The most beautiful islands in the Venetian Lagoon

Although the city of Venice stands out for its beauty and history, its lagoon also has some treasures to discover. The charming islands which have preserved their traditional customs, are located just a few minutes away by public Vaporetto or private boat. Discover the 4 most beautiful:

VENICE ISLANDS TOUR

Murano

The traveler’s favorite, Murano is the largest island in the lagoon and an independent seaport of Venice. Famed for its glass making, the island’s glass workshops are one of its prime attractions, as they continue to produce hand-crafted wonders (jewelry, sculptures, and various other decorative items) in keeping with ancestral traditions passed from generation to generation. On site, many shops offer a wide selection of Murano glass creations to visitors who wish to bring back a souvenir. Murano is also full of little restaurants offering delicious seafood cuisine.

Burano

Burano island is famous for its unusual character, its canals and colorful houses that attract many artists. A small port island, it is also the ideal place to enjoy fresh fish with risotto. Craftsmen still make lace according to ancestral methods (you can buy the famous lace directly from their workshops). The Lace Museum, meanwhile, is worth a look if you want to know more about this local tradition. The old churches are also something special to discover.

Torcello

Located near Burano, Torcello island is a very quiet and very green island that looks more like a wildlife reserve with only 25 inhabitants living here all year around (formerly there were 8000 inhabitants but they have gradually departed for more urban areas). Cathedrals from the Middle Ages (including Santa Maria Assunta, dating back to the 7th century) are among the attractions not to be missed.

Sant’Erasmo

Also called “the garden of Venice”, Sant’Erasmo island is used primarily for agriculture. Every morning, farmers gather produce grown on its fertile land and bring them to the Venice markets. Still largely preserved from tourism, this wild island has beautiful landscapes as well as a bird sanctuary. An ideal place to enjoy the peace and nature away from the bustling city of Venice.