We factored in a visit to three of the lagoon’s islands on our last trip to Venice. We’d been to the capital of Italy’s Veneto region several times as a couple before but not made it to any of the islands. Plus we figured a boat trip would be fun for seven-year-old POD given it was her first time in Venice.
Having researched which islands to visit, we booked a 4-hour Venetian Islands Tour from the UK. This cost just over £50 (for the 3 of us) and included an introductory visit to Murano, Burano and Torcello – departing from (and returning to) Piazza San Marco. While we could have booked one of these tours when we arrived in Venice, we were pretty sure it would be more expensive. There are cheaper ways to get to the islands. One Vaporetto line, for example, runs from Venice to Burano. This large express ferry leaves from the San Zaccaria stop (near Piazza San Marco) to Burano and Murano. It’s around £6 per person and takes about 45 minutes. Alternatively, at the other end of the scale, you can take a water taxi which will set you back upward of £115 each way.
The meeting point was by the Prisons’ Palace which is between Doge’s Palace and Hotel Danieli (by Ponte
Murano is one of the most famous of the Venetian islands and recognised for the exquisite glasswork that’s produced there. We got to take a tour of a Murano glass factory where we saw a glass blowing demonstration which was quite remarkable. It’s was incredible to witness what could be created and in such a short period of time. Photography wasn’t permitted in the gallery but there was a huge display of colourful glassware which included rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, cups, plates and bowls.
We were then back on the boat bound for Burano. Although famed for its lace making, these days this pretty village is more widely recognised for its colourful fisherman’s houses. It was certainly somewhere I was excited to visit as the canals are lined with bright and pastel coloured houses which date back to the 16th century. Rumour has it the houses were painted like this so they were visible from the sea and its just stuck. It’s a picturesque place to visit what with the canals and wooden bridges. The most well-known bridge is Tre Ponti which connects three canals and three of the most colourful streets – Giudecca Via, Via San Mauro and Via San Martino Sinistro. Truth be told I would have liked longer to explore Burano, it really is a photographer’s dream. If you want to see more of Burano, check out this post.
Torcello is easily accessible and around five minutes from Burano. There’s a long promenade that leads to the main square, passing the Devil’s Bridge en route. Legend has it, this famous bridge with no sides was built one night by the devil to win a bet. Torcello is home to Venice’s first cathedral. Santa Fosca is a masterpiece with a Byzantine structure and mosaics. Built around the 5th century, this island also has ornate palaces and churches including the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
Each of the three islands we visited was very different but we loved them all. We deliberately picked a tour which meant we could do want we want and not have to stay within the confines of a group. This was the case with the glassblowing demonstration in Murano but we got to explore Burano and Torcello at our own pace. Being just over 4 hours meant we were back in mainland Venice around lunchtime which gave us the rest of the day to do as we pleased. We’d planned this trip to Venice with an island tour in mind and it’s definitely the right approach to take. Of course, if you’re only there a day or so, it’s going to be tight – we were in Venice a few days so it worked out perfectly. We pre-booked a shared gondola from the UK too, again first thing in the morning so it didn’t eat into our exploring time. So is it worth visiting the islands? Most definitely – providing you’ve built in enough time to get thoroughly lost because that’s when you see the real Venice. Oh and do try to watch the sunrise in Piazza San Marco, it’s pretty special.
