Looking for the best Murano glass workshops?
On our most recent trip to Italy, we chose to break from the crowd and take a Murano glass workshop instead of just watching glass being made.
Turns out it was one of our favorite experiences in all of Italy.
If you are interested in taking a Murano glass workshop, let us save you the research. Our ranked list includes a Murano glass-blowing class and several Murano glass jewelry workshops.
We will let you know which ones include transport from Venice and those that start on the island of Murano.
Some of the tours, like the one we took, costs as little as 10€. However, if you are willing to spend a bit more there are several tours on this list that we give you much more of a Murano glass apprenticeship feeling.
So let’s get started.
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5 Best Murano Glass Workshops
1. Glassblowing Beginners Class In Murano
5 out of 5 ⭐
Get ready to unleash your creativity during this captivating two-and-a-half-hour small-group glass-blowing workshop on the enchanting island of Murano.
If you are looking for an authentic glass-blowing experience in Venice, this is it. We love this experience so much we listed in on our best things to do with teens in Venice.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some experience, this Murano glass-blowing workshop is designed to cater to all skill levels.The workshop will allow you to really experience the world of glass art and you will do some real glass blowing.
The tour begins with a live demonstration by a skilled craftsman who will expertly shape molten glass before your eyes.
After the demonstration, you’ll also have the incredible opportunity to get hands-on with the craft, as you receive personalized instruction to shape and create your own Murano glass object.
The difference between this tour and others is that you are actually doing the work of glass blowing. Other tours will have you try lampwork or make a piece out of pre-made beads or place pieces of cut pieces in a copper ring to be melted.
With this tour, you will go through the actual process of blowing Murano glass. But don’t worry, you will have a skilled craftsman by your side.
Once you’ve crafted your masterpiece, it’s time to decide how you want to bring it home.
You can either choose to pick it up the next day, allowing you to appreciate its beauty in person or if you prefer, you have the option to have it shipped to your desired location for an additional fee.
Be warned, this experience is not for the faint of heart!Glassblowing is a physically demanding art form and this workshop is the real deal, requiring a fearless spirit and a willingness to embrace intense heat and physical activity.
This workshop is also the most expensive on the list for a very good reason. If you took a glass-blowing workshop anywhere, you could expect a similar price.
If you’re up for the challenge, get ready for an unforgettable workshop that will result in numerous memories and your own piece of Murano glass blown art.
2. Create Your Glass Artwork: Private Lesson with Local Artisan in Venice
5 out of 5 ⭐
If our #1 tour is too costly or feels too physically demanding, #2 is going to be perfect for you.
During your 90-minute private glassmaking lesson, you’ll get the opportunity to have hands-on experience and receive one-to-one guidance in making a small piece of Murano glass using Lampwork.
Lampwork is a technique that uses an open flame to manipulate glass at high temperatures. This kind of technique has been used for centuries in Venice, especially on the island of Murano.
All materials will be provided, including everything you need to create your own marvelous glass artwork. And the best part? You get to take it home as a beautiful souvenir!
An added benefit of this class is that it is a Murano glass workshop in Venice.
While a trip to the island of Murano is certainly worth it, this workshop is especially great for people who have limited time in Venice, but want a truly unique experience.
3. Glass Lampwork Workshop and Walking Tour in Murano
5 out of 5 ⭐
If you are looking for another lampwork workshop, but this time on the island of Murano, pick this tour.
This tour combines a hands-on experience at one of the oldest glass factories where you use Lampwork to make a small piece of glass, followed by a walking tour of the island.
As a part of the experience, you will learn how to craft your own individual Murano Glass beads with the traditional ‘lampworking’ technique
The tour also includes a walking tour of Murano and its historic sites, including the famous San Pietro Church and the Museum of Glass Art.
On the tour you will learn about every aspect of glassmaking and Venetian culture – from the glassmaking process and how to spot hand-crafted Murano Glass pieces to the island’s history and interesting information.
At the end of the tour, you will be able to take home your handmade Murano glass souvenir as a reminder of the amazing experience that you were a part of creating.
4. Ferro Toso
3TicketsPlease Recommends ⭐
If you are looking for a very inexpensive, but equally unique experience, we definitely recommend the Murano glass jewelry workshop that we did on our last trip to Venice with Ferro Toso.
We loved our time in Italy with our own teen so much that we put it on our list of best senior trips, in part because of cool experiences like the one we had at Ferro Toso.
This workshop is different than the others in that you are not blowing glass or using the lampwork technique, but rather arranging cut glass pieces in a copper ring that are then melted into a unique piece of Murano glass jewelry made by you.
This type of tour is less expensive but still gives you a hands-on experience. And the owner Cesare is so generous with his time and expertise making for a truly unique experience.
The process of placing the glass pieces only took around 20 minutes, but our son, O couldn’t resist the temptation to create a slightly larger piece.
Cesare graciously accommodated O’s request without any additional charge, extending our time with him to over an hour.
It was a testament to Cesare’s expertise and dedication to ensuring his guests have a truly memorable experience.
As a delightful finale to our workshop, Cesare took the larger piece that we had crafted and transformed it into a stunning necklace, bracelet, and key ring.
Each piece was a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship that Murano glass is renowned for and we had so much fun making them ourselves.
Ferro Toso is located on the island of Murano. You don’t need a reservation, just check the availability.
Getting to Ferro Toso
When you get off the main Vaporetto station, Murano Colonna, go left to reach Ferro Toso.
Once you turn left take the walking path that rings the island. After less than 5 minutes walk, the shops will be on your right and the lagoon on your left.
Ferro Toso’s entrance is right across from this private dock with the classic Venetian blue and white swirls on the posts.
5. Murano Glass Factory Experience: Tour and Workshop
4 out of 5 ⭐
If you liked our Ferro Toso experience, but want to be able to book in advance and have a guide help you navigate from Venice to Murano then this is a great tour for you.
The tour picks up at a meeting point in Venice and a guide will help you navigate to the Murano Glass Factory.
The first stop on this tour is a demonstration of glass-blowing techniques so you can admire the skillfulness of the artisans. Then you can tour the factory to see and purchase if you decide, a unique piece made by one of their local artisans.
After the glass-blowing demonstration, you will make your own Murano glass souvenir similar to those we made at Ferro Toso, by either selecting a Murano bead for a bracelet or using cut pieces of glass to make a pendant or key ring.
How To Get to Murano Glass Factory From Venice
If you decide to pick up this Murano Glass Factory Tour (or any tour) from Murano, it is easy to get to the island by public transit.
Using public transit is a huge budget travel tip for us. In Venice, public boats are called Vaporettos.
Vaporettos are basically Venice’s equivalent to the city bus. They are frequent, public, and fairly inexpensive.
A 24-hour Vaporetto Pass is less than 30€. Persons between 6-29, with a student ID, get a discounted rate. And under 6, they ride free. You can also get single tickets for under 10€. The ticket is good for 75 minutes.
We used the Vaporetto throughout our time in Venice. So we went with a day pass.
You could definitely make a fast trip to Murano, take in our activity, and still make it back to the main island of Venice within the 75-minute time limit. But it would be really tight.
So we definitely recommend buying at least a 24-hour pass. You buy tickets at any Vaporetto station throughout the city.
We took the fastest route to Murano, which is line 3, the yellow line, from P.le.Roma straight to Murano. Then we took line 4.2 back to Venice, past St. Mark’s Square, to S. Marta.
You can definitely just stick with line 3. However, if you want to see St. Mark’s by water, then 4.2 is your route.
FAQ: Murano Glass Making Venice
Is Murano Glass the best in the world?
Murano Glass has been renowned for centuries as some of the best in the world.
Murano Glass is unique because it uses a particular type of sand that gives the glass its distinctive color and texture.
The use of traditional techniques passed down through generations also makes Murano Glass highly sought after for its quality and craftsmanship.
Is it better to buy Murano Glass in Venice or on Murano?
For the best selection and quality, it is recommended to buy Murano glass directly from its source – on the island of Murano.
Stores in Venice often sell Murano glass at a markup price, making it more expensive than purchasing directly from Murano. Additionally, you can be sure that what you are buying is authentic when buying on the island.
Where to see glass blowing in Murano?
The best place to see glass blowing in Murano is the Glass Museum.
Here, you can watch experienced artisans working with molten glass and observe their techniques as they craft beautiful pieces of artwork.
In addition to the Glass Museum, there are also many other places on the island where you can witness this traditional art form being practiced.
Conclusion: Murano Glass Workshop Venice
Taking a Murano Glass Workshop in Venice or on the island of Murano is a unique experience.You will learn the art and craft of glassmaking, take home hand-crafted souvenirs, and explore Venetian culture and history.
During our 7-days in Italy, it was one of our favorite experiences.
So don’t wait. Book the tour that feels right for you. You will have a wonderful experience and leave with your own Murano glass souvenir.
Looking for another unique experience in Venice, forget the Gondola, try kayaking Venice.
We took the Real Venetian kayak tour and it was such a unique way to see the city.
Enjoy!
