Venetian lagoon islands famous for glassmaking and lace, and for Burano's brightly painted houses
A short boat ride north of Venice, Murano and Burano make one of the most rewarding half-day or full-day trips in the lagoon. Murano is a small town of canals and bridges built around the glass furnaces, where you can see molten glass shaped into vases, chandeliers and figurines.
Further north, Burano is all colour: rows of houses painted in bright pinks, blues, greens and yellows line its narrow canals, with laundry strung between windows and fishing boats moored outside front doors. It is quieter than central Venice, especially in the late afternoon, and a favourite with photographers.
In 1291 the Venetian Republic ordered the city's glassworks moved to Murano to reduce the risk of fire from the furnaces, and the island became the centre of a closely guarded craft that made Venetian glass famous across Europe. Murano is made up of seven islands linked by bridges, and its Romanesque cathedral of Santi Maria e Donato and the Glass Museum in Palazzo Giustinian trace this long history.
Burano was a fishing community whose women became known for needle lace. The craft declined in the 18th century and was revived when a lace school opened in 1872; the school operated until 1970 in the Palace of the Podestà of Torcello on Piazza Galuppi, which today houses the Lace Museum. The island's painted houses follow a colour scheme that residents must respect when repainting.
Both islands still have resident communities who live from crafts, fishing and tourism. Glassmaking families on Murano pass skills down through generations, and Burano is known for its buttery biscuits, the bussolai and esse, sold in local bakeries. Remember that the coloured houses are private homes: photograph from the street and do not step into doorways or gardens.
Start in Murano in the morning to watch a glassblowing demonstration and visit the Glass Museum, then continue by vaporetto to Burano for lunch and an afternoon wandering its canals. The Lace Museum explains the patient technique behind Burano's needle lace, and you may see local lacemakers at work.
Buy glass and lace from shops that clearly state where items are made, as cheaper imports are common. If you have extra time, add nearby Torcello, an almost deserted island with an ancient cathedral, for a peaceful contrast.
Spring and early autumn are ideal, with pleasant weather for the boat trip and for walking. Summer afternoons can be hot and busy when tour groups arrive; late afternoon light is particularly beautiful on Burano's facades. In winter the islands are quiet, and boats can be cold and occasionally affected by fog.
Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.
General guidance from our specialists, not official information.
Vaporetti leave from Fondamenta Nove on the north side of Venice for Murano and onwards to Burano and Torcello. Murano lies just beyond San Michele, the cemetery island. Burano is roughly 7 kilometres from Venice. Both islands have bakeries, cafes and seafood trattorias; most visitors stay overnight in central Venice and return in the evening.
Italy · 2 nights4★ HotelItaly · 7 nights4★ HotelItaly · 7 nights4★ HotelThis guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 27 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image. The ambient recording’s author and licence are shown in the sound player.
