Burano is the island of coloured houses, out in the Venetian lagoon. We went for the day from Venice, in October 2024, and it is one of the two places I photographed the most on this trip.
How to get to Burano
Vaporetto line 12 from Fondamente Nove, on the north side of Venice, about 40 to 45 minutes, with a stop at Murano on the way.
Good to know: a single ticket is €9.50 and lasts 75 minutes, so it does not cover the round trip. For an island day the 24-hour pass at €25 pays for itself, since going to Murano and Burano and back is four boardings.
What to do in Burano
Photograph the houses
That is the whole point, and it is why I came. Every house is painted a different colour.
Where the colours come from: the island is a fishing island, and the story goes that the houses were painted in bright colours so the fishermen could recognise their own home coming back through the fog of the lagoon. Today you cannot repaint a house in any colour you like: you ask the commune, which tells you which colours are allowed for that house.
The leaning bell tower
The campanile of the church of San Martino leans visibly, like a small Venetian Pisa.
Lace
Burano has been a lace island for centuries, with its own needle lace technique, the punto in aria.
The Lace Museum, on Piazza Galuppi, sits in the building of the old lace school, which trained the island's women from 1872 to 1970. It shows more than two hundred pieces from the 16th to the 20th century, and lacemakers often work in the rooms while you visit. Five euros, three fifty reduced, open from 10am to 4pm and closed on Mondays.
How to spot the real thing: very cheap lace is machine made or imported. Handmade stitches are never perfectly regular, so look for tiny irregularities. Machine lace is flawless. For anything expensive, ask for the workshop's name and a certificate.
A spritz
The best moment of our day on the island.
The leaning bell tower
The campanile of San Martino leans visibly, like a small Venetian Pisa. The church below it is free to enter, and it holds a Crucifixion by Tiepolo.
The bussolà
The island's biscuit, a ring of buttery shortbread, sold in every bakery on the main square. The S shaped version is the esse. They keep for days, which is how they started: they were baked for the fishermen.
How long do you need in Burano?
Half a day is enough to walk the whole island, but go early or stay late: between 11am and 4pm, the boats unload their crowds.
Burano FAQ
How do you get to Burano from Venice?
Vaporetto line 12 from Fondamente Nove, about 40 to 45 minutes.
How much does it cost to get to Burano?
€9.50 for a single ticket valid 75 minutes, or €25 for the 24-hour pass, which is better for an island day.
Why are the houses in Burano coloured?
The tradition comes from the fishing families, and the colours are still regulated by the commune today.
How much is the Lace Museum?
Five euros, and it is closed on Mondays.
How do you know if Burano lace is real?
Handmade lace has small irregularities and a price to match. Perfectly regular and very cheap means machine made.
Is Burano worth it?
Yes. With the alleys of Venice, it is what I photographed the most on this trip.
Read next
More from Italy:
- Cefalù travel guide: a day trip from Palermo
- Florence travel guide: sunrise over the city, the Boboli Gardens and vintage shopping
- Lake Como travel guide: Varenna, Bellagio and Menaggio
- Naples travel guide: dirty, intimidating, and very good for street photography
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