Murano : Boat Tour, Glassworks And Blow Moulding Demonstration

Nice 15 min boat ride watched a glass cup being made and a tour of the glass art work on display. Could have spent time touring the town but just headed back to Venice.

The boat experience and transport was good. However, we were very disappointed in our tour guide who did nothing at explaining the glass blowing process. We watched the expert make the glass and when we asked about how the color and designs are done, he said he would explain it later and never did. We had the English tour guide but the French tour guide explained a lot more to his group. We felt that our group guide just wanted to sell as that was the bulk of the tour.

Nice experience to see the glass working at Murano though not my first such demo. There was no blowing just pulling and shaping. The artisan was extremely adept at his craft, as he should be after 40+ years of it. The showrooms of masterpieces were exquisite. Our guide at the factory was knowledgeable, charming and helpful.

Nice boat trip over but very cursory tour - lasting ten mins before being ushered into a massive showroom with vastly expensive pieces which was obviously the main purpose of getting us over there. Perhaps it was because we went on a Sunday but there was only one glassmaker working and we didn’t see anything about making coloured glass or patterns or get into any real detail about the process of making glass. My 9 yo had been really looking forward to seeing a glass factory in action and we both felt very disappointed.

I was not very pleased with this tour. We had booked through Tripadvisor before leaving for a cruise from Venice. We only had one day and decided to only go to Morano so we would have more time to explore Venice. So we arrived extra early to make sure we knew where we had to go and spoke to the people so we knew we were at the right location. Came back 15 minutes before the start and waited to begin. Finally someone came out and walked us to a water taxi, then he left us and we were brought to Morano. We were the only ones on this tour. Once we got out of the boat a young man brought us into the building and said to wait while he found a guide for us. After a few minutes another man came and introduced himself and said he would be our guide. He led us into the are where a man was demonstrating how they make the glass. There was another group in there so our guide just let us sit with the group. After about a 10-15 minute demonstration we left the room and were brought to the galleries where they had displays of item they made and then to their store. Our guide just stood around for the most part and left us to walk around on our own. When we were done with that he led us back to the entrance and said the tour was done and left. The young man who met us when we arrived said a water taxi was on its way to get us. We asked if we had time to walk around a bit and he said no, the water taxi would be there in a few minutes. Once it came we were brought back to a different location than when we started. The tour description said it was 3 hours long. From the time we left on the water taxi until we were back was about 90 minutes. The little bit of demonstration that we got to see was interesting and the boat ride was cool, but overall a disappointing tour.

Outstanding and informational. Greeted with a Knowledgeable tour guide after a private boat ride and welcome drinks

Not a boat tour just a taxi ride and only a 5 minute demo. Its a sales pitch for a singular showroom where they pressure you to overpay for their glassworks which are stunning but expensive. Save the time and money and take a regular taxi/bus and tour the island on your own. I should've looked at the other reviews.

We booked the private tour to avoid a crowded group but it felt more like a private sales experience. When we arrived on the island we were assigned an individual sales person to walk around and show us the place. The glass blowing demo is quick then you spend a majority of your time in the showroom looking at >$1000 pieces or glass masterpieces that we thought were interesting but would never buy.

First of all, our driver for the boat to Murano was on his phone the entire time not even really watching where we were riding. glass pieces that we saw were beautiful but way out of a normal person‘s price range. There were some pieces that were €175,000. And then to it all the trip only lasted an hour and a half and it was supposed to be three hours. Nikola at the glass blowing was really knowledgeable and very helpful so that made that part of the trip a good experience.

Our 3 hour tour for which I paid extra to have prosecco on the boat ride lasted one hour ( including boat ride) and there was no prosecco. We were ripped off. We were shown the glass blowing but once it became apparent that we were not going to buy anything, our guide (Julia) said that we could either catch the boat back immediately or wander around on our own and then pay extra to catch the public transport back to St Marks Square. Total rip off. Don't waste your money on this one.

It was advertised as a 3-hour tour but only lasted less than 1hour. The glassblowing demonstration was about 10 minutes , then we visited the showrooms to purchase glass. No time to see the town or learn any details of the craft.

A fascinating exploration of local landscapes and crafts, led by a good-natured and personable tour guide. The only downside would be the amount of time spent waiting in stifling heat for our boat to leave the harbor, as it rocked back and forth with an intensity I hadn't experienced before. This, combined with limited airflow, made the pre-departure waiting experience rather unpleasant. Good time management, with sensible balance between guided exploration and time for personal curiosity.

We missed our scheduled tour due to not being able to find the pick up location. I called the company and they arranged to come get us at our hotel and we had a boat bring us to Murano and we able to complete the tour. They went above and beyond to help us and us complete the tour the same day.

Quite underwhelming. We were 3 minutes late because of crowds and lines and they told us we’d have to come back at another time. The water taxi ride was nice. They dropped us at the glass factory. We sat and watched the glass makers for about 10 minutes then they led us to the gallery where the tour guide left us to wander and never came back. When we went to find him he never really told us that was all of “the tour”. When we just stood there waiting for some direction we had to ask what else we were doing and they just sent us out to see the town and told us they would call the boat to take us back when we got back to the glass showroom. Murano was mostly tourist shops and a few restaurants. Could have taken a water taxi over ourselves and gone to a live glass demonstration on our own.

One of our trip highlights. A private water taxi and guide from Venice to Murano island. Tour round the working glass studio and gallery. Then a walk around Murano before sailing back to Venice.

Glassblowing demo was great. Huge shop where you can buy the Murano glass pieces. The items for sale are very expensive but you can bargain with your tour guide.

Great trip. Our guide CLAUDIA ZENNARO was fantastic. The Murano glass factory tour was short but sweet. The Island of Burano was beautiful with lots of shops to buy much cheaper Murano glass souvenirs than at the factory. Lovely bakery and cafe next door with really good pizza, coffee and tirimisu.

Visiting Murano and witnessing the art of glassblowing is an unforgettable experience. The process is explained with great clarity, showing how sand, fire, and breath come together to form intricate sculptures, or dazzling chandeliers. What impressed me most was the effortless skill: within minutes, a shapeless glowing mass became a perfectly formed piece of art. It’s a craft that feels alive, passed down through generations since the Republic of Venice protected these secrets by keeping glassmakers on Murano. This experience is remarkable : it’s about stepping into history, watching a living heritage unfold before your eyes. Murano glassblowing is one of the highlights of Venice—an encounter with artistry that can’t be replicated anywhere else. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Venice.

It was a nice walk, we got off in Murano being able to know how artisans work glass at high temperatures molding and creating artwork. We continue the adventure in Burano and Torcello. A wonderful day!!!

Nice experience, super recommended! Prepared guys who explain in detail the glass processing.,

Really nice tour, experience more than recommended. The organization to reach the glassworks is great and the guys are very friendly

BELLO BELLO BELLO! I have to say everything very well organized for us, group of 6 friends, we arrive at the meeting point where we find Massimiliano, a very nice and polite boy who accompanies us to the boat. So we leave for Murano, along the canals we see a lot of places that otherwise we would not have seen and the taxi driver very kindly explained everything. Then we arrive at the glassworks where we were greeted by one of the glassworks guides, we first saw the demonstration of a master glassmaker, they explained the various blowing techniques, how the ovens work and many things, then our guide took us to see the various works, one more beautiful than the other! Very very satisfied

Very well the boat ride, really nice, and then the glasswork is something amazing. Not bad prices, really affordable!

Unique experience, to try very kind and specialized staff we will probably return in the future to relive this fantastic experience

Wonderful experience!! To welcome us a super friendly and prepared team, an experience worth trying!!

In the agency we found great availability and professionalism, the staff provided us with all the information with kindness and clarity. The visit to the factory was really wonderful especially watching closely the stages of glass processing was fascinating and engaging. An experience that I highly recommend to everyone!

Fast and elegant boat ride. The staff at the glassworks were very friendly and helpful. Very interesting glass processing also liked the children.

Nice experience with fantastic boat ride! It makes you experience the city of Murano in its splendor and its traditional culture of blown glass!