Venetian Islands: Local's Boat Tour
4.9
107 Ratings
Venice

Discover Venice’s hidden gems with a true local. Explore Murano, Burano, and Torcello on a private boat tour. Unveil secrets only a Venetian knows.

Duration: 4 hours, 40 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Laguna di Venezia - Davide owns a boutique tour company that exclusively offers services in Venice. As a true Venetian, having been born, educated, and living in the city, Davide provides an authentic local experience, unlike those from outside the city.
    Davide’s boat is a private vessel, operated by a genuine Venetian company, not a reseller of…
see more
What's Included
  • Bottled water
  • Private transportation
  • Guide to the islands of Venice
What's Not Included
  • Carbonated beverages
Additional Information

Experience Venice like a true local with this unique tour! Born and raised in Venice, the operator offers an authentic perspective of the city. Unlike other guides who may not truly know the city, the operator will personally guide you through the islands. Together, you’ll disembark from the boat and explore the city’s hidden gems, learning its secrets…

see more
Location
Laguna di Venezia
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(107 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Lisa_s
Jun 30, 2025
A unique way to see the islands surrounding Venice! - We had a very nice afternoon on Davide’s stylish wooden boat. He took us to a very impressive Murano glass factory where we were treated to a demonstration of a couple of pieces being produced - we then went to the showroom where the quality and prices were both high :) he took us to a small agricultural island near Murano where there was the cutest pizza oven truck. Sitting in the shaded orchard eating our pizzas was a unique experience. We toured around the lagoon of some other islands, including Torcello, finally arriving in Burano where it was unfortunately too hot to truly enjoy, but it was extremely quaint and beautiful. Once there, Davide took us to sample some high quality made-in-Modena balsamic vinegars, delicious gelato, and a textiles shop that still produces lace in the traditional manner. After this we enjoyed the exhilarating boat ride back to Venice. Davide was friendly and charming and was clearly committed to showing us some unique experiences that we would have otherwise missed. In the summer, try to book this tour in the morning before it gets too hot! All in all, we had a great time spending the afternoon with Davide. He was even so kind as to share a few photos of our afternoon together after the tour. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Viator
Q4751eomichellec
Jun 30, 2025
Incredible island hopping adventure! - From the first contact with Davide it was clear that he was going to organise a wonderful boat trip for us. He was easy to communicate with, friendly and quick to respond to our queries. Davide owns a beautiful boat, speedy at times! We had an exhilarating ride across the lagoon and arrived on Murano in style. Our next stop at Burano was simply stunning. Davide knows many people on the island and we met several welcoming locals. We enjoyed a little shopping time but didn't feel under pressure to make purchases, though we couldn't resist! We were celebrating a special birthday and Davide made sure that the experience was one to remember. We wholeheartedly recommend a boat trip with Davide, a thoughtful man who helped us make memories we will treasure of our visit to these beautiful islands.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susan
Jun 29, 2025
Unintentionally overbooked trip to Murano and Burano was made good by the gracious tour owner Davide. - The tour had been sold out for months, but the site I’d found it advertised showed availability for my preferred date and time. Instead of completely cancelling my booked and confirmed tour, Davide, the owner of the tour company reached out to offer me a private boat ride to Murano and a personal tour of the glass factory conducted by the master glassblower; the factory owner Manuel’s father. Afterwards, he arranged a private boat to take me on to the island of Burano where I was met by Rebecca who escorted me to their lace shop where lace goods are hand sewn. I had plenty of time to walk around before Davide arranged for a private water taxi to return me to the closest spot possible to my accommodation (taxi at my own expense). It was a trip to remember and Davide made the whole thing possible, tours and travel made seamless. I highly recommend you book this tour as soon as your trip to Venice is booked!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bokenblonde
Jun 27, 2025
Live like a local! - Davide was the best guide we could ask for. Having a local guide you around their home is such a beautiful experience, we were able not only see the landscape of the islands, including Murano, Burano e Torcello, but we also had so much fun talking to friends and seeing how the locals live. It was a wonderful way to spend the day on our vacation. If you want an exciting trip while in Venezia, please look no further!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Katiest7942tb
Jun 27, 2025
Best tour in Italy! - This private tour to Murano, Burano and Tortello islands of Venice by David was my favorite day so far on our Italy adventures! David made the day feel so bougy with the private tour of the glass blowing art museum and we were able to watch the artists work with a guide explaining everything to us along the way. Then we had a lunch reservation set up on the colorful island of Burano. It was delicious. I loved The boat ride to these islands as well, although it can get choppy if that is a worry for you. I didn’t mind it at all. This was a day I will never forget!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Courtzsk
Jun 24, 2025
One of the best experiences we’ve ever had - This trip was absolutely incredible and it so good I don’t really know where to start! First of all before the trip even started Davide’s communication was excellent, he was warm and friendly, we knew exactly where to meet him and he was early ready to go. Davide was an amazing guide because you could tell he was a real local. He took us to Torcello, Murano and Burano. First of all we visited the glass factory which was such a great experience to see these experts make glass in front of us and wow was it hot! At the beautiful and colourful Burano we stopped at a couple of places and lived the stop at Alessandro Tagliapietra gallery. The award winning photo graphs of the area were fantastic. We also stopped at a lace shop and mask shop and the history behind both of those were explained to us by the locals which we found really interesting. We finished the night we a meal at Gato Nero. The food was exceptional, sat by the lake and the service was excellent too. Davide was such a great guide and nothing was too much. He made sure we covered everything we wanted to do in the way we wanted to do it. This is an absolutely must do trip!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anthony
Jun 22, 2025
Hands down one of the best private boat tours our family experienced while visiting Venice. Murano, Burano,& Torcello - Our captain/owner for the day was Davide. He arranged to pick us up directly from our hotel. We then headed over to Murano to visit a glass gallery and partake in a demonstration of a large glass sculpture. After witnessing the amazing talent of these glass workers we walked thru the gallery. There was no pressure to purchase anything. Afterwards, Davide took us on his new Venetian style boat and took a spin around Torcello explaining the fisherman and ancient grape vines. Then off to Burano we went which was amazing. Stepping off the boat people greeted Davide like a true local/celebrity. Davide having grown up in Venice made it feel that more special. He guided us thru the town where we met Alessandro the most amazing balsamic producer going back many generations. Good enough to drink or drizzle over gelato. Davide even went out of his way to bring my daughter into a local gelateria for a quick sample of gelato. Again, because he is known by many. 2nd stop was to a family owned lace boutique with generation of lace making. We watched a live demonstration of lace making. We wrapped our day with lunch at the most sought after Trattoria Gatto Nero again not possible without Davide. Thru his connections and personal friend Massi he secured us the best table in the gardens. My family and I had an amazing time with Davide. We felt almost like family by the end of our tour. He is truly a special person that has pride in his culture. Thank you again, Davide!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Desmondd655
Jun 20, 2025
The best way to experience all of Venice, and all in one day! - There are few times I have felt compelled to write a review, but the Admiral, as Davide confidently refers to himself as, has put created the absolute best way to experience Venice without a single moment of anything but awe and splendor, sprinkled with a little spontaneity and surprise. Venice isn’t a big place, but its islands are sprawling and its locals are hidden, and yet everywhere we went - and oh boy did we get around, from the Cipriani, to Murano, to San Michele, to Burano, to Mazzorbo, to Torcello, and back - whether we were on foot or in his beautifully crafted solid mahogany boat (possibly the fastest on the lagoon), there wasn’t a moment where someone wasn’t calling out his name to catch him up on the local gossip, or ensure he was still planning to get drinks with them later, or confessing their love and gratitude for whatever he did for them last week. Despite being together only one day, Davide made it feel like we lived there, and really allowed us to explore the ancient crafts and passions that have come to define contemporary Venice. He brought us into the incredible Vivarini glass artisan’s studio to watch them create, he brought us into the youngest lace maker’s workshop in all of Burano (she’s in her 80’s), he brought us along the fertile marshes of Sant Erasmo, on Burano we tasted the balsamic of a second generation Modena transplant who had raspberry balsamic so delicious you could drink like liquor in bottles he and his father would paint by hand, he brought us to the beautiful restored grounds of Venissa Vineyard on the island of Mazzorbo, where the dashing Luca hopped on board to give us a tour and introduction of their many vineyards through the network of islands, Davide still at the helm, as he told us a beautiful story of how their team saved the Dorona grape from extinction with just a single vine found in the backyard of an antique collector, where he concluded his story with a wine tasting of some of the best white wine I have ever had. We ended our night at my favorite restaurant in all of Veneto, Al Gatto Nero, where Massimiliano, the son of Head Chef Ruggero greeted us right off the boat with an icy bottle of prosecco followed by an extravagant selection of all the unique seafood the Venetian lagoon has to offer, while of course starting with the famous Risotto del Gò and finishing with shots of homemade limoncello at the bar with Massi himself. I cannot recommend Admiral Davide, his boat, and his entire extended Venetian family of craftsmen and artists and chefs and sommeliers enough. This is my fifth time visiting Venice, and if you ever want to truly know Venice, but don’t have the ability to make the move permanent, this is the only way to do it - and all in one day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christianfe4080hx
Jun 18, 2025
Admiral Davide for the best tour of venice! - Anyone looking to explore venice in any capacity should hire Davide! He was very knowledgeable about all the best spots around town, has the most beautiful boat in venice and is one of the most freindly people I've ever met. Throughout the course of our tour it was as if he knew every single person we happened to cross paths with 10/10 amazing experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kmdelanty
Jun 18, 2025
Unmatched Experience - This experience was so unique and felt so personal and warm! Davide compressed knowledge and culture from a handful of different islands into an afternoon boat tour. The businesses that he introduced us to were not just to understand their product but also gave us personal insight into their own Venetian experience. We were surprised with a personal exclusive boat guide tour from Venissa vineyard ambassador to gain a well rounded understanding of the history of the dorana grape and how it has intertwined in both Venice and Venissas history. Would 1000% recommend Davide in the future and am so grateful for the experience he gave us.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Check Availability
From $169
From $169
up to 8 guests
1 - Adult
Select a date
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).
More activities from this operator
From $55
4.6
37 Ratings
Murano Glass Art: Exclusive Venetian Experience
From $980
5.0
18 Ratings
Glass Blowing Experience: Private Studio Session