Top Things to do in Burano, Italy

In the northern Venetian lagoon lies the little prismatic island of Burano. It is very easy to identify Burano with all its colourful fishermen houses lined up against the waters, and it is one of the most colourful places in the world. The colourful houses come to life when the locals add to the colour schemes and adorn different accessories that beautify their homes. This picturesque island is home to around 3000 people, mainly fishermen, as fishing is the main source of livelihood on the island. Burano comparatively is a quieter island that gives you the same aesthetic as that of Venice. The island is widely known for its lacework around the world, which is an authentic and traditional local craft. So now, for those visiting this gorgeous island, here is a list of the top things to do in Burano…

Please Note: Every place that I mention in the post below links to the google map location. So all you need to do is click it and save it. That way you will have all the important places marked for when you actually visit the island. Hope you find it useful! Alternatively, you can also refer to this map with all the locations that I have created to make it easier to manage on the go.

Top Things to do in Burano

Admire the Colourful Houses of Burano

One of the most interesting things in Burano is the colourful fishermen houses that are lined on its narrow lanes. They are a sight to behold, and so one of the best things to do in Burano is to stroll around different streets and adore the colours spread across the island. This island is saturated with so many colours that it is every photographer’s dream.

The colourful houses are now the identity of Burano and definitely a major attraction. Therefore the colours of the houses are coded and decided by the municipal corporation. The colour has to be approved by them before painting. The residents of Burano accentuate the beauty of the houses by add matching and contrasting accessories like house plants, lawn furniture and curtains on doors and windows. So walking around the island should be on top of your list of things to do in Burano when you visit. 

Explore Piazza Galuppi

Baldassare Galuppi, the Italian musician and composer, is the pride of Burano. Hence the island centre and the main street are named after him. Piazza Galuppi is the main square on the island and is fairly crowded at most times of the day. The piazza is an open place among the canals and is a great place to gather and admire Burano’s beauty and its people.

This piazza houses the famous statue of Galuppi and the Istrian well. Via Galuppi is the main street that connects to the city centre and is one of the liveliest corridors of Burano. You will find an array of seafood restaurants and different shops on this street which you can venture into. While visiting Burano, it is hard for you to miss these as it is right in the city centre.

Visit the Lace Museum

Needle lace-making has been a part of Burano’s tradition for centuries, and this is something that everyone who visits Burano should look at. The women in Burano master this craft and design such impeccably beautiful mats, coverings and other products. The craft is so detailed that Burano is known for it all over the world.

Museo del Merletto, the lace museum located at Piazza Galuppi, is a must-visit during your trip to Burano. You will learn the history of lace making in Burano. You can also visit the workshops where lacework was originally done and admire this complicated and delicate craft in the process. There are only a few people who are now the surviving legacy of Burano lace-making.

A piece of Burano lace is the perfect souvenir for you to take away from your visit to the island. However, there are a lot of counterfeit or fakes available all over Burano, and so you need to be careful before buying the lace. The original laces of Burano take months to complete and are quite expensive.

Admire the Leaning Tower of Burano

You must have definitely heard of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Well, Burano has one of its own. The Leaning Tower is one of the most prominent landmarks of Burano and is most certainly a sight to behold. The tower is situated in the church of San Martino and dates back to the 16th century. You will be able to see the tower from miles away on the lagoon as it stands out in all its glory.

This formerly active bell tower gives you the best 360° view over the island of Burano and the vast teal waters surrounding it. Once you reach the base of the tower, you will realize how sharp its slope is. While you are there, you can also admire the painting of the Crucifixion by Giambattista Tiepolo and Oratorio di San Barbara chapel, which is right next to the church. It is definitely one of the best things to see in Burano.

Enjoy the Colors of Casa Bepi

Casa Bepi is one of the most famous houses in Burano and was once the home to Giuseppe Toselli. This is the most colourful house in Burano, with different shapes and designs painted on its walls. Toselli died in 2002, and the front of the house has been left as it is since then and is one of the major attractions in Burano. The house is located on Calle del Pistor.

Giuseppe Toselli was a cinema operator, but after the cinema shut down, he began selling candies on a stall on the island. This gave him the name Bepi Suà, making Casa Bepi the most suitable name for his home. Bepi continued screening films on a white sheet in front of his house to keep the tradition alive. He invested a huge part of his free time trying different patterns, shapes, and colours on the front wall of his house. You can admire the beauty and the history of Burano on the walls of this house.

Stand on the Three Bridges (Tri Ponti)

Tre Ponti or Three Bridges is basically a wooden bridge that is located at the confluence of three canals. It is one of the best places to take beautiful and romantic pictures in Burano. The bridge also connects three of the most colourful and admirable streets of the island. After admiring the beauty of the canal and the bridge, you can also venture into one of the many small restaurants and craft shops located on these streets. This place is in close proximity to New Arte Fuga, the glass-making factory.

Get a View from the Love Viewing Bridge

Burano is full of bridges just like Venice, and you get the most amazing views of the canals and the streets of the island from these bridges. One such bridge in Burano is the Love Viewing Bridge. There are actually two bridges over two different canals, and you will definitely get one of the best views in Burano from these bridges. You get an incredible view of the bell tower of San Martino and the houses of Fondamenta Della Peschiera, which run along the canals.

Visit Pescarìa Vecia

Pescaria Vecia, the old outdoor fish market of Burano, is now the dreamland for photographers. It is one of the most romantic places on the island, with the perfect view of the sunset and the lagoon as its foreground. This place is definitely a must-visit at the end of the day for you to breathe in the essence and beauty of the surroundings.

Check Out New Arte Fuga

New Arte Fuga is a shop that sells products made in a small glass factory that only works with authentic Murano glass. If you are someone who is interested in learning about the crafts and trades of Burano, this place is a must-visit for you. This craft is a representation of the centuries-old tradition of crafting glass and the experience of the artisan. You can observe the whole process of making aesthetically pleasing products made of Murano glass and also get yourself a souvenir.

Witness the Statue of Baldassare Galuppi

Baldassare Galuppi, the 18th-century composer, was the most famous resident of Burano. In his honour, Remigio Barbaro made his statue which is now the pride of Burano. The statue is located in the piazza that is also dedicated to his name. He composed both religious music and comic operas and was one of the courtesans for Catherine the Great in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Soak in the History of the Istrian Stone Well

In the centre of Piazza Galuppi rests the Istrian stone well. It is a well made from Istrian limestone, which is quarried from Istria. You can search for traces of prehistoric fossils around this well, and in front of the well is the Istrian gonfalon which once bannered for St. Mark. So while exploring the Piazza Galuppi and the statue of Baldassare Galuppi, make sure you do not miss this historic gem right in front of you.

Visit the House of Remigio Barbaro

Remigio Barbaro is a famous sculpture from the island, and his house is located in Via Terranova. This is something to experience off the beaten path in Burano and experience the history of the island. Along with Galuppi’s statue, you can also appreciate another sculpture by Barbaro, “Waiting for Peace”, which is installed near the ACTV Ferry Stop.

Places to visit near Burano

Torcello – Torcello is another famous island in the Venetian lagoon, which is quite close to Burano. It is a tiny island that has a lot to offer, including the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta. A visit to this island will be worth your time.

The Venissa Estate – The Venissa Estate is located in Mazzorbo, which is connected to Burano by the long bridge. It is known for its walled vineyard that cultivates dorona grapes which is a native variety of the Venetian lagoon.

The island of San Francesco del Deserto – This is a little island near Burano and a place where you go to meditate. The island may not offer any accommodation or service, but it is definitely worth a visit. You can enjoy a guided tour of this unique island and its lush green gardens. This tiny island is extremely peaceful and gives a great view of the Venetian lagoon.

Where to Eat in Burano

Burano is famous for its seafood, so trying out seafood is the thing to do in Burano. The local speciality is the go fish, which is abundantly present in the waters around Burano. So while you are there, make sure you try Risotto de go. Another speciality that Burano has to offer is Bussolà, a puffy, shaped biscuit. Here are some of the best restaurants in Burano for you to check out during your visit:

Trattoria de Romano – It is a family-owned restaurant that serves heartfelt seafood like sardines, prawns, octopus, and they also tend to your meaty and vegetarian needs.

Riva Rosa – You can enjoy an amazing panoramic view of the island from the rooftop of this restaurant. If not food as it can be overpriced, you can always enjoy a glass of wine with the beautiful view of the lagoon.

Trattoria al Gatto Nero – It is one of the older establishments in Burano that serves fresh homemade pasta and delicious seafood.

Venissa Restaurant – Venissa is a Michelin star awarded restaurant with its own private vineyard. Head over to this place for an amazing and authentic fine culinary experience.

Trattoria da Primo e Paolo – This family-run restaurant is well known for its some of the best dishes like soft-shelled crab, grilled turbo and seafood risotto.

How to Get to Burano from Venice

Burano is connected to mainland Venice through a system of boats, and they are fairly accessible and frequent. You can take the Vaporetto 12, the water bus that runs from Fondamente Nove in Venice, which is referred to as Fte Nove on the time tables. The boats for Burano depart every 20-30 minutes throughout the day, and it roughly takes 40-45 minutes to reach Burano. The boats run a little less frequently in the evenings, so inquire about the last boat if you plan on heading back to Venice on the same day.

The cost of one way ride to Burano is 7.50 Euros, and if you plan on visiting multiple islands around Venice in a day, it is a good idea to get a day pass for 20 Euros. The water buses make a brief stop in various other islands in the Venetian lagoon-like Murano and Torcello.

Where to Stay in Burano

Burano is a small island in terms of the area so you won’t really have many options for accommodation for your stay. Be thorough with your research and booking prior.

You can always look for an Airbnb as accommodation in Burano.

Tips to Avoid the Crowd in Burano

As Burano is a very small island but also very popular, it can be pretty congested with people during your visit to this colourful island. Here are a few tips for you on how to avoid crowds on the island:

If you want to experience Burano more peacefully, you can always visit the island in the early or late hours and avoid the rush of the peak hours. Even better if you visit during the weekdays and offseason.

The streets of Burano can be very crowded, and it might result in you waiting in a queue for taking pictures at a particular place, so be patient with other tourists as all of them are here for the same thing as you.

Almost all the tourists head back to Venice in the evening, so if you want a more intimate and private experience of the island, you can stay overnight and enjoy the peaceful nightlife of locals in Burano. You could also visit during the off-season to avoid the crowds

It is a good idea for you to plan your trip in accordance with the weather condition of the island as during winters Burano faces floods.

Tips to Respect the Locals in Burano

The locals in Burano are used to crowds and tourists all around the year, and tourism also contributes to their livelihood. It is extremely important for you as tourists to respect them, especially their privacy. Here are a few tips for you about how to respect locals in Burano :

While exploring Burano and its colourful houses, it is of utmost importance that you do not violate boundaries and respect their personal space of the locals.

While clicking pictures in front of their houses, make sure you do not peek through the windows and doors inside their houses.

To click a picture with better framing, please do not displace their house plants and lawn furniture. It is necessary for you to know that it is their home.

Do not trespass onto their property without taking permission.

And if you see them around, it is a good idea to ask them before taking any pictures in front of their houses.

You might want to capture portraits of the people of Burano, so make sure you take the permission of the local before taking their pictures.

Avoid being loud around residential areas as it might create a nuisance and disrupt peace.

Do not stay at the same place for a very long time as it may cause inconvenience for the locals.

If the locals ask you to leave and if you feel not welcomed, then you should simply leave and not bother or argue with the locals.

Lastly, imagine how irritating it can be if people create a nuisance around your house, so please be understanding and respect the locals of Burano during your upcoming visit.

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