murano glass tour in venice

Glass Blowing - Visit Murano Glass Factory Tour - Book Now!

The glass factory with working glass demonstrations is open to the public visit everyday from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm, last tour starts at 3.30 pm.

YOU MUST BOOKING!

We only accept guests with reservation! We know you are in holiday! If you don't know the exact arrival time, it's not a problem, it's only indicative for us, you can come to our entrance even late, as long as the day of the visit is respected.

Glass blowing show inside our traditional furnace in Murano.

Visit us in Murano and assist how we make our artworks!

Exclusive tour visit of our furnace with dedicated guide who speaks Italian, French, English and German.

After the demonstration, tour of the shop and the showroom to enjoy every single piece of art we make.

You will get our COUPON CODE with the total amount of your booking tickets, to spend in our online store.

Big groups, schools, families or individuals are all welcome in our furnace!

ALWAYS OPEN DURING THE HOLIDAYS. Easter, April 25th, May 1st, Jun 2nd, August 15th.

€5 per adult

Children under 14 years old enter free of charge, not need to book for them.

BOOK YOUR VISIT:

PAY NOW BY CREDIT CARD

PAY LATER DURING VISIT

California, USA

"Very interesting experience and amazing demonstration. Recommended!"

Enjoy the visit in furnace and the shopping experience in our NEW show room!

Where to find us.

We are located in: Fondamenta San Giovanni dei Battuti 4b, 30141 Murano Venezia Italy. CLICK HERE TO GET GOOGLE MAP DIRECTION

You can decide to visit us by public boat transportation:

From Venice – line 12, 3, 4.1, 4.2 – stop “Murano Faro” (lighthouse)

From Burano, Vignole, Treporti, Punta Sabbioni – line 12, 13 – stop “Murano Faro”(light house)

We can also arrange the TAXI boat to pick up you at your place in Venice. TAXI service is not free. The cost of it is about 100 euro one way for max 10 people (we do not charge on it). We have a private boat stop in front of our factory. If you would like to book for a private TAXI please contact our customer service for all the info.

Original Murano Glass OMG®

SALE OFFICE

[email protected]

DELIVERY OFFICE

Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm Italian time

SALE OFFICE: +39 3276842376 +39 3899335434

COMPANY ADDRESS

Original Murano Glass s.n.c. Fondamenta San Giovanni dei Battuti 4b. 30141, Murano Venezia Italy.

IT04347580278

SALES OFFICE

Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm Italian time: +39 3899335434

VAT: 04347580278

Our network:

• Glass Making Demonstration
• Large groups and schools
• Murano glass blowing class
• Murano glass making experience
• Don't have an account?
• Forgot your username?

• All Lighting

• Picasso Heads
• All Sculptures

• Christmas Ornaments
• Weddings Gifts
• All Home Accessories

• Dining Table
• Coffee Table
• Dressing Table
• All Furniture

• Water Glasses
• Cocktail Glasses
• Wine & Champagne Glasses
• All Glasses

• Jewelry Set
• All Jewelry

No products in the cart.

Murano Glass Factory Tour

You are planning a trip to Murano and are gathering information before you go. Naturally, a Murano glass factory tour would be the perfect way to learn about Murano’s famous trade. To help you get the best experience, listed here are the “dos and don’ts” of attending a Murano Glass Factory Tour .

Murano Glass Factory Tour – Be wary of the “Free tour”

Walking through Venice or Murano, you will probably be stopped by a salesperson proposing to take you on a free Murano Glass Factory Tour. They will boast about the incredible experience you will have and the exclusive deals on glass they can arrange. Sadly, it is a common tourist trap:

• The tour will be limited . The salespersons are hired by one glass factory to bring in customers. You will only see the glass factory they work for and that glass factory’s shop,
• The glassblowing demonstration will be brief ,
• At the end, there will be pressure to purchase an item to thank them for the “free tour”. But, their shop will have inflated prices disguised as bargains.

There is no harm in attending these “free tours”, but as experienced Murano travelers we offer this one advice: Don’t let a salesperson beguile you into buying over-priced glass. Make your own comparisons and reflect well on your purchases.

The paid tour

There are great Murano glass factory tours if your funds allow you to reserve a guide. Paid guides will take you to see more and educate you along the way. On average, tours start around 30€ per person . Private tours will be a bit more. With paid tours, you will have a very pleasant experience.

• Most tours will take you through the entire You will see many glass factories, and the professional guides will enhance your experience by sharing their knowledge with you
• You can witness a full glassblowing demonstration . See how the delicate art is made. Some tours even allow you to participate and take your creation home!
• Average length of a tour is 2 hours

For these reasons, a paid Murano glass factory tour is the best way to immerse yourself in the Murano culture. Find the tour that fits your interests and budget. Don’t risk having a poor experience in such an extraordinary place. Do your research and read reviews. Some paid tours are still looking to trap you in one glass factory to encourage you to buy their glass before you see what else is out there. Make sure you discover all of Murano and not just one shop.

How to get the best out of Murano without a formal tour

Tours are a great way to see the island, but if you don’t have the budget, there is nothing wrong with touring the Island of Murano on your own. This way you can guarantee you see exactly what you want. Visit the glass factories that are open to the public. You will easily find them since there are more glass foundries and shops than cafés in Murano . Getting to Murano is painless. Take Venice’s public transportation system, the Vaporetti . Read our article Venice to Murano for details on how to get there.

After your trip to Murano, you will have an idea why owning an authentic and certified Murano Glass artwork is so coveted. Of course, you will want to take home a souvenir; but even in Murano, you will need to be conscious of what you are buying. Be sure your purchase supports the local Murano artists by buying genuine Murano glass artwork . True Murano glass increases in value over time, but unfortunately, there are counterfeit artworks sold on the island from China and the Czech Republic. You can either take the risk or you can purchase through a trustworthy source.

Did you know that you can buy Murano glass artwork online at the best price on the market?

Thanks to a unique collaboration with Murano glass masters, MuranoGlassItaly.com offers high-quality, certified, Murano glasswork online at the best price on the market. What’s more, you can see exclusive pieces online the Murano glass artists don’t put in the shop window, and find the one unique to you!

Don’t see what you like, or have something specific in mind? We can create a custom piece for you. Guaranteed genuine and authentic . Be a smart shopper, get the best value for your money and shop online.

All our artworks are 100% handmade in Murano, Italy and they are always provided with a Certificate of Authenticity. We will ship the artwork safely to your door step.

Related posts

Murano Glass Museum

The Best Luxury Hotels in Venice, Italy

Best Restaurants in Venice – Italy

Guide to Venice Nightlife and Bars

Places to Eat in Venice

Comments are closed

MuranoGlassItaly 440 reviews what our clients say rating 4.89 / 5

MuranoGlassItaly Store VAT: IT01840430936 All Rights Reserved

BEST Murano Glass Factory Tours

Choose from tons of options and start times with free cancellation and 1000s of 5-star reviews.

4 Tours Found

Price - Lowest First

Price - Highest First

Most reviewed

Most Popular

Murano and Burano in a Half Day Boat Tour

Easily explore these colorful Venetian islands and see traditional glassblowing and lacemaking

Ultimate Venice in a Day with Murano and Burano

Do more in a day: St. Mark's, Doge's Palace, glassblowing and lacemaking demos, and a gondola ride

Venice Islands and Artisans Private Tour

Explore colorful streets and ancient trades in Murano and Burano with a private boat and local guide

Island Adventure Boat Tour to Mazzorbo, Burano, and Murano

Hop around the Venetian islands to discover glassblowing, colorful houses, and a serene lagoon

OUR BEST SELLING TOURS AT A GLANCE

Most Popular Tours

Rome in a day tour with colosseum and vatican museums.

Explore the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and more!

Ultimate Palace of Versailles Tour from Paris

Breeze past the lines for the palace and gardens with a friendly English speaking guide

Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

Skip the line and gain direct access to the Raphael Rooms, Creation of Man, and St. Peter's Basilica

Venice in a Day Tour with Gondola Ride

Visit St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, Rialto Bridge, and the hidden areas of Venice

Florence in a Day Combo Tour with David and Uffizi

Explore Accademia Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Florence Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, and so much more

Paris in a Day Tour with Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Seine River Cruise

See the Mona Lisa, Sacre-Coeur, and Moulin Rouge with organized transportation and an expert guide

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tickets

Skip the line and gain quicker access to the Vatican so you can explore at your leisure

Subscribe for New tours

All our destinations.

• Top Destinations
• Mexico City, Mexico
• Tokyo, Japan
• Paris, France
• Rome, Italy
• London, United Kingdom
• All Destinations
• Upcoming Experiences
• Walking Tours
• Small-Group Tours
• Tours for Kids
• Museum Tours
• Food, Wine and Market Tours
• Newly Added Tours
• Audio Guides
• Pre-Trip Lectures
• Admin Dashboard
• My Favorites
• Cookies Preferences
• Client Orders
• Monthly Commissions
• My Advisor Profile
• Advisor Toolkit
• Guide Dashboard

Credit Balance

Transactions are based on current exchange rates and performed in USD. There maybe slight variations in the price estimates.

Murano Island Tour: The History of Glass Making in Venice

• Murano Glass Museum
• Island of Murano

• Discover the fascinating history of glass in Venice and gain a deeper understanding of the wider context of global trade, and how artisan crafts like Murano glass are forging a new path in our modern world.
• You'll witness actual glassmaking up close in a sustainable and authentic environment, away from the tourist crowds. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to be part of the legacy of Venetian glassmaking!

Murano Glass Tour

Glass production and trade.

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ .

You May Also Like

Introduction to Venice Tour with Rialto Bridge and St. Mark's Basilica Skip-the-Line Tickets

Venice by Boat: Grand Canal Tour

Cannaregio Neighborhood Tour

Book a tour.

• Our Experts
• Working with Context
• View All Cities
• Sustainable Tourism
• Refer a Friend for $50
• Travel Updates
• Advisor Login
• Expert Portal

Subscribe to our Newsletter

• Privacy Statement & Security
• Cancellation Policy

Museo del Vetro

Doge's Palace

Doge's Palace A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, is the very symbol of Venice

Museo Correr

Museo Correr The Royal Palace, the neoclassical rooms and Antonio Canova, the History of Venice and the Picture-gallery

Ca' Rezzonico

Ca' Rezzonico Among precious historical furnishings, it houses important works of the XVIII century Venice

Ca' Pesaro The International Gallery of Modern art houses masterpieces such as works by Medardo Rosso, Rodin, Kandinsky, Klee...

Glass Museum

Glass Museum Housed in Murano, the museum hosts the most extensive historical collection of Murano glasses

Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum An evocative and engaging layout for discover the secrets of nature and living beings

Mocenigo Palace

Mocenigo Palace Museum of Textiles and Costumes with the itineraries dedicated to perfume

Fortuny Museum

Fortuny Museum Visit the gothic Palazzo Pesaro degli Orfei, transformed by Mariano Fortuny into his private studio

Lace Museum

Lace Museum Housed in Burano, the museum exhibits rare and valuable specimens of Venetian lace, from the 16th to the 20th century

Carlo Goldoni's house

Carlo Goldoni's house The house where Carlo Goldoni was born contains a small museum and a library of theatrical studies

Clock Tower

Clock Tower For over 500 years it has marked the life, the history and the continual passage of time of Venice

Visitmuve Visit the website of Civic Museums of Venice

• Building and history

Layout and collections

• Research Services
• Exhibitions
• Exhibitions Archive
• Current Events
• Events Archive
• MUVE Education
• Opening times
• Accessibility and Services
• How to get there
• Announcements
• 🎟️ Tickets

The history of Murano Glass Museum

Opening hours >

Ticket prices >

Buy tickets online >

Since 1861 the Museum, located in the ancient residence of the Torcello bishops, retains the best testimonials about the history of glass and Murano glass art.

Temporary exhibition

From 19 May, an exhibition retraces the long career of the Venetian artist and designer Federica Marangoni, focusing on her special relationship with glass and Murano

Educational itineraries

For adults and families, it is possible to participate in educational itineraries in the Glass Museum and in the Musei Civici of Venice.

Layout and collections: From mosaic glass to “millefiori”: murrine

In the first half of the nineteenth century the glass makers on Murano were going through the most difficult period in their history…One of the strategies they adopted to overcome this crisis was the production of murrino glass…

MUVE Educational services

MUSEUMS FOR ALL TO ENJOY AND EXPLORE For Schools, Adults, Families, Birthdays at the museum….

© Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia C.F. e P.IVA 03842230272

• Visit Regulation
• Virtual tour
• Contracts and bids
• Museum Store

Ellegi Murano Glass: the art of the glass process according to tradition

Join one of the next guided tours of the glassworks, here’s what you get:.

Master demonstration and explanation in your language Once you enter the glassworks, you can sit on the bleachers and listen to the explanation from the speaker, always in the original language based on your nationality.

Visit the Showroom At the end of the demonstration, you can immediately go to the part dedicated to the showroom, right next to the furnace, to view the products on display, buy a souvenir or commission what you want, in personalized form, to receive it comfortably at home, by courier.

Book now w via the web

Booking the visit to the furnace is easy. Fill out the form below, (you can do it even a few minutes before you arrive). The ticket cost of € 5 is symbolic and is paid directly at the entrance, also all children under 15 years of age enter free

They say about us on Google :

We had our own glass-making demonstration in English and it was only €5 per adult while our little children were free. The master craftsman was truly fascinating! A must-see in Venice!

Major Goody. – Local guide

Wonderful demonstration, description in many languages, entertaining master glassblower! Fee is much lower than other places, too.

Liisa Perrin

Great demonstration of how Murano glass is made. Explanations in French by the site manager. Just awesome and family-friendly! I have wonderful memories.

Laura Matuska

They say about us on Tripadvisor

Fill out the form and book your visit online

" * " indicates required fields

Cost of the visit: € 5 (you pay here, at the entrance). Children and teenagers under 15 enter for FREE

Open all year except for the period from January 5th to February 15th. Visits are possible 7 days a week, from 9 am to 4 pm (from April to November), from 10 am to 3 pm (from December to March) . T he visit lasts about 20 minutes. Keep the confirmation email with the date and time booked, in digital or paper format, and hand it in before entering.

Where our Murano Glass Art Gallery is located and how to reach us

The Murano Glass showroom is located at Fondamenta S. Giovanni dei Battuti, number 4b/5 , overlooking the canal and the dock where taxi boats and tour boats arrive. This is the easiest way to reach us. Participating in a group visit with other people means being taken directly to the starting point of the visit. An advantage that allows you to save time and get straight to the point, without too much effort and without unforeseen events or delays along the way. If you are in Venice or Burano, you can get there in just a few minutes by ferry or taxi boat : we are right in front of the docking area, just a few meters from where the boat moor. You can ask our staff how to get there by filling out the contact form or you can contact your hotel, tour operator, or tour guide.

The advice is always to book in advance (you can also do it from our website). But if you arrive at the last minute or a friend joins you unannounced, don’t worry: we’ll do everything we can to find an extra place and put you on one of the guided tours that take place in the furnace every day . Do not forget that our Murano Glass art gallery, which is the exhibition space with the items for sale, remains open two hours longer than the furnace. The Murano showroom closes at 5:00 pm, while the tours end at around 3 or 4 p.m, depending on the period of the year (it is the time when the workers finish). Find out how to book your visit on the dedicated page or contact us without obligation for more details at e [email protected] or by phone +390415274822 . Would you like to know the history of our Murano glass factory? Find out how our business was born and expanded on the About us page!

Take a look at the photo gallery of our Murano showroom

wave murano glass

How dreams are shaped, digital craftsmanship in line with tradition..

Wave Murano Glass was born in January 2017 from Roberto Beltrami ‘s passion for glass. We are based on the island of Murano (Venice), the place where the world-reknown art of blown glass started and grew since ancient times.

CREATIVITY AND CUSTOMIZATION

Our experience in the design and crafting of bespoke glass for international luxury brands and Roberto scientific approach to glassmaking makes us the perfect partner to find custom solutions for our clients.

PETALS OF PEARL: TREASURE HUNT

Marietta Barovier, Murano’s most famous woman glassmaker, has misplaced her original rosetta pearl and has no idea where it might be. However, she absolutely must find it: she cannot afford to lose the first specimen of that masterpiece of glass art that will be forever linked to her name. Are you ready to help her? However, he absolutely must find it: he cannot afford to lose forever the first specimen of that masterpiece of glass art that will forever be linked to his name. Are you ready to help her?

The Fornace

@wave_murano_glass

Professional tour.

Would you like to visit and learn the secrets of an active Murano glass workshop? Come meet the youngest team of glassblowers on the island of Murano, and join one of our tours!

Learn the ancient art of blown glass with a hands-on experience. Book now on the Airbnb experience platform.

Wave Murano glass is located on the island of Murano (Venice). You can easily reach us both from Venice and from the airport with Venice’s public ferries since our workshop is at a 1 minute walk from the Murano Da Mula ferry stop. Our address is Ramo Da Mula 5/1 in Murano.

discover our online collections

virtual tour

Virtual tour, are you a dealer and want to become our partner, are you an architect or a designer and want to manufacture your project in glass, are you an artist and want to create unique artistic pieces according to your vision.

Our doors are always open, and you can visit us even if you cant phisically fly out to Venice.

We offer our potential customers the opportunity to get to know us online via a Virtual Tour to see our furnace live and learn about all the production processes. From the formulation of glass chemical recipes, to the blowing performed by our masters, we will delve into the technical aspects to establish a fruitful collaboration.

follow our story

Wave Murano Glass Srl

Fondamenta da Mula 152 – Murano

30141 – Venezia

CF: 04394110276

• +39 329 043 3343
• sales (a) waveglass.it
• marketing (a) waveglass.it

Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Collections

Professional Tour

Wave Murano Glass ® Original Factory by Roberto Beltrami

Web design by effetti designs ©.

Privacy policy – Cookie policy

from Monday at Friday from 8.00 at 17.00 Saturday from 9.30 at 17.30

Premium Lagoon Excursion: Murano Glass Making, Burano & Wine Tasting

• Explore Murano and Burano, two ancient islands only accessible by boat, where Venice's authentic traditions still run deep.
• Visit a secret island vineyard, today part of a Michelin Star restaurant, and enjoy an exclusive wine tasting.
• Sit back and relax on our private boat, taking you and your small group of just 20 guests maximum from island to island. There's no need to worry about finding your own way around.
• See Murano’s spectacular glassmaking tradition come to life at a private demonstration in a gorgeous old church.

Tour description

Spend one perfect day exploring venice’s charming islands and enjoying vip treatment..

This Murano & Burano tour takes you away from the crowds of central Venice to the city's outlying islands, bursting with authentic history and culture. Explore Burano and Murano by private boat, complete with an exclusive wine tasting at a Michelin Star restaurant and a private glassblowing demonstration.

Say buongiorno to your guide and small group in central Venice, then enjoy a short walk through a picturesque neighborhood to your boat to begin your Murano & Burano tour. You’ll make a brief stop along the way for a photo op at one of Venice’s most recognizable spots.

Once aboard the private boat, you’ll slip away from the city center and catch breathtaking views from the water. Pass by legendary sights such as St. Mark’s Square, the Doge's Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs. Throughout the pleasant hour-long ride, your guide will also point out some lesser-known gems that you’ll want to explore during the rest of your time in the city.

Explore picture-perfect Burano with a knowledgeable guide.

You’ll disembark at Burano and pop over to a secret vineyard—now part of a Michelin Star restaurant. Relax and enjoy the views of the vineyards from the restaurant’s stunning tasting room as you sip a glass of excellent white wine served with homemade snacks in an exclusive tasting that’s not available with any other operator.

After your VIP wine tasting, you'll discover the center of Burano Island, home to the famous colorful houses which have been the homes of Venice’s legendary lacemakers since the 16th century. Enjoy a stroll around the island with your guide, taking in the charming streets and sights like the old fish market (no longer in use) and the main church. After the guided portion of your visit, you’ll have the option to accompany your guide to a traditional lacemaking workshop or enjoy some free time on your own.

See Murano’s glassmaking tradition come to life.

Your next stop is the island of Murano, known for its respected tradition of glassmaking since the 13th century. After a 40-minute boat ride, you'll disembark on Murano and head into a formerly abandoned medieval church. Visited by Casanova and Venetian nobles in its heyday, this fascinating space is now a glassmaking workshop. Marvel at a private glassblowing demonstration and learn about the storied history of this local tradition.

After your Murano tour, you'll have some free time to explore the island. Finally, hop back aboard your private boat and we’ll have you back in central Venice by late afternoon. Alternatively, you can choose to stay in Murano for a bit longer on your own, with instructions from your guide on how to make your way back to Venice via public transport.

You’ll return to Venice with a new perspective on the Floating City and some of its lesser-visited (yet no less charming) islands. Thanks to the stories from your guide that bring the islands and their traditions to life, your Murano & Burano tour will provide you with a greater appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of the lagoon.

Sites visited

Verified guest reviews, oct 05, 2023.

Barbara was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour. We enjoyed Burano and Murano very much

Sep 30, 2023

Tour guide made the experience even better!

Sep 23, 2023

Lace making was a 2 minute example then heavy selling by store. Wine tasting was 1 wine only. Murano Glass blowing was good. Overall poor value for money.

Sep 16, 2023

Violet (Viola?) from our Dodge's Palace and Basilica evening tour was amazing! Her passion for sharing the history and interesting facts was evident. Easy to understand and the tour didn't feel rushed! Well worth it!

Aug 12, 2023

I really enjoyed my tour, Jennifer was a fabulous tour guide she was so knowledgeable. Well worth the experience, Murano and Burrato are both stunning. Also our boat driver was excellent. Thank you

Know before you book

Similar tours, welcome to venice: walking tour, st mark's basilica & gondola ride, venice boat tour with grand canal & tower climb, venice in a day with st mark’s basilica, doge’s palace & gondola ride.

Contact Information

• Help Center
• Terms & Conditions
• Cancellation Policy
• Health & Safety
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Settings
• Travel Agents

•  Live Chat
• 1.888.983.6423
• Sign In
• Save for Later
• View All My Lists

Your shopping cart is empty.

• Browse by Category
• JEWELRY & WATCHES
• VINTAGE MURANO GLASS
• ACCESSORIES
• TABLETOP & BAR
• ITALIAN LEATHER
• New Arrivals
• About Murano Glass
• CHARM BEADS
• JEWELRY SETS
• CHILDREN'S JEWELRY
• CHAINS & CORDS
• E-Gift Cards
• Print-At-Home Gift Cards
• Mail Gift Cards
• PERSONAL ACCESSORIES
• OFFICE ACCESSORIES
• ACCENT PLATES
• CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS
• PHOTO FRAMES
• SCULPTURES & FIGURINES
• VENETIAN MIRRORS
• BAR AND WINE
• All Leather Bags
• Italian Leather Handbags
• Italian Leather Keychains
• Italian Leather Backpacks
• Italian Leather Wallets
• Italian Leather Briefcases
• Italian Leather Trays
• Initial Letter Pendants
• Gold Chains
• Silver Chains
• All Chains & Cords
• Compact Mirrors
• Letter Knives
• Paperweights
• Christmas Tree Ornaments
• Christmas Figurines
• Murano Glass Picasso
• Fish, Marine & Nautical
• Professions & People
• Venetian Themed
• Religious & Christmas
• Candy, Fruit, Plants
• All Sculptures
• Chandeliers
• Sconces & Lamps
• Pendant Lights
• Cups, Plates, Bowls
• Candle Holders
• Serving Utensils
• Carafes and Decanters
• Decanter Sets
• Glasses and Goblets
• Bottle openers
• Bottle stoppers
• Wine Glass Charms
• CREATE ACCOUNT
• SIGN IN FORGOT PASSWORD?
• CREATE AN ACCOUNT

100% Authentic

Free shipping,   trusted brand, murano experts, where to see murano glass blowing when visiting venice.

Where To See Murano Glass Blowing? We’ll tell you how to find the best family-owned real Murano Glass factory where you can see the real glass-making, not a tourist show. If you get trapped into the tourist pitch, you will see a very basic short demonstration by someone who barely knows the craft, and will be quickly ushered into the retail area and encouraged to shop and overspend. To avoid this experience, we recommend a place where you can see the authentic glass-blowing process on Murano without any sales pitch.

How to avoid a tourist trap While there are many factories and workshops on Murano, there are also many that pretend to be factories, when in reality, they are merely showrooms. In order to get the best glass-making demonstration experience, a tourist must be careful and not get pulled into showrooms and retail stores pretending to be factories. Most places that offer demonstrations on Murano are just such retail locations. They often claim to be the only place where you can see a real Murano Glass demonstration and the items they sell are overpriced and often not authentic Murano Glass.

We also strongly recommend that you steer clear of hotel-sponsored trips to see Murano glass-making. And do not engage with people strategically standing near Vaporetto stops with signs on seeing Murano glass-making.

Where to see the real Murano Glass demonstration The place that we know well and recommend to our customers and all Murano visitors is located at Calle San Cipriano 48, 30141 Murano and is called Vetreria Murano Arte or VMA . For a small 3 euro fee, you can see real masters work in the real family-owned Murano Glass factory and create wonders of Murano Glass. The added benefit is that you don’t need to make reservations in advance or connect with an organization that will facilitate the glass-blowing demonstration. Just show up at your convenience and see the demo with no sales pressure.

How to get to Murano Island and see the glass making demonstration To see this glass blowing demo all you need to do is take Vaporetto to Murano from Fondamente Nove stop in Venice and get off at Murano Colonna stop. Then ignore all the people promoting demonstrations and holding up signs, get off the Vaporetto, turn left and walk along the embankment. In about 5-7 minutes you will reach Vetreria Murano Arte. The demonstration is open weekdays between the hours of 9am and 4pm. Children under 11 years all can see the demonstration free of charge.

Murano Glass Blowing is a mesmerizing process which takes its roots from Roman glass-blowing and has evolved over the centuries in the Venetian Republic and in modern-day Italy into a prominent art form. There are hundreds of workshops and small factories on Murano island, most family enterprises, where one or more maestro’s work with hot glass, assisted by a few helpers.

A typical factory has several furnaces where the artisans repeatedly heat up the glass mass to make it malleable. Once heated up, the master takes the glass blob on a metal rod to the special bench, where they work on the hot glass blob, while constantly turning the rod to make sure the shape stays and the glass doesn’t fall onto one side. The masters use very basic tools and instruments to cut and shape the glass, and it’s their precision, experience, talent, and fantasy that make their creations unique art glass pieces renown throughout the world.

To become a Murano Glass master, one has to start out working in a furnace as a child and work alongside an experienced maestro to learn all the tricks and secrets of this unique and ancient trade. The most talented artisans then develop their own manner and artistic style, becoming famous maestros in their own right. This old-fashioned way of learning is still practiced in Murano, and all the masters we work with at Glass of Venice have learned their craft in this way.

If this sounds interesting, the next time you are on Murano make sure to visit the real glass-making demonstration without the sales pitch, and then walk around Murano island at your leisure. Peek into stores and galleries and view the beautiful Murano Glass jewelry, vases, sculptures and figurines to see if anything attracts your attention.

If you find a piece that you’d like to purchase, make sure it’s authentic. If you are taking it along with you, ensure that it will be packed well for its voyage home. Otherwise, if you would like it shipped to your home, remember to take down the information about the store, the salesperson, and agree on all the specifics of shipping to avoid any surprises with regard to the shipping fees and timing.

10 thoughts on “ Where To See Murano Glass Blowing When Visiting Venice ”

This article was very informative. We will be in Murano in early June 2023 and do want to visit a real family owned glass blowing shop to see a demonstration. Unfortunately the place recommended in this blog post is now closed – I am assuming this has to do with the rising gas prices you discussed in another post.

We would appreciate any other recommendations. We want to avoid the tourist traps and places with super short demos who only want to get you into the showroom to buy items made in China.

I noticed this post was made “pre-covid”…do you know if this business is still operating and allowing walk-up tours (without reservation)? We are planning to visit in March 2023

Planning a visit to Murano April 20-21 2023. Is the Vetreria Murano Arte at Calle San Cipriano 48, 30141 Murano still in business and having demos with the issue of high price of gas?

indeed this technique is very ancient

Great article, thanks. Currently, features of the production of Murano glass scattered throughout the world. Those who want to make money on its popularity resort to the creation of fakes, which are much inferior to the original in quality, but not much different in price. The disadvantage is the high price and rather large brittleness, despite the good heat treatment. This is especially affected during transportation. The surface of Murano glass products is smooth to the touch and makes a sound like a rock crystal when struck. Good luck!

Unfortunately, you are mistaken in defining the features of authentic Murano Glass, which may mislead many people and lead them down the wrong path of buying a fake. The surface of a Murano Glass object may be smooth or rough, the specific techniques that result in rough surfaces of Murano items include sbruffo, or any technique where layers of glass are put one onto another without polishing. The sound it makes when struck is impossible to universally define – it will depend on the technique used (thick or thin glass, one or many layers, type of decoration etc.) and on many other things. Moreover, it is dangerous to strike Murano Glass objects as many are very fragile and may break upon hard impact. It is a dangerous proposition to define the authenticity of a Murano Glass object based on superficial things like its surface or sound. Instead, there are many characteristics which, when taken together, may be used to determine whether a Murano Glass object is genuine or fake. We authored a very popular article on how to determine authentic Murano Glass, you can find it here: https://www.glassofvenice.com/blog/2010/02/how-do-i-know-if-a-murano-glass-item-is-genuine/

I have a 24 carat gold marano Glass sculpture how can I find out the value or where.

Hello, you can visit sites like eBay or 1stdibs to find comparable pieces and check the prices. Regards, GlassOfVenice Client Service

Thanks for information. We will visit Venice In June, and we will pass in Murano also.

Beautiful article, thanks for informations

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

17 Fun Things To Do In Venice Italy [2 day Itinerary Included]

W e took the train 4 hours from Rome to Venice on our 3 month backpacking trip around Europe and we got 2 gorgeous days with the sun shining! We couldn’t wait to explore this iconic city and to get out on the water. There are so many great things to do in Venice, Italy.

We loved Venice, the vibe, the canals, it is such a beautiful city.

Overview Of Venice

The city is located on 118 islands that are separated by 150 canals. It really does feel like a city on the water! A lot of the islands are connected by 400 footbridges while some of them like Burano and Murano you have to take a boat to get to them in the Venetian Lagoon.

There are no cars in Venice which was amazing. Knox commented how quiet the city was without cars!

You will only find four bridges that cross the Grand Canal. And won’t miss the 400+ gondolas that are floating through the canals all around the city.

Venice is magical. There really isn’t a better way to describe it. I know people have complained about it being too busy or smelly. But when we were there at the end of March/beginning of April it was perfect.

Not busy, not smelly and with the sun out it was perfect weather to be walking around the city.

That being said if you are going to visit Venice when it is busy we definitely recommend you book your tickets in advance and get as many skip the line tickets as you can. The worst thing to be doing in Venice would be standing in line!

Getting To Venice

We took the train into Venice. It was a very easy process and was a beautiful ride coming into the city. Be sure to check your trains stops and make sure you stay on until you reach the actual island.

Once you reach the island you can walk from the train station right across a bridge and into Venice. We purposely picked a vacation rental that was within walking distance to the train station.

That meant we weren’t close to the main attractions but the island isn’t that big so it was no problem walking anywhere we wanted to go.

Things To Do In Venice

Grand canal “tour”.

I have tours in quotes since this wasn’t a paid tour. This was us riding on the Grand Canal public water bus (vaporetto). It was packed with people using it as a bus to get around Venice.

We paid attention and quickly grabbed the seats at the front and got out my phone to open the Rick Steves Grand Tour app on my phone . His tour lasts 45 minutes – starting from the Piazzale Roma and bringing you just past St Marks Square.

It talks about places like the Basilica di Santa Maria Della Salute which is a beautiful church that was built in the 17th century to commemorate the end of a devastating outbreak of the plague that killed thousands of Venetians.

The tour was well done and helped us understand what we were saying as we were riding down the canal. If you don’t want to stay on for the whole tour you can hop on and off at any of the stops the boat makes.

St Marks Square

Next up we headed to St Marks Square (Piazza San Marco). We got our Rick Steves app again and read through some of the highlights of St Marks Square. While we were doing that we noticed all of the people sitting out have a drink in the square. We definitely wanted to try that!

We stopped at Caffè Florian. It was super expensive! But it was an experience so it was worth it. We got overpriced drinks and snacks and looked out over the square as we listed to the orchestra playing from the restaurant.

You could also choose to tour the Doge’s Palace when you are here and see the Ponte dei Sospiri or Bridge of Sighs. We figured with our kids they wouldn’t be into it. But if you like seeing Gothic palaces that were built in the 14th century you should do it!

**Fun Fact: The Bridge of Sighs is a small enclosed bridge that connects the Doge’s Palace to the adjacent prison. Legend has it that the bridge earned its name from the prisoners who, as they crossed it, would sigh at the sight of Venice for the last time before being locked up.

Another option would be to climb to the top of the Campanile di San Marco (bell tower) when you visit Saint Marks square.

Gondola Ride

We of course had to do a gondola ride! They only allow up to 5 people on 1 boat so luckily Nana and Boppa were with us and could take 2 kids!

It was an over priced but fun experience and we are glad we did it! At the time it was $85 for a 35 minute trip for up to 5 people. We tried to see if we could do 6 with the 4 kids but they said no they would lose their license.

I mean you can’t come to Venice and not do the Gondola Ride so be sure you budget for it. Now that we did it we won’t have to do it again but I am glad we did and that the kids got this experience.

It was also fun to explore the canals and see some areas of Venice you can only see on the Gondolas.

Rialto Market

We started the day with a trip to the fish market at the Rialto Market. It was quite the experience. There are all kinds of different fish just sitting out. I mean fish we have never seen before!

Plus there is blood on the ground from the fish and a definite fishy smell! Once of the crazy things is that when the market is done they clean it all up and you could barely tell it was there.

We didn’t buy anything . . . but I have to say I would love to hire someone to bring us to the market and help us pick things out. Then bring us back to our place to cook a delicious meal from the market.

Osteria al Squero

After that we headed to Osteria al Squero to watch the workers fix and build gondolas across the canal at Squero Di San Trovaso.

Scavenger Hunt

If you are traveling with kids you won’t want to miss this scavenger hunt around the city. It was a great way to teach the kids some history of Venice while making it fun and interactive. Plus we visited a couple of places we may not have found on our own during the hunt!

Our guide had a map and clues and split us into 2 teams so we could see who found the clues first and answered the questions correctly.

It was education and fun! And brought to our attention some different things in the city we may not have noticed on our own.

Libreria Acqua Alta

We found this stop on our scavenger hunt and I am so glad we did! It backs up to one of the canals and there is a book staircase you can climb up to look out over the canal.

The store has a gondola in it filled with books and books everywhere. It can get very busy and you may have to wait in line to get in.

Spiderman Movie Spots

If your kids are Spiderman fans they probably remember when Spiderman came to Venice. If that is the case be sure to stop to see the following two spots:

• Santa Maria Formosa Church
• Ponte de l’Arsenal o del Paradiso

The Rialto Bridge

Grab a picture on the famous Rialto Bridge! This is the iconic bridge in Venice that goes over the Grand Canal. If you spend any time in Venice you will most likely catch your self walking over this bridge a few times.

Take note the bridge is called The Ponte di Rialto in Italian.

Learn To Row As A Venetian

This is another activity our friends from Zula Life did when they visited and they said it was a blast! It is one thing to take a gondola ride but to be able to learn how to row that is awesome!

You can learn more about learning how to row as a Venetian here.

Carnival Mask Making

Zula Life also did this activity and said it was a great experience. There are masks stores all over Venice that you can buy masks at. But being able to make your own would be quite an experience!

You can book your own Carnival Mask Making class here.

Teatro la Fenice

If you are into Opera and/or architecture you are going to want to check out this Opera House. You can either do a tour or you can opt to come and see a show here. The Opera House has a long history of being destroyed or damaged by fire and rebuilt.

Burano Island

We only had a little bit of time to see Murano or Burano. We ended up going with Burano because I wanted to see all of the colorful buildings!

To get to the island we had to get on the water bus (vaporetto) at the Fondamenta Nuove stop and took the 45 minute ride over to Burano Island. We didn’t get there until almost 6pm so things were starting to close down. But we were able to grab a quick dinner at Trexento and make a stop in a couple of the shops.

The island’s buildings are painted in bright colors such as pink, blue, green, and purple. The origin of the brightly colored houses is said to be from the fishermen who used to live on the island. They painted their houses in bright colors so they could easily spot them from the sea.

Burano Island is also famous for its traditional lace-making industry. The art of lace-making has been passed down through generations of Burano families, and today it is still possible to see artisans creating delicate lace items by hand. My Mom bought some when we were there.

We definitely wish we had more time on the island! We also really enjoyed seeing the views of Venice from the water on the way here and back.

We didn’t make it To Murano Island on this trip but we ill next time! I just couldn’t resist the colored buildings of Burano so made the choice to go there since we could just go to 1 island. However, getting to Murano from Venice only takes about 10-15 minutes by water taxi (vaporetto).

Murano Island is known for the art of glass making. The skill dates back to the 13th century when the Venetian Republic ordered all glass factories to move to the island to prevent fires in the city. Since then, Murano has been renowned for its exquisite glassware, and the island’s artisans continue to create unique glass objects by hand using traditional techniques.

When you go to Murano you can watch the glass-making process in action by visiting one of the island’s many glass factories and studios. These studios offer guided tours that showcase the intricate and complex process of creating glass objects. You can also see the stunning finished products on display in the studios and purchase them as souvenirs.

Our friends from Zula Life visited Murano Island and did a glass making class and they said they loved it!!

You can see the video of them in the class here.

Where To Eat In Venice

Gelateria il doge.

This Gelato spot is located in Campo Santa Margherita. The kids were able to get their ice cream and they sat by a fountain to eat it while us and my parents found an open table at Fuori Rotta to get a glass of wine.

When the kids came to find us after they were done with their gelato by Dad gave them 20 Euro and said go see what else you can find. That give us a chance to sit for a bit longer and finish our glass or bottle of wine.

Birraria la Corte

We were excited to head to Birraria la Corte to try their pizza! When we walked in they asked if we had a reservation . . . umm no. I guess that meant we might not get a table. Luckily they had some outside seating and since it was a bit cooler not many people wanted to sit out there.

It was actually really nice and we always prefer to eat outside when we can. The drinks were good and the pizza was delicious!

Cip & Ciop

This was a fun little restaurant/bar right by where we stayed. They had these delicious handheld foods like fried mozzarella pocket things and vegetarian tapa’s and other ones filled with meat. I don’t even know the right way to describe them but they were so good!

You just walked up to the counter and they had everything on display in the case so you just asked for what you wanted. We went and ordered and came back and ordered more since it was so good.

I think they are called Cicchetti. Like the Italian version of Spanish Tapas. In any case if you are in Venice ask around about Cicchetti and try all the things!

Cantina Do Spade

Make sure to stop here for a Mozzarella Sandwich. We just stopped in to grab one to go and it was delicious!! While we waited we also got a glass of wine and that was good too.

Where To Stay In Venice

When picking where to stay we picked a place – Residence degli Artisti – that was close to the train station so we could easily walk from there to our vacation rental with our backpacks and bags.

The place we picked wasn’t close to St Mark’s square but we liked that it was tucked away and not in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of Venice.

The place – Residence degli Artisti – was beautiful and we were glad we stayed here.

Venice Itinerary

Here is what we did on our 2 days in Venice. We definitely could have stayed longer. We really fell in love with Venice!!

Venice – Day 1 (day you arrive)

• Head to the Piazzale Roma water bus (Vaporetto) stop. To start the Rick Steves Grand Canale tour at the right place. Check out the water bus schedule here. You can buy your tickets online before you get there.
• Ride the water bus to the St Marks Square stop. If you want more context check out the Rick Steves Tour of St Marks Square on his app. Stop here for a drink in the square.
• Birraria la Corte for dinner.
• Breakfast and Coffee at Cip & Ciop
• 10am – Rialto Market Area – only open until 1pm
• Osteria al Squero to watch the Gondola workshop across the canal (squero di san trovaso).
• Campo Santa Margherita and get gelato at Gelateria il Doge [Dorsoduro 3058/A, Rio Terà Canal]
• Stop at Cantina Do Spade for mozzerella sandwiches.
• Santa Maria Formosa Church – which was in the Spiderman movie.
• Liberia Acqua Alta
• Ponte de l’Arsenal o del Paradiso – which was in the Spiderman movie.
• 2pm – Gondola Ride – 30-45 minutes.
• 3pm – Scavenger Hunt Tour
• 5pm – Head to Burano Island
• Burano Island for dinner at Trexento
• Head back to Venice

More Great Things To Do In Europe

Backpacking Europe Packing List [With Kids!]

21 Best Things To Do In Prague With Kids

Tips For Riding The Epic Bernina Express

30+ Best Things To Do In Lisbon, Portugal

One Day In Madrid Itinerary – 14 Stops Not To Miss!

One Day In Barcelona Itinerary

A Tourist Guide To Las Fallas Festival in Valencia Spain

Tips On Visiting All 5 Cinque Terre Towns [Itinerary Included]

15+ Things To Do In Tuscany Italy

25 Top Things To Do In Florence, Italy

Pin This Post

The post 17 Fun Things To Do In Venice Italy [2 day Itinerary Included] appeared first on Crazy Family Adventure .