Burano is an island located in the Venetian lagoon and has become famous all over the world for its extremely colorful buildings and traditional lace-making craftsmanship. The island is known for its vibrant and picturesque architecture which, thanks to the reflections playing on the lagoon canals, fascinates visitors of all ages.
The island of Burano, about 11 km from Venice, today has just over 2,000 residents and is connected by a bridge to the island of Mazzorbo. The inhabited center covers a relatively small area, so we recommend a pleasant walk through calles, small alleys, and little squares.
5 curiosities about Burano
Before starting our special top list of attractions and points of interest to see in Burano, here are a few curiosities that not everyone knows.
- Why are the houses so colorful? Because for centuries the island was mainly inhabited by fishermen who, returning by boat, wanted to be sure they could find the right house even in the presence of fog.
- The lace-making tradition – This is a form of craftsmanship that made the island very famous in the 16th century, when Burano women, also known as merlettaie di Burano, began creating extraordinary works of art using linen or cotton thread.
- More than an island, Burano is an archipelago – In fact, when viewed from above, the island is made up of four small islets, so much so that it is divided into sestieri, just like Venice. San Mauro, Giudecca, San Martino Sinistra, San Martino Destra, and Terranova are the five areas into which the island is divided.
- The bell tower was built on a wooden pile foundation that, over time, began to give way. For this reason, today the bell tower appears noticeably tilted. Nothing to envy to the famous Tower of Pisa.
- A stop for Saint Francis of Assisi – Returning from the Holy Land, the founder of the Franciscan order headed toward the island of Burano and chose as one of his stops a small nearby island, today known as San Francesco del Deserto Island.
What to see in Burano
This small yet picturesque island holds many treasures worth admiring, some of which are deeply connected to the prestigious history of the Republic of Venice. Let’s begin our walk to discover Burano’s points of interest, museums, and attractions. Here is what to see in Burano whether you have just a few hours, one day, or an entire weekend.
1 – Lace Museum
The Lace Museum, located inside a Gothic palace, is housed in the spaces of the historic Burano Lace School, founded in 1872 by Countess Adriana Marcello to preserve and revive a centuries-old tradition.
For centuries, women of the Most Serene Republic of Venice loved to show off garments richly decorated with these extraordinary laceworks.
After the school closed, the building was restored and transformed into an exhibition space: in 1981, the Lace Museum was officially established. Today it houses more than one hundred precious examples from the school’s rich collection, along with important testimonies of Venetian production from the 16th to the 20th century.
Today, this space also offers visitors the chance to observe the lace-making techniques firsthand, as demonstrated by the lace makers themselves. In addition, an archive is available to scholars, serving as an important source of historical and artistic documentation, with drawings, photographs, and various iconographic materials.
Here is where they are located (Google Maps).
2 – Church of San Martino Vescovo
Dating back to the year 1000, when viewed from the outside the church appears to lack a main entrance. Access is instead through a side Renaissance doorway located near the Chapel of Saint Barbara.
It is a small architectural masterpiece that preserves several important works inside. The most distinctive is certainly the “Crucifixion” by Giambattista Tiepolo. Particularly intriguing is the presence of the patron depicted in the lower left corner of the painting.
Here is where they are located (Google Maps).
3 – The Burano bell tower
The Leaning Bell Tower of Burano (“campanil storto” in local dialect) stands behind the Church of San Martino Vescovo. The best spots to admire it are the Terranova bridge or the Riva della Giudecca.
Built in the 17th century, it has a square plan and features Renaissance and Neoclassical architectural elements. Over the centuries it has undergone several restoration works, especially in its upper section.
The top of the bell tower was always crowned by an angel, which fell in 1867 during a storm; it has since been replaced by an iron cross.
The height of the Burano bell tower is 53 meters, and due to ground subsidence it leans by 1.83 meters from its vertical axis.
4 - Burano Market
Staying in the small square next to the church, you will find stalls selling island souvenirs at reasonable prices. On the adjacent street, every Wednesday morning, the island market takes place, and not far from here you should not miss the fish market, where you can see typical fish from the Venetian lagoon.
5 – Piazza Galuppi
Once you get off the vaporetto, you find yourself in a green lawn where a solemn sculpture by the artist Remigio Barbaro, “Attesa di pace” (“Waiting for Peace”), is located.
Then, continuing on, you walk along the canals that lead to the main street. Upon arriving in Piazza Galuppi, the only square on the island, the kind shop owners invite the more curious visitors inside to admire the lace-making process.
In the same small square you will also find the Lace Museum, the Church of San Martino Vescovo, the Town Hall building, and the statue of Baldassare Galuppi, also created by Remigio Barbaro.
At the center of the square there is a well, dating back to the 1500s, made entirely of Istrian stone, with a small fountain that provides drinking water.
Here is where they are located (Google Maps).
6 – The three bridges of Burano
One of the most beautiful views on the island is certainly the one from the “Three Bridges.” It is one of the must-see things in Burano: a wooden bridge that connects three canals and three of the most colorful streets (Via Giudecca, Via San Mauro, and Via San Martino Sinistro), lined with small artisan shops, typical restaurants, and countless Burano houses painted in vibrant colors.
From here, it is possible to take stunning photographs, with the colorful houses reflected in the canals, the leaning bell tower rising above the island, and the sun setting behind the old fish market.
Here is where they are located (Google Maps).
7 – Old Fish Market (Vecchia Peschiera)
For lovers of fishing and traditional trades, we recommend visiting the Old Fish Market, located along Via Giudecca. It is the former open-air fish market of Via San Martino Sinistro, in Campo della Pescheria.
The Pescarìa Vecia, as the people of Burano call it, is the most beloved spot among photographers and romantic couples looking for unforgettable sunsets over the Venetian lagoon.
Here is where they are located (Google Maps).
8 – The House of Bepi
Do you know which is the most distinctive and colorful building in Burano? It is the “House of Bepi,” painted using many different colors arranged in geometric shapes, making it stand out from all the other colorful houses. It is one of the most iconic attractions not to be missed in Burano. The house takes its name from Giuseppe Toselli, known as Bepi, a very well-known local figure among the people of Burano.
A film enthusiast and a lover of painting, he was well known on the island. Until the early 1980s, in the courtyard of his home, he would hang a white sheet and project animated cartoons for children.
Here is where they are located (Google Maps).
9 – Remigio Barbaro’s House
In Burano, are all houses colorful? No. In this house, time seems to have stopped in the early 1900s. It is the home of Remigio Barbaro, a Franciscan sculptor who, before his death, chose to leave the house exactly as it was furnished. You can still feel the echo of an authenticity that once was. Here it is possible to visit the authentic Burano, far from the classic tourist routes. The sculptor, who spent the last years of his life in the company of his canary, used very little electricity and cooked only using his fireplace. Inside the house there is a vast collection of sculptures, preserving 70 years of artistic activity, and it is open for visits by enthusiasts.
Here is where they are located (Google Maps).
10 – Osterias and bacari
Burano is famous for its cuisine based on fresh fish. Among the local specialties, we recommend Risotto di Gò, a traditional lagoon dish also known as Burano risotto. “Gò” is a fish, also called goby. Another specialty not to be missed in Burano is the Bussolà, a traditional local cookie shaped like a ring, also known as buranello.
Dove mangiare a Burano
Ecco i 5 ristoranti e trattorie più tipici e più votati dell’isola di Burano di Venezia in base alle recensioni online:
Trattoria al Gatto Nero – Questa trattoria è stata votata come il ristorante numero uno sull’isola di Burano. Si trova in una posizione molto pittoresca ed è conosciuta per la sua eccellente cucina di pesce e per l’atmosfera accogliente (posizione sulla mappa)
Trattoria da Romano – Questo ristorante si trova vicino alla chiesa di San Martino ed è famoso per il suo pesce fresco e per la sua atmosfera autentica. Molti dei piatti serviti sono a base di pesce locale, e ci sono anche opzioni vegetariane disponibili. (posizione sulla mappa)
Osteria al Museo – Votatissimo per i piatti di pesce come la ricciola e il baccalà. Assolutamente da provare i risotti. Si trova nella piazza principale proprio accanto al Museo del Merletto. Personale gentilissimo e disponibile. (posizione sulla mappa)
Ristorante da Forner – Pesce fresco, porzioni abbondanti e davvero molto soddisfacenti. Molti utenti hanno dato 5 stelle già solo per la magia del posto, visto che è un po’ fuori dai più blasonati circuiti turistici. (posizione sulla mappa)
Trattoria alla Maddalena – Si trova sull’Isola di Mazzorbo raggiungibile in pochi minuti a piedi da Burano. Con una terrazza stupenda sul mare, i titolari sono gentilissimi e simpatici. Cucina di pesce e dolci super. Non si può chiedere di più. (posizione sulla mappa)
How to get to Burano
The island of Burano is located in the northern area of the Venetian Lagoon and is part of a group of islands that also includes Mazzorbo and Torcello
From Venice, to reach Burano, you need to go to Fondamente Nove, where ACTV water buses depart with regular services, approximately every 30 minutes. They stop at Faro di Murano and then reach Mazzorbo first and Burano afterward. The sailing time is about 45 minutes.
There are several types of tickets available: some are valid for one or two rides, while others are valid for a specific period of time. Very convenient and cost-effective if you plan to take multiple connections to visit more islands is the Venice Travel Card, valid for one or more days starting at €20 for 24 hours, and usable on both ACTV water buses and public buses. Alternatively, the standard vaporetto ticket is sufficient.
From Burano, you can take another water bus line that leads to nearby Torcello, which can be reached in about 10 minutes.
Alternatively, for those who want to visit the three islands of the northern Venice Lagoon (Murano, Burano, and Torcello) in a more convenient way, there is the option of taking a panoramic tour on a private boat. This allows you to see the three main islands of the Venetian Lagoon in a single day, following a dedicated itinerary that is well organized in terms of timing and details.
Where to stay in Burano
In the colorful houses of this small fishing village, there are many small accommodation options where you can stay and enjoy the lagoon away from the chaos of central Venice. Many apartments, B&Bs, and lodgings offer all the comforts and stunning views. Which ones? We have personally tested 10 of them—take a look at our guide on where to stay in Burano.
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