Sight guide · Venice · Italy
Visiting Murano
Venetian glassmakers were moved to Murano in 1291, and furnaces still operate here.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wittylama, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Murano is an island in Northern lagoon, Venice. Allow 2–3 hours; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Island
- Area
- Northern lagoon
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- kids, shopping, art and history
- Best months
- May–June and September
About Murano
Venetian glassmakers were moved to Murano in 1291, and furnaces still operate here. Watch glassblowing demonstrations, visit the Glass Museum, and see the 12th-century mosaic floor in the Basilica of Santa Maria e San Donato.
Tip: Ignore touts offering a 'free boat' to a factory; find a furnace on the island yourself and look for the Vetro Artistico Murano mark when buying.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2–3 hours.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Northern lagoon.
Best time to visit Murano
Murano is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- September: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- May: 22°C (72°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- June: 26°C (79°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, very busy crowds.
When to visit Venice has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Murano is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace.
- No. 13 of the 20 sights in our Venice things-to-do list.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Venice.
- A family favourite in Venice with kids.
Near Murano
Also in Northern lagoon, so you can walk between them:
If you like Murano
- St Mark's Basilica — San Marco, 1–1.5 hours
- Doge's Palace — San Marco, 2–3 hours
- Gallerie dell'Accademia — Dorsoduro, 2 hours
- Basilica dei Frari — San Polo, 45 minutes–1 hour
Staying near Murano
Where to stay in Venice compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Murano?
Plan 2–3 hours. With Burano nearby, it fits a half-day in Northern lagoon.
+Is Murano free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Murano?
May–June and September for the most comfortable weather. Ignore touts offering a 'free boat' to a factory; find a furnace on the island yourself and look for the Vetro Artistico Murano mark when buying.
+Do I need to book Murano in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Murano good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Venice. Children love Venice's boats, bridges and glassblowers, and there is no car traffic to worry about.