# Burano island, Venice > Burano is a small fishing island in the northern Venetian lagoon, famous for its brightly painted houses and lace. It's 40–50 minutes by water bus from central Venice and often combined with Murano. The island is free, and 2–3 hours is enough to explore. Web page: https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/burano - City: [Venice](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice), Italy - YesGo score: 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 3 h - Opening hours: Open any time; museum and shops by day - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Free; water bus and museum paid - Getting there: Vaporetto 12 from Fondamente Nove ≈ 40–50 min - Highlights: Coloured houses, lace, the leaning bell tower - Lace Museum: Usually by day, closed Monday - Time needed: 2–3 hours - Nearby: Mazzorbo by bridge, Torcello 5 minutes by boat - Coordinates: 45.48556, 12.41750 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **≈ 7 km** — across the lagoon from Venice (source: English Wikipedia) - **Lace** — Burano needle lace has been famous since the 16th century (source: English Wikipedia) - **Colours** — façade colours are traditionally approved by the city (source: English Wikipedia) - **Bell tower** — San Martino's campanile leans visibly (source: English Wikipedia) - **Mazzorbo** — the neighbouring island linked by a bridge (source: English Wikipedia) ## About Burano Burano is a **fishing island** in the northern lagoon, 7 km from Venice, home to around two thousand people. Almost every house is painted its own **bright colour** — blue, pink, lemon, green, violet — supposedly so fishermen could spot home through the fog. Today it's tradition: you may repaint only in a shade approved by the city. Narrow canals with boats and footbridges cross the island, and at its heart lies **Piazza Baldassare Galuppi** with the church of **San Martino** and its visibly **leaning bell tower**. It's one of the most photogenic places in Italy. ## Burano lace Since the 16th century Burano has been known for **needle lace** (punto in aria, "stitch in the air"), worn at Europe's royal courts. The craft nearly vanished in the 20th century, but the **Lace Museum** on the main square preserves it, with historic collars and veils and sometimes lacemakers at work. Much of the lace in shops is machine-made and imported; real handmade Burano lace takes weeks and costs accordingly. ## What to see - **Coloured houses** — along every canal. - **Piazza Galuppi** — the main street and square. - **Leaning bell tower** of San Martino. - **Lace Museum** — on the main square. - **Casa di Bepi** — the most dazzling house, painted in geometric patterns. - **Mazzorbo** — the garden island with a vineyard, over the bridge. ## Photographing Burano The classic shots come from the **footbridges** over the main canal, where coloured façades ripple in green water; side lanes with washing lines, window boxes and boats by the doors are just as lovely. Morning sun lights one side of the canals and evening sun the other, so the scene changes through the day. Remember people live here: don't peer into windows or doorways, sit on private steps or block narrow lanes with tripods. The best pictures are often a few lanes from the main street, where colours are brighter and crowds thin out. > **Avoiding the crowds** From midday to late afternoon Burano fills with tour boats. Come on an early water bus or stay until sunset, when the groups leave and the colours glow. Step a couple of lanes off the main street and it's quiet and lived-in. ## Eating on Burano As a fishing island, Burano cooks **lagoon fish and seafood**; try **risotto di gò**, made with small lagoon goby, and the island's **bussolà** biscuits shaped like rings or an S, sold in every bakery. Canal-side trattorias are cheaper than central Venice. Over a wooden bridge lies quiet **Mazzorbo**, with gardens and a revived old vineyard — a nice after-lunch stroll. ## How to get there 1. Vaporetto 12 from **Fondamente Nove**, about 40–50 minutes. 2. From [Murano](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/murano) on line 12, about 30 minutes. 3. From Burano to [Torcello](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/torcello) on line 9, about 5 minutes. 4. Back on line 12 to Fondamente Nove. ## Is Burano worth it? Yes — it's one of the most vivid memories of Venice, and children usually love it. The island is small and relaxed, easy to walk. Go in the morning, combining Murano on the way and Torcello next door, or in the evening to catch sunset over the lagoon. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Buy a vaporetto pass - [ ] Go early or stay till sunset - [ ] Try bussolà biscuits - [ ] Visit the Lace Museum - [ ] Cross the bridge to Mazzorbo ## Venice's islands: compare and choose Islands and canals in Venice rated by YesGo. - [Bridge of Sighs](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/bridge-of-sighs) — YesGo score 57/100 (Yes, go) · 15 min · Free outside - [Rialto Bridge](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/rialto-bridge) — YesGo score 56/100 (Yes, go) · 20 min · Free - [Grand Canal](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/grand-canal) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free; water bus paid - [Gondola ride](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/gondola) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · Paid, per boat - [Accademia Bridge](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/accademia-bridge) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 15 min · Free - [San Giorgio Maggiore](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/san-giorgio-maggiore) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free; tower paid - [Murano](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/murano) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free; museum paid - [Giudecca](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/giudecca) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free - [Peggy Guggenheim Collection](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/peggy-guggenheim) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Paid - [Lido di Venezia](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/lido) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free - [Ca' d'Oro](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/ca-d-oro) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Paid - [Burano](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/burano) — YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free - [Torcello](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/torcello) — YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free; cathedral paid ## The lagoon islands in a day Murano's glassblowers, colourful Burano and ancient Torcello. 1. [Murano](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/murano) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free; museum paid 2. [Burano](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/burano) — YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free 3. [Torcello](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/torcello) — YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free; cathedral paid ## Don't mix it up Burano isn't Murano: Murano is closer and famous for glass, Burano further out with coloured houses and lace. The same water bus line links them easily. ## Tips - Line 12 from Fondamente Nove. - Morning or sunset — fewer crowds. - Bussolà biscuits are the local treat. - Torcello is 5 minutes away. ## Questions ### How do I get to Burano from Venice? Vaporetto 12 from Fondamente Nove, about 40–50 minutes. ### Why are Burano's houses so colourful? Legend says so fishermen could find home in the fog; colours are still approved by the city. ### How long do you need on Burano? 2–3 hours; a full day with Murano and Torcello. ### What is Burano famous for? Its bright houses, needle lace and the leaning bell tower of San Martino. ### Can I see Murano and Burano in one day? Yes — line 12 links them; Murano in the morning, Burano in the afternoon. ## How we checked History and description from English Wikipedia. Journey times and museum hours are approximate — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia, Burano; Burano lace --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.