Burano, the lace island of Venice, is one of the most picturesque places you can visit in Italy. Widely known for its colorful houses and the long lace-making tradition, Burano attracts thousands of visitors per year. Due to its proximity to Venice, the tiny island is ideal for a day trip if you’re visiting the floating city. Of course, there are various things to do in Burano, and that’s what this travel guide covers.
Specifically, in the following lines, you will find some of the must-see locations of Burano, accompanied by info and my photos. Moreover, you’ll also discover how you can easily reach the island from Venice and also answers to some frequently asked questions about Burano. Lastly, if you want to spend a night on the island, I’ll suggest accommodations with a local flair to elevate your island experience.
So, let’s start with the Burano Island travel guide and the best things you can find on its colorful streets.
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The best things to do in Burano
I visited Burano twice, and I can assure you there’s no sightseeing-stress here. Visiting smaller places means that there’s time to see things, feel them, understand them, and enjoy the life they offer. That said, although there are enough things to see in Burano, no itinerary to Venice’s Lace Island will be exhaustive. Therefore, even if you decide to spend just half a day on the island, you’ll get a good impression of its beauty.
So, here are my Burano must-dos.
Visit the Burano Lace Museum (Museo del Merletto)
It was the island’s lace-making tradition that made Burano world-famous. Although nowadays, it’s not the primary industry of the island anymore (tourism is), the Burano laces are still popular among visitors and locals alike. I’m pretty sure no traveler to Burano will head straight after arriving at the Lace Museum, but I added it first to highlight its significance.
You can find the Museo del Merletto on the island’s main square, the Piazza Baldassarre Galuppi. The building hosting the museum is an architectural gem: the Palace of Podestà of Torcello was the home of the iconic Burano Lace School for almost a century (1872-1970). Although it’s a relatively compact palace, its history and significance extend beyond the island’s borders.
Strolling through the Museo del Merletto is pure joy, even if you don’t have a genuine interest in lace-making. The reason is that you’ll come across various lace designs and artifacts from an era that seems more distant than it really is. Apart from portraits of the island, you’ll see lace dresses and paintings demonstrating how the lace industry has developed.
I highly recommend adding the museum to your Burano itinerary, even if it is the last place to visit on the island. To avoid long queues, you can purchase a ticket for the Lace Museum here. It’s valid for the whole day, and you don’t have to choose a time slot.
Admire the colorful houses of Burano island
That’s actually the main reason each of us decides to visit Burano Island. We all have seen tons of photos of the island’s colorful houses, and reaching its welcoming soil is exactly for that: admiring garlands of brightly painted houses and photographing them. Sooner than later, the camera roll will fill up: although it’s nearly impossible to shoot photos of every house, most travelers will definitely try it.
The brightly painted Burano houses are not a local extravaganza. In fact, the decision was dictated by practical reasons. There are various legends associated with the colors of the Burano houses. The one that most people tend to accept is that due to the fog, it was hard for the fishermen to locate their homes. Hence, the colors shined through the fog and made the return possible.
Of course, there’s also another legend claiming that the fishermen had a thing for alcohol, and after a couple of glasses, they’d fail to get back home. To solve that, their wives would tie a piece of fabric in the color of the house to the husband’s arm. If somebody would bring them back home based on the colored fabric, or if they’d try to locate the house on their own, remains unknown.
No matter what, the houses of Burano are almost a Venetian lagoon trademark. Their architecture is plain, and there’s no comparison to iconic cities like Siena or Florence. Most of them are two-story houses, and their down-to-earth looks are exactly what makes them charming.
Stop at the most photogenic spots
I shot hundreds of photos in Burano, and I guess you’ll do the same. Therefore, interconnected to the previous travel tip, I’ll add the three most photogenic spots on the island here. Although if you just raise anywhere your camera (or smartphone) and click, it will give you an excellent result, I thought of sharing my favorite spots on the island. There, you can have great perspectives and capture the island’s beauty in a single photo.
For your convenience, each of the following links opens in Google Maps. You can save them and add them to your Burano itinerary. So, the most photogenic spots in Burano are:
Tre Ponti Bridge. That’s one of the most famous bridges of Burano, and you’ll have a wonderful chain of colored houses reaching the horizon. See the Tre Ponti Bridge on Google Maps.
The Wander Bridge. The second bridge on this list feels more plain but features equally stunning views. See the Wander Bridge on Google Maps.
Casa di Bepi Suà. The house of Giuseppe “Bepi” Suà is one of the most colorful houses in Burano and a must-see spot. Apart from its bright facade, it features various geometric shapes. Bepi used to screen movies on a white sheet in front of the house. See the Casa di Bepi Suà on Google Maps.
See the Leaning Tower of Burano
Yes, you’ve read that right. Burano has its own leaning tower, and although it won’t compare to Pisa’s, it’s definitely charming and worth stopping by. The Church of San Martino Vescovo is one of the landmarks of the colorful island, and it’s visible from every location on the island.
Although most people tend to admire its leaning campanile, this 16th-century church hosts a famous painting by Giambattista Tiepolo called Crucifixion (1727). Oddly enough, the church has no front-street door, and you can only access it from a small door on the side.
See and be seen at Piazza Galuppi
Piazza Galuppi is the epicenter of local life and the place where most people will stop for shopping or lunch. It’s the only square in Burano -and that’s where the Lace Museum is. Its name originates from Baldassare Galuppi, the emblematic composer and one of the most famous sons of the island. Due to its origin, you’ll also find him written as “Buranello.” To commemorate him, there’s a statue in the square’s middle.
The Piazza Galuppi remains busy throughout the day, and stopping there for lunch or lace shopping is a must. In addition, it’s the only spot in Burano where you can find some open space to stroll around.
Burano travel tip: In Piazzetta
There are plenty of places to unwind at Piazza Galuppi, and in most, you’ll find the famous Burano Biscuits, the so-called Bussolà Buranello. However, the place that stole my heart was In Piazzetta. Located straight at the square -and offering some shadow on a sunny day- this small snack bar serves delicious Cicchetti. There are small snacks accompanying drinks, and the ones with cod were delicious. Grab an Aperol Spritz, order a selection of Cicchetti, and enjoy the square’s vibe one sip at a time.
Join a Burano guided tour
Despite being famous among travelers, significant parts of its history remain unnoticed. Moreover, there seems to be a lack of guided tours on the island, thus making it harder to dig deeper into its background story. However, during the last couple of years, Sylvia, a local guide, has offered organized tours to people willing to learn more about the colorful island.
What makes this walking tour unique is that you can see a lace demonstration up close and understand how it’s created. Apart from that, the tour guide will take you to the island’s most famous locations, including the Church of St. Martino and St. Barbara and, of course, the famous leaning bell tower. This Burano tour lasts approximately 80 minutes and costs 45 euros per person.
You can book this fantastic island tour here.
How to get to Burano from Venice
After sharing the best things to do in Burano, it’s time actually to see how you can reach the island. Getting to Burano from Venice is easy, and in my opinion, the best way is by Vaporetto. There are also organized tours offering day trips to Murano, Burano, and Torcello, but I think it’s better to save your money for something else unless you’re in a rush. The tours are fine, but they come at a cost, and since Venice is a pricey destination, I’d rather save money for the Burano tour I mentioned above or for a Vaporetto Pass.
Anyway, let’s break down every option for traveling between Burano and Venice.
Get to Burano from Venice by Vaporetto
The Vaporetto* (the public water buses) will be your best friend in Venice. They travel to every island in the lagoon, and despite their steep price (almost 10 euros for a ride!), they are the best way to reach places easily. To make the most of the Vaporetto and save money, I suggest buying a Vaporetto Pass here; it gives you unlimited access to public water buses and includes Murano and Burano.
To get from Venice to Burano by Vaporetto, you have the following options:
Vaporetto Line 12. It starts from Fondamente Nove and stops at Murano before reaching Burano. That’s usually the route most people take because it gives you the opportunity to discover both islands. The journey between Venice and Burano takes approximately 45 minutes.
Vaporetto Line 14. This one takes slightly longer because it starts from S. Zaccaria, calls at Lido, and then heads toward Burano. You should expect about an hour’s journey, but S. Zaccaria is close to Saint Mark’s Square, so you can combine the two places.
In case you wonder, yes, there’s night service between Burano and Venice, but expect more infrequent Vaporettos. Finally, Vaporetto Line 9 connects Burano to the nearby island of Torcello, known for its Byzantine architecture.
*If you want to learn more about the Venice water bus system, you can read my comprehensive Vaporetto guide.
Get to Burano from Venice on a guided tour
As I wrote earlier, you can also visit Burano from Venice by booking an organized tour. The tours usually stop at Murano, and some of them visit the small island of Torcello. I believe that these tours are great for people with only one day to spend in Venice because they will show you the islands’ highlights. So, if that’s you, then check them out. Please note that both tours featured below are not private; you’ll share the boats with fellow travelers.
Murano and Burano Islands Tour. As its name suggests, this guided tour will take you by boat to both islands. In Murano, you will attend a glass-making demonstration, while in Burano, you’ll see how lace is made. This is a compact tour and lasts approximately five hours; it costs 42 euros per person. You can book the two Venetian Islands Tour here.
Murano, Burano and Torcello Tour. In this tour, a boat will take you to the three famous islands of the Venice Lagoon: Murano, Burano, and Torcello. A glass-making demonstration in Murano is definitely the tour’s highlight, but visiting the other two islands will give you a good glimpse of Venetian life. Moreover, the tour lasts 6 hours and costs 25 euros per person. You can book the book to Venice’s three islands here.
Where to stay in Burano
Although it’s not the most obvious choice for finding accommodation in Venice, many people choose Burano as their base. That’s because life is quieter on the northern side of the lagoon, and you can have the whole island for yourself when the daytrippers depart.
If it’s your first time in Venice or you have just 2-3 days in the city, I wouldn’t recommend staying in Burano. The reason is that it feels too far from Venice and you’ll miss the chance to explore it properly. However, if you are a returning visitor to Venice or have plenty of days in the region, staying at Burano for some nights will be a fantastic experience. Waking up on a colorful, quiet island and seeing Venice’s skyline is a majestic experience. Plus, although the accommodations aren’t much cheaper than in downtown Venice, you will definitely have a nicer and spacier room.
So, here are the best places to stay in Burano.
The best accommodations in Burano
Casa degli Artisti. This wonderful accommodation in Burano features views of the colorful houses and has a terrace, two bedrooms, and a living room. Moreover, this property has a garden which you are welcome to enjoy. See prices and availability for Casa degli Artisti.
Venissa Wine Resort. That’s one of the few resorts in the area, and it’s located in Mazzorbo, a sister island to Burano; however, you won’t need a Vaporetto to reach Burano because there’s a bridge, and it only takes five minutes to be at Burano. What makes Venissa stand out is that vineyards surround it, and the rooms come with parquet floors and air conditioning. Moreover, there’s a daily breakfast buffet, it hosts a Michelin-starred restaurant, and you can buy their own-produced wine. See prices and availability for Venissa Wine Resort.
Pink Paradise. Finally, if staying in one of the colorful houses is a must, Pink Paradise ticks this box. You can rent a picturesque house for your stay, and it also has a nice garden to unwind. The house has a bedroom and a bathroom, plus a patio with canal views. See prices and availability for Pink Paradise.
Please use the interactive map below for all other accommodation options in Burano and Venice.
FAQ about Burano
In the final section of this Burano travel guide, you’ll find answers to some frequently asked questions. If you don’t see a reply here, please comment at the bottom of this post, and I’ll do my best to assist you.
Is it worth visiting Burano?
Absolutely. The colorful houses, the lace-making tradition, and the delicious food make Burano a must-see. It is a fantastic place to spend one day on your journey to Venice. And if you’re keen on exploring its story, you can even consider spending a few nights there.
Can locals paint their houses any color they want?
Actually no. Although you’ll see all the colors of the rainbow featured on the facades of Burano, people can’t choose freely the color they want. If someone is willing to change the color of their home, they should send a request to the government. There’s a specific set of colors that can be used. The law is strict, and that’s how the island keeps its colorful style.
What is the population of Burano?
Burano is currently home to almost 3,000 people.
Which is better, Murano or Burano?
Both locations are charming, and I find such comparisons unfair. Murano is famous for its glass-making, while Burano is known for its colorful houses and the lace-making tradition. You should visit both islands because they are equally beautiful and famous.
How much time do you need in Burano?
You can see the island in just a couple of hours. Most people combine Murano and Burano on a day trip. However, if you’d like to explore more local places like the Old Fish Market or explore its churches -don’t miss the San Martino Sinistro- then you can even consider spending a night there.
Can I pay by card?
Yes, cards are widely accepted on the island. However, it’s always safe to have some cash in your pocket. That’s a small island, and the last thing you want is to be unable to purchase lace or other souvenirs.
Is Burano usually packed?
Tourists visit Bourano year-long, so, yes, you should expect it to be crowded even off-season. The best option to avoid the crowds is to visit it very early in the morning. Or, spend a night there and marvel at its beauty at night.
What is Burano famous for?
Burano is famous for its lace-making tradition and colorful houses. These are the two main reasons travelers add it to their bucket lists.
Things to do in Burano: Conclusion
Burano is one of the prettiest places you’ll find in Italy. Despite being slightly less than an hour away from Venice, the tiny island deserves a visit. The colored houses of Burano will fascinate every traveler, while the lace-making tradition shows a background element of local life. Despite its size, there are plenty of things to do in Burano to keep you occupied for a full day, and as you’ve read, there’s no lack of landmarks and iconic spots.
I highly recommend visiting Burano if you’re on this side of Italy. It’s not just for the photos. The island is a paradise to wander around, and if Venice’s crowds are too much, here’s everything about the sea and rainbow colors. Embark on a Vaporetto and enjoy the ride from Venice to Burano. And don’t forget to taste the delicious biscuits the locals produce.
More about Venice: How to book a gondola in Venice, Ponte dell’Accademia, Lido guide
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Last Updated on January 20, 2024 by George Pavlopoulos