Is Murano worth visiting?

Murano is a lovely place to wander around. It is true that much of the glass there is actually made in China but, by law (so I was told), it has to be clearly marked. Many stores proudly post a sign saying they won't sell it. Murano, if you're interested, is a good place to learn about glass blowing. The museum is also interesting. No, I'd say go to Murano! Then go on to Burano.

There are some good shops in Venice proper, but there's a lot of cheap stuff that looks imported to me. (I'm no expert, but I've been looking at glass for over 50 years.) You can find junk on Murano, too, there is a very high concentration of glass shops there, which makes it easy to look around and get a feel for your options.

If you decide to pick up some inexpensive jewelry for yourself or others, be mindful of the metal fittings. Those can be very, very cheap and prone to quick failure. I figure if the metal is really flimsy, it's probably not attached to glass made in Venice.

Enjoyed my trip to Murano. Watched glass-blowing demos, learned about the process of glassmaking and the history of Venetian glass; visited the museum, wandered around the shops, bought super glass fridge magnets that I watched being made, as friends’ gifts. Shops range from tourist souvenir shops to high end places selling chandeliers, sets of glassware, etc. Great way to spend a day, or a half day. It can be crowded but not as bad as Venice itself. Just take the Vaporetto, no need to pay for a special tour. And indeed if time permits go to Burano.

I did buy a beautiful glass bead necklace in Venice, not around Piazza San Marco, but from a small shop tucked away on a side street near my hotel. It was one of those things that I saw it, fell in love with it and had to have it and I was happy with the price. I bought it in Venice and don’t worry if it is “real” - I just remember my first visit to Venice when I wear it.

I live in Seattle so I’ve actually been to the Dale Chihuly museum there. I’m looking for something like a fruit, portable without ostentation, like a still life in three dimensions. The tourist shops all over St. Marks are pretty abominable.

We enjoy Murano very much, especially the small, independent, unassuming shops. Some of them are owner-operated and they are delightful to visit with. We’ve visited with Giorgio Bruno http://www.giorgiobrunomurano.it/en/ several times and purchased some jewelry and glassware. (The website doesn’t do him justice.)

Rick Steves has a nice self guided tour, BTW, which is helpful.

Just to echo @Robert's comment, once you commit to Murano, I would suggest making a day out of the outer islands and continuing to Mazzorbo and Burano. Or better still -- do them first, and end with Murano so you aren't carrying your purchases around all day. But the islands are colorful, beautiful, and have great food! I still dream of the patio and cuttlefish at Trattoria alla Maddalena!

I'd definitely visit Murano again as long as it's in addition to Burano. I'd make Burano my priority for photographic opportunities - a soft morning light was really effective.

I love Murano, and wandering in and out of all the glass shops, and the museum. There are many things in the shops there that you may not find elsewhere in Venice. This last time I found a cute little inkwell and glass pen. I would go to Burano first, before the shops open if you can as it is very photogenic before the crowds get there. Then make your way back to Murano, possibly stopping at Torcello, and spend the afternoon there. Catch the vaporetto at the Fondemente Nova stop ( on the top of the ‘fish’).

Murano was recommended by an acquaintance. Neither my wife or I were particularly enamored with it though. The highlight for us was an over-priced gelato that we sat in the sun enjoying and the boat ride coming and going. We preferred Burano.
For context, we have been to the Corning Glass museum numerous times. Corning (for us) was a far more interesting experience, albeit not in sunny Italy.
If I plan another trip to Venice, we will most certainly skip Murano and I assuredly will not promote it to someone else.
The Gugenheim on the other hand......yes. That is worth visiting.

A visit to Murano (and Burano) is definitely worth it without regard to buying glass. Both are very scenic, not nearly as crowded as Venice proper, easy to get to by vaporetto, and can be visited in a single day by getting an early start and a late return.

Maybe the big question is, How much time are you allowing for Venice?

If you will be there two nights, forget it, the boat to Murano and walking around will take a big chunk of a day. If you have more time, then yeah, it is worth the trip to just wander, have some lunch, take in the cheesy glass blowing demonstrations and suffer the sales pitch. But you probably will find more variety and better quality, maybe, on Murano. Though of course, most of the bigger studios on Murano have showrooms in Venice proper, maybe some research might offer a few select places to look in Venice.