Murano, Burano and Torcello by vaporetto from Fondamente Nove

The plan

A day in the north of the lagoon to see three very different islands: Murano, the glass island; Burano, of the coloured houses and lace; and Torcello, almost empty, where the first Venice stood. You don't need an organised excursion: with the public ACTV vaporetto and a day pass you can do it on your own, at whatever pace you like.

How to get around: the lines

Everything leaves from Fondamente Nove, the quay on the north side of Cannaregio, opposite the San Michele cemetery.

• Line 12: Fondamente Nove – Murano – Mazzorbo – Torcello – Burano – Treporti. It is the one that takes you to Burano and Torcello.
• Lines 4.1 and 4.2: circular routes linking Murano with Fondamente Nove and the rest of the city; useful for going only to Murano or coming back from there.
• Line 13: Fondamente Nove – Murano Faro – Vignole – Sant'Erasmo, if you are interested in the market-garden island.
• Line 9: a short shuttle between Burano and Torcello, crossed in a few minutes.

Timetables change by season and with fog or high tide. Check departures beforehand on the AVM/ACTV website or its real-time timetable.

Tickets

The single ACTV ticket is valid for 75 minutes from first validation and costs €9.50. For this day it is not worth it: with three or more journeys, the 24-hour pass, at €25, works out cheaper and lets you get on and off without counting. There are also 48-hour (€35), 72-hour (€45) and 7-day (€65) passes, and children under 6 travel free. Validate your card every time you board.

If you are going to be in Venice for several days, the 72-hour pass also covers the vaporetto along the Grand Canal and the Lido beach.

An order that works

1. Set off early for Burano and Torcello on line 12. First thing the boat is less full and you reach Torcello before the groups.
2. Torcello. It was the seat of the lagoon's first bishopric. Today there are only a few houses, the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, with Byzantine mosaics and a great Last Judgement on the entrance wall, and its bell tower. Tickets that include St Mark's Basilica also give access to Santa Maria Assunta in the following six months.
3. Burano, next door: cross on line 9 or go back on the 12. Stroll along the canals with the painted houses, see Piazza Galuppi and, if you are interested, the Lace Museum. It is a good place to have lunch.
4. Murano, on the way back to the city. Walk along the glassmakers' canal, go into a furnace where work is done in view and, if you want the context, visit the Glass Museum. From Murano you return to Fondamente Nove on lines 4.1 or 4.2.

Count on the whole day, about seven hours. If you have less time, stick to Murano and Burano.

Museums

The Murano Glass Museum and the Burano Lace Museum belong to the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia. Check their website for hours, which change with the season, and prices. In Torcello, also check the cathedral's hours before going.

With children and accessibility

It is a good excursion with children: boat, small flat islands, and in Murano they can watch glass being blown. With a pushchair or wheelchair, bear in mind that at peak times the vaporetti are full. In Burano the bridges have steps.

So you don't get caught out

At the Murano furnaces they will offer you free demonstrations that end in a shop; you are under no obligation to buy. If you buy glass, look for the Vetro Artistico Murano mark, which guarantees its origin. Take water and a hat in summer: in Torcello and on the quays there is little shade.