The island of Burano: what to see and how to reach it

The island of Burano: what to see and how to reach it

As soon as you arrive in Burano, you will be immediately captured by the tranquillity of the island and the typical houses painted in bright colors, which are reflected on the water of the canals, creating magnificent plays of light. Then, head towards the city center, where the Lace Museum, the Church of San Martino, the Leaning Bell Tower and the most famous Burano restaurants and bars await you, the ideal place for a pleasant break dedicated to the island’s specialties.

Burano and its colorful houses

The memory of Burano, which remains unforgettable with its visitors and what makes Burano most famous, is that of the painting of the houses with bright colours, the reason and origin why the people do this are net clear anymore. One idea suggest that each colour refers to a specific family, given that there are only a few surnames. For this reason, also here as in many other Veneto towns a nickname is added to the name to distinguish the different family trees. Another idea however is that in the past the houses were painted with bright colours to make it easier for the men to find their way home, even when there was thick fog, something that happens often on the island. Nowadays the colored houses represent an important historical and cultural heritage for Burano. The inhabitants are very proud of this and always taking care of the houses.

The Burano Lace Museum

Another symbol of Burano and a true specialty of the island is needle lace, the tradition of which is celebrated in the Lace Museum. Founded in 1981 and belonging to the Venetian Civic Museums complex since 1995, it is located in the ancient Burano Lace School, which overlooks Piazza Galuppi.

The museum collects over one hundred specimens from the rich collection of the Lace School, as well as finds of great value from Venetian production from the 16th to the 20th century. Furthermore, if you visit the museum in the morning, you will be able to admire the master lace makers at work and observe the various techniques of lace making, handed down from generation to generation.

The museum is open every day, except Mondays, from 10:00 to 17:00 and the ticket price is as follows:

• Full ticket: € 5.00
• Reduced ticket: € 3,50 (children aged 6-14, students aged 15-25, visitors over 65)
• Children 0-5 years: free admission.

You can check the updated prices and timetables directly on the museum’s website.

The Church of San Martino

On the island’s most famous square, called Piazza Galuppi, stands the Church of San Martino Vescovo, today the only official church on the island. The church is famous for its leaning bell tower and for having only a side entrance. Its exterior, which has remained unfinished, is similar to a hut with the central part slightly higher and flanked by two lateral wings; while the interior has three naves and structured on a Latin cross plan with a vaulted ceiling.

The Leaning Tower of the island of Burano

The Bell Tower of the Church of San Martino Vescovo, also called Torre Pendente or Crooked tower, is one of the most original buildings on the island and one of its symbols. Known for its steep slope due to the partial collapse of its bases, founded on stilts like many buildings in Venice, the bell tower was designed by the architect Andrea Tirali and built-in bricks on a square base between 1703 and 1714. The bell tower is high 53 meters and on its top stands an iron cross.

Mazzorbo

Mazzorbo is a small island south-east of Burano, little known by tourists, but its certainly worth visiting if you are in Burano. Connected by a long wooden bridge that the inhabitants call “Ponte Longo” (Long Bridge), it has a long and narrow shape. Like many other islands in the Venetian lagoon, Mazzorbo was founded by the inhabitants of the hinterland fleeing the barbarian invasions. Home to rich palaces and ancient churches, of which very little remains today, Mazzorbo reaches its maximum splendor in the 10th century. But soon, like many other nearby islands, it was eclipsed by Venice and was dedicated to crops, while remaining one of the favorite leisure places of the Venetian patricians. In Mazzorbo you will find various cultivated areas, mainly intended for vegetable gardens and vineyards. Not to be missed is a walk inside the Venissa estate (the visit is free), famous for the production of the native Dorona grape, followed by a refreshing break in one of the island’s restaurants, to savor traditional Venetian dishes.

Murano, Burano, Torcello: the tour

Other places in Burano that are not to be missed are Via Galuppi and the square of the same name, the Casa di Bepi, the Ponte dell’Amore, the Fondamenta Cao di Rio and Terranova.

Via Galuppi is the main street of the island, where pastry shops, bars and restaurants overlook. This street is normally crowded with many tourists, but if you move away al little from here you can dive inton the most authentic atmosphere of the island.

Piazza Galuppi is the only square in Burano and is home to the most beautiful lace shops in the city: here you will really be spoiled for choice if you want to buy original handmade lace.

The Casa di Bepi, located behind Piazza Galuppi in Corte del Pistor 275, is the most colorful and famous house on the island. In the 1960s, its owner, known as „Bepi delle caremelle”, because he sold sweets in the main square of the island, decided to decorate the facade of his house with geometric patterns, using the typical colors of Burano. Over the years, Mr. Bepi repainted his house several times, constantly changing its appearance.

The Bridge of Love, located in Strada di Corte Comare 270, is so called because it is located in one of the most beautiful spots on the island. Many tourists, in fact, stop here to take a picture embraced, surrounded by a panorama full of houses and colored reflections.

The Fondamenta Cao di Rio is one of the most picturesque places in Burano. Here, the effect of the colored houses reflecting on the water is spectacular. At the end of the Fondamenta Cao di Rio you will also find a small terrace with a breathtaking view of Torcello. The Fondamenta Terranova is famous, however, for the numerous small squares always decorated with hanging clothes and with ancient wells in the center. From here, if you turn your gaze to one side of the lagoon, you will be able to admire the fishing boats moored with their fishing nets and also meet the fishermen of the island.

After visiting Burano, if you still have time available, you can easily reach the nearby islands of Murano and Torcello aboard the ACTV waterbuses. Torcello, one of the oldest islands in the Venice lagoon, is only 5 minutes by boat from Burano ( Line 9), while Murano, famous for its glass production, is about 30 minutes away (Line 12). Alternatively, you can participate in a guided tour of Burano, Murano and Torcello aboard a private boat, which will accompany you to discover these wonderful islands.

Typical dishes and restaurants in Burano

If you love good food, especially fish-based, Burano is the island for you. Buranoè, in fact, is well known for its dishes based on fresh fish, among which the most famous is the „risotto di gò„, prepared with a broth obtained from the „gò”, a fish from the Venetian lagoon, known elsewhere with the name of „goby”. Burano offers numerous restaurants where you can taste the typical risotto alla buranella, as well as other first courses based on fish, fried and mixed grills. Stop for a break at Trattoria al Gatto Nero or Trattoria Da Romano or at the Venissa Restaurant, on the nearby island of Mazzorbo.

If you want to taste the typical sweets of Burano, however, we recommend the Bakery Pastry Palmisano Carmelina, specialized in the production of „Bussolà” and „Esse„, the famous biscuits of the island and many other traditional Venetian sweets.

How to reach Burano

Burano can be reached from the mainland via the ACTV water buses, which frequently connect the island with the Treporti and Punta Sabbioni.

From Cavallino to Burano

If you stay at Camping Ca’Savio, you can easily reach Burano by car, bus or bicycle. You simply have to go to the nearby Treporti or Punta Sabbioni ferry point. From Treporti you reach Burano in just 15 minutes by boat, while the journey from Punta Sabbioni takes about 30 minutes.

If you want to go only to Burano, the single ticket (valid for 75 minutes) costs € 7.50 per person. If you want to visit the other islands, however, we recommend that you buy a ticket valid for 24 hours at a price of € 20 per person.

Can’t wait to discover all the wonders of Burano? Visit our website with always updated offers and book your holiday at a truly advantageous price. We are waiting for you!