Northern lagoon island hop: San Michele, Murano, Burano, Mazzorbo, Torcello: a walk in Venice

A day on the water with a 24h vaporetto pass: the cemetery island, Murano's glass, quiet Mazzorbo, Torcello's mosaics, then Burano as the day-trippers leave. Walking distance is small; most time is on boats.

Best time: Full day; start early from Fondamente Nove and do Burano late

The route, stop by stop

1
San Michele Cemetery Island
Cemetery island; 30 min.
Venice's walled cemetery island between the city and Murano, where Venetians still visit family graves and where a number of notable figures are buried (Spotted by Locals); few…
2
Murano Glass Museum
Glass museum and a working furnace; 90 min.
Glassmaking from Roman times to today in the old bishop's palace on Murano; the best way to learn what real Murano glass looks like before you shop.
3
Torcello: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
Cathedral mosaics; 60 min.
The lagoon's oldest settlement: a 7th-11th century cathedral with a vast Byzantine Last Judgement mosaic, a bell tower, and almost nobody living on the island now.
4
Mazzorbo
Vineyard and gardens; 30 min.
The quiet green island joined to Burano by a wooden bridge, with vegetable gardens and the Venissa vineyard; locals use it to escape Burano's crowds.
5
Burano
Colour and lace after 16:00; 60 min.
The fishermen's island with brightly painted houses and a leaning bell tower; beautiful but packed at midday.
6
Trattoria Al Gatto Nero
Or dinner on Burano (book).
Long-standing family trattoria on Burano cooking lagoon-fresh seafood.

Walking directions

Northern lagoon island hop: San Michele, Murano, Burano, Mazzorbo, Torcello

The route, stop by stop

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