Burano

A small fishing island in the northern lagoon, where houses painted in candy colors line the canals. Famous for its lace craftsmanship, it is Venice's most photogenic outlying island.

Burano lies in the lagoon about 9 km northeast of Venice's main island. Its population is around 2,000. Traditionally a fishing village and a center of lace making, the island is known for its brightly colored houses. According to legend, fishermen painted their homes in different colors so they could find their own in the fog. Today the colors are registered and managed by the city government, and residents must apply to change them.

The island is small and can be explored on foot. Lace shops and restaurants line the main street, Via Baldassarre Galuppi. At its end stands the Church of San Martino, with a notably leaning bell tower, the island's landmark. Walking along the small canals, such as Fondamenta di Cao Moleca and Rio Pontinello, is the best way to photograph the colorful houses reflected in the water. The Lace Museum (Museo del Merletto, admission 5 euros, closed on Mondays) displays Burano needlepoint lace from the 16th century onward, and older women sometimes give live demonstrations.

Food: Trattoria al Gatto Nero and Da Romano are famous seafood restaurants that require reservations. A local specialty is Bussolà, a buttery biscuit.

Route: take Line 12 water bus from the Fondamente Nove pier on the north side of the main island, which takes about 45 minutes to reach Burano (stopping at Murano Faro, where you can get off first). Spend about 2 hours on the island. You can then take a ferry to Torcello, 5 minutes away, to see the 7th-century Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and its mosaics. Getting there: water bus Line 12 (Fondamente Nove, Murano Faro, Mazzorbo, Burano). A day pass works for this route. There are also half-day tours from San Marco combining Murano, Burano, and Torcello, costing about 25 to 30 euros.

Note: Respect the residents. Do not photograph inside private doorways or entrances. Cheap lace is usually imported machine-made, while genuine handmade lace is quite expensive. The last boat leaves at around 9:00 p.m.

Burano

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