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Picture-perfect Burano was one of the highlights of our trip to Venice. It’s known for its colorful homes and lace work, and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage listing for Venice and its Lagoon.

 

Getting There

To get to Burano, we took a vaporetto from the Fondamente Nove ferry terminal in the Cannaregio district of Venice. The ride takes just under 40 minutes, but we decided to get off at Mazzorbo and take the short walk to Burano instead. It’s also just a five minute ride to neighboring Torcello.

 

Colorful Homes

Once on Burano, we fell in love with the brightly colored houses. We took a good half hour wandering through the narrow streets, alongside canals, and crossing small bridges while taking in the scenery.

Colorful homes in Burano, Italy
Colorful homes
Canal and bridge in Burano, Italy
Canal and bridge
Colorful homes in Burano, Italy
Colorful homes

As far as the houses are concerned, it’s interesting to point out that the colors are strictly regulated. If someone wants to paint their home, they must file a request with the government. The government will then respond with a list of colors permitted for the area.

Colorful homes along a canal in Burano, Italy
Colorful homes along a canal
Canal in Burano, Italy
Canal
Colorful homes along a canal in Burano, Italy
Colorful homes along a canal

Although filled with tourists on day trips from Venice, Burano still had a peaceful and quiet air about it. At the western end, we were able to look across the lagoon and see Venice, which seemed a world away at that point.

Bridge in Burano, Italy
Bridge
Old home in Burano, Italy
Old home
View of Venice in Burano, Italy
View of Venice

 

Piazza Baldassare Galuppi

We turned back towards the center of the island where we found Piazza Baldassare Galuppi, the main square.

Piazza Baldassare Galuppi in Burano, Italy
Piazza Baldassare Galuppi
Piazza Baldassare Galuppi in Burano, Italy
Piazza Baldassare Galuppi

 

Church of San Martino

A large 16th century church, the Church of San Martino (Chiesa di San Martino) sits on the south side of the square. When you visit the island, you might notice that the bell tower leans slightly. It was built between 1703 and 1714 by architect Andrea Tirali.

Church of San Martino in Burano, Italy
Church of San Martino
Church of San Martino in Burano, Italy
Church of San Martino

 

Lace Museum

On the square is the Lace Museum (Museo del Merletto), which chronicles Burano’s lace industry. The women on the island began making lace in the 16th century after it was introduced from Cyprus. Lacemaking declined in the 18th century but made a comeback when a lacemaking school opened in 1872. Nowadays, very few women continue to make lace the traditional way and the craft is slowly dying.

Lace Museum in Burano, Italy
Lace Museum

The Lace Museum is open daily except Mondays. Admission is €5 for adults; €3.50 for kids aged 6-14, students aged 15-25, and seniors over 65; and free for kids under 6 and holders of the Museum Pass (as of September 2024). Unfortunately it was closed during our visit.

 

Merletti dalla Olga

Several shops in Burano sell lace and it’s good to shop around. We visited a few of the shops, but our favorite was Merletti dalla Olga, located on Piazza Baldassare Galuppi near the church. Although we didn’t purchase anything, we enjoyed our experience.

Merletti dalla Olga in Burano, Italy
Merletti dalla Olga

The saleswomen showed us around the store, giving us a quick lesson on how to tell the difference between handmade and machine made lace. We also got to see one of the older women making lace, as well as an impressive piece that cost €4,999 and took a couple years to complete.

Merletti dalla Olga in Burano, Italy
Merletti dalla Olga
Merletti dalla Olga in Burano, Italy
Merletti dalla Olga

 

Via Baldassare Galuppi

Next, we walked down the main street in Burano, Via Baldassare Galuppi. It contains several restaurants and shops selling lace products and other souvenirs.

Via Baldassare Galuppi in Burano, Italy
Via Baldassare Galuppi
Via Baldassare Galuppi in Burano, Italy
Via Baldassare Galuppi

 

Trattoria da Primo

For lunch, we sat down at Trattoria da Primo. It’s a friendly place that serves excellent seafood dishes at reasonable prices. We started off with a seafood stew. I had spaghetti with calamari in its own ink while Marisol had fish on a bed of vegetables. Both of our meals were tasty, and service was excellent.

Seafood stew at Trattoria da Primo in Burano, Italy
Seafood stew
Spaghetti with calamari in its own ink at Trattoria da Primo in Burano, Italy
Spaghetti with calamari in its own ink
Fish on a bed of vegetables at Trattoria da Primo in Burano, Italy
Fish on a bed of vegetables

 

More Scenery

Finally, before heading to the ferry terminal to continue to Torcello, we walked along some more of the canals and enjoyed the beautifully colored homes.

Bridge over one of the canals in Burano, Italy
Bridge over one of the canals
Canal with colorful homes in Burano, Italy
Canal with colorful homes
Canal with colorful homes in Burano, Italy
Canal with colorful homes
Canal with colorful homes in Burano, Italy
Canal with colorful homes

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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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