Murano is a cluster of islands 15 minutes north of Venice by vaporetto, synonymous with glassblowing since the late 13th century. The main canal, Canale degli Angeli, is lined with glass showrooms ranging from excellent to tourist-trap, and the working furnaces are open to visitors for free demonstrations throughout the day.
The best way to see Murano glassmaking is to book a visit to one of the historic furnaces (fornaci) rather than watching the street demonstrations, which are sometimes staged with imported glass. The Museo del Vetro on Fondamenta Giustinian traces the history of Venetian glass from Roman times to the present and has extraordinary historical pieces. The church of Santi Maria e Donato, with its 12th-century apse and mosaic floor, is one of the finest Byzantine-Romanesque buildings in the lagoon. Allow a half-day for Murano.