Burano: The Picturesque Candy-Colored Island of Italy

Venice is as beautiful as it is vast. People say that you can spend years exploring Venice, and always be surprised. However, Venice has gotten extremely tourist populated over the years, and if you want a more unadulterated experience, heading to one of the Venitian islands to experience traditional handicrafts is a great idea.

It will only take you half a day to explore an island and is well worth the visit if you’re in Venice for over a week. The noteworthy islands to visit are Burano, Murano, and Torcello. After being to all three, I found that Burano was the best for a quick getaway with the most unique sights. 

Bookmark Burano for your next travel visit after COVID-19!

It’s almost as if Burano was made for postcards. The cottages are all painted vibrant candy colors, and the town is a mix of streets and canals with brightly painted boats! A quiet, sleepy village, Burano is perfect for late afternoon strolls as you soak in its dreamy aura. 

It’s impossible to get bad photographs of this extremely picturesque location. 

Legend has it that the houses are painted so brightly so that sailors returning home would be able to distinguish the island from the rest. We have to agree: Borano’s brightly colored cottages set it apart from any other islands in the Venetian lagoon.

Traditional Handicraft

Burano is known for its traditional lace handicraft as well as being a fishing town. Even today, as you walk down the lanes, you’ll see older women weaving intricate patterns on lace. You’ll also find many stores selling this lace, but keep in mind that hand-woven lace is costly. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is machine-made and imported from China!

If you’re genuinely fascinated by the 16th-century Lace art form, give the Museo del Merletto museum a visit. It’s a small charming museum that details the origins and history of Burano lace. After spending some time here, you’ll definitely have a deep sense of appreciation for the time-taking craft by the Buranelli artisans. 

Food

While fishing is no longer the sole occupation of the Buranelli people, tourists can enjoy a wide range of seafood restaurants. We recommend either Al Gatto Da Ruggero or Trattoria da Primo for a mid-range budget. 

Make sure you don’t miss the traditional butter cookies called bussolai buranei, which are delicious! They’re not difficult to find; one simply has to follow the smell of freshly baked cookies!

Since there are no hotels in Burano, there isn’t much of a facility for an overnight stay. It’s recommended that you spend a few hours walking around and eat a fantastic lunch before heading back to Venice.

Chiesa di San Martino and Leaning Campanile

The Chiesa di San Martino is an ancient 16th-century Renaissance-style church. It’s in the center of Burano square and houses some masterpiece artwork. Behind the Church is the leaning bell-tower called Leaning Campanile, which has become symbolic of Burano itself over the years. 

It used to be crowned with an angel that fell off during a storm in 1867 and now has an iron cross. One can’t really tell it’s leaning or slanted until you really spend time looking at it. It’s definitely a very unique and distinctive piece of architecture.

Travel and Time

Burano is a tiny town, and it won’t take you long to walk over its entire landscape. Set aside about 4-5 hours to spend on this quaint island. 

Getting hear is also easy. It takes only about 40 minutes from Venice by the number 12 water bus Vaporetto. 

Being in Burano can truly make you feel like time slows down. The villagers are kind, and the small canals and pathways make for the perfect romantic afternoon stroll.