If you’ve always wanted to visit Venice, make sure you don’t miss out on visiting the colorful island of Burano! Burano can be done in a day! Plan your trip using some of these best things to do Burano (Italy) Venice!
Venice is a magical place with more to the island than the city itself.
Venice is surrounded by many beautiful and picturesque islands that make up the Venetian Lagoon. And one such island is Burano.
Burano, a small fishing town, is only a ferry ride away from Venice and is home to colourful houses, little artisan shops, Burano lace and more.
When visiting Burano for the first time, I loved this Guided Tour of Burano Island by a local guide. It was such a treat to explore things to do in Burano with an enthusiastic local.
Intrigued? Here is a guide on things to do in Burano that will help in exploring the entire island.
Burano tours you must book:
Recommended hotels in Burano:
Best things to do in Burano, Venice
But first – Getting to Burano
Take the Vaporetto (water bus) on route 12 from Fondamenta Nova ferry terminal to get from Venice to Burano. A water bus runs every 20 – 30 minutes throughout the day.
Check the timetable here to figure out how to get from Venice to Burano by ferry.
A private water taxi will cost at least 130 – 140€ for a one-way trip from Venice to Burano.
A ticket via ferry to Burano will cost about €7.5 one way and €15 return.
More details about getting from Venice to Burano , ferry tickets and costs (including stops to other islands) can be found in this article.
Here’s what to do on Burano Venice
Things to do in Burano #1- Explore the rainbow-coloured houses
The streets of Burano look like a whimsical chaos of colours, thanks to its brightly painted houses. These neon-coloured houses make Burano lanes perfectly pretty for all your social media photos.
In fact, you do not even have to worry about finding the right frame here, as every tiny nook and corner looks Instagrammable.
No doubt, simply strolling the streets of Burano is one of the top Burano activities.
Ever wondered why the houses in Burano are so colorful?
Some say that in the old days, fishermen had a hard time figuring out the houses and the port from the sea as dense fog sometimes enveloped the island.
The simplest solution was to paint the houses as brightly as possible. This seems like a brilliant idea, and it gave us the legendary Burano houses to admire.
Things to do in Burano #2- Visit the Leaning Tower of Burano
Next on the list of things to do in Burano, Venice, is the small replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
After the rainbow houses, the Leaning Tower is Burano’s most prominent landmark.
This tower dates back to the 17th century and has seen several restorations throughout the time. The Leaning Tower in Burano is located on the premises of the Church of Saint Martin Bishop.
This 16th-century Roman Catholic church has Giambattista Tiepolo’s painting of the crucifixion. Officially known as Il Campanile Storto, this 53-meter-tall tower dominates the Burano skyline.
In fact, taking a photo of the Leaning Tower of Burano from a ferry is one of the things you can do while visiting Burano.
For as little as 20€, you can take an organised half-day or full-day tours from Burano to Venice. Private boat packages cost for 100–200€. You can check out here for Burano that also include Torcello and Murano.
A half-day journey to Burano and Murano is another option. Check out the Lagoon tours, which spend the entire day taking you around the islands and Venice lagoon.
Things to do in Burano #3- Take a photo in front of Bepi’s House
Bepi’s House stands apart in all the colorful whimsy of Burano with its brightly painted geometric shapes.
The triangles, circles, and squares on the walls are filled with shades of yellow, red, orange, and blue. It looks as if Bepi’s House carries a small piece of all the other houses on its walls, making it one of the popular places to visit in Burano.
The man who once owned this house was Giuseppe Toselli, who was popular among the children of Burano as ‘Bepi’.
He introduced outdoor cinema to Burano’s kids and used to organize cartoons or movie shows with a simple white sheet and a projector.
His house was filled with VCRs, TVs, films, and movies, along with numerous other peculiar things.
Bepi passed away, but before that, he painted and repainted this house several times in the 1960s.
Today, even though the quirky charm of the house is lost with Bepi, the walls still have tales to tell of long, gone times.
Things to do in Burano #4- Learn Burano’s lace history
A trip to Burano is incomplete without an insight into the intricate and delicate lace history.
The lace tradition began on this island in the late 15th or early 16th century and continued until the 18th century. It waned after that but was revived in the 19th century.
Traditionally, the lace was made with needles. But the process is very slow and involves many labour hours, making the end product very expensive.
Across the island, there are many shops selling delicate lace. However, many of them can be fake, as they are either imported from China or made with machines. And the way to spot them is the price.
A handkerchief made with the original handmade lace will cost $50 or more. And one tablecloth took the women more than a year to make and can cost $500 or more.
La Perla on Via Galuppi is an excellent spot to see how the lace was made. Craftsmen here often show different techniques and also sell authentic lace.
To catch a glimpse of the rich history of lace on the island, visit the lace museum or Museo del Merletto. It houses laces dating back to the 17th century and provides an overview of the history.
DETAILS
Museo del Merletto / Lace Museum
Address: P.za Baldassarre Galuppi, 187, 30142 Venezia VE
Timings: 12 pm – 4 pm from Thursday to Sunday, closed from Monday to Wednesday
Cost: €5 for full ticket, €3.5 for students for children, students and visitors over 65, free for Venetian residents and citizens
Things to do in Burano #5 – Go lace shopping at Martina Vidal Venice
Martina Vidal Venice is the proud place where the last four generations dedicated themselves to preserving and promoting the art of lace making in Burano.
Today, it has turned into a flagship store where you will find sheets, collars, handkerchiefs, fans, and different lace accessories.
They have successfully preserved the traditional charm of lace-making while blending it with modern designs. So, when you are wondering what to do in Burano, I suggest visiting Martina Vidal Venice for some elegant lace shopping.
DETAILS
San Martino, Burano/ St. Martin Church
Address: P.za Baldassarre Galuppi, 20, 30142 Venezia VE
Timings: 8 am – 12 pm, 3 pm – 7 pm
Cappella di Santa Barbara/Santa Barbara Chapel
Address: P.za Baldassarre Galuppi, 22, 30142 Venezia VE
Timings: 8 am – 12 pm, 3 pm – 7 pm
Things to do in Burano #6- Eat and shop at Galuppi street
Galuppi Street is the main street in Burano, lined with numerous restaurants and shops.
Since lace is popular on the island, you will find many stores selling it here. However, be aware that some of it may be machine-made. Hence, make sure to specifically ask for handmade lace products.
Handmade lace is more expensive than machine-produced lace. Shops like La Perla and Dalla Lidia Merletti D’Arte are some good spots to buy some.
Since you are by the sea, if you are hungry and need a snack, make sure to try the sardines and shrimp at the cafes here. The Trattoria Al Gatto Nero, a Michelin-recognized restaurant, is located on Galuppi Street and is best known for its pasta and seafood.
Things to do in Burano #7- Let a local guide take you around Burano
Burano is so tiny that you may feel there is nothing to do here except a thing or two.
But meet a Burano local and you will find a treasure of interesting stories, historical knowledge, and personal insights. It will give you a chance to see Burano is a new light.
I loved this Guided Tour of Burano Island, where a lovely Burano lady took us around the island and made us feel at home.
This Burano tour lasted one and a half hours as we saw traditional lace-making, colourful houses, and historical monuments.
Things to do in Burano #8- Visit the town’s main square
The main square of Piazza Galuppi is a must-do on things to do in Burano, Venice.
The square houses many attractions like a stone Istrian well that dates back to the 6th century. Also, spot the status of Baldassare Galuppi, a composer from the 18th century. He was known for composing comic operas and religious music.
And he held positions like the court composer for Catherine the Great in St Petersburg, Russia and Maestro of the Doge’s Chapel in St Mark’s Basilica in Venice.
Things to do in Burano #9- Catch the sunset at Pescaria Vecia
After a few hours of wandering around Burano and soaking in its traditional charm, head off to Pescaria Vecia.
This outdoor restaurant overlooking a canal is one of the best places to eat and relax in Burano. I would suggest stopping by Pescaria Vecia around sunset.
You can enjoy a glass of aperitivo, try different chiccheti, and relax as the sun goes down
Things to do in Burano #10 – Snap pictures at Tre Ponti
One may wonder what a simple wooden bridge like Tre Ponti has to offer in Burano. But trust me, Tre Ponti is built perfectly where the canals cross, donning coluorful houses on both sides.
As you stand on this bridge, the bright houses create a typical Burano picture and make for a memorable photo on this tiny island.
Things to do in Burano #11- Try the traditional Burano biscuits
Bussolà of Burano is a traditional sweet that will prove to be a treat to your taste buds.
These donut-shaped cookies were prepared by fishermen’s wives as these are packed with all the good nutrition and are made with only eggs, sugar, flour, and butter.
In old times, it was mainly prepared at the time of festivities like Easter, making it the unofficial Easter sweet of Burano. Do not forget to buy a few packs of bussolà buranello when you are visiting Burano.
Things to do in Burano #12- Go souvenir shopping when visiting Burano
Burano is full of touristy shops where you will find quirky souvenirs.
Apart from lacework, you will come across different shops and boutiques selling jewellry, masks, and glass items. You do not have to go to Murano for unique glass trinkets.
Burano has several studios like Majega Burano and New Arte Fuga where you can see glass processing.
Alessandro Tagliapietra is a lovely place for glass jewels.
Do stop by Vitturi Angelo and La Stramba if you want to buy beautiful masks.
What are some top places to eat in Burano, Venice?
Burano has always been a fishing village. And that means delicious seafood restaurants. While there are many restaurants along the main canal, wander down the smaller streets for more local options.
Expect classic Italian dishes with a Burano local twist. Here are some highly recommended places:
– Trattoria Al Gatto Nero
This little family-run place serves the best homemade pasta, so much so that Jamie Oliver mentioned it on his TV show. It can usually be very busy. Therefore, either arrive early or make a reservation in advance.
– Osteria Al Fureghin
Located on the canal, this place is wonderful to enjoy a glass of wine and watch people pass by. They have a large selection of seafood dishes and vegetarian options, as well.
– Ristorante Pizzeria Principe
For those travelling in a large group, this restaurant is a very good option. They have a huge menu that includes seafood, pasta and pizza. Furthermore, this place is happy to make modifications according to tastes and allergies.
Where to stay in Burano
Looking for a one night stay on the island?
Burano has many pleasant and cozy flat rentals and guest houses, where you can explore the island at night with the locals and avoid the crowds. I would recommend the following hotels for a stay:
- Tiffany Home – This is a lovely Burano hotel with comfortable AC family rooms and fully equipped kitchenettes in the apartments.
- Pink Paradise – The apartment in Burano is right in the middle of all the rainbow houses and has free wifi and a patio with sea views..
- Casa Burano – A charming, contemporary guest house with wonderful island views including all necessary amenities.
Best time to visit Burano
Tourism in Burano is similar to tourism in Venice, Italy – the best times stay the same.
Venice and its islands are great to visit most times of year however when visiting Burano, here’s a few things to keep in mind:
-
Burano will be busy during the weekends
-
Between November – January some places may face flooding
-
Summer will always be busy in Venice and hence Burano as well. It will be super crowded during the Venice Carnival
-
It’s best to start early morning. Many people opting for a half day tour of Burano leave mid noon thus making it quite busy this time of day
Even though Burano is just 45 minutes from Venice, the island has a very different vibe than other areas in Italy.
There are many things to do in Burano, Venice, like strolling through the vibrant homes and indulging in relishing local cuisine.
Make sure to spend more than one day to Venice to ensure that you don’t miss out on seeing this vibrant island nearby!
FAQs for visiting Burano, Venice
I have highlighted some frequenstly asked questions about Burano, Venice.
When is the best time to visit Burano, Venice?
The tourism season in Burano corresponds with the tourist season in Venice. Therefore, the biggest crowds are found in the summer months. To balance good weather with fewer tourists, spring and autumn are the best times.
Winter is the low season and, thus, everything on the island is cheaper. But it rains a lot, making the island prone to flooding.
How much time to spend in Burano, Venice?
Love photography and colourful architecture? Then an entire day is enough. However, spending half a day or a few hours are also enough to see the entire island and explore the main attractions.
How to get around Burano, Venice?
The island is small enough to explore on foot or bike. There are no motor vehicles available here adding to the charm of exploring a Venetian Renaissance town. And to move around the canals, gondolas and water taxis are also available like in Venice.
How to get from Venice to Burano, Venice?
The water taxi is the best medium of transportation from Venice to Burano. Take the No.12 water taxi from the Fondamente Nove station. The water taxi station is about 1 km from Rialto Bridge.
Depending on the requirement, buy a single one-way ticket that will cost €7.50 valid for 75 minutes. Alternatively, there are also passes available for either 24 hours or 48 hours.
What is the difference between Murano and Burano, Venice?
Murano and Burano are totally distinct even though their names sound similar. Murano is closer to to Venice and a glass-making industry, which were relocated to Murano from Venice in 1291 because they constituted a serious fire hazard to the city, can be found on Murano.
Since then, Murano glass has been renowned throughout the world, and tours of the glass factories are famous.
PIN FOR LATER!
EXPLORE MORE OF ITALY
Some of the links on this post are affiliate links. These do not cost you extra to use, but will help provide Continent Hop with a small commission if/when you purchase through them, to recover some of the costs of running this website and providing free content to help you plan your travel. I appreciate your support!