Add dates

San Martino, Burano

San Martino, Burano: Our most recommended tours and activities

Guided Tour of Burano Island

1. Guided Tour of Burano Island

The island of Burano is easily accessible by public or private transportation from Venice and is an ideal destination for spending a pleasant morning or afternoon. Join this 60-minute tour and discover the island’s colorful houses and hand-made laces, and many other surprises! Your guide Silvia, born and raised in Burano, will lead you on a walking tour of the island, intended not only as a simple sightseeing tour, but also a chance to learn about the history, customs, and traditions of the picturesque community. Visit many interesting monuments, including the Church of St. Martino and St. Barbara and its famous leaning bell tower. Attend a short demonstration on the making of world-famous Burano lace. You'll visit a typical lace museum of Burano island where you'll have the chance to admire precious laces from about the XVI and XVII centuries, and buy home made products for special rates. You’ll have time to explore Burano independently. You might enjoy browsing the typical shops or having lunch at one of the cozy restaurants. The guide will be happy to provide you with suggestions and tips to make the most of your time in Burano!

Venice: Murano, Burano, and Torcello Islands Private Tour

2. Venice: Murano, Burano, and Torcello Islands Private Tour

Embark on a journey deep into the Venetian lagoon on an excursion to the beautiful and unspoiled islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. From the brightly-coloured fishermen’s huts of Burano to the glassworks of Murano and mysterious landmarks of Torcello, the islands conserve another side of Venice’s past and present where time seems to stand still and centuries-old traditions of craftsmanship live on today. We’ll begin our journey on beautiful Murano, actually a series of 7 islands linked by bridges perched in the heart of the Venetian lagoon. During our stop on the island we’ll learn all about the special glass-blowing technique brought to Venice from the Orient by returning traders and perfected over the centuries in the island’s charming glass museum, before seeing the works of the modern-day artisans keeping the traditions alive in their nearby ateliers today. If you wish, we'll also be able to arrange a glass-blowing demonstration where you'll get to see the incredible technique that magically turns molten sand into crystal up close. Murano is also home to the oldest church in the Venetian lagoon, which we can visit on request - lavish Santa Maria e San Donato, whose 12th-century mosaic floor is a masterpiece of Byzantine art. Back on the water, we’ll chart a northward course towards the seductive island of Burano. The incredibly picturesque brightly painted houses that line Burano’s narrow cobbled streets and waterways are a photographer’s dream, and the settlement even boasts its own leaning tower in the campanile of San Martino. The final stop on our journey into the heart of the Venetian lagoon is also a journey back in time. The semi-deserted island of Torcello is the birthplace of Venetian civilization, where according to legend refugees fleeing Attila the Hun’s Barbarian hordes on the mainland arrived in the 7th century, and was for centuries much more powerful than its younger neighbour across the lagoon. The stagnant air of the lagoon and the increasing difficulty of navigating its waterways led to its slow and inevitable decline over the centuries, and these days it’s a sleepy place with just 13 full-time residents. But its extraordinary Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, complete with spectacular Byzantine mosaics including a truly terrifying Last Judgement, is a vivid reminder of the island’s former glory.

Available activities

2 activities found
Sort by:

Other Sightseeing Options in San Martino, Burano

Want to discover all there is to do in San Martino, Burano? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about San Martino, Burano

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 21 reviews

oh... what can i say. it was amazing. our guide was so nice and accomodating. we could not find the meeting point and she was so nice to find us. the island itself is small, nice and beautiful. we could easily reach it with vapporitta. sylvia our guide was well prepared, she had beautiful pictures that are so easy to understand. i totally loved this trip and would recommend it to everyone. i know it did not include transportation, but i booked this tour because the guide was local and that meant she/he would have great affection to the place and sylvia really delivered.

One of the most beautiful places to visit! Burano is inspirational and our tour guide Silvia was too. As a local, she made every effort to pass on her knowledge, showing passion and enthusiasm for the way of life and immersing us into the community spirit of Burano. We can’t thank her enough for making our visit to the island something we will never forget and cherish for a long time to come.

Silvia is a local of Burano and her passion for Burano is inspiring. She is very knowledgeable and friendly. Excellent tour through the eyes of a local!

The guide is very helpful, is bringing insights about the beginning of Venezia that we did not learn elsewhere. The visit was very pleasant