Things to Do in Burano Italy
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Burano Italy is no ordinary fishing village. The island’s joyful rainbow of brightly colored houses, tradition of lace making, and walkable canals make this charming Venetian village extraordinary. Before visiting this locale, read our list of the best things to do in Burano Italy.
Just a short boat ride from Venice, Burano can be walked end to end in a few hours. On an island jaunt, visitors are apt to see fresh seafood on menus, nets drying in the sun, and neighborhood houses painted so radiantly they can lead the local fishermen home in the fog (or so it is said).
Like Venice, Burano is best seen on foot or by boat. Unlike Venice, Burano is home to no major museums or masterpieces. Rather, the beauty of Burano Island lies in its romantic bridges, lace shops, and sleepy residential squares. In this guide learn how to get there, when to go, and what to do in Burano Italy.
VENICE ITALY TOURS
WHERE IS BURANO ISLAND VENICE ITALY
Burano is one of the small outlying Venetian Islands. It is located in the Venetian Lagoon about 11 km northeast of Venice Italy. The “island” consists of four islets linked by bridges. Burano supports a community of around 3000 residents.
HOW TO GET TO BURANO ISLAND VENICE
As a frazione (village) that is part of the City of Venice, Burano Island is served by the city’s ACTV Vaporetto (water bus) line. Other common ways to get to Burano Italy are by private water taxi or on a tour. Many water taxi services and tours bundle transport to the Islands of Murano and Burano into one rate.
By Vaporetto: Take Line 12 from Fondamente Nove; 40-45 minute ride. Note: The Vaporetto is the least expensive transport to Burano. However; lines can get long (1-2 hours) at peak travel times.
By water taxi: Venice, Murano, and Burano Water Taxi Tour
MURANO AND BURANO TOURS
While Burano is known for its lace making tradition; Murano is known for its glass making tradition. Combination Murano and Burano Italy tours are a popular day trip from the City of Venice. Many these tours offer transport, guided narration, and a visit to a glass factory, In this section, we list some well-reviewed Murano and Burano tours:
BEST VENETIAN ISLANDS HOTELS
Though there is an influx of tourists to Burano Island each day, nights are much quieter. There is little to do after dinner on the residential island. If you prefer a low key environment, stay a night on Burano Island. For a more active evening itinerary, book accommodations in Venice.
Consider one of these well-reviewed hotels:
Casa Burano: Charming guest house in Burano
Hotel Marconi: Value hotel near Rialto Bridge. (Venice)
Hotel Locanda Vivaldi: Boutique hotel overlooking Riva degli Schiavoni (Venice)
VENICE ITALY WEATHER
The Venetian Islands have a Mediterranean climate with hot summers (high 80’s F in July) and cool winters (high 40’s F in January). It is humid and rainy throughout the year. The highest chance of flooding is between October and January. The foggiest months fall between November and February.
BEST TIME TO VISIT BURANO ISLAND
The best time to visit Burano Island is during the spring (April, May, June), or early autumn (September) when the weather is warm – but not too hot and humid. At this time of year, most businesses are open, crowds are below peak level, and there is less chance of flooding and fog.
BURANO ITALY MAP
TRIP ESSENTIALS
In Burano, and almost every travel destination, I find myself reaching for my Eddie Bauer Rainfoil Jacket, Frogg Toggs Hat, and Crocs Strappy Sandals (wear to dinner or the pool).
Other items I rely on include my Huk Sunglasses and Contigo Autoseal Water Bottle (no spills in the backpack).
But by far, my number one can’t-do-without essential is my Sony RX100 Compact Camera. It fits perfectly into a pocket. Or, mounted on a Mini-Tripod it slips into my Travelon Sling Bag.
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THINGS TO DO IN BURANO ITALY
Stroll Burano’s Colorful Streets
Burano ranks as one of the world’s most colorful towns. Legend has it that the fishermen’s wives would paint their houses such vivid hues to help their husbands navigate back home through the fog. Today, residents must choose their villa’s shade from an approved palette (guaranteeing lots of vibrant pinks, purples, and corals).
The best thing to do on Burano Island is to simply wander. Walk Burano’s narrow streets past colorful boutiques, bakeries, and cafes. Observe the boats parked in canals and the many patterned umbrellas, awnings, and curtained doorways. Altogether, the effect is a fun shock to the senses, even on a cloudy day.
Learn About Burano Italy Lace
Burano’s tradition of lace making dates back to the 15th century. Some say it developed as an offshoot of repairing fishing nets. Between the 16th and 18th centuries lacemaking became an established industry with several lacemaking factories and schools on the island.
As you tour Burano Island, you are apt to see village women sitting in quiet alcoves working on their craft. There are several lace shops (some with local lace; some with imported – look for a seal of authenticity). There is also a lace museum (Museo del Merletti di Burano) which teaches about the history and art of lacemaking.
Church of San Martino & Leaning Tower of Burano
The major church on Burano Island is the 16th century Church of San Martino. Inside the church there are paintings by the Italian artists Tiepolo and Tintoretto. Almost as well known is the church’s campanile (bell tower). Built on marshy ground, the bell tower tilts (much like the Leaning Tower of Pisa). You cannot climb the bell tower, but it makes a great photo op.
VENICE ITALY ATTRACTIONS
Piazza Galuppi
It seems as if all roads in Burano lead to Piazza Galuppi. The vibrant square, often filled with buskers and street performers, was named after a well-known composer (and native son), Baldassare Galuppi. The Church of San Martino, the Lace Museum, and many restaurants and shops border the lively piazza.
Sample Some Italian Island Cooking
Plan to eat your way across Burano Island. The island’s pedestrian walkways are dotted with cafes, gelaterias, and bakeries (an island specialty is the buttery Bussolai cookie). There are shops selling candy, olive oil, and vinegars. Also, save room for a meal at a canal-side dining room. Most menus specialize in local seafood, pasta, and pizza.
Shop for Souvenirs
Burano Island has a great mix of kitschy and quality gifts to choose from. There are toy shops, galleries selling Murano glass, women’s boutiques, and sidewalk vendors hawking inexpensive Venetian baubles. To shop for lace table clothes, shawls, placemats, robes, and other items try the Martina Vidal, La Perla, or Atelier Martina shops.
Stroll Burano’s Bridges
Burano is an archipelago consisting of four islets. The islets are divided by canals and connected by a series of bridges. The arched bridges are built of stone, marble, and wood. The bridges are fun to photograph; and to photograph from – providing a unique perspective of the canals, walkways, and colorful houses that line them.
Look for the Tre Ponte (bridge) that sits at the cross roads of three canals (intersection of Giudecca, Cao Moleca, and Cavenella streets).
PACKING ESSENTIALS
We rely on a combination of bags: Our Level-8 28” and Level-8 20” spinners are fun and stylish. Our Delsey Helium 28” hardshell is a workhorse. Our Tomtoc Backpack is great for short trips.
Randy doesn’t use them, but I swear by segregating items into Compression Packing Cubes and Wet Bags.
For security, we place an Apple Air Tag in each bag, and keep a supply of RFID Blocking Sleeves on hand.
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Meander Burano’s Residential Neighborhoods
The real charms of Burano exist off of the main canals and in its sleep residential neighborhoods. Walk the treelined canals between the island’s commercial streets and coast for a slice of real life. See kids on bikes, laundry drying, nonnas getting groceries, and curtains blowing in open doorways.
Watch the Fishermen at the San Marco Cooperative
Stroll along Fondmenta Cao di Rio a Destra to the outer edges of the island and the San Marco Cooperative (San Marco Pescatori di Burano). The red brick building houses an historic fishermen’s association. The docks and piers around the building are a great place to watch the local fishermen unload their catch and ready their boats for the next day.
Discover Burano’s Waterfront Walkways
Burano Island has some lovely canal-side promenades and an expansive quay on the lagoon. The Old Fish Market (Pescaria Vecia) on the lagoon’s edge is a good place to watch the sunset. The Fondamenta dei Pescatori is a pretty walkway where fishing boats in the canal complement the multi-colored houses. Or, just walk toward the island’s perimeter and explore.
Hope you enjoy the Bruschetta and Bussolai biscuits, Laura and Randy
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