The 7 Best Murano and Burano Glass Workshops

With its impressive monuments, cruises along the Grand Canal and rich cuisine, there is plenty to see and do in Venice. However, the world does not end on this large island, so if you have a three-day or longer itinerary in Venice, seriously consider extending your trip by visiting the other islands in the lagoon.

Known as one of the favourite getaways from the ever-bustling Venice, a trip to Murano and Burano is quite an adventure. The small islands located north of the lagoon offer all kinds of activities to enjoy. Below are some of the most interesting ones so you can make your own selection.

The creation of glass pieces with a blowtorch is a modern and widely used technique that allows you to work with small pieces. With this type of experience, you will learn how the pieces are made step by step, first with a demonstration by the artisan who explains the technique using examples and then guides the group through the creation of some simple glass items.

Useful information

• Location: Murano Island.
• Price: These experiences are available from £45 per person.
• Duration: Approximately 2 hours.
• Is it suitable for children? Due to the equipment and tools used, it is not recommended for children.

In Murano, you have the opportunity to go inside the workshops of artisans and get a first-hand look at the entire process of creating the pieces. One of the artists themselves will take a small group of tourists through a real glass factory to understand the production process step by step and see how the glass masters create their works. If you are travelling to the island on your own, please note that you must arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour starts.

Useful information

• Location: Murano Island.
• Price: These types of experiences are available in Murano from £20 per person.
• Duration: Approximately 1 hour.
• Is it suitable for children? If you are travelling to Venice with children, they can join in this experience.

This type of experience takes you to the heart of a Murano glass factory where you can learn the basic glassblowing technique and create your own authentic piece of Murano glass. The first part of the workshop involves practical exercises without hot glass and then with glass; it is a physically demanding experience, so you should come prepared, although the team of artisans will accompany you at all times. You will be able to blow your own cup or small vase, which will be ready to collect the following day after the hybridisation process is complete.

Useful information

• Location: Murano Island, in workshops such as Wave Murano Glass
• Price: This type of experience is available from £175.
• Duration: The workshop lasts an average of 3 hours.
• Is it suitable for children? Children are not allowed to participate in this workshop; the minimum age is 16 years old.

This type of experience takes travellers through the process of creating a personalised piece of Murano glass in a traditional factory. You can bring a sketch with your own ideas to bring it to life before your eyes through the skills of an expert craftsman. The final piece will be ready before the end of the experience, although it will need to cool for two days before it can be taken home. You will have the option of picking it up or requesting delivery.

Useful information

• Location: Murano Island
• Price: This type of experience is available from £595. It is a fully personalised individual tour where you will take home an authentic piece of Murano glass.
• Duration: Book at least 2 hours at the factory to enjoy this experience.
• Is it suitable for children? It is a perfect experience to enjoy with children and family.

If you are interested in the art of glass blowing and want to learn the basics, or if you already have some basic knowledge but would like to improve, seriously consider taking a private class with a Venetian master glassmaker. You will discover an ancient technique before your very eyes and see a work of art take shape and form; then it will be your turn to apply everything you have learned to bring your own creation to life.

Useful information

• Location: Murano Island
• Price: From £60
• Duration: You must reserve at least 2 hours for this experience.
• Is it suitable for children? Recommended for ages 16 and up.

Located on the Grand Canal in Murano, the Glass Museum is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the unique art of glassblowing, which is so closely linked to the evolution and history of this small island. The façade of this building displays the ornate Gothic style characteristic of Venice. Comprising nine rooms, it houses some of the most impressive works of glass art ever created by man. Pay close attention to the impressive crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceilings of the halls.

Useful information

• Location: Murano Island
• Price: The entrance fee to the museum is approximately £10 per person.
• Duration: Allow at least an hour of your itinerary to visit the entire museum.
• Is it suitable for children? Yes, children really enjoyed this type of experience and the beautiful pieces inside.

In addition to the Glass Museum, on the island of Murano you will find small exhibition rooms that the most famous artists of Murano have set up in their workshops. On your excursion to discover the traditional art of this region of Venice, it is worth spending some time, at least in the main ones. My personal favourites are:

Bruno Fusato SignorettiBrunois an internationally renowned figure and world-famous artist who became famous internationally thanks to his glass figures that combined traditional creative spirit with new forms of contemporary art. After the artist's death in 2004, the business was taken over by his daughters. Their showroom and shop are located on the island of San Pietro, near the Serenella Canal.

Massimiliano Schiavon isanother great talent from Murano who is known far beyond the borders of Venice. Massimiliano became famous for the unique anatomy of his creations and the fantastic way he imbues his glass works with colour. Although his pieces are not cheap, it is well worth visiting the showrooms to admire his art up close. You will find two exhibition rooms dedicated to the work of Massimiliano Schiavon, one on the island of San Pietro and the other on the island of San Stephano in Murano.

• Location: Murano Island in San Pietro and San Stefano.
• Price: Free admission.
• Duration: Less than an hour to see the exhibitions.
• Is it suitable for children? It is a perfect activity to do with children in Murano.

• Going to Murano and Burano is part of the daily routine for many Venetians who travel from the small islands to work or sell their products. Additionally, due to the popularity and appeal of these destinations, a trip to Murano and Burano is one of the most popular excursions you can take from Venice. As a result, there are many options for travelling to the islands in the north of the lagoon. Here is a brief overview of the main ones.
• Group excursions An economical and practical option that takes small groups of tourists from Venice to the islands of Murano and Burano to see the highlights of each one. They depart every day from Venice.
• Private excursions Private or group excursions are ideal if you want to enjoy personalised service with an exclusive guide. Many of these excursions also include some of the activities and workshops mentioned in this article. Others combine the tour of the islands with cruises along the Grand Canal of Venice.
• Public transport The vaporetto is the public transport service used in Venice. It is a high-speed transport service that runs between the main Venetian canals and the islands of the large lagoon.
• Water taxi: A private luxury transport service that will take you from your hotel to your destination on the islands. It is usually expensive.