Murano, Burano and Torcello

A fun day trip from the main Venice city area is a visit to the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. We opted for a half day tour which included all three islands; however you can easily visit them on your own via the vaporetto (water taxi).

Murano is known for blown glass and hosts various workshops where you can view a demonstration and purchase any items of interest. Be mindful that by attending a demonstration, they will lead you into their shop after for you to browse and buy some of their creations, but you can usually find similar items much cheaper if you shop around.

We saw a craftsman blow a glass vase during a demonstration at one of the many workshops on Murano.

Burano offered us picturesque views of brightly painted houses of a small fishing town. The canals are lined with various cafes, gelato stands and shops filled with embroidered lace clothes and linens, which by the way the town is famous for.

Brightly colored houses line the canals of Burano.

Torcello offers sights of The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Church of Santa Fosca; besides these two churches, the island didn’t have much else going on.