Burano and Murano: The ideal day trip from Venice, Italy
Updated May 2023
"The purest and most thoughtful minds are those which love colour the most." - John Ruskin
Beyond Venice lies a cluster of islets that charm tourists who are looking to expand their coverage of the Venice Lagoon. Burano, a fishing village famed for its lace work and kaleidoscopic houses has gained recognition in recent years. Murano, best known for its highly-prized glass has long been a hub for expert artisans gaining recognition across the globe.
If you have more than a few days in Venice and are looking to explore further afield, these two islands are the perfect day trip and easily combined. Within reach of the sun-kissed canals of Venice, a day on the local ferries - better known as vaporetto - will lead you to uncover an alternative side of this northeastern pocket of Italy.
Where is Burano?
The island of Burano is located in the northeast of Italy in the Venice Lagoon. Approximately 9km from Venice itself, Burano is ideally located for a day trip from the floating city.
What is Burano famous for?
Burano was historically a fishing village famed for its lacemaking roots. Intricately woven threads create ornate patterns used for everything from home textiles to clothing and handkerchiefs. Beyond the traditional crafts of the island, Burano has more recently become a sensation due to the brightly coloured homes that fill the island with a cheer that is hard to compete with. As photos grace the Instagram feeds of travellers, Burano has surged in popularity for its photogenic demeanour.
Things to do in Burano, Italy
What Burano lacks in size, it makes up for in sights. Slow travellers will enjoy taking in everything across a full day, but the highlights of Burano can be seen in half a day.
Admire the craftsmanship of Burano lace
Burano is most famous for its lacemaking history that dates back to the 16th century. The origins of the art form have been lost to history over time, but it is known that the lace needlework was traded throughout Europe.
Growing in popularity as fashions evolved, lace collars and cuffs rose in popularity throughout the 17th century, however growth in foreign markets and further changes in fashion saw the demand for Burano lace decline over the years following.
For insight into the lace history of the island, visit Museo del Merletto, the Lace Museum.
THE DETAILS
ADDRESS | P.za Baldassarre Galuppi, 187, 30142 Venezia
OPEN HOURS | 10am - 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Mondays.
COSTS | €5 for adults, €3.50 for children 6-14, students 15-25, and visitors over 65.
Fill your camera roll with a rainbow of houses
Like a kaleidoscope, the facades of Burano are a major reason for tourism on the island. Unlike other cities that feature pockets of colour, there’s no need for a list of locations of the best homes here. Every street, corner, and canal has its own charm and colour palette to admire.
My favourite thing to do was simply wander every laneway and find my personal favourites, from those with flower boxes perches on vibrant sills or curtains flapping in the breeze over doorways. Washing is strung high above pedestrians' heads and bicycles are parked in the most seemingly perfect of places.
There’s good reason for the colours of Burano. Residents must request permission to repaint their homes and there’s a specific colour scheme they must choose from by law - a worthy reason to maintain the island’s vivid aesthetic.
Enjoy an al fresco lunch
A pint-sized island surrounded by the sea, it’s no surprise that seafood is a must-have in Burano. If you’ve started your day in Burano and spent the morning exploring, take a seat at one of the charming restaurants by the canals for lunch.
Spaghetti vongole (spaghetti with clams) and spaghetti al nero di seppia (squid ink spaghetti) are both common dishes on menus. Pair your dish with a crisp glass of wine or an aperol spritz to really enjoy the al fresco experience. There are a number of excellent restaurants to choose from, Trattoria da Romano and Osteria Al Fureghin are both highly rated.
See the leaning tower of Burano
Not quite so famous as Pisa’s tower, Burano’s leaning bell tower rises 53 metres high over the colourful homes of the island. Best viewed from Terranova's marble bridge or Giudecca's street, Renaissance and neoclassical architectural features are notable on the tower’s square structure.
Try Bussolai Buranei, a delightful Venetian butter biscuit
A tradition that came from fishermen’s wives baking these sweet, buttery biscuits for their long days at sea, Bussolai Buranei have been a much-loved treat for hundreds of years. The s-shaped biscuits are made of a dense dough of eggs, flour, sugar, and butter, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find them in many bakeries beyond the island. Be sure to pick some up while you’re there.
Is Burano worth visiting?
If you have more than two days in Venice, then a day trip to Burano is absolutely worth your time. Learn more about the detailed lacework the island is historically known for and fill your camera roll with photos of the rainbow facades that colour the island from end to end.
When is the best time to visit Burano?
Summer and weekends in Burano can be overwhelming with visitor numbers peaking during these periods. Instead, I recommend visiting Burano in the spring or autumn when crowds are fewer to enjoy a quieter visit. If you are in Venice during the summer, visiting earlier in the day or on a weekday will give you the best chance to avoid the busiest times.
How long do you need in Burano?
Burano is pint-sized as far as islands go. Its 0.2km squared footprint is the most inhabited of all of the islands in the lagoon of Venice, with approximately 3,000 people calling the colourful houses that adorn the island home.
You can easily cover every street across the tiny island of Burano in under one hour. However, the coveted brightly painted facades and fine lacework are deserving of a longer stay. Spend time admiring the houses, sure to photograph the perfect pockets of bold window shutters dressed with flower pots and bicycles.
I’d recommend giving yourself at least half a day in Burano and combining your day trip with half a day in nearby Murano too, which is best known for the famed Murano glass.
How to get to Burano from Venice
The easiest way to get from Venice to Burano is by vaporetto, which is essentially a water bus service. Line 12 connects directly from Fondamete Nove in Venice to Burano and takes approximately 45 minutes. Services run twice hourly throughout the day and you can check timetables here. You can purchase tickets from machines at the terminal as well as a vendor - which is especially helpful if you have any questions.
There is a second, slower service on the Line 14 route, which have several more stops and takes around 65 minutes to reach Burano from Venice. This is a seasonal service and runs less frequently than Line 12. This may however be more convenient as it departs from San Marco - San Zaccaria, at St Mark’s Square. You can view the schedule here.
Depending on your movements during your time in Venice, a 24-hour or multi-day ticket may be more economical option as tickets for a one-way journey start from €8. Tickets are available for 24, 48, or 72 hours and make considerdable savings if you plan several journeys during the period you choose.
Where is Murano?
Like Burano, Murano is located in northeastern Italy just 1.5km from Venice. One of the closest islands to Venice within the Lagoon of Venice, it’s ideally located for a day trip for a half-day visit.
What is Murano famous for?
Murano is famous for Murano glass, a delight that spans more than a century of craftsmanship. Murano glass is so special as it is crafted by highly skilled craftspeople by hand and is sought after across the globe. Made of silica, the glass requires special techniques and accuracy to be transformed into the incredible designs and shapes it takes on.
Things to do in Murano
Watch a glass-blowing demonstration
Murano’s history is steeped in glass making, with the value of Murano glass earning a pretty penny. During your time on the island, be sure to make a stop at one of the glass factories or workshops to see a demonstration of the handmade glass and glass-blowing techniques that make Murano glass so unique.
Basilica di Santa Maria e San Donato
Italy has no shortage of must-visit churches, and adding Basilica di Santa Maria e San Donato while in Murano will leave you pleasantly surprised. The 12th-century Byzantine mosaic pavement and dark red brick design are prized features of one of the oldest churches in the Venetian Lagoon.
Campo Santo Stefano
Be sure to make a stop by Campo Santo Stefano for Simone Cenedese’s ‘Comet Glass Star’ - a sensational blue starburst glass sculpture. Here, you’ll also find one of the most well-known sights of the island, including a 19th-century bell tower and St Stephen’s church.
Is Murano worth visiting?
Murano is a must-visit if you’d like to see the centuries’ old tradition of glass blowing. It’s not only Murano glass that draws in visitors every year. The atmosphere, zeal, and culture of the island make it worth visiting if you are looking for sights beyond the main attractions of Venice.
When is the best time to visit Murano?
Murano enjoys the same seaside north Italian climate as Venice, making spring and autumn the best time to visit. The weather is pleasant at this time, with temperatures and humidity more tolerable than during the height of summer. Tourist numbers are also lower in the shoulder seasons from April to early June and through September and October.
Weather can be rainer and the islands of Venice Lagoon are prone to flooding between November and February which make it a less ideal time of year - though there are few tourists and crowds are thin at this time.
How long do you need in Murano?
I would allow half a day to visit Murano, preferably complementing it with half a day in Burano also. This will allow you time to explore the island, visit a workshop for a glass blowing viewing, and to peruse the many stores and galleries showcasing the craftsmanship of the Murano glass.
How to get to Murano
The vaporetto is once again the best way to reach Murano. It is situated much closer to Venice, taking just 15 minutes on Line 12 from Fondamete Nove. Alternatively, Line 3 also connects you with Murano from Venice from Piazza Roma, reaching Murano in approximately 20 minutes.
How to get from Burano to Murano
The Line 12 vaporetto connects the route between Murano and Burano, as it does with Venice too. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes and services run roughly every half an hour throughout the day from 6am to 10:30pm. Services during the early morning and late at night run less frequently with up to one hour between boats.
Is Burano better than Murano?
If you have a full day then I would recommend you visit both Burano and Murano, but if time is limited and can only visit one, then Burano would be my pick. Both islands have something to offer; Burano makes perfectly for ambling between the laneways and canals as you admire the full spectrum of colour the paints the island’s homes.
If you fancy marvelling at the art of glass blowing, then Murano will make the ideal visit instead. Murano is also quieter than both Venice and Burano, so offers an escape from the crowds if that’s what you’re looking for too.
