A Rainy Day Trip to Burano

Burano is a sleepy little island, not far off the main city of Venice. Known for its gorgeous lace and beautiful lagoon views, Burano is one of my favorite little places in Northern Italy. Perhaps it is best known for its colorful houses and unique doors; somehow the residents never seem to mind hundreds of tourists taking photos of their homes everyday. I highly recommend taking a day trip out to Burano to experience this quiet little place. You can also make stops at Murano, known for its glassmaking; and San Michele, the cemetery island.

How to get there:

Vaporetto is the best way to get out to any of the islands. If you bought a Vaporetti pass, your rides are free (or already paid for, I should say). Otherwise, you'll have to buy separate tickets for each way since this would be a pretty long excursion. (Just buy the pass - it's a lot easier). Start at the Fondementa Nova vaporetto stop & hop on either Line #4.1 or Line #4.2 - both lines should arrive about every 10 minutes. Both of these lines first make stops at San Michele (Cimitero) and then Murano before heading out to Burano. If you have plenty of time, both islands are worth a short visit in my opinion! You can always hop back on the boat & head to your next stop whenever you are ready. From Murano, the trip over to Burano takes about 30-40 minutes and can be crowded. Grab some space by the open air & enjoy the views on your way...

Things to Do in Burano:

Lace Museum - Burano is famous for intricate lace making and this museum will tell ya all about it.
Shopping - Obviously, there are tons of lace shops that line the little main canal throughout Burano. While most shops definitely sell the real deal, be sure to check tags. Many shops also sell cheaper versions of tablecloths, napkins, scarves, etc that were imported from China. If you are going to buy it, spend the money on the real Burano lace.
Santa Maria Assunta Church - the oldest church in Venice. Not a whole lot to see but you can climb the bell tower for 5 Euro. They also have a small museum & some very pretty mosaics - you can pay to see it all for 12 Euro.
La Buranella Art Shop - (pictures above) on your left as soon as you start walking through the main corridor of lace shops. This is a small father & son independent art shop with very beautiful pieces. You can buy originals at very modest prices or prints for a bit less. Highly recommend if you love to buy art when you travel! Alex & I bought a beautiful watercolor of Venice!
As far as food goes, there are a few little cafes on the island that are fine for a snack and a coffee if you need a pick me up. I would recommend bringing some snacks along for the long boat ride & eating dinner back in Venice.
Take pictures of doors and colorful houses! Burano is too colorful to be in black and white!