Murano
Getting there

First, let us answer the essential question: “How do I get to Murano?” Before exploring what there is to see on the island, it is worth understanding the simplest routes to reach it.

A number of waterbuses depart from Venice for Murano (Vaporetto routes 4.1, 4.2, 7, 12 and 13), along with tour boats. The journey takes around 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your point of departure. Incidentally, both, some of the tour boats and Vaporetto route 12 also continue to Burano, an island of exceptional charm. Since neither Murano nor Burano is particularly large, it is quite feasible to visit both in a single day.

Departing from Venice

Cannaregio – near Santa Maria Assunta
Stop: F.te Nove “B”
Routes 4.1 and 4.2 – only two stops to Murano Colonna A, three to Faro B, and four to Museo B.

OR:
Stop: F.te Nove “A”
Route 12, calling at Murano Faro A (and continuing on to Burano and Torcello).

Frequencies:
Routes 4.1 and 4.2: every 20 minutes, alternating to provide a departure roughly every 10 minutes
Route 12: every 30 minutes

Céline tried this route in September 2024 – and found it wonderfully straightforward.

San Marco
Walk past the Bridge of Sighs to…
Stop: San Zaccaria “D”
Route 7 runs between S. Marco/S. Zaccaria and Murano (Navagero – Faro – Colonna), and back again.
Céline used this line when returning from Murano, simply to enjoy the ride past the Lido.

Arriving in Murano

Murano has three main landing stages, and depending on your plans and how much time you intend to spend on the island, one may suit you better than the others. Not every route serves every stop, so do check in advance.

If you would like to attend a glass-blowing demonstration at the Glass Cathedral, have plenty of time, and wish to explore the island from bottom to top, disembark at Murano Colonna “C”.

If you are heading to the glass-blowing show at Vetreria Artistica Colleoni – Murano Glass Factory, you may prefer to remain onboard for one more stop and get off at Faro B.

If your priority is the Murano Glass Museum and the cathedral, and you do not plan to venture far across the island, routes 4.1 and 4.2 will take you to Museo B.

Route 7 serves Colonna A and Faro B, while routes 12 and 13 arrive at Murano Faro “A”.

Tickets

A single journey on the ACTV Vaporetto costs EUR 9.50, while a day pass is EUR 25. Both can also be purchased online through us.

Sights
The Island Itself

Close to the lagoon you will find a scattering of bars and restaurants, perfect spots to soak up the atmosphere and the salty sea air. The houses glow in warm shades of red and yellow which, set against the deep blue of the water, create a scene that feels almost theatrical – or like an oil painting come to life. Their façades make wonderfully photogenic subjects.

A stroll through the lanes along the island’s main canal (yes, Murano has its own Canal Grande) reveals a wealth of glassware displayed in the shop windows: beads, jewellery, vases, bottles, bowls and much more. Glassmaking on Murano is far more than a tradition; it is an art form with a history stretching back over 700 years.

The atmosphere is undeniably idyllic – as though one has stepped into a fairytale.

I can say this with conviction because of a simple encounter. During my visit, I helped an elderly gentleman, perhaps around eighty, carry his shopping across a bridge. He explained that while boats are used for transport on the water, life on the streets is entirely on foot: there are no cars or buses here. He and his wife cross several bridges every day and are so accustomed to the steps that, although tiring, they hardly give them a thought. The further one wanders from the harbour, the more locals one meets, and the easier it becomes to appreciate island life. Children play freely on the quiet streets and race through narrow alleys on their bicycles, while the older generation sits on benches enjoying the warmth of the sun on their faces. People know one another by name and greet each other accordingly. Fresh laundry hangs on lines strung from window to window, swaying gently as it dries.

It is these small details that, when noticed, reveal so much about a place – and make it truly special.

Where to Eat
Restaurants

As our visits to Murano were relatively short, we were only able to try one restaurant in depth. Céline dined at Osteria Al Duomo – as the name suggests, it is located directly opposite the cathedral.

With a Google rating of 4.3 (2,779 reviews), it certainly warranted a closer look. And indeed: the pasta was exceptional.
It happened to be the daily special… wonderful for me, perhaps you won’t find it…. However, if you spot a pasta dish with pistachio pesto and prawns listed near the top of the menu, do order it!

As is the case throughout Venice, prices are on the higher side: I paid EUR 32 in total – EUR 18 for the pasta, plus a glass of wine, water, coffee, and the coperto (standard cover charge).

Below are a few additional restaurants. We cannot personally recommend them as we have not visited, but these are the three highest-rated options on the island – useful to have in mind:

From the Glass Cathedral towards the centre:
B Restaurant alla Vecchia Pescheria
Google rating: 4.4 (1,552 reviews)

Around the corner from the Glass Museum:
Trattoria Valmarana
Google rating: 4.5 (809 reviews)

By the lighthouse, ideal upon arrival or before departure:
Approdo Pizzeria Ristorante
Google rating: 4.6 (1828 reviews)