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Murano, Burano, Torcello
Murano, Burano and Torcello: three islands, three souls of the Lagoon
A boat trip through ancient traditions, colourful houses and places that tell the story of Venice’s origins
Visiting Murano, Burano and Torcello means discovering Venice beyond its historic centre, as you sail through the open, tranquil landscape of the Northern Lagoon.
The boat trip is an integral part of the experience: along the way, you’ll come across canals, salt marshes, small landing stages and bell towers that seem to rise out of the water. Each island has its own distinct identity and reveals a different facet of the lagoon. Murano is home to the blazing furnaces, Burano captivates with its colours, whilst Torcello surprises with its tranquillity and its millennia-old history.
Together, they form one of the most fascinating itineraries in the Venice Lagoon, ideal for those who wish to combine culture, craftsmanship, scenery and moments of genuine relaxation.
Murano, the island of glass
Murano is known throughout the world for its traditional glassmaking. Strolling along its canals, you’ll come across glassworks, workshops and galleries where this ancient art continues to be passed down from generation to generation.
Visiting a glassworks and watching a master glassmaker shape molten glass is a fascinating experience: in just a few minutes, a glowing mass takes shape and is transformed into a vase, a glass, a sculpture or a small decorative object.
Murano also retains a distinctly Venetian atmosphere, characterised by bridges, waterways, palaces overlooking the water and quiet corners to explore at your leisure.
An interesting fact: In 1291, the Republic of Venice decided to move the glassworks from Venice to Murano, primarily to reduce the risk of fires caused by the furnaces within the city. From that moment on, the island became the centre of Venetian glassmaking, and its master glassmakers achieved international renown.
Burano, the island of colours
Burano is one of the most photographed and recognisable islands in the Venetian Lagoon. Its houses, painted in bright colours, are reflected in the canals, creating a cheerful and striking landscape.
Strolling through Burano means losing yourself amongst narrow alleyways, bridges, courtyards and boats moored in front of the houses. There isn’t just one particular sight to see: the island’s charm is best discovered slowly, as you take in the details of the façades, the washing hanging out to dry, the colourful doors and the daily lives of the locals.
As well as its colours, Burano is famous for its lace-making. This craft, created using a needle and thread, requires great precision and can take many hours to complete even a small design. The historic Lace-Making School was founded in 1872 to revive and promote a tradition that was already centuries old.
An interesting fact: According to tradition, fishermen used to paint their houses in different colours so that they could recognise them more easily on their return from fishing, especially on foggy days. Even today, this colourful variety makes Burano a unique place, where every corner seems tailor-made for a photograph.
Torcello, the island of our origins
Torcello is the oldest and quietest part of the lagoon. Today it appears green, peaceful and sparsely populated, but in the past it was one of the most important commercial and religious centres in the lagoon area, reaching the height of its development around the 10th century.
When arriving by boat, you travel along a canal surrounded by greenery, in an atmosphere completely different from that of Venice. A short walk takes you to the historic heart of the island, where you’ll find the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, the Church of Santa Fosca, the Torcello Museum and the ruins that bear witness to the importance once held by this ancient settlement.
The Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, one of the oldest churches in the lagoon, houses a precious heritage of Venetian-Byzantine art and architecture. Torcello is often described as “Venice before Venice”, because its history is closely linked to the emergence of the first lagoon communities.
An interesting fact: Along the route, you’ll come across the Devil’s Bridge, one of the few Venetian bridges still without parapets. In the square, meanwhile, stands the so-called ‘Throne of Attila’, which did not actually belong to the famous warlord: it was probably a seat used by the island’s authorities to administer justice.
Discover the islands from the best vantage point
Visiting Murano, Burano and Torcello by boat allows you to appreciate the true connection between Venice and its lagoon. Travelling from one island to another is not merely a journey from one place to another, but a journey through ever-changing landscapes.
From the heat of Murano’s furnaces to the colours of Burano, right through to the timeless tranquillity of Torcello, each stop offers a different experience. This itinerary is designed for those who wish to learn about Venetian traditions, discover authentic places and admire the lagoon from a unique vantage point.
With Dal Maschio Venice Boat Tours, the journey becomes an experience to be savoured at a leisurely pace and in complete freedom, as you let yourself be guided through the most enchanting islands of the Venetian Lagoon.
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