Hi fellow travellers! Welcome to my travel guide on the best things to do in the colorful Burano, Italy. My name is Jackie Rezk and I moved to London three years ago from Atlanta, Georgia. This was a big change for sure. It was a huge dream of mine to move abroad and thankfully I made it happen.
I believe if you put your mind to something you can do just about anything! I became obsessed with travel when I started a job at Delta which pushed me to take my first solo travel trip because otherwise I would be waiting on others to travel the world and that wasn’t something I was willing to do.
I write a blog called Jou Jou Travels which inspires others to travel the world, do what they love and see the hidden gems and things locals love to do. I have been to Burano and Venice three times now. It’s safe to say that I am obsessed! This is one of my favorite destinations to visit in the world.
Visiting the Colorful Burano
As you might be able to tell from my photos on Instagram, I love color and Burano is surely one of the most colorful and magical places in Italy. The first time I went I was so excited and knew that I would come back one day. I took a day trip there from Venice as it’s only 45-minutes away by boat. The next time I went, I stayed overnight on the colorful island of Burano.
I don’t think you need an itinerary to visit Burano as you can just walk around and admire the pretty homes shaded in every color of the rainbow. Most of my time was spent taking photos as it’s a photo-lovers dream. I also went to the Lace Museum because the town is known for lace making. There are many shops that sell lace and it’s fun to see this creativity.
The best way to describe Burano is that it’s a fishing village painted in bright colors. They did this so fishermen could identify their houses during rain and fog. The town is known for lace making as I mentioned above. I loved seeing the color of Burano because that is what I am all about!
My Favorite Places in Burano
I am a sucker for pink and loved the bright pink shaded homes of Burano! Also, there is a special detail that goes into the homes on this island. The windows are decorated with beautiful flowers and curtains. It looks unreal. I would die to come home to one of these places every day!
Discovering hidden gems off the beaten path is a big part of how I like to travel. So when I found a gem like Burano it held a special place in my heart. For your visit to Burano, let me recommend the best things to do.
6 Best Things To Do in Burano
- Wander around the colorful streets: There is nothing more enjoyable than just strolling down the alleyways and side streets of Burano seeing what hidden gems you can find. This is a photographer’s dream destination so bring your camera with you and take plenty of photos!
- Shop for lace to support local businesses: Lace is a big part of Burano culture and shopping for lace will help support local businesses who rely on this vital industry. The main shopping street is called Via Baldassarre Galuppi. Head down there and see what you can find.
- Visit the historic Lace Museum in Burano: This fantastic museum provides you with a great opportunity to learn more about the history behind lace. It only costs 5 Euros to enter and it’s worth every penny.
- Marvel at the Church of San Martino: The San Martino Church is best known for its wonderful wonky tower that you can see from the distance. It’s like the Burano version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa!
- Take a boat tour to nearby islands like Murano and Torcello: Murano is famous for glass blowing and Torcello for the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta. Both of these places make for great stops on a boat trip.
- Try the local food specialties of Burano: Venetian cuisine generally specialises in seafood and Burano offers many superb little local cafes, restaurants and bars where you can sample this food. Pair it with a glass (or two) of Italian wine and you’re set for the afternoon!
Where to Stay in Burano
Most people do a day trip to Burano from Venice but if you want to stay overnight there is an amazing place I recommend. Plus, you will be able to see the town after the tourists clear out which is a real treat! I stayed at Casa Burano Hotel and loved my stay at this cute boutique style hotel.
They have apartments throughout the town making for a unique experience. If you ever dreamed of staying in one of the colorful homes of Burano, this is the best way! Another fantastic option is staying at a wine resort called Venissa which is a short walk away from Burano in Mazzorbo.
If you want to stay in Venice and be near the closest boat that takes you directly to Burano, you can stay at a super trendy hostel/3-star hotel (they have awesome private rooms as well) called Combo Venezia.
Best Restaurants in Town
I recommend these restaurants if you have time to stay longer in Burano:
- Trattoria da Romano: Anthony Bourdain ate here and he knew a thing or two about good food! They are famous for their seafood risotto.
- Trattoria Al Gatto Nero: I heard this was a good place but I didn’t try it.
- Panificio Pasticceria Costantini: The best bakery on the island!
Need to Know Before you Go
Firstly, if you are coming over for a day trip then realistically you only need a couple of hours to explore the streets, take photos and stop for lunch. But I recommend staying overnight and spending a full day here.
To arrive from Venice, take Line 12 from Fondamente Nove. It’s a 45-minute vaporetto ride (canal boat used for transport) which has a stop in Murano. This island is known for glass making and worth visiting too. Tickets cost 7.50 Euro unless you get a 24 hour pass for 20 Euros which is a good idea if you need to travel three plus times. Thanks for reading and enjoy your visit!
