Burano Murano day trip

You will find Murano more crowded and touristy. Before buying any glassware make sure it is made locally. Add the lovely historic island of Torcello to your day trip. It is very near Burano and easy to add.

You can visit all three islands in one day. You could skip Murano, lots of glass on Burano.

Rick Steves' Venice guide book has a great self-guided day trip to all three islands. We've done it at least 3 times.

In August, 2008 we visited Burano and found a sleepy, lazy, easy going island and the tourists were few. They were few because very few people were on the vaporetto with us to this destination. We wandered around, spoke with some of the locals, enjoyed a quiet lunch in an empty restaurant, and took our time back to the docking area.

We returned in August, 2012 and Burano had been discovered. The place now had many new souvenir shops and stands selling the same schlock found on the streets Venice. In addition, a new, modern dock was built to replace the existing facility to accommodate the big increase in tourist traffic.

I would probably return to Burano, but it's difficult to escape the Venice type tourist stuff. So, go and make your own decision.

Buon viaggio,

Maybe Burano is crowded depending on when you visit? How many cruise ships are docked in Venice that day? It sure wasn't uncrowded when I visited in September 2007. I meant to go again on a recent quick return to Venice in May but I just didn't have enough time. It's a long ride by vaporetto out there (but worth it if you have the time - loved it) and were plenty of other tourists. It's probably 45+ minutes each way as I recall by boat - plus any connections you may need to make, so you need to devote quite a bit of time to see just Burano. So if your three days means two nights - very little time in Venice, actually, decide carefully whether it's really worth the time investment to you.

Murano is OK - not nearly as colorful or interesting as Burano in my opinion, but Murano is also a quick vaporetto ride so won't consume almost half of your day. Do it instead of Burano if you are running out of time.

Thanks all! Thinking with rather limited time, we will forego that this trip! While of course we see the major attractions, we are not really fond of the high tourist areas. One reason we made a decision to do St. Marks and the Doge's on the night tour! We stay off the beaten path in apartments in the less touristy parts of town and really enjoy getting lost in the back streets and ducking into lesser mainstream restaurants. I really appreciate this forum and the great and reliable information. Thanks to all! Keep on travelin'!

Getting lost in the back streets of Venezia is outstanding both during the day and night. Wandering away from the main sections is most rewarding and peaceful. Once during our meandering we found a pizzeria with a Rick Steves travel guide in the window. We stopped and had a great pizza at this place, which I can't remember the name, but it was a good dumb luck find.

Buon viaggio,