The islands of Lido, Murano, Burano, and Torcello on the map
The plan is from https://www.OpenStreetMap.org – © OpenStreetMap contributors
As you can see from the map, there are numerous islands in the Venice Lagoon. This means that a trip to the neighboring islands is only possible by boat (vaporetto). Venice itself consists of about 120 smaller islands, which we now, however, view simply as a single, interconnected urban area.
Depending on the island’s importance and the number of people living there, Venice’s public transit system (ACTV) offers boat routes using larger or smaller vessels. For example, Line 1 uses large ferries to reach the Lido at very frequent intervals of just 12 minutes. Smaller boats are used for the route to Murano, running every 30 minutes. Burano and Torchello are served even less frequently.
Visitors who come to Venice for just one day tend to spend most of their time in the area around St. Mark's Square; they take our recommended walking tour through the city center (the St. Mark's Walking Tour) and also take a ride on Line 1 along the Grand Canal.
If you're staying here longer than a day, you'll also want to visit the neighboring islands of Murano, Burano, and perhaps the Lido as well. This page explains how to get to the islands and offers tips for your stay in Murano, Burano, and the Lido.
The Lido of Venice
The Lido of Venice is an 11-kilometer-long spit of land in Venice that is home to about 20,000 people. The Lido di Venezia—as the area is called in Italian—separates the Venetian Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea.
Find out everything you need to know about the Lido here: The Lido of Venice
To the glassblowers in Murano
Of course, you visit Murano for its glass factories, glass shops, and glass museum.
Find out everything you need to know about Murano here: Murano – The Island of Glassblowers
To the colorful fishermen's cottages on Burano
What you’ve already heard about Murano will also strike you here in Burano: The houses are much lower and smaller. And, above all, colorful. Legend has it that the colorful houses on the island of Burano helped fishermen find their way safely back to their home port, even in fog. In the past, many men here made their living by fishing.
Find out everything you need to know about Burano here: Burano – The Colorful Island
To the Roots of Venice: Torcello
Anyone who visits the small island of Torcello at the northern end of the Venetian Lagoon today will be left speechless by the island’s magnificent buildings and will immediately sense that Torcello has seen better days.
Find out everything you need to know about Torcello here: Torcello – To the Roots of Venice
San Michele Cemetery Island
On the trip from Venice to Murano, the vaporetto also stops at San Michele, the cemetery island. Take this opportunity to make a quick detour there before continuing on to Murano. Or you can visit the island on your way there or back. It’s definitely worth a visit.
Link to San Michele Cemetery Island
The Islands of the Lagoon
Island Overview: Lido, Murano, San Michele, Burano, and Torcello
The Lido of Venice
To the glassblowers in Murano
San Michele Cemetery Island
To the colorful houses in Burano
To the Roots of Venice: Torcello