Is this place actually... real? Believe it or not, it is! And we got to spend a whole day here, surrounded by the most beautifully-painted homes in the world.
Why is Burano so colorful?
Well, the origin of the colors is unknown, but the story goes that many, many years ago, when the fishermen returned from the sea, they couldn’t recognize their homes through the thick fog, so they started painting them with different colors.
The colors of these houses have been with the families now for centuries! Over the ages, a specific coloring system developed - if someone wishes to paint their home, one must send a request to the local government, who will respond by making notice of the certain colors that are permitted for that lot.
When is the best time to visit Burano, Venice?
The tourism season in Burano corresponds with the tourist season in Venice. This means that the biggest crowds are in the summer months. To balance good weather with fewer tourists, spring and autumn are the best times. Winter is the low season and generally everything on the island is cheaper. Unfortunately, it also rains a lot, making the island prone to flooding. When we were there at the end of May, it was lovely and we saw minimal tourists!
What is there to do in Burano?
This little island is great for shopping, dining (remember this is a fishing village, so the seafood is undoubtedly fresh!), and exploring the various canals and neighborhoods. We stumbled into several great stores, including Orchidea Burano, where Dave had to purchase this fantastic blue and yellow linen shirt. He looks like such a local, no? :)
How do I get to Burano?
From Venice, just take the Vaporetto (water bus). A water bus runs every 20 - 30 minutes throughout the day, and the trip takes about 45 minutes each way.
A public ferry ticket to Burano will cost about €8 each way (check here for the most current pricing). If, however, you wish to travel privately, a private water taxi will cost at least 130 - 140€ for a one-way trip from Venice to Burano.
How much time to spend in Burano?
Are you like me and love photography and colorful architecture? You will definitely want an entire day. However, spending half a day or a few hours are also enough to see the entire island, do some shopping, and explore all the main attractions.
How can we get around Burano?
The island is small enough to explore on foot. There are no cars available here, and to move around the canals, gondolas and water taxis are also available.
Our favorite memory of our visit?
As the sun began falling lower in the sky and day-trip tourists faded away, we noticed something lovely... The local older ladies came out for their daily early evening walks. Some of them alone, others with girlfriends, sisters, or daughters. Some walking without assistance, others with canes, others with walkers. It was pretty obvious that this was a daily occurrence - their exercise for the day, catching up with each other while making slow loops around the canals, amongst all of these beautifully-colored houses. Adorable!