THE 10 MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF VENICE

WHAT TO VISIT – SEE IN VENICE
10 ATTRACTIONS NOT TO BE MISSED IN VENICE

1- San Marco square
2- San Marco Basilica (Cathedral) + San Marco Museum
3- Doge’s Palace
4- The San Marco Bell Tower
5- Rialto Bridge
6- The Grand Canal
7- The Clock Tower
8- Murano Island (Glass Museum)
9- Burano Island (Lace Museum)
10- Torcello Island

Below or by clicking on each attraction, you will find the following information:
– Short historical notes + links to historical details
– Opening hours
– Cost of the ticket
– Information on guided tours or audio-guides
– Visit time
– Possibility to skip the line
– Official links
– Advices

Below you can see where are the 10 attractions in Venice (click on the image to enlarge it). If you want this map click here and follow the instructions (it’s free of charge).

SAN MARCO SQUARE

– Short historical notes: San Marco square in Venice is one of the most beautiful squares in the world. Starting from the foundation of the city of Venice, San marco Square is the theater where the most important events, celebrations and moments were celebrated.It is the only square in Venice, because in the rest of the city there are only “Campielli” and “Calli”, and there are still signs of its millennial history. It has a trapezoidal shape and it is 175 meters long and, 72 meters wide in front of the Basilica of San Marco and 57 wide on the opposite side, near the entrance to the Correr Museum. The numerous buildings of Piazza San Marco in Venice are a precious testimony of the cultural and artistic richness of this extraordinary city. It’s the heart of Venice. From the center of Piazza San Marco, looking towards the Basilica, you can see:

• the Clock Tower
• the old Procuratie
• the Napoleonic Wing
• the new Procuratie
• the Bell Tower
• the Doge Palace with its Sighing Bridge
• the San Marco cathedral.

If you look towards the San Giorgio Island in the Venice lagoon, You will find two tall columns. Both  columns have a statue on the top. On the left you can admire the statue of Venice Lion that is the symbol of the power of Venice.  On the right you can admire the statue of San Teodoro that is a Byzantine saint and the first protector of Venice for people. The space between the columns was a place of execution, where the bodies of the murdered were hung upside down. San Marco square is the center of Venice where there are the main attractions. It was defined by Napoleon “The living room of Europe” (Napoleon was falling in love with this magic square).
– Opening hours: always
– Ticket price: free
– Information on guided tours or audio-guides: You can buy an audio-guides at the entrance of the Cathedral.  You will find different audio-guides combination. At first you need to understand what you want to see and then you can buy the right combination for you.
– Ability to skip the queue: no

FINAL ADVICES: Have a nice walk along the square of San Marco. Take a typical photo with the pigeons or on the 2 lions statues (which are on the left of the San Marco cathedral) or between the 2 columns with the San Marco basin behind you remembering that the criminals or traitors were there. From this square you can admire and photograph the majesty of the buildings that surround you. Don’t buy even a coffee in the bars of the square because it could cost you even more than 10.00 euros.

SAN MARCO BASILICA (CATHEDRAL)+SAN MARCO MUSEM

– Short historical notes: Click here to view the official page of the Basilica di San Marco and read the story. Anyway I recommend you to buy an audio-guide in order to enjoy completely this magnificent cathedral. The entrance to the cathedral is completely free. Inside the basilica there are 3 museums for payment (San Marco museum, the Pala D’Oro – that is the area of ​​the altar – and the Treasure).
– Opening hours and ticket costs:
29th October – 15th April; Cathedral: 9.30am – 5.00pm (free admission – last admission 16.45am) – Sundays and public holidays: 2.00pm – 4.30pm (free admission – last access 4.15pm, last access “skip the line” 4.00pm); San Marco museum: 9.45am – 4.45pm (ticket: € 5 adult, aged between 6 and 18 years € 2.50); the Pala D’oro: 9.45am – 4.45pm – holidays: 2.00pm – 4.30pm (ticket: € 2 adults, aged between 6 and 18 years € 1); The Treasure: 9.45am – 4.45pm – holidays: 2.00pm – 4.30pm (ticket: € 3 adults, aged between 6 and 18 years € 1.50)
April 16th – 28th October: Cathedral: 9.30am – 5.00pm (free admission – last access 4.45pm) – Sunday and public holidays 2.00pm – 5.00pm (free admission – last admission 16.45, last access “skip the line” 4.30pm); Museum of San Marco: 9.35am – 5.00pm (tickeet: € 5 adults, aged between 6 and 18 years €2.50); The Pala D’oro: 9.35 am – 5.00 pm – Sundays and public holidays: 2.00pm – 5.00pm (ticket: € 2 adults, aged between 6 and 18 € 1 ); The Treasure: 9.35am – 5.00pm – Sundays and public holidays: 2.00pm – 5.00pm (ticket: € 3 addults, aged between 6 and 18 € 1.50)
Click here to see the official website that speak about the opening time and tickets.
– Guided tours: if you want to take part in a guided tour you have to ask for availability very soon. Click here to view the page with all the contacts
– Audio guides: they are sold before entry to the basilica. There are combined audio guides too (cathedral + san marco museum, cathedral + Pala D’oro, etc ..). The cost of the audio guide depends on the combination you prefer. The starting price is around 5.00 euros.
– Skip the line: ATTENTION, the average waiting time to visit the San Marco cathedral is about 45 minutes !!! The “Skip the line” service is avaiable from April 1 to November 2. You can reserve the entry to the Cathedral for € 3.00 per person (free for children from 0 to 5 years). In this case you can decide the day and time (click here to book your visit). From November 3 to March 31 the San Marco Cathedral is open but the “Skip the line” service is not avaiable because, normally, during this period there are not so long line.
– Visiting time: about 10 minutes (without museums and / or audio guides)
– Better to know: You must have appropriate clothes to access to the Cathedral; No photos or videos are allowed; you can not access it with big luggage (but you can deposit them for free – for 1 hour – at the University of San Basso); Aloud explanations are not allowed; ATTENTION, in some days, visits are suspended at certain times (click here to view the suspension calendar)
– Official links to the San Marco Cathedral website

FINAL ADVICES: reserve the entry in order to skip the line (often the waiting times are very long), buy an audio guide that includes the Basilica and the San Marco museum. I don’t raccomend you the Pala D’oro (It’s just a walk around the altar) and the Treasure (there are 2 rooms full of various treasures of San Marco). I recommend you the San Marco museum because you can see the basilica from above and you can access to the terrace where there are the “Horses of San Marco” and you can have a beautiful view of San Marco square.

DOGE’S PALACE AND SIGHS BRIDGE

– Historical notes: click here to read the history of the Doge’s Palace from the official website
– Opening time: from April 1st to October 31st 8.30am – 7.00pm (last entrance 6.00pm); from November 1st to March 31st 8.30am – 5.30pm (last entrance 4.30pm)
– Ticket price; In this case you have 3 solutions:
First – MUSEUMS OF SAN MARCO SQUARE. It’s a single ticket valid for: Palazzo Ducale, Correr Museum, National Archaeological Museum, Monumental Halls of the Marciana National Library. It is valid for 3 months and allows only one entry to the Palazzo Ducale. Adults: € 20.00, Reduced ticket: € 13.00 (Children from 6 to 14 years, Students from 15 to 25 years, Accompanyers -max, 2- of groups of at least 15 students, Visitors over 65 years, Owners di Carta Rolling Venice, ISIC holders – International Student Identity Card
Second: Entrance just in Doge’s Palace – Adults: € 13.00, Reduced ticket: € 11.00 (Children from 6 to 14 years, Students from 15 to 25 years, Accompanyers -max, 2- of groups of at least 15 students, Visitors over 65 years, Owners di Carta Rolling Venice, ISIC holders – International Student Identity Card
Third: Reserve a Guide tour (below you will find all tha information)
– Information on guided tours: There are 2 different guided tours of the Doge’s Palace.
1 – “The secret itineraries” – Ticket price Euro 20.00 per adult and Euro 14.00 for the reduced ticket – Tima: in Italian 9.30am and 11.10am; – in English at 9.55 am, 10.45 am and 11.35 am; – in French at 10.20am and 12.00. Duration of the visit 1 hour and 30 minutes. Minimum 2 persons and maximum 25. Click here to get all the information and the possibility to book the tour online
2- “The hidden treasures of the Doge” – Ticket price Euro 20.00 per adult and Euro 14.00 for the reduced ticket – Time: Italian 11.00am – English 11.45am – French 12.30pm. Duration of the visit 1 hour and 30 minutes. Minimum 2 people and maximum 10. Click here to get all the information and the possibility to book the visit online
– Audio-guide: Audio guide (available just at the ticket office), 5 euros (for 1 person), 8 euros (for 2 people)
– Skip the line: you can skip the line if you will book the tickets online or one of the 2 special guided tours. Click here to see the official page in order to book tickets.
– Official link of the Doge’s Palace

FINAL ADVICES: Book the guided tour “Secret Itineraries” that are very beautiful, evocative and suggestive. In this way, you will skip the line too (often the waiting times are very long). At the end of the visit you can make a another tour of the Doge’s Palace by yourself. The tour, anyway, is already enough (it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes). You can buy the “Museum of San Marco square” just in case you are interested on visit quite all of them. If not, it is useless. REMEMBER that in the “Museum of San Marco square” ticket, the bell tower and the click tower are not included

SAN MARCO BELL TOWER

– Short historical notes: The bell tower of San Marco is one of the most important symbols of the city of Venice. The Venetians affectionately call it “El parón de casa” (The landlord) and is one of the main monuments of Venice. The Bell tower base is 12 meters per side. The height of the bell tower is 98.5 meters (one of the highest in Italy). The final part of the bell tower is formed by the arched bell cell, over this cell you can see the Venice lions and female figures of Venice (Giustizia), over these rapresentations you can see a pyramidal cusp and, finally, on the top of this cusp you can see the golden statue of the archangel Gabriel that is on a rotating platform (it move with the wind). The construction of the bell tower took place between the IX and XIV centuries on the imitation of the bell tower of Aquileia. Over the years it was damaged and repaired several times. Normally it was damaged by lightning (actually it seems a big lightning rod). But the most significant event was the collapse of the bell tower at 9:47 am in 1902 due to incorrect works on the exterior wall. Fortunately there were no victims. The bell tower was rebuilt the same as before (the topic used, was “Where was and how it was”) and was inaugurated in 1912. Click here to view the official page of the history of San Marco bell tower. To reach the top of the bell tower there is an elevator (THERE ARE NO STAIRS). Even today it is one of the most evocative places in Venice. You will enjoy a unique and breathtaking view.
– Opening time and tickets prices:
October 1st – October 27th: 9.30am – 6.00pm (last entrance 5.45pm) (adults: € 8 full price, reduced age between 6 and 18 years € 4, reduced more than 19 years € 6 only for groups of more than 25 people)
October 28th – March 31st: 9.30am – 4.45pm (last entrance 16.30) (adults: full price € 8, reduced age between 6 and 18 years € 4, reduced more than 19 years 6 € only for groups more than 25 people)
April 1st – April 15th: 9.00 – 17.30 (last entrance 16.45) (adults: € 8 full price, reduced age between 6 and 18 years € 4, reduced more than 19 years € 6 only for groups over 25 people)
April 16th – September 30th: 8.30am – 9.00pm (last entrance 20.45) (adults: full € 8, reduced age between 6 and 18 years € 4, reduced more than 19 years € 6 only for groups over 25 people )
WARNING – In case of unfavorable weather conditions (fog, strong wind, intense cold) the campan ile will remain closed
– Skip the line: To skip the line you can book your entrance clicking here. The service is available from 01 April to 31 October and has an extracharge of € 5.00. You can choose between the available time slots (2 or 3 per hour, for a maximum of 12 people per band)
– Official links: The official link is the same as the Basilica of San Marco. Click here

FINAL ADVICES: Reserve your entrance in advance because there are 2 or 3 options per hours per 12 people maximum. Remember that often there are long line (waiting times even longer than 1 hour). Belive me, you must visit it. You will enjoy a breathtaking view and a spectacular landscape of one of the most beautiful and unique cities in the world.

RIALTO BRIDGE

– Short historical notes: The first passage from one bank to the other of the Grand Canal, was made by floating boats. After, due to the increasing importance of the Rialto market and number of people that was crossing the boats, was built  a wooden bridge. It was built around 1250. The bridge was made by 2 oblique ramps that joined in a mobile platform. This platform was removed when tall boats had to pass. The bridge took the name of “Rialto Bridge” due to the nearby market. In the first half of the 15th century, two shops lines were built along the sides of the bridge. With the rent money, the maintenance of the bridge was paid. In 1444, it collapsed under the weight of the great crowd that was there in order to see the passage of the marquis of Ferrara. The construction of a stone bridge was proposed the first time in 1503. In the following decades several projects were evaluated. In the end, on June 9th 1588, Antonio Da Ponte’s project was chosen. The bridge was finalized (after several inconveniences) in 1591.
LEGEND OF THE DEVIL AND THE RIALTO BRIDGE – It is said that during the construction of the bridge, the devil presented himself to the architect and pretended that he was offered the soul of the first who had crossed the bridge, otherwise he would not have allowed the construction. The architect studied a plan to deceive the devil. The plan was: use a rooster to pass the bridge like first. But the devil learned about Antonio’s plan, and decided to deceive him too: he appears at Antonio’s house, to his pregnant wife, and told her to run fast to the bridge beacause his husband was waiting for her. Legend said that the soul of the dead child wandered for a long time. In the end he left the bridge thanks to a gondolier that help him.
– Opening time: Always
– How to reach the Rialto bridge: By vaporetto (water buses) number 1 or number 2 or by foot (about 35/30 minutes from Piazzale Roma bus stop / Santa Lucia train station or 10 minutes from San Marco square)

FINAL ADVICES: The Rialto Bridge is definitely a fixed stop for turists that want to visit Venice. It’s the most important bridge in Venice. From the top of the bridge you can have a wonderful view of the Grand Canal. To photograph it completely, you have to get away a lot or do it from the vaporetto (water bus) / gondola because it is really impressive. The Rialto Bridge is a perfect stop for souvenirs shopping. There are a lot of shops where you can find quite everything. Do you need souvenirs for all your family or friends? have a jump on Rialto Bridge

GRAND CANAL

– Short historical notes: The Grand Canal is the main canal that crosses Venice. Only 4 bridges cross it – Rialto Bridge, Scalzi’s bridge (in front of Santa Lucia train station), Constitution bridge (known by the Venetians as Calatrava Bridge, architect who designed it) and Accademia Bridge (wood bridge, in the university area). The Grand Canal is about 3800 meters long (30 to 70 m wide, medium depth 5 m) and it divides the historical center into two parts, tracing an inverted “S”, which goes from the Liberty Bridge (Piazzale Roma bus stop) to the San Marco Basin. It is flanked along its length by magnificent buildings, built in different eras and styles.
Buildings for business: calls “Fondaco” like Fondaco dei Turchi
Byzantine style: Ca ‘Farsetti, Ca’ Loredan, Ca ‘da Mosto
Gothic style: Palazzo Ducale, Ca ‘D’oro
Renaissance: Ca ‘Dario, Ca’ Vendramin, Palazzo Grimani
Baroque: Ca ‘Pesaro, Ca’ Rezzonico, Santa Maria della Salute church
Neoclassical style: Palazzo Grassi
You can navigate the Grand Canal in different ways:
– with the vaporetto/water bus (travel cost € 7.50 per person); Water bus number 1 takes about 30/35 minutes; Water bus number 2 takes about 20/25 minutes -)
– with a gondola (€ 80.00 for 30 minutes per gondola)
– with a water taxi (approximately 40/50 euros per taxi)
Click here to view the page of the Grand Canal (it is the page of wikipedia that, in this case, is particularly accurate and detailed).
The Grand Canal is the main artery of Venice. Let yourself be enchanted by the beauty of the buildings that you can admire on both banks, you will be amazed by these floating huge monuments and by the colors caused by the reflection of the water.
– Opening time: Always

FINAL ADVICES: Take vaporetto number 1 because it has more stops and is more touristic. The journey will last approximately 30/35 minutes. If it does not rain, take the seats at the stern or bow to enjoy completely the navigation and you can be able to photograph the buildings that will flow slowly to your right and your left. Let yourself be kidnapped and enjoy this navigation through history.

THE CLOCK TOWER

– Short historical notes: the Clock Tower, also known as “Mori’s tower“, is a Renaissance building formed by a central tower, built in 1499, and two lateral towers added later. There is an arch, at the base, that connects San Marco square with the Mercerie’s area, that is the main commercial area of ​​the city. At that time it was one of the 3 clock in the world with mechanical movements and it was the only one that had the movements of its statues too. The legend say that the goverment of Venice took away the inventor eyes in order that he could no repeat such opera for other goverment. Over the the arch we find the “Big clock face” where are represented the lunar phases, all the zodiac constellations and the indication of the time divided into 24 parts. At the time, infact, the 24 hours started from the rising and falling of the sun. There was a guardian, called “The fitter”, that corrected continuously the beginning and the end of the day during all the season of the year. Above the “Big clock face” there is the Madonna sit on a throne that in the center between two doors on which the hours are signed. During the Ascension week and the day of the Epiphany, an angel playing the trumpet followed by the three wise men came out from the right door. Then they stop in front of Virgin Mary, they take a bow and finally they go outside through the left door. Above the Madonna we find the Venice Lion, symbol of the Venice power.
This symbol was put in that position to emphasize that the power of Venice is stroger than the Church power (represented by Virgin Mary), the scientific knowledge (represented by the great technological clock), the earthly goods (represented by Merceria area) but less strong than time power (represented by the statues of “2 Mori”). Finally, above everything we can see the statues of “2 Mori” (called in this way for their brown color). These 2 large bronze statues are very similar but not identical. The main difference is that one has a beard (called the “Old man”) while the other has no beard (called the “Young man”). The Mori mark the hours by beating the bell with their hammers (as many tolls as the hours are), but with a precise modality. The Old Man beats the hours two minutes before the correct time, to represent the time that has passed, while the Young Man beats the hour two minutes later to represent the time that will come. For more historical information or information about the mechanism and conformation of the clock click here. You will find the official page of the clock tower and you can download a PDF document with a short guide.
– Opening time and ticket price: You can visit the clock tower only by reservation and with a specialized guide. Entry is allowed from 6 years
Enghlish language – Monday to Wednesday: 11 am and 12 am; Thursday to Sunday: 2 pm and 3 pm; Adults 12.00 euros, Reduced ticket: 7.00 euros (Children aged from 6 to 14 years, over 65, residents and births in the Municipality of Venice, holders of Rolling Venice pass, buyers of tickets for the Museums of San Marco square or Museum Pass, holders of the ticket of the “Secret Itineraries” or “The hidden treasures of the Doge” in Doge’s Palace, holders of ISIC – International Student Identity Card.
Click here to book your visit, you will find the official page of the clock tower where you can book the visit without agency commission.
– Information on guided tours or audio-guides: The visit can only take place with a specialized guide included in the ticket price
– Official links: Click here to view the official website of the clock tower

FINAL ADVICES: Book it and do it because it’s very beautiful and peculiar. The guide is already included in the price and you can also get a reduced ticket if you already done the “Secret Itineraries of the Doge’s Palace” (another visit that I highly recommend). You will see the heart of this gigantic mechanical watch (the most famous after Big Beng) and enjoy a beautiful view of Venice next to the 2 Mori.

MURANO ISLAND + GLASS MUSEUM

– Short historical notes: Murano is one of the largest islands in the Venice lagoon. Actually it is formed by seven small islands crossed by canals and connected one each other by different bridges. Even Murano has its own Grand Canal, flanked by palaces, villas, gardens and churches and crossed by the great Vivarini Bridge, which divides the island into two parts. Murano was the island where the Venetian aristocracy spent their holidays. Murano was born in the barbarian era and was used to escape from the Huns. But the rmost importatn period for the island started in 1291, when Venice decided to move the furnaces of the glassworks in this island in order to avoid to avoid the continuous fires that devastated the city. Murano will also be called “the fires Island” for these reasons. Venice, anyway, imposed to the glass craftsmen (master glassmakers) to never leave the island unless they were expressly authorized. The idea of ​​transfer the glass activities in the Murano island, was the attempt to control and block the information about the main glass manipulation techniques. In the XVI century, Murano had reached the top of its splendor. But, after couple of centuries, following the historical destiny of Venice, it fell into decline due to continuous wars and occupations.
However, traditional glass processing has resisted to every decline, wars and occupations and has survived until our days. You admire it in one of the many furnaces taht you can find on the Murano island. Glass is still, and will always be, the main source of business for the Murano island. Some of the companies that hold historic Murano glass factories are among the most important glass brands in the world.
Today, in order to protect the original Murano glass from foreign markets, the most famous factories of the island have a registered trademark. This trademark certifies that the glass was created on the Murano island (see image). On the Murano island you can visit the Glass Museum located in the Giustiniani Palace. The Museum exhibits both the history of glass art and examples of vitreous artefacts from Egyptian times to the present day.
Click here to view the history of the museum, the routes and the collections proposed (official website).
– Opening time: from 1 November to 31 March 10.00am / 05.00pm (ticket office 10.00am – 04.00pm); from 1 April to 31 October 10.00am / 06.00pm (ticket office 10.00am – 05.00pm)
– Ticket price: Adults 12 euros; Redicced 9.50 euros (Children aged from 6 to 14 years old, over 65 years, holders of Carta Rolling Venice, holders of ISIC – International Student Identity Card.)
Combined ticket Glass Museum (Murano) + Lace Museum (Burano): Adults: 12.00 euros; Reduced: 8.00 euros
– Skip the line: In order to skip the line you have to book the entrance or have already bought the “Museum pass”. Click here to view the official website of the glass museum to book your visit.
– Other monuments / buildings / places to visit: Santa Maria and Donato Cathedral, the Murano lighthouse, San Pietro Martire Church and Da Mula Palace
– How to get there: From Piazzale Roma (Bus Stop) or from Santa Lucia (Train station) – Vaporetto (water Buses) number 3 or 4.1 or 4.2 (click here to see the timetable); From San Marco square – Vaporetto (water bus) number 7 (seasonal line – click here to see the timetable)
– Official links: Click here to view the official website of the Murano Glass Museum

FINAL ADVICES: It all depends on how much time you have available and what is the level of your passion for Murano glass. The museum is very beautiful and will take you through all the historical periods of Murano glass production. If you are interested by admire the master glassmakers art, you do not need to go to the museum. All you have to do is to go to one of the various workshops where you can see the master glassmakers who create glass art in front of you. In case you want to visit the museum of glass, I suggest you buy the combined ticket (Glass + Lace – the cost is the same and after Murano you will certainly make a tour in Burano island where the Lace Museumis located).

BURANO ISLAND + LACE MUSEUM

– Short historical notes: Burano is “The Rainbow Island” for its various colors. It is one of the 10 most colorful cities in the world. You will be fascinated by so many nuances created by the houses reflection on the Burano canals.
A little bit of history. The first settlement in Burano was on the Barbarians time. People runned away from the Huns and found refuge on this island. The first settlement was made from stilt houses and wooden houses then replaced by brick houses. The most important period for Burano island came in 1923 when it was aggregated in Venice with Murano and Pellestrina. The name derives from the position of the island in the Venice lagoon. Burano is located in the North East where Bora blows (strong wind coming from the North East). Thanks to this ventilation, Burano was preserved from malaria.
Why all the houses have different and bright colors? It is said that the fishermen, returning to their homes, after a long and hard work day, sorrounded by the fog that covers Burano during the winter season, could recognize easily their homes because of their different colors reflected in the green waters of the canals (from green pea to lilac, from blue to yellow).
Click here to view the official website of the island of Burano.
The real attraction of Burano is its lace. The first lace dates back to 1500. Legend say that an ancient fisherman, promised husband to a young girl on the island, was tempted by the siren song during a work day . As the boy resisted their charms, he received a gift from the sirens queen . So the queen hit the side of the boat with its tail and, from the foam created by the movement of the water, was create an elegant wedding veil for the young wife. The girl was admired and envied by all the young girls of the island. After the wedding started a competition in order to imitate the lace of the veil given by the Queen of the Sea, using needle and thread more and more thin, hoping to create a more beautiful veil for their wedding dresses.
The Lace Museum (click here to view the official website of the museum with its history, routes and activities)
– Opening time: from November 1st to March 31st 10.00am / 05.00pm (ticket office 10.00 – 4.30pm) – from April 1st to October 31st 10.00am / 06.00pm (ticket office 10.00am – 05.30pm)
– Ticket price: Adults 5.00 euros – Reduced 3.50 euros (Children aged from 6 to 14, over 65 years, holders of Carta Rolling Venice, holders of ISIC – International Student Identity Card)
Combined ticket Glass Museum (Murano) + Lace Museum (Burano): Adults 12.00 euros; Reduced 8.00 euros
– Skip the line: In order to skip the line you have to book the entrance or have already bought the “Museum pass”. Click here to view the official website of the lace museum to book your visit.
– Other palaces / places / churches to visit: The heart of the island is Baldassare Galuppi square with his statue (the only one square in the island), where there is the Lace Museum and the Church of San Martino with its famous crooked bell tower due to the partial collapse of its bases. One of the most characteristic places of the island is the “Three Bridges” that is a wooden bridge that connects three districts of Burano. From this bridge you can take wonderful pictures. The most famous house of the island is “the House of Bepi Suà” painted with many colors, divided into geometric shapes.
– How to reach Burano: Burano can be reached only by vaporetto (water bus) number 12. This vaporetto can be taken from Venice or from the island of Murano.
From Venice, from the stop “Fondamenta Nove” that you can reach from Piazzale Roma (bus stop) or from Santa Lucia (train station) with vaporetto (water buses) numbers 4.1 or 4.2.
From Murano, from the stop “Murano Faro” that you can reach from Piazzale Roma (bus stop) or from Santa Lucia (train station) with vaporetto number 3
Click here to view the page with the timetables of all the waterbuses.
– Official links: Click here to view the official website of the island of Burano.

FINAL ADVICES: It all depends on how much time avaiable you have and what’s your passion for lace. In case you want to visit the lace museum, I suggest you to buy the combined museum ticket (Glass + Lace Museum).
THE REAL ADVICE is to walk around Burano because it is unique in the world. You will be enraptured by its beauty and you fill your eyes with colors. You will find the old ladies who produce lace chatting all day long. You will make unforgettable photos from the “Three Bridges”. You will be amazed by the crooked bell tower and all this incredible island.

TORCELLO ISLAND

– Short historical notes: Torcello is the oldest island in the Venice lagoon. It is located in the North and everything stated from this small island where currently 8 people live. Before Venice, the first settlement, in fact, was right here. It was abandoned in the XV century because people prefer to live in Venice island. This island remain in the past. Click here to view the site official site of the Torcello island.
– What to visit in Torcello: Torcello immediately offers to its visitors an historical atmosphere. It is a very barren and green island compared to Venice, Murano and Burano. Following the long street that leads to the square and runs along the main river, you will be catched by the landscape that seems a Roman Empire landscape. Along this street we will find into a bridge without a parapet called “The Devil bridge”. There are 2 legends related to this bridge.
The first concerns a pact with the Devil made on this bridge: a magician promised to the Devil 7 children souls (died prematurely) in exchange for the reunification between a local girl and an Austrian soldier murdered. The reunification took place but the magician died some hours later due to his hous fire. Legend said that the devil arrive on the bridge every 24 December waiting for the 7 souls, in the form of a big black cat.
The second narrates that the devil built that bridge in one night in order to win a bet. He could not complete it because of the dawn. For this reason he could not build the parapets.
Arrived at the square we will find: The Council building, the Archive Palace (which together form the Torcello museum), Attila’s throne, the Church of Santa Fosca and the Basilica (cathedral) of Santa Maria Assunta (which is the oldest building present in the lagoon).
The Attila’s throne is a stone throne dating around the 5th century. Actually, the Huns never arrived in Torcello (they stopped in Acquileia), in fact it is said that it was the throne of the Torcello Bishop. You can still sit down to take a picture.
The church of Santa Fosca and the Basilica (cathedral) of Santa Maria Assunta (click here to view the official website) are nearby. The church is still used for holy mass (Sunday 10:30 am) while the basilica (which dates around 639) can be visited (and the bell tower too).
– Opening time: from March to October 10.30am – 06.00pm, ticket office closing 30 minutes before; from November to February 10.00am – 05.00pm every day, closing of the ticket office 30 minutes before
– Ticket price: € 5.00 adults and € 3.00 reduced (click here to view timetables and prices updated with audioguides and Torcello museum).
– How to reach Torcello: You can reach Torcello only from the nearby island of Burano with the Vaporetto (water bus) number 9 (click here to see the updated timetable). Burano can be reached only by vaporetto number 12. This vaporetto can be taken from Venice or from the island of Murano.
From Venice, from the stop “Fondamenta Nove” that you can reach from Piazzale Roma (bus stop) or from Santa Lucia (train station) with vaporetto (water buses) numbers 4.1 or 4.2.
From Murano, from the stop “Murano Faro” that you can reach from Piazzale Roma (bus stop) or from Santa Lucia (train station) with vaporetto number 3.
Click here to see the updated timetables of all the boats.
– Official links: Click here to view the official Torcello website

FINAL ADVICES: Go there !!!!! With the vaporetto 9 you can reach it in just 5 minutes and you will be immersed in a surreal atmosphere. It will really seem to you to have made a jump into the past and to walk through the history. And… when will you ever be able to take a picture with “Devil” and “Attila” on the same day.

For any other informations you can fill out the form that you will find at the end of this page. I will aswer you as soon as possible. Venice 4 all and all 4 Venice.