Have you ever seen pictures of beautifully colored houses along canals in Venice? Well, many of those pictures are actually not the island of Venice itself, but of the nearby island of Burano!
Just a short ride away from Venice, the island of Burano makes the perfect day trip to enjoy a charming and colorful slice of paradise.
In this guide we're going to share all of the details for visiting the island of Burano, so that you can have a seemless and enjoyable stay there.
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Why is Burano Famous?
Burano is famous for its brightly coloured houses. The fisherman's village had each house painted a different color, so that the fisherman could find their way back home after fishing all day.
The island still keeps these houses brightly colored, and it has now become an increasingly popular destination for tourists.
Another thing that Burano is famous for is its needle-lace, which is was one of its most popular crafts in the 18th century.
Where is the Island of Burano in Venice?
The island of Burano is located 9 km away from Venice, which is in the north east of the country of Italy.
How Do I Get to the Island of Burano?
The island of Burano cannot be accessed by roads, and in fact does not have any cars on it at all!
The only way to visit Burano island is by taking a boat there, which you can do from either Venice, or another nearby island called Murano.
How Long is the Boat from Venice to Burano?
The boat from Venice to Burano is about 40 minutes long, and leaves from the Fondamenta Ferry Terminal.
Make sure to enjoy the scenic boat ride!
How Do I Get Back to Venice from Burano?
There are ferries that go directly back to Venice from Burano from the same pier the ferries drop everyone off at.
There are also ferries that go to Murano, so if you'd like to include Murano in your day trip, you can then go back from Murano to Venice.
Below you can see the schedule of ferries leaving Burano to both Murano and Venice:
Can You Visit Murano and Burano On the Same Day?
You can absolutely visit Murano and Burano on the same day! Both islands are pretty small, so you can spend a few hours at each of them (which is exactly what we did).
If you would like to spend more time at one of them, we'd recommend spending a night in either Burano or Murano, that way you can still save on ferry tickets, and have amble time to explore each of the islands at a slower pace.
Tours to Burano & Murano
If you're trying to experience it all without the hassle of figuring out the transportation and everything, then you can easily sign up for a tour that hits all of the highlights!
Honestly, if we weren't on a photography mission, this is probably the route we would have taken.
What to Experience on the Island of Burano, Italy
Now that you know how to get to the island of Burano, we're going to share what to expect on both Burano and Murano.
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What to Do in Burano
Burano is a small island, and most of the beauty is simply getting lost in the beautiful canals and admiring the bright colors of the different houses in the area.
Walk to the Canals
There are several canals that make up the island of Burano, and you can either walk up and down them, or hire a boat to take you around. We got to Burano entirely too early, so the boats weren't really an option for us, but we'd imagine it would be fun!
Browse the Main Plaza
Piazza Galuppi is the only big plaza on the island of Burano, and is home to several restaurants, shops, a church, and all the main action of Burano.
Check Out the Lace
The island of Burano is known for its history of quality needle-lace, so make sure to check out the beautiful works of the locals, and purchase some to take home!
Go Shopping
The island of Burano isn't just lace. It's actually home to quite a few incredible shops that all are small mom and pop businesses. Our personal favorite is L'Orchidea. It was a bit pricey, but all of the articles are stunning and super high quality.
Grab Some Gelato
We witnessed one of the most incredible ice cream parlors while we were visiting Burano, so encourage you to try their handmade gelato creations!
Photograph the Colorful Houses
Colorful houses are everywhere! So bring your camera and enjoy photographing the bright facades.
Walk Down the Tiny Rainbow Street
Calle Dei Soueri may just be one of the cutest little alleys ever, with a row of rainbow houses lining it.
What to Expect in Murano
While the hot topic of Burano is the lace and the colors, Murano has a more traditional architecture, and are known for their glass blowing.
Honestly, the shopping in Murano is incredible, and you'll absolutely be blown away by all of the art you'll find. Enjoy the architecture of the buildings on the side streets, walk the canal, and save time to browse all of the glass shops!
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Amenities on the Island of Burano
The Island of Burano has various restaurants to choose from, and a handful of hotels that you can stay at, most ranging around $200/night.
The center of the island is lined with shops, most of which are local brands of clothing, lace, and handmade souvenirs.
Don't miss out on the shops in Burano!
There is a small supermarket right across the canal closest to where the ferry drops you, called Despar, which opens at 8 am daily, and closes at 7:30 pm M-F and 1:30 pm on Sundays. There is also a Coop, as well as two other mini markets.
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Price & Timetable for Visiting the Island of Burano in Venice
So how much is it to visit the island of Burano in Venice? Not much actually! It's completely free to enter the island itself, so you just need to cover the cost of getting there, whether it be a ferry or a tour with a boat ride included.
How Much is the Ferry to Burano?
The one-way fare to the island of Burano from Venice is 9.50 one way, and 19 euros round trip. If you want to go to both Murano and Burano it actually makes more sense to get a daily ticket that includes all transportation, which is 25 euros.
If you plan on traveling a lot around Venice by water taxi or buses, then you can also get an other one of the packages below.
PS: There are also family discounts!
How Much is a Water Taxi from Murano to Burano?
The water taxi from Murano to Burano is the same as the ticket from Venice.
Hours for Visiting Burano and Murano
The water taxis run from 5 am to midnight, about every half hour.
You can catch the sunrise on your way to the island of Burano.
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Is the Island of Burano Safe?
The island of Burano is mostly trafficked by tourists, and has a small population of locals living there.
People are very friendly, and we felt extremely safe while we were there.
We always urge people to watch their belongings wherever they go though, as pickpocketing and petty theft can happen anywhere.
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Other Things to Keep in Mind While Visiting the Island of Burano
Now you know almost everything you need to know for visiting the island of Burano and Murano as well. But don't go anywhere yet! Here are a few final details that may help you during your visit.
Weather in Burano
Northern Italy experiences all 4 seasons, with warm and humid summers, and cold winters. It doesn't snow often, but there is a small chance to see some in December or January.
The Best Time to Visit Burano
The best time to visit Burano for good weather and lesser crowds is in the shoulder seasons. We suggest visiting from late April to early June, or from September through October.
As the island of Burano is a popular day trip from Venice, we suggest also going as early in the day as possible!
We visited in early September, and got on one of the early ferries to arrive just after sunrise. This way we were able to get pictures without the crowds, and were able to make it to Murano for lunch (since we decided to do both in one day).
Head to the island of Burano early to beat the crowds!
How to Prepare for Visiting the Island of Burano
Preparing for a visit to the island of Burano is pretty simple! We suggest bringing light and colorful clothing, photograpphy gear, and comfortable shoes for walking around.
Here is a list of the things we brought to Burano Island with us:
- Sunscreen as you'll be mostly outside
- Hat to protect yourself from the sun
- Sunglasses
- Colorful Outfit for cute pictures (we suggest pastels)
- Comfortable Shoes for walking the streets
- Camera (we use the Sony A7Riii)
- Drone for great aerial shots (We use the DJI Mavic Mini Pro 3)
- Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks as they are super long lasting and durable)
Bring a drone for some epic views of Burano Island!
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Is it Worth Visiting Burano?
Burano Island is definitely worth visiting! It is a stunning village that has a lot of history, and is easy to explore on your own.
How Long Should I Stay in Burano?
We recommend spending a few hours in Burano so that you can really enjoy all of the different canals and shops. We'd ideally recommend hafl the day in Burano, and half the day in Murano, heading back to Venice in the evening.
Tips for Visiting Burano Island
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So are you ready to explore the beautiful island of Burano in Venice? We know you'll love this day trip just as much as we did. Just don't forget your camera!
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