5 Islands to Visit If You’re in Venice

When people think of Venice, they usually picture St. Mark’s Square, the Rialto Bridge, the Basilica, or the narrow streets of the historic center. But the Venetian lagoon is much more than that: it is a true archipelago. Just hop on a vaporetto and you will find quieter, more authentic, more local worlds.
If you want to see a side of Venice that many visitors miss, add at least one of these islands to your trip. They will surprise you more than you expect.

Murano: The Island of Glass

Murano has been synonymous with glass for centuries. Here, master glassmakers still blow, shape, and color creations that travel all over the world. We suggest you:

• visit a glass furnace open to the public to see glass born from fire;
  
• explore the Glass Museum to understand how deeply this art is part of local identity;
  
• walk to the Basilica of Saints Mary and Donato, famous for its original 12th-century mosaic floors.
  

Murano is perfect if you love craftsmanship that cannot be copied.

Burano: A Palette of Colors and Lace

Burano is photographed everywhere, but experiencing it in person is something else. Brightly painted houses reflected in the water create an almost unreal atmosphere. Don’t miss:

• the Lace Museum and the small shops where lace is still handmade;
  
• a slow walk through the smaller canals, away from the main square;
  
• a seafood lunch in a family-run trattoria.
  

Burano wins you over first with its colors and then with its rhythm: it is the island that naturally makes you slow down.

Torcello: The Archaeology of Venice

Few tourists come this far, but those who do return with a different kind of wonder. Torcello feels like countryside shaped by memory. Things to see:

• the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, home to rare Byzantine mosaics;
  
• Attila’s Throne, a remnant of legends and ancient power;
  
• the path along the canal leading to the Devil’s Bridge.
  

Giudecca: The Best View of the City

Giudecca stays deliberately away from the spotlight. It is residential, authentic, and truly lived in by Venetians. From here, you can admire Venice’s skyline “from the front,” like a profile. On the island:

• visit Palladio’s Church of the Redeemer, at the heart of a famous summer festival;
  
• explore art studios and galleries hidden in former industrial spaces;
  
• sit along the waterfront and look out over the Lido and St. Mark’s across the water.
  

Giudecca is modern, layered, and peaceful. It is Venice without filters.

Sant’Erasmo: The Rural Lagoon

Here you won’t find narrow streets or iconic bridges. Instead, there are fields, vineyards, canals, and wind. This island has fed Venice for centuries and is known for its violet artichokes and agricultural life. It’s ideal for:

• walking or cycling among gardens and vineyards;
  
• taking a quiet break with a lagoon view, far from everything;
  
• understanding that the lagoon is also productive land, not just water and reflections.
  

Why You Should Really Go (Not Just Read About Them)

Visiting at least one of these islands changes how you experience Venice. The “museum city” becomes complete with a “living city.” In just a short vaporetto ride, you move from crowded tourism to a slower pace made of crafts, silence, and breathing space.
If you are planning a trip to Venice, choose at least one island and add it to your itinerary. No guide can replace the feeling of salty air in Torcello, glowing glass in Murano, or the colors of Burano that stay with you long after you leave.