthouse of Murano stands 35 meters tall. Perched on the southern shore of the island, it looks out over the lagoon.
You can’t climb it, unfortunately, but it’s a great final stop on your visit before heading to the Murano Faro water bus stop — which is right next door.
Staying on Murano
The vast majority of visitors only come to Murano on a day trip from Venice.
But if you want to experience the island away from the tourist crowds, spending a night here is absolutely worth it. Prices aren’t much lower than in the old city, but the atmosphere after the day-trippers leave is something else entirely.
These are the best places to stay on Murano:
Our Restaurant Picks on Murano
Here are three restaurants on Murano where you can have a really great meal:
- La Perla ai Bisatei: Off the tourist trail, hearty home-style cooking — just like an Italian mamma would make.
- Osteria al Duomo: A terrace tucked into a hidden courtyard, and honestly some of the best pizza we had in the area.
- B Restaurant alla Vecchia Pescheria: Excellent fish dishes, and popular with locals — always a good sign.
