Murano Glass Museum: Hours, Prices and Online Tickets

One cannot say Murano without adding the word “glass.” The island’s identity is strongly connected to this material, which here almost seems to “live in symbiosis” with this land.

The history of glassmaking, in fact, has been intertwined with that of the island for centuries, so much so that Murano is world-famous precisely for its craftsmanship.

Just think that already in the Middle Ages this island was appreciated and renowned precisely for the skill of its master glassmakers, and the guild dedicated to this craft jealously guarded its secrets.

What better place than the Glass Museum to learn everything you need to know about glass, its manufacture and history?

I’ll tell you more: among this month’s halls you’ll also meet a “movie star.” That’s right, a glass artifact has intertwined its path with that of James Bond: Are you confused? Read on to find out what I’m referring to!

Read on to find out all the useful information you need: where the Murano Glass Museum is located, what you can see inside, museum hours, and ticket prices.

Wait! Don’t waste unnecessary time behind long lines! Buy your Murano Glass Museum priority ticket and skip the queue at the ticket office! What are you waiting for? Glass can’t wait to tell you its secrets!

What to see at the Glass Museum

Interior of the Glass Museum | ID 157504886 @ Chris Dorney | Dreamstime.com

The museum does more than simply tell the story of Glass; it is part of it and plays a key role in its darkest and most decadent phase.

In 1797, in fact, the fall of the Republic of St. Mark took place and consequently the lagoon was subjected to foreign domination and glass craftsmanship suffered, experiencing a severe setback.

It was only about the mid-1800s that the island’s mayor Antonio Colleoni, with the help of Abbot Vincenzo Zanetti, managed to organize an archive in which to collect all the evidence related to the history of the island and its art.

Many furnaces donated valuable pieces and began working again to enrich the archive, which thus soon saw its museum part grow.

In 1862 a school was also attached to the museum where young people were taught the secrets of the techniques.

The museum grew in 1932 when it was reorganized after Murano was annexed to Venice and the museum became part of the Venice Civics.

Even today, the glassworks still enrich the collections with unique and precious pieces with modern taste and eye-catching designs.

The museum’s itinerary is designed chronologically: the first room, in fact, houses artifacts from the Roman era dating back to the 1st/4th centuries AD.

More than seven hundred years of art are represented in the museum where priceless historical artifacts can also be admired: some dating as far back as the 14th century!

For example, among the most prestigious works contained in the museum is the Barovier Cup, datable between 1470 and 1480, named after the surname of the master glassmaker who produced it: its function? It was a beautiful wedding gift.

Want to know a curiosity related to this beautiful artifact? It is the cup that James Bond tries to save in the movie “Moonraker.”

You will also learn about production techniques and very characteristic aspects of this craftsmanship that still knows how to keep up with the times while respecting its traditions.

Multiple rooms where you can delve into the various historical phases of glass, learn the differences between mosaic and millefiori glass, and understand the future direction of Murano craftsmanship.

On the second floor you will admire eight rooms: each is dedicated to a historical period. For example, the first is dedicated to the origins while the eighth to the twentieth century and the study of design in the world of glass.

Very popular is the fourth room, which tells about glass during the 18th century, just before the fall of the Venetian Republic.

On the ground floor, however, next to the entrance, there is also the conclusion of the visit with the ninth and last room: that of contemporary glass that preserves all the donations from the glassworks.

Finally, also on the ground floor, you can admire the Conterie space, an area of the museum where temporary exhibitions are often held.

There are two exhibitions currently scheduled:

• Carlo and Giovanni Moretti Donation 1958-2013: a substantial 2020 donation by the Carlo Moretti firm of no less than 453 works is being shown to the public for the first time. The exhibition will remain until June 30, 2025

• Stories of factories. Stories of families. FRATELLI TOSO: to say Toso brothers in Murano is to talk about the history of glass. Indeed, this is the most historic furnace still in operation on the island: founded as early as 1854! A fascinating exhibition dedicated to the master glassmakers of this family and the evolution of their techniques. Exhibition open from July 12 to November 24, 2025

Hours, prices and tickets for the Glass Museum

Wondering when to visit the Glass Museum? I have good news for you: you can do so any day of the year!

You heard me right: the museum is always open. However, it observes different hours depending on the time of year.

• November 1 to March 31: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
• April 1 to October 31: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m

“Murano Glass” sign | ID 41684761 © Adrian Gilfillan | Dreamstime.com

You need to remember other important information as well: entry to the museum is allowed a maximum of one hour before closing, and museum clearance begins twenty minutes before the deadline.

Finally, you should know that during the period between May 1 and September 30, the museum has evening openings every Friday and every Saturday: the glass museum will be open until 8 p.m.

As for costs, the entrance fee is 10 euros, and what I recommend is to book it online: this is the only way you will be entitled to priority entrance and you can get discounts by combining several attractions.

For example, if you plan to visit both Murano and Burano, you can buy a single package that includes skip-the-line admission to both the glass and lace museums. Take a look at the dedicated offer. (LINK)

Be careful before buying your ticket: there are discounts and exemptions, and some of them may be right for you.

There is, in fact, a Reduced ticket at a cost of €7.50 that is entitled to:

• Children from 6 to 14 years old
• Students from 15 to 25 years old
• Ministry of Culture staff
• Holders of the Rolling Venice Card
• Holders of the International Student Identity Card (ISIC)

On the other hand, there is no payment for:

• Residents or those born in the municipality of Venice
• Small visitors between the ages of 0 and 5 years old
• Persons with disabilities and their accompanying person
• School teachers or tour guides while accompanying them
• Civil service volunteers from the municipality of Venice

Finally, there are many conventions that allow for discounts:

• Family ticket: reduced for all members in the presence of at least one under 14
• School offer: 4 euro ticket for each student, in the period between September 1 and March 15
• Enter by taking advantage of the Museum Pass: cumulative ticket that allows entry to many attractions of both Venice and its islands including the glass one.

Finally, you can add the opportunity to take advantage of an audio guide that can be purchased on site for 4 euros.

There are other useful pieces of information to know in order to better organize your visit to the Glass Museum: first of all, you can request the dog-sitting service by booking through the Bauadvisor app.

Also, you should know that the museum has a checkroom where you can leave backpacks, jackets and umbrellas.

Glass working in a Murano glassworks | ID 35224440 @ Sailorr | Dreamstime.com

Warning Remember that you are not allowed to enter with suitcases, trolleys and bulky luggage, so do not show up with bulky encumbrances.

The museum is fully accessible for people with mobility disabilities, considering the absence of architectural barriers and the dedicated elevator to access the upper floors of the museum.

How to get to the Glass Museum: location and transportation

The museum is located at Fondamenta Giustinian 8, and you only need to get off at the “Murano Museo B” vaporetto stop.

The lines that stop at this stop are the 4.1 or 4.2 departing from Piazzale Roma or Santa Lucia Station. Alternatively, you can opt for line 12.

If you want other options you can consider the Alilaguna, which offers a service similar to the vaporetto, or the private water cab, for a more expensive but extremely comfortable trip.

The length of the ride is about 20 minutes to which is added the very short walk from the vaporetto stop to the museum entrance.

Frequently asked questions

Conclusions

Little glass heart, Murano artifact | ID 267336357 @ Michal Bednarek | Dreamstime.com

Here we have come to the end of our article on the Murano Glass Museum. I have told you everything you need to know about the glass museum and now you are ready to book your visit.

We’ve seen together what the hours of the Murano Glass Museum are and what the prices are to gain access.

I explained that there are reductions and exemptions, as well as cumulative tickets and offers dedicated to groups and families.

You found out exactly where the museum is located and how to get there from Venice-a nice vaporetto ride before immersing yourself in the history of glass!

Finally, I answered frequently asked questions that visitors ask regarding the Murano Glass Museum.

How about you? Are you planning to visit Murano? Which hall do you think might be the most interesting? Let me know what you think and tell me yours!

If you decide to visit Murano, you have realized that you cannot miss the glass museum: come and discover the history of this centuries-old craft. You are just a click away to start your journey through time to discover Murano glass!