A Day Trip To Burano – The Most Colorful Fishing Village Near Venice!

Are you planning a trip to Venice? If so, then you must take a day trip to Burano, Italy’s most colorful fishing village!

If you’re dreaming of vibrant canals, charming streets, and a splash of Italian culture, a day trip to Burano is an absolute must. Just a short boat ride from Venice, this picturesque fishing village is famous for its kaleidoscopic houses and rich lace-making heritage. With its captivating charm and laid-back vibe, Burano offers a delightful escape from the bustling crowds of Venice, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in an unforgettable day of discovery.

Burano’s postcard-perfect setting, where every corner is a photographer’s dream, makes it one of the top destinations for a Venice day trip itinerary. Beyond its vibrant facades, Burano boasts a unique cultural identity tied to centuries-old traditions, fresh seafood specialties, and an unmistakable sense of authenticity. Whether you’re strolling along the canals, sampling local dishes, or marveling at the craftsmanship of intricate lacework, this colorful island promises an adventure brimming with charm and history.

Reaching Burano is a breeze, with regular Vaporetto (water bus) services whisking travelers from Venice to this enchanting island. The journey itself is part of the magic, offering stunning views of the Venetian Lagoon along the way.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to plan your day trip to Burano. This includes the best time to visit, must-see landmarks, and dining recommendations. I just loved visiting Burano and I’m sure that you will too! 

this post is all about a day trip to Burano.

FAQs about Burano

How much time do you need in Burano?

You’ll need around 3 to 4 hours to fully enjoy a visit to Burano. This is enough time to leisurely explore its colorful streets, take in the charming atmosphere along the canals, and snap plenty of photos of the vibrant houses. You can visit iconic spots like the leaning bell tower of San Martino, browse handmade lace and masks in local shops, and eat lunch at a traditional trattoria. If you’re someone who loves discovering hidden corners or enjoys a slower pace, you might want to spend a little extra time. However, even with half a day, you’ll get a wonderful sense of Burano’s charm.

Can you visit Burano on your own?

You can absolutely visit Burano on your own, and it is both easy and rewarding! Regular Vaporetto (water bus) services connect Venice to Burano, with the journey taking about 40-45 minutes. Once there, the island is compact and pedestrian-friendly, making it perfect for independent exploration. Walking through the colorful streets and visiting highlights like the Museo del Merletto (Lace Museum) are simple to do without a guide. For those who prefer a little structure, there are self-guided walking tour apps and resources available to help you discover key sights. That said, guided tours are an option if you’d like deeper insight into Burano’s culture and history.

Should I go to Murano or Burano first?

It’s generally recommended to visit Murano first, especially if you plan to see both islands in one day. Murano, famous for its glassblowing heritage, tends to have fewer crowds earlier in the day, allowing you to enjoy its workshops and boutiques at a relaxed pace. Afterward, you can head to Burano to spend the afternoon soaking in its vibrant atmosphere and enjoying a meal by the canals. This order also makes sense geographically, as Murano is closer to Venice, making it the natural first stop before continuing on to Burano. 

Day Trip to Burano

Burano is part of the municipality of Venice and has a population of about 2,500 – 3,000 people. It is famous for a few things including its colorful houses and the production of lace dating back to the 16th century. 

The bright houses visible even before arriving on the island, have a very practical history. In the winter times a thick layer of fog blankets the lagoon making visibility on the island tough. Therefore, it is said that fishermen painted their houses in different colors to help navigate back home on foggy days. In addition, legend has it that the sails on their boats had the same color as their house so that their wives could identify their return. 

As for the history of lace production, many legends are circling. I will tell you the two main ones I have heard, and you can decide which one you would like to believe. It is said that a fisherman was on his way back to his girlfriend living in Burano when he encountered the calls of sirens. He managed to bravely ignore their calls as he reminded himself of his loved one at home. As a prize for doing so, he was given a crown made of foam water to give his girlfriend. Back home, many girls were envious of the crown and therefore tried to recreate it using lace. 

The other version of this tale is very similar but states that the fisherman was a groom on his way to his bride. Therefore, when he ignored the calls of the sirens he was given a wedding veil. The friends of the bride then tried to recreate the beautiful veil using lace. I think if any of these legends are true, then the second sounds more probable. 

How to get to Burano from Venice

Public Transport:

Getting to Burano is rather easy as there is a direct water bus from Venice. It takes around 45 minutes with line 12 to Treporti departing from Fontamente Nove A station. I highly recommend buying a day ticket, it costs around 21 euros, whereas a one-way ticket anywhere costs 7.5 euros. This means that just getting to Burano and back will be 15 euros and for 6 more, you can take as many water buses (Vaporetto) as you’d like for 24 hours.

The water bus to Burano runs from as early as 6:40 am until the evening at around 20:00 pm. The ferries run as often as every half hour and even every 20 minutes during peak hours (early afternoon). I recommend checking Google Maps for the exact times of departure the day before you want to visit Burano. To get back to Venice, simply make sure you take the same ferry number 12 to Fondamente Nove A from the Burano C station. Usually, the ferries going back run until 21 or 22 pm, however, make sure to check this beforehand so you don’t get stranded for the night. 

Although Burano is not as well known as other places in the area, it is starting to become quite popular. Therefore, you should aim to take the ferry at 10 am at the latest (even earlier if possible) to enjoy the quiet before lunchtime. 

Tour guide:

Another easy way to visit Burano is by joining a guided tour. While visiting independently gives you the freedom to arrive and leave as you choose, you may find it lacking context. My favorite part about visiting with a guided tour is learning about the fascinating history of the spots I visit. Therefore, if you love learning new history, or simply want to get to know Burano better, I highly recommend visiting with a guided tour.

In addition, if you are considering visiting both Burano and Murano, then a guided tour may be your best option. This is because most day trips include both islands (and even Torcello). This allows you to maximize your time in Venice without stressing about transport modes. Furthermore, many guided tours include a visit to the key highlights on these islands such as a glass factory visit in Murano.

Where to stay in Burano

When it comes to planning a day trip to Burano, you can easily choose to stay in Venice as your base. Venice is by far the most convenient location to base yourself in. In addition, it allows you to easily explore the other nearby islands such as Murano and Torcello. 

That being said, if you truly want to experience Burano like a local, definitely consider staying the night here. This will allow you to spend even more time understanding the culture and traditions of this colorful fishing village. In addition, if you’re looking to escape the crowds, then this will offer the perfect opportunity to do so! If you stay the night you will be able to enjoy the quiet hours of the evening and early mornings before the day-trippers arrive.

Best time to visit Burano

The best season to visit Burano is spring (April to June) or early autumn (September to October). This is when the weather is mild, and the Venetian Lagoon is at its most picturesque. During these months, the colorful houses seem to shine brighter under the soft light. In addition, you can also find blooming flowers which add even more charm to the island’s scenery. These seasons also offer a pleasant escape from Venice’s peak summer heat and overwhelming crowds, making your day trip to Burano more relaxing and enjoyable.

The best time of day to visit Burano is early morning or late afternoon. Arriving in the morning lets you explore the island while it’s still quiet, offering a more serene atmosphere for photographing its iconic canals and colorful houses. Alternatively, visiting in the late afternoon allows you to enjoy a golden hour glow over the island, creating a magical ambiance as the sun sets. These times also help you avoid the midday crowds that often arrive with guided tours, giving you a more intimate experience. 

While we opted for visiting in the first half of the day, I actually think sunset would be a better option. This is because it will provide soft light which will make your photos even more beautiful! That being said, just make sure you don’t miss the last boat heading back to Venice.

Things To Do In Burano

1. Visit the Lace Museum

After explaining how important lace is to this island’s history, you should check out the lace museum for yourself. Maybe you will even hear a different legend from the one I have heard. Here you can explore more of the kinds of lace they made, its history, as well as a precious collection. Here is a link with more information regarding the museum as well as prices. 

2. Visit Bepi’s House

Bepi (whose real name is Giuseppe Toselli) is known for having colored geometrical shapes on his house. He was a movie enthusiast and oftentimes organized an outdoor cinema for the children of Burano on warm summer nights. Nowadays, his house is famous because it is the only one not colored in a single color, but full of colorful geometrical shapes. 

3. Visit the San Martino Church

The church of San Martino is the only church in Burano. While it’s popular due to the fact that it’s the only church in Burano, there is also another reason. Did you know that the church tower isn’t actually straight?! The church bell tower is actually leaning almost 2 meters off the vertical position. This is because of the pliable ground being that Burano is an island. Many visitors try to make the tower look straight in their photos. However, the fact that it’s crooked is what makes this church so unique. So if you decide to take photos where it looks straight, please also take some where it’s crooked! 

3. Get lost in the streets

The absolute best thing to do on a day trip to Burano is to get lost in the streets. Burano is not actually big enough that you can get lost. No matter what, you will always come back to the central area or to the edge of the island. So while visiting make sure to wander as you wish, walking around the small streets and maybe even meeting some locals. While not all streets might have canals running in the middle, they are all colorful and charming. This is also a great way to get away from the crowds so you can take in the beauty of this island. Who knows, you might even discover a new gem no one knows about. 

5. Eat the best pizza in Italy

While this is clearly subjective, my boyfriend and I spent over a month traveling Italy and this is still the best pizza we have had to date! If you want to check it out for yourself, have lunch at Ristorante Pizzeria Principe (with the green and red umbrellas) and eat one of their pizzas. Not only is the food amazing, but the atmosphere is great when sitting by the canal. 

Tbh I would go on another day trip to Burano just for this pizza! 😅

Burano vs. Murano Day Trip

I think that a day trip to Burano is an absolute must. However, if you have enough time I recommend visiting Murano as well. Typically Murano is better known for a few reasons. First of all, it is the closest island to Venice making it very accessible. Second of all, it is famously known for its glass production. Walking around in Venice, you will see many shops selling colored glass items from vases to small statues. They will all claim that it is real Murano glass (probably not) BUT you can easily get to Murano yourself and visit where they actually make glass to this day.

If you have time I think it will be worth visiting Murano for this experience, as well as for getting out of crowded Venice. However, if you only have time for one island, make sure it is Burano! This is because Murano actually looks very similar to Venice, so you may as well see something a bit different. 

How to visit Murano

Getting to Murano is very easy as the Vaporetto to Burano actually stops there too! There are also many tour guides offering guided tours to Burano, Murano, and a smaller island called Torcello. This is a great option for those who want to make the most of their day trips. Not only can you simply join without worrying about anything, but the guides will offer insight into the history of these places. 

You could also consider joining a guided tour that will take you to both Burano and Murano! This way you can enjoy both islands without having to worry about the logistics. Below are some of the best rated tour to Burano and Murano from Venice. 

All in all, Burano is a beautiful little island brimming with history and intriguing legends. Due to its small size, you don’t need more than 3-4 hours at most to explore this charming village. Make sure to arrive before the crowds to ensure a pleasant stroll and a calm atmosphere. This place was one of the highlights of our Venice trip and I am sure it will be the same for you! Burano is simply such a unique destination in Italy. Therefore, a day trip to Burano is a must on any Venice itinerary.

This post was all about a day trip to Burano – the most colorful fishing village near Venice.