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Burano - Can’t stop raving about it

For anyone traveling to Venice and has an extra day to spare, do yourself a colorful favor and take a trip to the island of Burano.

About a 30-40 minute vaporetto ride in the Venetian Lagoon, this little island is known for lacemaking and its houses which look like a Crayola crayon box freshly opened. I’ve seen the countless Instagrams of people in Burano and figured it was just filters but having now been there, no filter is necessary. Every quiet canal is a painting, every cafe begging you to sit for an Aperol Spritz, every shop with beautiful lacework, and of course…everyone taking selfies. If you hang around in the late afternoon the crowds tend to thin and you can get some quiet time strolling along the canals. The late afternoon sun glow adds a nice touch.

I don’t think many folks have discovered Burano yet so please take advantage of it when you can. Once the tourist mobs that venture to Murano discover Burano it may be lots more crowded. This was a remarkable little place with super nice locals eager to chat and they always enjoy hearing how beautiful their village is from visitors.

Be respectful and courteous. Tourists are behaving badly in Venice again and it’s sad.

Posted by
2607 posts

Thanks for this info. I'd been wondering if it was worth taking time away from Venice when I go next year. 🤔

Posted by
11 posts

It absolutely is worth it. Murano is not that pretty, buy the glass and head out. Burano, it’s like Murano only Better 😁

Posted by
4582 posts

If you take the first Vaporetto over in the morning you can have the place to yourself as well. When we were there, the crowds started arriving at about 11:00.

Posted by
3961 posts

Your description of Burano is exactly why we skipped Murano. We arrived early am, strolled, took photos, found a wonderful lace shop-bought a couple of beautiful lace shawls, & stopped for lunch & Aperol Spritz!

We headed to Torcello afterwards and enjoyed visiting the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta to marvel at the incredible mosaics. We were there in 2018 & we had the church to ourselves! It’s the oldest structure in the Venetian lagoon. Highly recommend Torcello!

Posted by
6113 posts

I went to Burano early in the morning and it was still very busy. It’s not undiscovered. Whilst I liked it, I much preferred Torcello which was much quieter and very different in character.

Posted by
11569 posts

Yes Jennifer, historic Torcello is the gem of the islands, where Venice began. It is near Burano so I was surprised how few were visiting. sfarkas425, Burano has been on the tourists’ radar for years. Glad it is still worth a visit and that you enjoyed your visit there. We have skipped Murano for quite awhile, always visit Burano and Torcello. .

Posted by
920 posts

We were in Venice 5 years ago…..have seen too many Murano glass pieces at my local TUESDAY MORNING so decided to pass that island up and go to Burano……so glad we did! I am a seamstress and seeing the local ladies making lace and inviting me to watch was a day I will never forget…..the shop owners were so kind when I showed them iphone pics of my own sewing with lace and i bought some beautiful handmade tatting which is very hard to find locally anymore. A day well spent on a gorgeous island!

Posted by
12 posts

Adding a pitch for Murano - not for the touristy aspect - but b/c Glasstress, part of Venice International Biennale art expo, is there. No need to get tickets ahead of time as for more crowded main exhibitions. Glasstress stars stunning contemporary glass from all over the world; runs through November.

Posted by
10599 posts

I really enjoyed Burano. Murano, not as much.

Posted by
18 posts

Burano is fabulous. If you need a break from the crowds in Venice, by all means go to Burano. Photographer paradise.

Posted by
47 posts

Is there a way to do only Burano? We will only have the afternoon, so we would rather go straight there and back from Venice.

Posted by
47 posts

Thank you so much for the helpful article and restaurant recommendation!

Posted by
796 posts

I agree with those who say that Burano is not undiscovered. The Rick Steves V-F-R tour will either go there or Murano depending on the guide's choice. The tour will likely go to Torcello if it goes to Burano.

I really loved Burano in the first week of October and spent a good part of a day there. It's a photographer's dream and it's interesting comparing people's results. The sun will play on the colors in amazing patterns.

Our vaporetto passed a couple on their paddle board in the lagoon and we saw them paddling through canals at Burano shortly after we arrived. They agreed to model for a few photos!

We also went to Torcello afterwards and visited the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. There were a number of people there midday.

Posted by
347 posts

I skipped Murano in favor of Burano. Not at all busy, friendly people, nice walking around time. And the lace museum is not to be missed.

Posted by
120 posts

Our RS guide in Venice took us to Burano - yes a total delight – get a package of the famous cookies too!

Posted by
1313 posts

Tip: When we were in Venice, our hotel arranged for a free water taxi (those beautiful wood motorboats) to take six of us for a free tour of a glass shop in Murano. Sure, they were trying to sell us expensive pieces, but they cannot force us to buy. The boat ride was one of the highlights of the trip and the tour was also very good. I bought a bunch of inexpensive glass candy pieces for gifts and to decorate my aquarium.

Posted by
8965 posts

We loved Burano as well. But we found most of the lace for sale was machine made or "highland made" which means some other country. Anything local or handmade was too expensive for us, as should be expected. But just being there was worth the trip.

Posted by
120 posts

sfarkas425 on our October 2019 RS tour to Venice, (then we went on to Florence & Rome) our RS guide took us to Burano and yes it is so special. In my writing nook I have a framed piece of lace work from Burano. I’m glad you got to visit that special island. Did you get any of the amazing cookies they sell there & I can’t find anywhere on the internet? The ever so tasty buttery cookies flavored with vanilla, rum and zest have been made on the island for centuries. Great memory...

Posted by
3961 posts

@Julie- I was not familiar with the buttery cookies you mentioned. Name? They sound delicious! Sorry we missed them. We had lunch in Burano and also have fond memories of visiting a lace shop. The lovely woman owner and her son were a delight to talk to. I purchased 2 of her beautiful lace shawls.

Posted by
11569 posts

And after Burano, visit the nearby little island of Torcello where Venice was founded. The church is worth visiting.