Wander Wednesday: Island Hopping in Venice
On this week’s #wanderwednesday we’re island hopping around the small islands on the outskirts of Venice. You’ve probably seen a picture of Burano before, whether you knew it or not. We spent the day visiting Murano (known for glass), Burano (known for colorful houses, and Torcello. Read for tips and tricks on hitting all 3 in one day.
The most important tip to remember is that to hit all 3, you need to leave EARLY. Burano is about an hour away from the main island of Venice. We caught the ferry at 9 am and visited choose to head out to the closest (Murano) first, then Burano, and ended the day at Torcello. To visit all 3 islands, you’ll need a 24-hour transport ticket which allows unlimited journeys on the ferries. If you plan to be in Venice for more than a day, then the 48-or 72-hour ticket gives you more bang for your buck.
We found the easiest way to find accurate ferry info was by using google maps. You can check out my google maps list with saved spots from our trip here.
First stop: Murano
Murano is known for its beautiful glassworks. There are hundreds of glass shops and factories that all create stunning art pieces, jewelry, and tableware.
We spent most of the morning wandering around the glass shops and peeking in on the glassmakers working away. One of my favorite parts about the island was the random artwork we found on the buildings. It really is an artist’s paradise.
You’ll find plenty of cafes and eateries to enjoy lunch while there. We ate in the center of the island and enjoyed one of the biggest burgers I’ve ever eaten. I’d recommend grabbing something to snack on before heading out to Burano, as that hour ferry ride feels LONG, especially in the sun.
Murano’s Main Attractions
Glass Factories: If you have time to spare, you can blow your own glass, or watch as the experts do it. If you don’t have the time, there are plenty of spots where you can sit and watch.
Glass Shops: When you’re buying your glass here, be careful to avoid knock-offs. The authentic versions are all marked with a special seal so that you know you are buying the real thing. I came home with some new glasses and earrings for family. You can check the authenticity of your purchase here.
Next stop: Burano
Walking off of the ferry onto Burano feels like you entered a technicolor dream world. Everywhere you look there is a bright, beautiful house waiting for that insta pic. You can stroll the main square, or turn onto the hidden side streets and find even more unique picture spots, with less of a crowd.
We spent the bulk of our time on our feet on Murano shopping, so we relaxed on Burano. We walked, we shopped and drank most of the afternoon away. There are so many hideaways on this small island that we could have spent an entire weekend there.
Burano’s Main Attractions
Piazza Galuppi: Grab a bite to eat and enjoy an Aperol Spritz while taking in the sites. If you didn’t get enough shopping in on Murano, you can find plenty of shopping here. There is a wide variety of artists selling beautiful pieces.
Leaning Tower: The island has its very own “leaning tower”. Stand under it, so that you can get the whole effect. While not as steep as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it’s a fun stand-in.
Lace Museum: The island is known for its colorful fisherman’s houses and handmade lace. Check out the museum to learn the history.
Torcello
Torcello is the smallest of the 3 islands, and the most serene. We visited as the last stop, right before sunset, and practically had the island to ourselves. Torcello is very small, with very few tourist attractions, but the Limoncello is to die for.
Torcello’s Main Attractions
The Cathedral: Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta e Chiesa di Santa Fosca is the number one reason to visit. It was founded in the year 639. We arrived too late to climb up the bell tower, so if that is something you want to do, you may want to switch the order you visit the islands.
Eat & Drink: For such a small island, there are a surprising number of restaurants. The limoncello alone is worth the trip out. We grabbed a drink at Al Trono di Attila.
Attila's Throne: Because no one can resist a good legend right? According to legend, the stone in front of the cathedral was used by the Hun's king Attila. While this theory has been disproved, it still dates to the 5th century and makes for a great Game of Thrones moment.
Thanks for traveling along with me! If you have any other tips about island hopping in Venice, leave a comment below! I’d love to share more tips on Instagram.
