🏝️ Burano and Torcello: The Full Lagoon Experience

Beyond Murano — Discover Venice’s Most Magical Islands

Most visitors to Venice know about Murano, the island of world-famous glass. But fewer know about its colorful cousin Burano, or the ancient, mysterious Torcello — two hidden gems floating in the northern lagoon, just a short boat ride away from the main city.

This is your complete guide to exploring Burano and Torcello, including how to get there, what to do, where to eat, and how to experience the real heart of the Venetian lagoon — far from the cruise ship crowds.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning Venice lover looking for something new, these two islands will surprise, charm, and stay with you forever.

🗺️ Where Are Burano and Torcello?

🌈 Burano is about 45 minutes from central Venice by vaporetto, northeast of Murano.
🏛️ Torcello is just 5 minutes beyond Burano by a small connecting bridge and path.
Both are part of the northern lagoon, a vast, shimmering wetland of water, reeds, canals, and stories.

Pro tip: Visit both in a single day for the perfect lagoon escape.

🚤 How to Get to Burano and Torcello

🛥️ Public Vaporetto (Water Bus)

From Fondamente Nove (Venice):
Take Line 12 → Stops at Murano, Mazzorbo, Burano, and continues to Torcello.
- Frequency: Every 20–40 minutes
- Duration: ~45 minutes to Burano, another 5–10 to Torcello

🚤 Private Tour or Water Taxi

With Tour Leader Venice, you can book a custom half-day or full-day boat tour, including:
- A luxury wooden boat
- A licensed guide
- Skip-the-line visits with artisans
- Local lunch reservations

🎨 Burano: A Living Rainbow

Burano isn’t just colorful — it’s spectacularly, joyfully, Instagram-breakingly colorful. Every house is painted a different hue, from neon pinks to deep blues to bright canary yellows. But Burano is more than just pretty — it’s also:

🧵 The Island of Lace

For centuries, Burano has been famous for handmade lace. Delicate, intricate, and entirely made by hand (yes, still), Burano lace is one of Venice’s most precious crafts.

“My grandmother worked on a single lace collar for three months,” one artisan told us.

🏠 Why Are the Houses So Colorful?

Legend says fishermen painted them in different colors so they could spot their homes from the lagoon while returning in the fog. Today, it’s tradition — and it’s regulated. Residents must request permission to repaint… and stick to the approved palette.

🔝 What to Do in Burano

✅ 1. Wander and Photograph Every Alley

Get wonderfully lost. Each canal and corner is more photogenic than the last.

✅ 2. Visit the Lace Museum (Museo del Merletto)

Learn about the history and techniques of Venetian lace-making in a charming small museum in Piazza Galuppi.

✅ 3. Climb Toward the Leaning Bell Tower

Yes — Burano has its own leaning tower! The Campanile di San Martino leans at a dramatic angle and makes for great photos.

✅ 4. Visit the Church of San Martino

Simple and peaceful inside, it also contains a rare Tiepolo painting.

✅ 5. Stop at Local Workshops

Avoid souvenir shops selling factory-made lace. Look for certified artisan studios, like:

Martina Vidal Atelier
Dalla Lidia Merletti d’Arte

Ask to see the artisans at work — some still sew in traditional fashion, without machines.

🍝 Where to Eat in Burano

Burano is also known for some of the best seafood in the lagoon. If you’re lucky enough to get a table at one of these gems — your day will be complete.

🥇 Trattoria Al Gatto Nero

Michelin-rated, family-run
Known for: Seafood risotto, grilled fish, homemade pasta
Book in advance!

🥈 Riva Rosa

Romantic setting by the water
Known for: Scampi crudi, branzino, and stunning presentation
Ask for a table on the roof terrace

🥉 Trattoria da Romano

Historic, artsy interior (even Picasso ate here)
Known for: Risotto di Go (goby fish risotto — classic lagoon dish)

🌾 Torcello: Venice Before Venice

A short walk from Burano brings you to Torcello — quiet, green, and ghostly. It’s hard to believe now, but Torcello is where Venice began.

By the 10th century, Torcello had more than 10,000 residents, compared to just 10 today. Plagues and the shifting lagoon slowly emptied the island, leaving behind ancient ruins and a haunting calm.

🧭 What to See on Torcello

🕍 1. Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta

Founded in 639 AD
Home to one of Italy’s most stunning Byzantine mosaics: The Last Judgment.
Climb the bell tower for sweeping views of the lagoon — unmissable.

🏛️ 2. Church of Santa Fosca

Elegant Romanesque church surrounded by olive trees and silence.
Free to enter. Great place to sit and reflect.

🪑 3. The Throne of Attila

A big stone chair in the campo, said to belong to Attila the Hun. (Spoiler: It didn’t. But it’s fun to imagine.)

🐦 4. Explore the Nature Paths

Torcello is full of birds, butterflies, and wildflowers. Bring binoculars if you’re into birdwatching.

🍽️ Where to Eat in Torcello

🥂 Locanda Cipriani

The island’s most famous restaurant
Visited by Hemingway, Queen Elizabeth, and Charlie Chaplin
Refined, romantic, pricey — but unforgettable

Local tip: Even if you don’t eat here, stop for a coffee in the garden where Hemingway once scribbled notes for Across the River and Into the Trees.

🛶 The Perfect Day Trip Itinerary

⏰ Morning:

Depart Venice from Fondamente Nove
Arrive in Burano
Explore, visit the lace museum
Take a million photos

🥗 Lunch in Burano:

Try Al Gatto Nero or Riva Rosa

⏰ Afternoon:

Walk to Torcello
Visit the basilica, climb the bell tower
Explore the ruins and nature paths

🧁 Late afternoon:

Stop for dessert back in Burano (try a bussolà, the traditional butter cookie)

🌅 Return to Venice at sunset:

Golden hour over the lagoon? Priceless.

💡 Tips for a Smooth Trip

Buy a daily vaporetto pass if using public transport (24h = €25)
Wear comfortable shoes — cobblestones and bridges await
Bring water and sunscreen, especially in summer
Book restaurants in advance
Visit in the off-season (April, May, September, October) for fewer crowds

❤️ Final Thoughts: Why Burano and Torcello Are the Heart of the Lagoon

Visiting Burano and Torcello isn’t just a pretty detour. It’s a chance to step into the living, breathing soul of Venice — its craftsmanship, its origins, its quiet.

Burano gives you color, creativity, and connection.
Torcello offers peace, history, and perspective.

Together, they create a day you’ll remember forever.

🎉 Want a stress-free, local-led experience to Burano and Torcello?
Tour Leader Venice offers private lagoon boat tours, artisan visits, and curated lunches so you can enjoy the magic — without maps or missed boats.

Let us turn your island day into a memory that lasts a lifetime.