Things to See in Burano: Attractions to Visit in One Day

Colors, nature, peace, silence and a historic craftsmanship-what am I talking about? About the beautiful Burano, an island in the Venice lagoon!

An enchanting place where time seems to stand still: peace and serenity await you in the streets of Burano.

Its splendid craftsmanship is a true centuries-old art: buranello lace enchants millions of visitors every year!

Are you wondering what to do in Burano? What is there to see? Read on to find out what might be the best itinerary to visit the island and learn about Burano’s main attractions.

I will tell you about the hidden wonders in this pearl of the lagoon and you can better plan your visit: so many things to see in one day!

Wait! Before I continue let me give you some advice: buying an organized package is the best way to experience your visit. Lots of benefits combined with lots of discounts: book now and experience an unforgettable day among the colorful little houses of Burano with a click!

Burano’s must-see attractions

Burano is a corner of the Italian peninsula that can be visited, if desired, in half a day, but don’t let this information fool you: there are many attractions waiting for you!

First of all, already simply the atmosphere experienced on the island deserves a mention: peace, tranquility and a lot of nature are waiting for you in Burano!

Considering today’s increasingly hectic lives, treating yourself to a day in Burano means taking a breath of fresh air!

The Colorful Little Houses

Colorful houses of Burano reflect on the canal water | ID 144511481 © Maudanros | Dreamstime.com

You’ll be able to unearth the first attraction simply by strolling through the streets along the canals where you can admire the island’s symbol: its beautiful colorful houses!

According to tradition, Burano is characterized by small houses with bright colors and all different because the fishermen were able to locate their homes on their return even during the night or very foggy days.

Today, all these shades of color reflecting on the water are one of the island’s main attractions!

Buranello lace and its museum

Lace Museum entrance | ID 308353820 @ Shawn Williams | Dreamstime.com

But there’s more: have you ever heard of buranello lace?

This island, in fact, is characterized by historic craftsmanship that produces true works of art: secrets have been passed down from generation to generation, and real schools have safeguarded the craft.

Today you can admire the most prestigious pieces and learn about the history of lace in the splendid dedicated museum that stands right where Countess Adriana Marcello opened the school that saved the island’s centuries-old techniques.

Inside you can also admire the master lacemakers at work and buy your very own special souvenir to take home with you!

The museum is located in Galuppi Square, which is a place of central importance to Burano. In addition to the museum, in fact, you can wander among the market stalls and admire a statue of Galuppi by the artist Barbaro and an ancient well that dates back to the 500s.

Church of San Martino Vescovo and the crooked bell tower

Church of St. Martin the Bishop and the crooked bell tower | ID 331354119 @ Artur Bogacki | Dreamstime.com

Without even moving a step from Galuppi Square, you can also visit the Church of St. Martin the Bishop, characterized by the lack of a main entrance.

To gain access, you must take advantage of a side door: once inside you will find splendid works of art in this building dating back to the year 1000.

The island’sbell tower also hides a secret: take a good look at it and you’ll find that it’s crooked!

In fact, it is called just that, “crooked,” and its inclination comes from the fact that the ground is uneven as a result of land subsidence.

This bell tower built in the 17th century is inclined on its axis by a little less than two meters, and at the top it is decorated with an iron cross: in the past there was a statue of an angel, which was destroyed after a storm.

House of Remigio Barbaro and House of Bepi

Bepi’s famous house | ID 116689441 @ Matteoceruti70 | Dreamstime.com

The island still has something in store for you! Do you know Bepi and Remigio Barbaro? Two important personalities for the island that jealously guards their homes!

Remigio Barbaro was a Franciscan sculptor (that’s the one in the sculpture in Galuppi Square!) and his house was left untouched after his death, as the artist had requested: the only uncolored house on the island.

Inside you can admire all of his artistic activity, an essential stop if you are a lover of the subject.

Bepi, on the other hand, was a man much loved by the island’s inhabitants and was the nickname by which Giuseppe Toselli was known. His house is characterized by geometric shapes and is the most colorful on the island.

Bepi used to spread a large white sheet on which he projected cartoons to entertain the children. His house still tells the romantic story of a man who cared about the island and all its inhabitants!

A few more things to see

Three Bridges, Burano’s wooden bridge | ID 244827065 @ Ralf Liebhold | Dreamstime.com

Finally, also located within Galuppi Square is the Burano Town Hall building.

Proceeding westward, however, you will find a quaint little house of colored bricks often the subject of photographs by visitors.

Proceeding further, after crossing the canal, you will come across the Chiesa delle Cappuccine, or Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

Its facade is right on the canal and today it is a gathering and cultural place after it was deconsecrated in 1810.

Take a 5-minute walk to reach the Three Bridges: you will take magical photos for your instagram feed from this beautiful wooden building!

This is precisely the ideal spot to capture the most colorful streets of Burano: a thousand colors caress the water in an enchanting play of colors!

Authentic experiences in Burano

Colorful little houses of Burano and the “crooked” bell tower | ID 264227177 @ Yasonya | Dreamstime.com

Burano is a peaceful place, but it offers authentic and emotional experiences directly related to the island’s historical traditions.

That is why it is highly recommended to watch the lacemakers at work: you will give yourself precious minutes in which time seems to stop and begin to wind around itself.

You can watch this incredible demonstration at the Lace Museum or in some of the little stores scattered around the island.

When you arrive on the island, I also recommend that you try some of the specialties: the fish dishes are real delicacies and again the recipes are historic!

Also try the typical Burano cookies, the bussolai: sweets that fishermen’s wives used to prepare to give them energy during the sailings and today they are a real must in Burano!

There are various types, flavored in a variety of flavors such as lemon or rum.

Finally, I recommend getting lost in the streets of Burano: peace and colors will accompany you at every step as you discover hidden nooks and crannies and cool shaded courtyards for a stop, perhaps just the perfect place to munch on your bussolai!

Burano in a day: recommended itinerary

Do you have little time to visit Burano? Then you’ll have to read carefully from here on: I will provide you with a suitable itinerary just to concentrate the essentials in the shortest possible time.

First of all, get off at the Vaporetto stop that is located in the north of the island and get off immediately towards Piazza Galuppi: this is the heart of the island. It will only take about 7 minutes on foot to reach your destination.

Along the way you can admire the famous colorful little houses and once you get to the square visit the Museum and the Church San Martino Vescovo.

Go past the church and admire the famous house of colored bricks and then push west and cross the canal: you will be facing the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

If your time is already coming to an end, head north past the Three Bridges and “close” the circular tour by heading back to the vaporetto stop.

If you happen to need a snack or snack on your way, you will find the best options in the Tre Ponti area or Galuppi Square.

Let me give you a few more tips: if you are short on time, try to arrive early on the island so you can avoid the heat and especially the crowds.

Starting mid-morning, in fact, the vaporettos allow many people to arrive at the site partially undermining the pleasant atmosphere you might experience.

Also consider the option of sleeping on the island by arriving as early as the previous evening: you will have a unique experience of tranquility and by mid-morning you will probably have already explored Burano.

Frequently asked questions

Conclusions

We have come to the conclusion of this article which is about the attractions of Burano. Indeed, I have told you what are the things to see and do in Burano.

We have seen together how to organize a tour of the island in a practical way, also very quickly, trying to admire all the main milestones, such as Galuppi Square or the lace museum.

I have given you useful tips on how to best plan your visit and how to get around once you get off the vaporetto, and now you really have everything you need to organize your trip!

In conclusion, I ‘ve answered the most frequently asked questions I’m often asked about Burano’s attractions and best itinerary, but if you have any other doubts, don’t hesitate: just leave a comment below!

And have you visited Burano yet? What do you think of Galuppi Square and the traditional colorful little houses? Let me know your opinion!

Don’t hesitate and treat yourself to a visit to Burano, even should it be very quick: trust me, this island will leave you speechless!