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Burano is an island in the Venetian Lagoon, it is located 7 kilometers north of the city of Venice.
It stands out for its thread lace making and canals lined with brightly colored houses. It is said that the color of the houses is so that the fishermen could distinguish their homes even when the fog is thick.
Geographically, the island of Burano is linked by a bridge to its neighboring island, Mazzorbo. Burano is a small island, so it is very easy to get around it. It has a population of around 7000 inhabitants, they live on tourism and fishing.
The name of this island derives from a neighborhood of the Roman city of Altin: "Boreana". Its foundation is attributed to the Romans of Altin who sought refuge from the barbarian invasions
The first population of the island built their homes on stilt houses: wooden structures on the mud that allowed a stable ground, and it is from the year one thousand that the first houses were built.
The island became important when women began to make lace in the 16th century, which was exported to all of Europe.
Legend has it that the famous-colored houses for which this island stands out were painted by fishermen who were looking for a way to guide themselves in the mist and make it easier for them to return home.
On the island you will not find two identical houses, each one is painted with a different color and has architecture that makes it different from the others. To paint them, the residents must meet certain conditions: no two houses can be painted the same adjoining and they can only be the colors approved by the council.
A house that stands out is that of Bepi Suá, it draws attention for being painted with colorful geometric shapes. Its owner, Mr. Bepi, was famous among the neighbors because he organized open-air cinema.
The island of Burano is famous for its production of thread lace. There is a place on the island where you can take a chronological tour of the history of this tradition, the museum offers a collection that includes drawings, photos, documents, and artifacts belonging to the lace school.
The lace school was built in 1872 to continue this artisan tradition that is so important in the history of the island. This school is the one that allowed the museum to be built where you can learn about the details of this art.
In addition, there is a legend about the origin of the first thread lace. It is said that a fisherman returned to the island to get married and heard the song of the sirens, but he did not succumb to them since he was very much in love, that is why the creatures gave him a veil of sea waves for his girlfriend.
Burano's architecture is one of the qualities that attract tourists every year. On the island, you can find different tourist attractions that will delight your vision.
Some places that we do not recommend missing are:
The Tre Ponti bridge, strategically located at the junction of three islands, connects each one through three steps.
The Church of San Martin was built in the 16th century. It has a particularity that draws the attention of tourists and that is that its bell tower is leaning to one side, this is because the base of the building has been sinking. It is said that it is even more inclined than the tower of Pisa.
The Chapel of Santa Barbara is located next to the Church of San Martin. In this place, you can enjoy beautiful works of art in addition to its architecture and history.
If you like shopping, Burano offers craft shops where you can find everything from jewelry, magnets, lace products, and clothing.
Many artisans sell their art, generally small mosaic paintings painted in strong colors just like the houses found on the island.
Lace pieces are also recommended when choosing what to buy in Burano since the ones sold by artisans are not industrial like the ones you will find in stores but are made by local weavers.
And if you are thinking of giving something to a friend or family member, there will never be a lack of island-themed magnets.
If the walk around the small island left you exhausted, we recommend that you sit down to recover the air and try the traditional food of the place.
Burano has a great gastronomic offer. If you want to taste traditional Venetian food, we recommend the trattorias restaurants. If seafood and fresh fish are more your thing, you cannot miss the osterias.
The island also has pizzerias and bars if you want a quicker meal. The bars commonly have terraces where you can enjoy a Spritz, an alcoholic drink widely consumed in the Venetian region.
Do not leave Burano without trying the Bussolá, which are traditional Venetian biscuits that are very well preserved. They were eaten by sailors which helped them endure long working days.
To move to the island, tourists choose the most common and economical way: public transport, which are water buses that are named vaporetto.
The vaporetto is a kind of boat that leaves from Venice to Burano. The trip takes approximately 40 minutes, and you must take line 12 which leaves from Fundamente Nove or 14 which leaves from Piazza San Marco.
Burano is a place that draws the attention of thousands of tourists every year thanks to its picturesque, jovial, and colorful architecture. Being a small island, it is easy to visit the magical corners it has.
Thanks to its proximity to Venice and Florence you will find these destinations in different packages of our offers to get to know this wonderful island.
Do you want a quiet but magical walk? Are you interested in knowing houses with different facades than the ones you see every day? Do you like craft shops and what you can find in them?
If the answer to all these questions is a resounding "yes", at Greca we are going to offer you different proposals for tourist packages to Burano. The best? You can choose them according to your time and your tastes.
There are packages for all needs and times. Choose your ride and get ready for the adventure that comes with it!