The only way to visit Venice’s islands is by boat. Private motorboat tours enable you to make the most of your time on each island—visiting the glass factories on Murano, lace-making demonstrations on Burano, and the historic sights on Torcello—without having to navigate the complicated and crowded interisland public transportation system. Half-day tours are great when you're pressed for time. Full-day tours explore the Grand Canal and lagoon islands at a relaxed pace.
Be sure to bring your camera to capture the picturesque glassblowing demonstrations on Murano and traditional lace-making on Burano.
Murano glass and Burano lace are famous for their impeccable quality—and prices reflect that. Be wary of glass or lace shops that advertise “bargain” prices, which often means low-quality goods imported from outside Italy.
Murano’s glass shops are known for their hard-sell techniques, so always book your Venice islands tour through a reputable company to avoid unpleasant strong-arming tactics.
From St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco), take the vaporetto water bus ferry line #4.1 from the San Zaccaria stop, or a private water taxi from the Grand Canal boat launch near the Doge’s Palace to Murano. From there, local water buses or taxis run to Burano and Torcello.
The best times to visit are spring and early fall. Summers in the Venice Islands are less sweltering than in inland Italy but just as crowded. The crowds thin considerably from November through February, though chilly temperatures can mean a less pleasant boat trip across the lagoon.
Over the centuries, a number of artists, musicians, and Hollywood stars have famoulsy spent time on the quiet island of Torcello. American writer Ernest Hemingway, for one, wrote parts of the novel Across the River and into the Trees during his stay on the island in 1948.
