Hello,
We will be visiting Venice for three nights and have been told we must visit one of the islands of Burano and Murano. Some people say you don’t need to see both, but I don’t know how to choose. Is it best to take a tour or go on your own? Is it possible to see both in a day or would that be too much?
Thank you, Daisy
I vote for seeing Burano and Torcello. You can do both in a single day (they are only a few minute vaporetto ride apart). I don't think there's a need for a tour. Burano is a lovely place to meander through and have lunch. The colors of the houses are refreshing. Torcello is historically more important and the two churches (side by side) are ancient and impressive pieces of construction.
Murano just hasn't done it for me, and I've given it several tries. It is lovely but the glass blowing exhibits are a pretext for sales pitches. The smaller shops could be a good place to buy glass souvenirs but you have to be very careful about where they were actually made. Many shops advertise 'made in Murano'. Many don't advertise that the pieces are made in China.
Burano and Torcello are my recommendation.
I agree completely with Robert and Suki - I would choose Burano and Torcello, Take a look at a good photographer's scrapbook from Burano and you'll see my reasons for choosing it over Murano. One of the most beautiful days I've ever spent was in late September on Burano.
Burano , when you depart from the main street , and wander the back lanes . No one there , except the residents , and dozens of pastel hued fisherman's houses . It's an other worldly charming place . Known in the film " Summertime " as " The Island Where The Rainbow Fell " A clip here - https://youtu.be/PXH9FJMttzA
Another vote for Burano & Torcello.
I liked both and they are very different. Murano is charming, and I loved all the glass displays in the windows. Burano is colourful and picturesque. It was easy to visit both by taking the ferry to Murano and then, afterward, from Murano to Burano.
I'm not so jaded that I thought Murano wasn't interesting or charming enough. I liked it better than Venice proper.
I dont think you need a tour or guide to see Burano. Its all there right in front of you.
Some people say you don’t need to see both...take a tour or go on your own... possible to see both in a day...
They are quite different so consider seeing both. Murano is a little busier while Burano is more laid back. It's very easy to do them on you own without a guide. And it is very easy to do both in one day if you get an early start. We've done both several times.
If you'd like a preview to help you decide, just google "Videos of walking around Murano and Burano". There are a number of them that are well done and will give you an inkling of what you'll experience in person.
Another vote for Burano. I will be visiting Torcello in April of next year!
We went to both Murano and Burano. We liked both. We really enjoyed the glass museum in Murano.
We did all three in one day and did not feel rushed. But I agree that Burano and Torcello are the best of the three.
I suggest you see both. They are totally different. Murano is colorful, lively, tourist (glass sales) oriented, with some great restaurants and quiet residential areas you can visit. There are multiple vaperetto stops in Murano. The glass studios are incredible. Burano is much smaller and even more colorful than Murano, not as many tourists, restaurants, or shops but the lace work and handmade items are lovely. It is very laid back and low-key. I suggest going on your own and if you start early in the day, you can easily see both. Unless you get lost in the glass factories and shops.
Rick Steves' guidebook has a nice self-guided tour you could follow. We have enjoyed going to all 3 islands many times.
