Venice Islands: Murano, Burano and Torcello
Sail through centuries of Venetian history, craft, and color across the iconic islands of the lagoon.
This Venice Islands boat tour brings together three of the lagoon's most celebrated destinations in a single, unhurried half-day journey. From ancient cathedrals to living craft traditions, each island tells a distinct chapter of Venetian civilization.
The excursion covers Murano, Torcello, and Burano, three islands that shaped Venice's cultural and economic identity over more than a thousand years. Passengers travel by boat past San Giorgio Maggiore, San Servolo, San Lazzaro degli Armeni, and the Sant'Elena Gardens on the way out into the open lagoon.
Each stop is long enough to explore at a measured pace rather than a sprint. The route is designed so that the islands complement one another, moving from industrial heritage to archaeological wonder to colorful village life.
The difficulty level is rated easy, making the tour accessible to a broad range of travelers including those with limited mobility, provided they can manage boarding and disembarking a boat.
Tour Highlights
Watch a master glass blower shape molten glass into a finished object at a working Murano furnace.
Visit the Byzantine Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta on Torcello, one of the oldest religious structures in the Venetian lagoon.
Stroll through Burano's narrow streets lined with houses painted in a vivid spectrum of traditional colors.
Discover the centuries-old tradition of Burano lacemaking, an art recognized across Europe since the sixteenth century.
Travel by boat across the open Venetian lagoon, passing historic islands rarely included in standard city tours.
Explore the Church of Santa Fosca on Torcello, notable for its Byzantine interior and well-preserved portico.
Tour Itinerary
The boat departs from Venice and passes the islands of San Giorgio Maggiore, San Servolo, San Lazzaro degli Armeni, and the Sant'Elena Gardens before heading into the lagoon proper.
Murano is built across nine islets divided by a wide canal. A stop at a working glass factory gives visitors the chance to watch skilled artisans demonstrate techniques that have been practiced here since 1291.
Founded between the fifth and sixth centuries, Torcello was once a thriving settlement with palaces and churches. The visit focuses on the Byzantine Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Church of Santa Fosca.
The final stop is Burano, where brightly painted houses line the canals of what is often called a miniature Venice. The island has been a center of fine lacemaking since the sixteenth century.
The boat returns to Venice, completing the lagoon circuit after approximately four and a half hours on the water and ashore.
What Is Included
Included
- Boat transportation between all islands
- Stop at a working Murano glass factory
- Live glass blowing demonstration
- Guided visit to Torcello
- Free time in Burano
Not Included
- Cathedral and church entrance fees
- Meals and beverages
- Personal purchases (glass, lace, souvenirs)
- Gratuities for guides or crew
Important Information
Ready to Explore the Venetian Lagoon?
Secure your place on this lagoon island tour and experience Murano, Torcello, and Burano in a single half-day journey across the water.
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