Vecchia Murano
Vecchia Murano
4
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
About
Near the iconic Bridge of Sighs resides one of Venice's most elegant glass showrooms. Stunning chandeliers and vases vie for attention, but prancing horses in all sizes and prices steal the show.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: San Marco
The most famous sestiere (district) in Venice has one of the world's most famous squares, St. Mark's (Piazza San Marco). Anchored on one end by the basilica, clustered around it are restaurants, museums, shops, orchestras playing in the square, pigeons, the grand pink Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), the soaring campanile bell tower, an astrological clock tower, plus gorgeous cafes and restaurants like Florian and Quadri. Piazza San Marco is beloved by Venetians themselves. They book a table anytime, which offers a buffer from the fray. This grand outdoor drawing room attracts Venetians for a stroll too, especially late in the afternoon when the hoards of daytrippers thin out. It's simply a grand place to meet.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles755 reviews
Excellent
261
Very good
257
Average
110
Poor
65
Terrible
62

Habana
4 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
I strongly believe that the Tourist Bus companies should be made aware of the deceptive sales clerks in this store in Venice. The glass blowing was good and the presentation of how it is made. BUT BEWARE! After procrastinating whether to spend more than $50 US dollars, I saw a beautiful flower piece that doubled as a candle holder. The price was $260 US but the group was promised 80% discount with purchase. The item was then offered to me for $145 US and I went ahead and purchased it. They wrapped it very well to bring home but it took a long time, and I was the handed the receipt to sign very quickly. Unfortunately to my dismay, when I received my Visa statement, I had been charged the full $260. I emailed them with pictures of the sales rep, and the item, and a long explanation of my request for a refund of $95 dollars, and no one bothered to respond. I used a second customer service address and still got no response. My bank credited me the $95 but 3 months later, they received a copy of my signed receipt for $260.00! I had t see it to believe it. He conned me good!
It needs to be made known for future victims. I highly recommend to be very cautious. This store should be avoided.
Written 22 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Zfy Ed
Singapore, Singapore10,512 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
The glass factory is located on a narrow bridge behind Piazza San Marco. And tour groups do come by here and the place is full of people at all times. According to our guide, the factory features the largest glass equestrian work of art in the world.

The factory covers a wide area and divided into different sections like live demo on glass making, the display area and sales gallery. It was pretty impressive to watch a master artisan transform a hot molten blob into a delicate prancing dragon within a couple of minutes. Great job!

While we were allowed to photograph the craftsman at work, once in the display or sales gallery, we were told photography is prohibited.

The manager explained the beauty, quality and resilience of Murano glasses and indirectly "hard sell" the various glass sets ranging from a few hundred to thousands of euros stating there're only 1-2 sets left and if purchase now got promotional prices! Sound familiar? But most of the items are expensive.

It was a good eye-opening experience for us!
Written 26 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Simona I
San Francisco3 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 • Family
We went to Venice this past summer with our children and stayed a nice hotel. The hotel booked a tour of the Murano factory. Both, my husband and I, visited the murano factory as children but wanted our girls to see it too. The sales machine there is above anything I experienced. It is impossible to walk out without purchasing something expensive. They pry on Americans being on vacation and spending their hard earned money. We ended up ordering a vase for about $3,000. I don’t like murano but I thought that if the vase had my specifications I would like it and it would be a nice memory.
I received the vase today and it is terrible. They sent a vase off the shelf with the opposite of all our specifications. We are beyond disappointed with the product and there is nothing to be done About it. The salesmen look down on Americans and believe that we don’t notice when we are duped. I strongly recommend to skip murano and spend your money on nice meals and accommodations.
Written 13 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CQ$
11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
Please allow enough time for a leisurely stroll through this amazing shop! So many beautiful works of true art in glass! They also have a demonstration room that is worth the visit. I could have gazed at the beauty for a longer time than we had allotted! I did make some purchase that I was too worried about traveling with- No problem! They were very accommodating to ship the items to my home in the states. Everything arrived just as I returned from my trip! The items were expertly packed and all arrived in one piece! There are many glass shops to choose to visit but this one is the REAL DEAL !
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

herreu
Burlington, Canada32 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
We did the tour and bought two expensive vases. The salesman took the vases and started to leave the room. I followed but he said no you wait here. Like a fool I did. The packages were very well wrapped for transportation home on a plane but on opening at home we found he had switched the vases we thought we had bought for what can only be classed as "seconds". There were many flaws in the decorative design that are clearly visible.
I was totally disappointed that I was ripped off by this salesman.
I have looked for a Murano Venice website to complain but cannot find one. They must do this unethical practice all the time.
Written 19 August 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kitkat_135
Pittsburgh, PA41 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2012 • Couples
My tour group was taken to Guidecca to the AVG / arti veneziane alla guidecca showroom/factory as part of our tour (INSIGHT). We were "treated" to a glass blowing demonstration and then given time in the showroom. Our tour guide told us this is the best place to buy authentic Venetian glass. The glass was stunning and flawless -- in the showroom. My husband decided to buy me a once in a lifetime gift of a red wine decanter and 8 wine glasses in the traditional venetian red with gold roses(610 euros). When the decanter and glasses arrived at our home in the US a few weeks later -- there were 4 that were chipped and all of the glass contains significant defects -- bubbles and messy gold designs. The company is happy to replace these if I send them pictures of the damage. Here's the scam -- it is almost impossible -- without a professional photographer--to get an acceptable picture of these problems in the colored glass. I've tried for 2 1/2 months to get even the chipped ones replaced and gotten no where! I think that Insight tours is in on the whole thing also because they haven't been helpful. This place is a total scam!!!
Written 21 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Biscuitbaby
Southern California9 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
I am posting this as a warning to anyone thinking of buying and shipping anything from this business. What may be an enjoyable, if expensive shopping expedition can turn into a nightmare when you get home and find yourself at the mercy of the customs brokers the store used to send you your goods.

I bought a glass clown from this store. It wasn't cheap. I probably should have bargained harder. The transaction was smooth enough. I signed the generic sales form, which is apparently their contract and is binding. From this point on there are no refunds and no support. They pushed free packing and shipping and said it would be delivered to my house and would be easy for me.

When I got home I was contacted by Airworthy Customs Brokers at JFK airport who told me I owed then $360 in customs fees and brokerage fees in order to get my clown released to me. Customs was $94, freight fees, entry fees etc were $260. I had one week to pay, or storage fees would accumulate. I could abandon the shipment but would lose my entire investment. I was absolutely horrified to find fees like this attached to a $1200 purchase. I was over a barrel at this point. I had several conversations with Airworthy about it all. They refused to tell me who the Italian freight forwarder was and told me to talk to Ducale Vetreria about it. I tried to do that but their e-mails back to me basically said I had signed a contract and was stuck with it and it wasn't their problem. Everyone passed the buck, no-one would talk to me except to tell me I owed the money and it would only increase if I didn't pay up immediately.

I had no choice but to send a check to Airworthy. As soon as my check was in the mail they e-mailed and told me the cost was now $260, not $360, because the Italian freight company who shipped the box from Venice had agreed to absorb some of the costs, given my unhappiness over the fees. I asked if I should send another check and cancel the first one but was told they would refund the extra $100 to me directly, once they had received my money. The clock was running to avoid storage fees they were threatening to impose, so I was under pressure to get money to them ASAP, and no, they wouldn't take credit cards. I had to mail a check from California.

My check was cashed, my box duly arrived, with no signs of anything to do with customs on it. I contacted Airworthy and asked them for a copy of all paperwork relating to my file and also for the refund to be processed. They then told me they weren't authorized to refund me anything and I had to talk to the Italian freight agent about it, whose name they had refused to give me (!). They had sent me an e-mail telling me only they could speak to the freight agent in Italy.

I went back and told them this was unacceptable and that I had e-mails telling me I owed them $260, that they had told me over the phone they would refund me the $100 and to talk to the freight company in Venice who had apparently agreed to absorb the $100 cost. The response to THAT was to take it up with the store I purchased from, Ducale Vetreria, who had pretty much told me to take a hike and go away in previous e-mails.... No mention of giving me any paperwork and now they won't even reply to my e-mails.

Bottom line???? I feel absolutely ripped off. First, by the store I purchased from for not even mentioning these enormous fees when they made the sale and promised easy, free shipping, and for turning their back on me when I protested at the fees.

I feel completely taken advantage of by Airworthy Customs Brokers, and particularly Michael Ciofalo, who told me a different story every time I talked to him on the phone or e-mailed him, and who is now pretty much making it clear that I will never see the $100 refund he promised me....

What has happened here must surely be illegal. It is nothing more than extortion to demand money like this to release a shipment and them to refuse to follow through on your promises of repayment. I have no idea where my money went. I have no paperwork, no proof of payment to customs, no proof of where my money went, no nothing.

I will NEVER buy from Ducale Vetreria again and urge anyone who goes to Murano to think long and hard about shipping anything home because of what has happened to me. I never chose to do business with Airworthy Customs Brokers and suspect they are part of the whole scam to bilk people out of as much money as they can, in exchange for releasing their property to them.

As of September 2009, this is ongoing. I now realize I will never see my $100. I felt absolutely violated by the first demand for $360 and now feel like I have been taken for a ride all over again.

Buyer beware. Do not buy from Ducale Vetreria and do not ship anything home unless you fully understand the financial implications of doing so. If anyone has any advice on how to proceed with Airworthy, I'd like to hear it. Meanwhile, do not allow yourself to be ripped off as I have been.
Written 23 September 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Inspire14816
Venice1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
If you want to buy Murano glass, buy it everywhere, in Venice or in your country, but NOT in the (trap) factories. If they offer: 1) free boat to the factory (not free, but 50 Euro) 2) if the advice if from somebody at the hotel reception (they gain a 10-20% of commission) 3) if there are too elegant sales men (other 10-15% of commission) 4) if there is a glassmaker making a demostration (3000 Euro for month)... it is at 99% a trap and you will pay at least 4-7 times (if you are lucky) the price that you can find in every venetian glass shop!
All those services (1, 2, 3, 4) looks free, but they aren't. And the unlucky who will buy, will pay them also for the other people who went away whithout to buy anything.
Example: After 5 missed sales from potential customers went away, the sixth one who decide to buy will have to pay and extra of 50x6 (boat) + 20-35% (commissions) + ? (cost of the exhibit). This is the reason why the glass sold in the "turistic" glass factories is the most expensive worldwide.
I don't want to tell too much about the origin of the glass, but considering the margins they apply (1500-1000%!), it is easy to understand that nothing fully handmade in Italy can be sold under 150 Euro... so you can understand the origin of the cheaper glass sold there...
So avoid the factory tours or before to go, take few benchmark products in venetian stores.
Written 14 March 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LH1171
Basingstoke26 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2014 • Family
We were offered a free private taxi from Piazzle Roma to Murano straight to the factory - we thought there was a catch but the man produced a proper ticket stating it was free so we took the chance! There is NO catch so do not fear - enjoy the free 'James Bond' ride as we called it as we whizzed across the water with just the four of us on it. Lovely English speaking guide greeted us on arrival and took us into the factory - the glass blowing was incredible - how the man made an intricate horse in a few minutes is beyond me but I saw it with my own eyes! We were taken to the top floor showroom to look around and everything was explained, no pressure at all and when we had finished we went to the 'downstairs' shop where the more affordable pieces are.

As this factory is not at the first stop the vaparetto would take you to on Murano if you come from Plazze Roma direction this is a very clever marketing technique to use the private water taxis to get more people to them first before you head off to the 'main street' with all the glass shops on - it is worth the trip - this is your chance to see the real Murano glass being made (not the cheap Chinese copies that have now popped up all over Venice threatening the future of the authentic Venetians - remember while shopping, if the shop is run by Chinese people the glass has also been made in China - it is not from Murano, don't be fooled)
Written 10 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sights
New England1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
We spent several weeks in Italy in April of 2006. During our trip to Venice we were taken to the Vecchia Glass shop by our tour group. Like many people we were very impressed with the demo of glass blowing and the glassware on display. This is where the fun stopped. Once we showed any interest in the glassware the sales person was all over us. We made the decision to purchase some glasses and vases. Not being a glassware expert and not looking for glassware in the other shops we were led to believe that the Vecchia Murano glassware was top quality and the best made. Once we returned home I contacted them to cancel our order. They stated they would work to cancel it. They only responded to one of our e-mails, all others, and there have been many, have gone unanswered. So I called them directly and got the same run around. The issues we have are: the glassware is second quality, blurred artwork on the glass, the glasses were extremely dirty when we received them, they also charged us for the shipping only for us to have to pay the duty charge. Our bill was 985 Euro about $1200 USD. We purchased 13 items and today we can buy the exact Vecchia Murano items for just over $350 in the USA. Not that we would purchase their product ever again. They stated they have 50 years of world class customer service, their definition of world class customer service is to not answer them and hope they go away. Our advice, if you want glassware research it first and buy local hand made glassware right here at home. It will be better made, higher quality and a third of the cost.
Written 15 October 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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