Private Murano and Burano Boat Tour with Glassmaking Venice

Crossing the Venetian Lagoon by private water taxi

The tour begins at Calle Seconda de la Fava, in the historic centre of Venice, where your private water taxi picks you up. From there you glide through the quiet canals and out into the open lagoon, with the skyline of Venice behind you and a wide, flat horizon ahead. Wooden poles mark the channels, fishing boats and small islands dot the water, and the light over the lagoon is soft and silvery.

Travelling by water taxi is much faster and more comfortable than the public waterbus, so you spend your time on the islands instead of waiting at stops. Your guide shares the history of the lagoon and the islands as you cruise. Many travellers search for the best way to get to Murano and Burano from Venice, and a private boat is the most relaxed answer, with no connections to make and no crowd to share with.

Murano and its glassmaking tradition

Murano is a small island group a short ride north of Venice that has been the centre of Venetian glass for centuries. The glassmakers moved here in the late thirteenth century, partly to protect Venice from the risk of fire, and the island has been famous for its craftsmanship ever since. Chandeliers, vases and delicate figures in glass are made on the island, using techniques passed from master to apprentice.

The highlight is the glassmaking demonstration, when a craftsman shapes molten glass in front of you in a few minutes, turning a glowing blob into a small vase or figure. Your guide explains the process and the history, and afterwards you can walk along the canals of Murano, look in the glass workshops and shops, and decide what you may wish to bring back as a souvenir.

Burano, the island of colour

Burano is one of the most photogenic places in the lagoon, a fishing village where each small house on the canals is painted in a different bright colour: pink, yellow, blue, green and red. Tradition says that fishermen painted them so that they could recognise their houses through the winter fog. A leaning bell tower rises above the rooftops, and the washing lines add even more colour.

A private Burano tour from Venice gives you time to wander the quiet streets, watch the reflections in the canals, stop for a coffee or an Italian biscuit and take photographs without hurry. The island is much quieter than Venice in the early morning, which is another reason the morning departures are best. The best time to visit Burano is spring or autumn, on a clear day with soft light.

Lace-making on Burano

Burano has long been famous for its lace, made by hand with fine needles and thread in patterns passed from one generation to the next. For centuries the women of the island sat in doorways making lace, and Burano lace was prized across Europe. Today the craft is still alive, and your guide explains its history and shows how delicate and slow the work is.

You can see lace in shop windows and workshops along the main streets and learn how to tell real handmade pieces from machine-made souvenirs. The lace tradition is a good reason to stay a little longer on the island, and a private tour gives you flexibility to ask questions and take your time. Shopping is optional and entirely your choice, with no obligation to buy.

Planning your private Murano and Burano tour

The tour lasts about five hours, with departures at 09:00, 09:30, 10:30 and 11:30 from the meeting point at Calle Seconda de la Fava. The meeting place is within reach of Rialto and Piazza San Marco on foot, so it is easy to reach from most central hotels. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, nor are meals, drinks and tips.

The water taxi and the guide are only for your group, so the pace is yours. Wear comfortable shoes for cobbled streets and bridges, bring sunscreen and a hat in summer and a jacket in cooler months, as the lagoon breeze can be fresh. Tell our team about the size of your group and any mobility needs when you book, and we confirm the details on WhatsApp within minutes.