Search Hotels by Relais & Chateaux in Murano from £186

Murano, famous for its Venetian glass workshops, has given its name to a range of the world's most precious craft creations. Home to some of the earliest settlements in the city, the area huddles onto a series of low-lying islands north of the bustling streets, alleys and canals around Piazza San Marco. Life here is altogether more laid-back than in the heart of town. Looking for a taste of sleepy, time-stood-still Venice? Hotels in Murano are a great pick. They nestle nearby historic glass factories and the occasional palazzo or basilica, tucked between the Fondamenta dei Vetrai canal and the little ferry terminals that link with Venice proper. The glass workshops and off-beat vibes are the main draws when sightseeing, but booking hotels near Murano also means proximity to the clock tower-topped Campo Santo Stefano and the Byzantine flurries of the Basilica dei Santa Maria e San Donato – some more off-radar sights that not many tourists get to see.

Find your hidden Venice hotel in Murano

Escaping the humming middle of Venice for hotels near Murano means hopping across the Venice Lagoon to a series of small islands. You'll be searching for your accommodation between rows of medieval homes and buildings from the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, which means you're likely to find a stay that's imbued with real character and history. In fact, most of the hotels at Murano come with terracotta-coloured facades and eye-catching touches of Renaissance design, making them attractive, immersive places to lay the head and the bags for a break in the city of canals.

Because most Murano hotels are smaller and more low-key than the bustling palaces of central Venice, they often come with just a handful of meticulously designed rooms. Like a crafted vase of local glasswork, the suites could be laced with handmade furniture and grand bedspreads, boasting windows or balconies that spill out to offer views over the canals. Throw in modern conveniences like Wi-Fi and air conditioning – a welcome help in the steamy Italian summer – and it's easy to see why these are such a hit with everyone from honeymooners to family sightseers.

While full-board options aren't common, most of the stays just steps away from Murano's glass factories do have a breakfast choice. In Italy, that's typically a smorgasbord of cream pastries, fresh fruit, jams and coffee – just enough to get you fuelled for hopping between centuries-old basilicas and fascinating glass workshops. Aparthotels near Murano will often offer shared or private kitchenettes, too. They are great for preparing your own picnics to enjoy on your city break in this historic location.

Stay right next to Venice's Museo del Vetro

One of the main reasons that folk continue to seek out hotels in Murano is the rich glass-making history that exists in this corner of the city. A room in the deluxe, 4-star LaGare Hotel Venezia MGallery by Sofitel will even put you just a short walk away from the iconic Museo del Vetro, which stands proud with its fascinating ancient glass collections in the handsome Palazzo Giustinian. If you're the sort who prefers simply wandering lanes of ice cream-coloured mansions and people watching along the cobbled canal sides, the Murano Palace sits on the bustling Fondamenta dei Vetrai – one of the main water arteries of the area. The elegant Locanda Conterie, meanwhile, promises immersion between the cobbles and piazzas of Murano's centre, where little trattorias mingle with glass shops and craft stores. Water taxis are the main form of transport in the district, not to mention the way to hop back and forth from central Venice. They leave regularly from Faro di Murano and Murano Colonna in the south.