The 'charming' Italian island where colourful houses are required by law

Metro

23-05-2025

In the middle of the Venetian Lagoon sits a tiny island, that for years has kept itself to itself.
Since medieval times, Burano has been a thriving fishing village, its residents quietly going about their business in Venice's shadow.
It means Burano is often overlooked by day trippers, who instead descend on St. Mark's Basilica or search for glass on neighbouring Murano, with little time to explore elsewhere.
It's why, out of the 30 million tourists who flock to Venice each year, the island receives a fraction of the visitors.
But, for those in the know, the island's biggest USP are the rows of brightly coloured houses that mushroom along the shore.
At first glance, it's an Instagrammer's paradise, but there's much more to this design concept than meets the eye. Because, as well as looking pretty, residents are actually required by law to paint their homes this way.
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Already added Burano to your bucket list? Here's the complete lowdown on the island.
Legend has it, fishermen painted their homes in distinctive colours so they could identify them from the sea. The bright shades were especially necessary in foggy weather when visibility was more obscured.
While the roots of the practice stem from practical reasons (Burano's economy isn't solely reliant on fishing today), it's now become the island's visual identifier, and an inherent part of its culture. @aureliestoryy
If you're visiting Venice this summer, don't miss the most colorful island in Italy: Burano 🌈🦋 You can take the public ferry from 9€ to reach it in about 1 hour. Pro tip: arrive in the afternoon and stay until the last ferry because the crowd usually arrives in the morning and stays until mid-afternoon. You will then be almost alone on the island 😍 ♬ son original – aureliestory
This means that residents aren't allowed to paint their homes any old colour. Rather, there are guidelines to ensure Burano's aesthetic is maintained.
First, homeowners must apply to the local council to get permission to repaint their properties. Should the request be approved, the government will provide them with a colour palette suitable for that particular house.
Whether you're skipping Venice entirely to avoid adding to the issue of overtourism, or you've got a day or two spare and you're in the area, Burano has plenty to offer.
The obvious pull is the aforementioned rainbow houses. 'Bepi's House,' the most famous property in Burano, is a must-see – its geometric design and bursts of different colours regularly feature on postcards.
But once you've taken all your shots for the gram, you'll want to find out what makes this island tick.
Aside from fishing, Burano is famous for lace-making. The Lace Museum (Museo del Merletto) is located in the historic palace of Podestà of Torcello, in Piazza Galuppi, Burano's main square.
Here, you'll learn about the history and artistry of the Venetian lagoon's laces, while also checking out pieces that date back to the Victorian era. Entry costs just €5 (£4.21).
While you're in the Piazza, take some time to browse the local shops and boutiques, or stop for lunch in one of the restaurants. Be sure to try the Bussolà, a doughnut-shaped cake typical of the island.
Traditionally, these were baked by the wives of the fishermen. These days, plenty of bakeries sell the freshly-made treat, but TripAdvisor crowns Panificio Pasticceria Garbo as the best in Burano.
One user described the establishment as a 'blast from the past' and a 'small typical Venetian treasure chest.' Another customer claimed the owner 'makes some of the best Burano biscuits.' Many cited the bakery as cheap and affordable, with products costing between €1 and €3 (84p and £2.53).
But let's not dine out on too many sweet treats. Burano is renowned for its seafood, too. The island's cuisine reflects Venetian influences, focusing on fresh and simple recipes made with local ingredients. Staples include polenta and risotto.
The Michelin-starred Trattoria al Gatto Nero is number one on TripAdvisor. It's advertised as a family-run, informal eatery, with a 'delightful outside area in the summer,' and is loved by past diners.
One user said: 'We had an amazing lunch beside the canal. Wonderful seafood platter followed by tagliatelle with spider crab, and washed down with some excellent Venetian Pinot Grigio. What a treat.' Word of warning: they urged you to make a reservation, as it's very popular.
Another diner said the seafood risotto was a highlight, while someone dubbed their order of spaghetti for two, topped with various types of seafood including clams, shrimp and mussels, as 'perfection.'
Prices aren't dirt cheap, but they won't break the bank. Spaghetti with Clams will set you back €22 (£18.53), Risotto Burano Style costs €26 (£21.91), and Grilled Cuttlefish is €25 (£21.06).
If you can muster up the energy to move after such a feast, head to Il Campanile Storto. Otherwise known as the leaning bell tower of the Church of San Martin, the 16th-century building has more of a lean than the tower of Pisa.
For those short on time but want to make sure they cover as much ground as possible, consider a walking tour of the town. For around £47 per person, local guides will teach you about the island's history and showcase any hidden gems you may not have spotted. Tours typically take around 80 minutes.
More of a water baby? Take a boat tour instead. This way, you'll get to see more of Venice's islands. For just £25, embark on a speedboat to Murano, Burano's neighbouring island. You'll receive a tour of the area, which also features brightly coloured homes, before heading to Burano for a deep dive.
As you'd expect from a tiny island, Burano doesn't have an airport, so the easiest way to get to it is to fly via Venice.
The good news is, there are bargains to be had.
At the time of writing, there are Ryanair flights available from London Stansted to Venice Marco Polo on June 11 for just £15. From Manchester, there's a one-way flight on June 2 for £18. And on September 26, you can fly from Bristol for £18.
From Venice, take a ferry to Burano. Vessels run regularly throughout the day, take around 45 minutes, and start from €10 (£8.42). @minywander
🇮🇹 SAVE: Best things to do in Venice ⬇️ 📍 Venice is a stunning city in Northern Italy made of 100+ islands, with many canals and bridges. 🌁 Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge) – walk across this bridge that crosses the Grand Canal with stunning views. 🛶 Gondola ride – admire the historic charm of Venice from the waters. ⚜️ Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace) – tour the former Doge's residence, built in Venetian Gothic style. 🍮 Tiramisu from I Tre Mercanti – savor a freshly made sweet tiramisu by the canals. 🏛️ Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square) – head to the city's central public square, housing many of Venice's famous buildings. 🏝️ Day trip to Murano, Burano or Torcello – visit a neighbor island – Murano is known for glass and Burano is famed for its colorful houses. 🍝 Pasta to go from Dal Moro – take out a bowl of made-to-order pasta to enjoy by the canals. 🌉 Ponte dell'Acccademia (Accademia Bridge) – stand on this bridge for a picture perfect view of Venice. 🍨 Gelato from Suso Gelatoteca – savor some gelato by the canals – this gelato shop offers plenty of flavors and amazing textures. Pistachio was my favorite! 🚓 Bridge of Sighs – imagine the sighs of prisoners as they walked across this bridge to their prison cells, seeing the last glimpse of Venice. You can walk on the bridge with tickets to Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale). 🕌 Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark's Basilica) – marvel at this opulent, beautiful chuch in Piazza San Marco. 🏰 Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo – walk up the staircase for a marvelous view. ☕️ Caffe Florian – an elegant historic coffee house since the 1700s. Oldest cafe in Italy! 📚 Libreria Acqua Alta – explore the most beautiful book shop for a unique experience. 📌 Save this reel for your Venice trip! 👉🏻 Follow @minywander for more travel inspo and tips! #venice #visitvenice #italy #visititaly #italia #veniceitaly #europeansummer #veniceguide #europetrip #dalmoro #traveltips Summer in Venice | summer Europe trip | italy travel guide | venice travel guide | venice things to do | italy trip | italy travel tips | venice best activities ♬ Radiate Light – DJ Taz Rashid
Burano enjoys a Mediterranean climate, meaning hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters are the norm. The summer months are the hottest, with temperatures averaging at 29°C. More Trending
The shoulder seasons of April to May and September to October also offer pleasant weather. Temperatures can range between 17°C and 24°C. So, for those who don't like it too hot and prefer fewer crowds, this may be the best time to go.
During winter, it can drop to 7°C.
However, whichever season you prefer, there's no 'good' or 'bad' time to visit Burano – the island's colourful houses and canals remain charming whatever the weather.
Remember the 30 million annual visitors that head to Venice? As many as 120,000 pop over to Venice just for the day. This outnumbers permanent residents massively, as just 55,000 people call Venice home.
Earlier this year, the city's authorities confirmed that the current €5 (£4.20) entry fee for daytrippers will increase to €10 (£8.30) — but only for last-minute travellers who book less than four days in advance.
Over the years, the city has taken various measures to reduce tourism to achieve safer levels.
In 2021, the Italian government banned cruise ships over 25,000 gross tons from entering the Giudecca Canal, which leads to the historic city centre. In 2015, the Mayor of Venice authorised fines of €500 (£428) for noisy, wheeled suitcases in the centre.
Similarly, loudspeakers for guides have been banned, and a 'smart' city system has been implemented. The Smart Control Room is used to monitor and manage certain aspects of the city, including tourist flows, tracking footfall and optimising public transportation.
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