Experience

Murano Glass Factory Tour

You are planning a trip to Murano and are gathering information before you go. Naturally, a Murano glass factory tour would be the perfect way to learn about Murano’s famous trade. To help you get the best experience, listed here are the “dos and don’ts” of attending a Murano Glass Factory Tour.

BE WARY OF THE “FREE TOUR”

Walking through Venice or Murano, you will probably be stopped by a salesperson proposing to take you on a free glass factory tour in Murano. They will boast about the incredible experience you will have and the exclusive deals on glass they can arrange. Sadly, it is a common tourist trap:

  • The tour will be limited. The salespersons are hired by one glass factory to bring in customers. You will only see the glass factory they work for and that glass factory’s shop,
  • The glassblowing demonstration will be brief,
  • At the end, there will be pressure to purchase an item to thank them for the “free tour”. But, their shop will have inflated prices disguised as bargains.

There is no harm in attending these “free tours”, but as experienced Murano travelers we offer this one advice: Don’t let a salesperson beguile you into buying over-priced glass. Make your own comparisons and reflect well on your purchases.

THE PAID TOUR

There are great Murano glass factory tours if your funds allow you to reserve a guide. Paid guides will take you to see more and educate you along the way. On average, tours start around 30€ per person. Private tours will be a bit more. With paid tours, you will have a very pleasant experience.

  • Most tours will take you through the entire You will see many glass factories, and the professional guides will enhance your experience by sharing their knowledge with you
  • You can witness a full glassblowing demonstration. See how the delicate art is made. Some tours even allow you to participate and take your creation home!
  • Average length of a tour is 2 hours

For these reasons, a paid Murano glass factory tour is the best way to immerse yourself in the Murano culture. Find the tour that fits your interests and budget. Don’t risk having a poor experience in such an extraordinary place. Do your research and read reviews. Some paid tours are still looking to trap you in one glass factory to encourage you to buy their glass before you see what else is out there. Make sure you discover all of Murano and not just one shop.

HOW TO GET THE BEST OUT OF MURANO WITHOUT A FORMAL TOUR

Tours are a great way to see the island, but if you don’t have the budget, there is nothing wrong with touring the Island of Murano on your own. This way you can guarantee you see exactly what you want. Visit the glass factories that are open to the public. You will easily find them since there are more glass foundries and shops than cafés in Murano. Getting to Murano is painless. Take Venice’s public transportation system, the Vaporetti.

After your trip to Murano, you will have an idea why owning an authentic and certified Murano Glass artwork is so coveted. Of course, you will want to take home a souvenir; but even in Murano, you will need to be conscious of what you are buying. Be sure your purchase supports the local Murano artists by buying genuine Murano glass artwork. True Murano glass increases in value over time, but unfortunately, there are counterfeit artworks sold on the island from China and the Czech Republic. You can either take the risk or you can purchase through a trustworthy source.

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN BUY MURANO GLASS ARTWORK ONLINE AT THE BEST PRICE ON THE MARKET?

You can see exclusive pieces online the Murano glass artists don’t put in the shop window, and find the one unique to you!

Be a smart shopper, get the best value for your money and shop online.