Murano Glass Experience- Exclusive Balcony View

Really disappointing. I booked because I wanted an authentic display without the hard sell. The appeal of the venue meant that I was prepared to pay 15 euros rather than C. 5 euros. In fact the inside of the cathedral is disappointing. Because I booked online I not only paid more (plus an additional transaction charge) but only had the option of the "cheap seats" rather than ringside with a drink. The demonstrator was indeed talented and I enjoyed watching his show but the ridiculous accompanying overly dramatic music was both a joke and a distraction. The woman on reception was talking all the way through the demo with a group of people which also detracted from the show. At the end I assumed we would be taken to a showroom. We weren't. There was a table with some glassware on it. I had to go and find someone to enquire about the price of an item and was dismissively told an amount that may or may not have been accurate. I wanted the item and felt it was actually a fair price but decided not to give them my business as they clearly don't need it. I left wondering whether they were a legitimate producer or just in it for the shows and didn't care about their customers once they had paid and taken their seats. I left wishing I had gone somewhere authentic.

The venue was so cool! An old church building with so much character! If you purchased a drink, you could get a table with a front row view!

A nice way to become acquainted with the art of glass making in Murano. This was more of an artesian approach than production

A beautiful and wonderful glass procesing demonstration with fantastic music the complements the atmosphere of the place.

Really great glass blowing to watch, but from the balcony it was very hot. The heat rose up from the ovens and made it difficult to watch for long. I wish they would turn on the A/C in the balcony. But the glass blowing was wonderful. It was much cooler downstairs and outside, I can’t imagine visiting on a warm day.

The glass demonstration at the Glass Cathedral was truly magical. We arrived early and were lucky enough to get front-row seats, which made the experience even more special. Being close to the front made it especially easy for our kids to see every detail. We watched a master glassmaker create three pieces right before our eyes, each one increasing in complexity and beauty. Watching his skill, precision, and creativity up close was absolutely mesmerizing. The space itself added so much to the experience. It is beautiful and inviting, with a red carpet leading you into the presentation area and an atmosphere that immediately feels special. The ambient music created an elegant backdrop, while the multilingual audio explanation gave us fascinating insight into the history of Murano glass, the artistry behind the craft, and why Murano has become the world’s premier destination for this incredible tradition. We could see all of the master’s tools and the furnace, giving us a close-up look at the craftsmanship and process. Seeing the skill and creativity involved was something we will not soon forget. And the best part was watching my kids experience it. They were in absolute awe and could not stop talking about how impressive it was to watch something so beautiful being created right in front of them. It was entertaining, educational, and genuinely inspiring. It is also an incredible value for the price. You get a beautiful setting, an impressive live demonstration, fascinating information about Murano glass, and a memorable experience for the whole family without spending a fortune. A little tip: Get off at the Murano Colonna vaporetto stop. The Glass Cathedral is only about a 3-minute walk from there. And arrive early! The presentation begins right on time, and getting there early gives you a much better chance of getting seats close to the front. Absolutely worth visiting if you are in Murano. Beautiful space, incredible craftsmanship, fascinating history, and an experience our family will remember for a long time. ✨

It was a great demonstration, our 7 & 9 year old girls were really into it as well. The staff were very welcoming and treated us like old friends.

Giuseppe was extremely friendly and hospitable. Beautiful old church and the glass blowing demonstration was very cool. Fun and quick activity.

Wonderful experience! The glass maker was so skilled. Mesmerising to watch!😊 We booked directly on their website. It's easy to reach from Venice, just a short boat ride away with number 4.2. I highly recommend it!

Very interesting. It changed my view of glass ornaments.

It was amazing to see the preservation of this craftsmanship. All our appreciation goes to the artisan who showed us his prrcious skills. The staff was really friendly, the building itself is gorgeous and full of history. Very informative intro. Recommend for sure!

Basic no frills glass blowing demonstration. No interaction with undeniably gifted artisan and “ exclusive balcony seating “ does not give good view of finished result. Seems more set up as a show in a space designed to be a night club at later hours. Quite brusque and dismissive on arrival

Really cool experience. The Glass Cathedral is a bar/lounge on the first floor, which is an upgrade you can get and sit directly in front of the glass master as he creates. We sat upstairs in a large loft that had a balcony overlooking the glass master. He made 3 pieces while we were there. Sad part was he kept saying "bye-bye' and would break them off back into the furnace. His craft was pretty amazing to watch. My granddaughter (8) was truly fascinated by the process.

Amazing demonstration of glassblowing in an extraordinairy setting. The audio guide was short and informative, done in multiple languages..

Had my tickets that was booked so much in advance canceled for Saturday, May 30th only a few hours before my booked slot. Wish I had been given a longer notice to allow me to select a different day. That day was my last day in Venice/Murano.

The Glass Cathedral was a great experience! The atmosphere was relaxed I truly enjoyed the ambience, the prosecco, and the background music. The demonstration was very enjoyable!

Nice, cheap, but very short, say 15 minutes

The Master that gave the demonstration was amazing! In 40 mins he made 3 variations of blown glass. The description mentioned a guide, but we did not encounter a guide, but it really didn't make a difference to the tour. Highly recommend.

A cool environment and vibe. I would highly recommend this demonstration. The Maestro was very interactive.

Good atmosphere !!!!! Posibility to drink prosecco during the show;) my mothher appreciated this 😃 atmospheric music, atmospheric interior, possibility to sit with a family at a separate table. The onliest thing which surprised me -there was no cappuccino provided for cluents, just alcohol 🤦🏼‍♀️ but anyway this was not important at all

If you want a wonderful glass blowing demonstration in a beautiful cool place with no hard sell then this is the place to go. Awe inspiring craftsmanship delivered without with utter humility. Highly recommended.

Great experience! Lovely venue, friendly staff and fascinating demonstration. We visited with our 10 year old child who was glued watching! You get opportunity to see the creation of several different pieces, but at the same time it’s not too long, just perfect for little people too! The venue serves drinks too so you can watch it while enjoying a glass of Prosecco.

Lame. Wish there was some type of personal connection with the audience. Listening to a recording in 3 languages was really distracting. Exciting music or talking and connecting with the crowd would have made a big difference in the experience.

My family enjoyed this demonstration. Our 5 year old sat engrossed in what our demonstrator was doing - something which doesn’t happen very often. The show was just long enough. It looks really nice inside and is probably used for events. Apart from the glass blowing there isn’t much to see. There is a shop to buy Murano glass though. The glass blower was excellent. Desire not speaking much English he managed to explain various things. He was great with our kids. We were lucky enough to have the whole demonstration for ourselves. Well worth the money.

Fantastic experience. Highly skilled glas master. It broke my heart, when he finally broke his art😀

It was amazing. I've never seen anything like that before. The place is amazing with huge glass chandelier everywhere. Everything was great.

This was a brilliant demonstration of glass blowing from a furnace. He made 2 items and they were beautiful. I was there solo and no one else turned up but they still proceeded with the tour. Very much recommend.

Amazing to watch a demonstration of how the glass is made. Very informative guide and talented “10 year” female trainee demonstrating how to make a miniature prancing horse and a jug. Tour of the Murano Glass show rooms was also very informative and impressive showing the different styles of the “Masters” over the years. Absolutely amazing and some stunning pieces of artwork, some with a very hefty price tag. Also a showroom with more modestly priced glassware. Certainly worth a visit.

It was excellent - a lovely venue in an old church and very skilful glass blowing which you could see from very close up. Very near to the vaporetto back to Venice too.

This was a great way to see glass blowing close up. The demonstration showed many different techniques and finished pieces. The artist was amazing, and we could have a look around the beautiful venue after the demonstration. Definitely worth seeing.

We visited the Glass Cathedral for a glass-blowing display as part of a group activity, and it was a fantastic experience. The demonstration was both visually impressive and engaging, offering a fascinating insight into the skill, precision, and artistry behind traditional glass blowing. It worked especially well for a group setting, keeping everyone interested with plenty of opportunity to watch the process up close. The setting itself adds to the atmosphere, making it feel special rather than just a standard demonstration. A great choice for team-building or corporate groups, and an activity that is both cultural and memorable. Highly recommended for anyone looking to add something unique and interactive to a group itinerary

Truly a unique and beautiful experience. The Glass Cathedral is one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever been in. The demonstration was so much more than glass blowing. Music was played, explanations of what you are seeing came over the sound system and the glass blower was very theatrical and extremely talented. Not your typical glass blowing demo. And it was only 15€ with no pressure to buy anything from a “gift shop”! There are lovely items for sale, but again, no pressure. I highly highly recommend this experience (I have been to Murano before and have seen demos associated with specific shops…lots of sales pitches… and they are nothing like this) I don’t ish I could give it 10 stars!

Amazing opportunity to see a master glass-maker at work in a gorgeous restored church, all for a low price per person. The "performance" is accompanied by a recording (Italian, then French, then English) explaining about the masters, the history and art of glass making/blowing on Murano, and the restoration of the venue (which is super stunning by the way). The artist made a gorgeous bowl in many colors, and in literally 5 minutes, he made a bird! Afterwards, I tried asking him some questions but he only spoke Italian, so we managed to communicate a little bit and then he offered to let me sit at his workstation and hold the equipment. Such a treat! He was so kind, and what a memory!

Arrived 1 minute after the viewing time, no staff presence onsite doors locked and lights out, no way to bring our problem to this venue not what you would expect from a live venue site, this compliant has been raised to both TripAdvisor and Viator who are investigating, final step will be to raise issue with PayPal of which this fails the PayPal purchasing and administration guide lines.

The location makes it more special, the glass master was not at his best and still delivered a great performance that kept the kids captivated and interested the adults. Good value for money

Loved this short but informative demonstration in Murano. Music and drinks were a nice touch. I think most ages would enjoy. Highly recommend.

Surprised by all the high ratings on this one. The experience was notably below average for the price paid. There was no commentary on what was happening, just a glass master doing his work. The glass master was good at his craft but didn’t speak a word or interact with audience. We thought we were waiting for the show to begin and were expecting some explanation of the art/science of glass making - only to realize show was over. We attended 3-5 mins late so may have missed an intro video not sure. Other than the check in staff no one in the establishment spoke a single word with us. Just ignored throughout. Felt like a rip off and tourist trap for what we paid (14 euro each) - you’re better off catching a free or 2-3 euro show elsewhere. Waste of time and money.

Both we and our young children very much enjoyed the demonstration. It was just the right length to allow us to see different techniques used without the kids losing focus. It was also fun to try and guess what he was making while it was happening - it’s harder than you’d think! Excellent value for the price.

Our visit to The Glass Cathedral (Santa Chiara) in Murano was an unforgettable experience. This beautifully restored 12th-century church has been transformed into a stunning venue that seamlessly blends history, art, and Venetian tradition. The highlight of our visit was the live Murano glassblowing demonstration. Watching the artisans skillfully shape molten glass into intricate pieces was both captivating and educational. The show was well-paced, informative, and suitable for all ages. The venue itself is equally impressive. The cathedral’s architecture provides a grand backdrop to the glass art, and the ambiance is enhanced by the elegant chandeliers and stained glass windows. It’s a perfect setting for events, and we were fortunate to experience it in a more intimate, less crowded setting. What sets The Glass Cathedral apart is its commitment to preserving and showcasing the rich tradition of Murano glassmaking. It’s not just a demonstration; it’s an immersion into the artistry and heritage of Venice. We highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Murano. It’s a unique opportunity to witness the magic of glassmaking in a setting that is both historic and breathtaking.

I found this demonstration fascinating. It is about 25 minutes long. You listen to a recorded explanation of glass blowing in Murano as you watch the craftsman create a number of pieces. I can only imagine the kind of training needed to learn to do this.

This was a great demonstration of glass blowing by an Italian master craftsman. He spent about 20 minutes creating 3 or 4 pieces of glassware with increasing complexity. It was captivating. The Glass Cathedral really is dedicated to sharing the artistry. It was worth the price. It is not a factory demonstration and there was no pressure to buy stuff.

Wonderful art of glass blowing taken to another level! The tour was phenomenal and very informative. The gentleman blowing the glass creating incredible forms and figures. The island was an experience.

The Glass Cathedral stuns with its mix of history and craft, where every piece feels alive in the light. The space is dramatic, the glasswork is world class, and the whole place leaves a mark long after you leave.

The skill and precision of the glass blower was amazing. It's like a magician, but actually creating something out of nothing but molten glass period

Amazing to watch a glass blowing master, 33 years perfecting his craft, create several beautiful pieces in 30 minutes. Definitely a not to miss experience.

We all loved the demo, including my 10 & 8 year old. Perfect length of time and a really beautiful setting. The artist created magical pieces before our eyes.

Wonderful glass blowing demonstration. Such beautiful and creative artwork. Cool setting in an old church. Would recommend for all ages.

if you have never seen glass making before - you would be delighted to see the presentation, but otherwise it had nothing to do with Murano glass at all. The building was recently saved and converted church with modern furnaces that you would find in any glass studios installed with stock glass. Upstairs there is an exhibit of old (and dusty) glass sculptures seemengly collected from 1950's Italian estate sales. For our visit, the glass master was late. The presentation was exciting for kids but could have been better. The 1990's rock was blaring as a sound track.

You arrive thinking you are going to learn about the history of glass blowing in Murano and you do. But at the end, you end up in a gigantic store full of very expensive items with a sales guy breathing down your neck the entire time. My wife and feel that they were deceitful about what you are going to pay when they finally ship your items. We were told that our items were COMPLETELY paid in full as we paid all of the additional taxes and fee's. Six weeks later we were told by UPS we had to pay an additional $500 for a $2200 purchase. Yes this was in the fine type, but absolutely not brought to our attention in any way. Again, my bad, but they could have been upfront about $500 being due in order to actually receive items.