Venice Island Hopping: Burano, Mazzorbo, Torcello, and Murano

Last Updated on 23/02/2025

While planning your itinerary in Venice, set aside a day for island hopping. By taking a water bus or joining a local tour, you can easily visit Burano, Torcello, Murano, and Mazzorbo, each offering its unique charm, making your Venice trip even more memorable.

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Other Italy Articles：Rome｜Milan｜Florence｜Cinque Terre｜Venice Main Island｜Venice Island Hopping

Venice Attractions Map

The following map marks the main attractions on Venice’s main island and the lagoon’s islands.

The map is set to English by default. Simply click on the 'Enlarge Map' icon in the top right corner to switch to your preferred language!

Depart from Venice (Fondamente Nove pier) on Vaporetto line 12 to Murano, Mazzorbo, and Burano.

Venice Island Hopping Transport Guide

Depart from Venice (Fondamente Nove pier) and take the Vaporetto line 12 to reach Murano, Mazzorbo, and Burano; for Torcello, transfer to line 9 from Burano.
It’s recommended to purchase a day pass (€25/day), allowing unlimited rides on the water bus within 24 hours for a flexible schedule.

🌟 Suggested Itinerary：Venice Main Island → Mazzorbo → Burano → Torcello → Murano→ Return to Venice Main Island

I chose this route because I wanted to be among the first to arrive at Burano to capture the best views.

A short walk over a bridge connects Mazzorbo to Burano, and I was one of the first visitors to Torcello, with only the two of us on the island, as if entering a hidden world (not that spooky, of course)!

Afterwards, I headed to Murano, where many tourists had gathered. However, being closer to Venice allowed me to manage my time better as I needed to catch a train back to Rome.

You can also join a day tour (just €5 more than the boat ticket) ➡️ Venice Lagoon Tour: Visit Murano, Burano, and Torcello Islands.

Italy Train Ticket Official Websites：Italo（Italian and English only）｜Trenitalia（available in Chinese and English）
I’ll provide more details later on how to book tickets through Italo and Trenitalia.
If you’d rather not buy individual tickets each time, consider getting the ➡️ Eurail Global Train Pass for 33 European Countries

Mazzorbo: A Paradise of Vineyards and Local Cuisine

Take Vaporetto line 12 from Fondamente Nove to Mazzorbo.

Mazzorbo, adjacent to Burano and connected by a wooden bridge, is a tranquil haven with vineyards, local restaurants, and traditional farms. Be sure to visit the Venissa winery on the island to taste their unique wines and authentic cuisine while enjoying the leisurely countryside views.

Houses on Mazzorbo are also colourful, but not as vibrant as Burano.

After disembarking, turn left past the row of colourful houses to find this small path.

You’ll see the entrance to the vineyard along the way.

It features a winery and upscale restaurant, but when I arrived at 9 AM, I missed the chance to try the wine.

Walking through the vineyard, you’ll come to the wooden bridge connecting to Burano.

Burano: A Colourful Fairy Tale Town

Take Vaporetto line 12 from Fondamente Nove, around 40 to 50 minutes.
You can also walk over the bridge from Mazzorbo.

Burano is famous for its vibrant houses and exquisite lace craftsmanship, with each building painted in bright colours, resembling a fairy tale.

Legend has it that fishermen in the past painted their houses in vivid colours to find their way home in the foggy lagoon.

Another romantic version says that a young fisherman, resisting the temptation of a mermaid, remained loyal to his beloved. As a reward for his fidelity, the mermaid swept her tail across his house, leaving behind brilliant colours, leading to the entire island’s colourful homes.

Another theory links Burano’s colourful houses to the medieval Black Death. It was said that if a household had someone infected, they had to paint their house with white lime for disinfection; meanwhile, uninfected residents painted their homes in other colours to prove their health.

Venice Island Hopping: Burano, Mazzorbo, Torcello, and Murano — Burano before 10 AM had few tourists! The weather was perfect; the day before, it was cloudy and rainy in Venice, but island hopping day was clear!

This angle offers the widest view, showing a wall facing the inner street with a bit of peeling paint.

The wooden window matches perfectly without any sense of incongruity.

Torcello: Experience a Tranquil Thousand-Year History

Take Vaporetto line 12 from Fondamente Nove to Burano, then transfer to line 9 to reach Torcello.

Torcello, the earliest settlement in the Venice Lagoon, boasts a history of over a thousand years. Its most iconic building is the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, famous for its precious Byzantine mosaics that witness its former prosperity. Compared to Venice main island, it is less crowded, exuding a serene and mysterious atmosphere.

However, with the outbreak of the Black Death and malaria from the marshy environment, residents gradually migrated to Venice, turning Torcello from a thriving settlement into a desolate place, leaving behind a few historical buildings as a testament to its former glory.

The Torcello Bell Tower dates back to the 7th century, originally part of the church, retaining its ancient charm through multiple restorations. Standing about 42 meters tall, it offers stunning views of the lagoon.

There’s also a small museum beside the church.

And of course, I can’t forget to buy a fridge magnet wherever I travel!

Murano: The Birthplace of Venetian Glass Art

Take Vaporetto from Fondamente Nove; common routes include lines 4.1, 4.2, 12, and 13.
If return from Burano, take line 12 to Murano.

Murano is renowned for its centuries-old glass-making tradition. Visitors can tour glass workshops to witness skilled craftsmanship and even try their hand at glass blowing. The Glass Museum (Museo del Vetro) showcases glass art from various periods, providing insights into this traditional craft.