Beyond Murano — Discover Venice’s Most Magical Islands
Everyone’s heard of Murano — the island of glass, fire, and artistry. But only the curious make it further, into the quieter reaches of the northern lagoon, where two smaller islands keep Venice’s spirit alive: Burano and Torcello.
Color, calm, history, and heart — all just a boat ride away. Whether it’s your first time in Venice or your fifth, these islands reveal a side of the city most visitors never see.
Here’s your complete guide to exploring Burano and Torcello: how to get there, what to see, where to eat, and how to experience the lagoon as Venetians do — slowly, beautifully, and with meaning.
🗺️ Where Are Burano and Torcello?
They sit in the northern lagoon — a serene, mirror-bright world of water and reeds, dotted with tiny islands that once formed the first Venetian settlements.
- 🌈 Burano: About 45 minutes by vaporetto from Venice’s Fondamente Nove, northeast of Murano.
- 🏛️ Torcello: A 5-minute walk beyond Burano, connected by a small wooden bridge and quiet footpath.
Pro tip: Visit both in one day — Burano for color, Torcello for calm.
🚤 How to Get There
🛥️ By Vaporetto (Public Water Bus)
From Fondamente Nove (north Venice):
- Take Line 12 → stops at Murano, Mazzorbo, Burano, then Torcello.
- Frequency: every 20–40 minutes.
- Duration: ~45 min to Burano, + 5–10 min to Torcello.
- Buy a vaporetto pass (24 h ≈ €25) — it’ll save you time and money.
🚤 By Private Boat Tour
Want something seamless and cinematic? Our Unforgettable Island-Hopping Tour includes:
- ✨ A private luxury wooden boat
- 🧭 Licensed local guide
- 🥂 Lagoon-side lunch reservations
- 🎨 Authentic artisan visits with no lines or crowds
It’s the easiest way to explore the lagoon — in style.
🎨 Burano — The Island of Color & Craft
Imagine a rainbow that fell into the lagoon and decided to stay. That’s Burano — a patchwork of candy-colored houses, laundry lines swaying over canals, and locals chatting across bridges. It’s one of those places that feels like a postcard come to life.
🧵 The Island of Lace
Burano’s lace is legendary. For centuries, its women have created needle-fine masterpieces entirely by hand — no machines, no shortcuts. A single lace collar can take months.
“My Nonna spent three months on a collar the size of a dinner plate,” an artisan told me, laughing — “and sold it only because she needed money for carnival costumes.”
Today, real lace is rare — but not lost. You can still meet artisans keeping the tradition alive on our hands-on artisan experiences.
🏠 Why the Houses Are So Bright
Legend says fishermen painted their homes in vivid colors to spot them through the fog on their return from sea. Even today, locals must request permission to repaint and stick to the official palette — proof that Burano takes color seriously.
🔝 Things to Do in Burano
- Wander aimlessly. Every alley is photogenic; every canal, a painting. No plan needed — just curiosity.
- Visit the Lace Museum (Museo del Merletto). Learn how threads turned into art for five centuries.
- Spot the Leaning Tower. Campanile di San Martino tilts more than you’d expect — and makes every selfie dramatic.
- Step into San Martino Church. Quiet beauty and a rare Tiepolo painting await inside.
- Meet real lace makers. Visit certified ateliers such as Martina Vidal or Dalla Lidia Merletti d’Arte — you’ll see living heritage in action.
🍝 Where to Eat in Burano
Seafood + sunshine = Burano bliss. These family-run trattorie define Venetian flavor:
- 🥇 Al Gatto Nero da Ruggero — Michelin-rated, beloved by locals. Try the risotto di Go (goby fish risotto) or spaghetti alle vongole.
- 🥈 Riva Rosa — Romantic, refined, with a rooftop terrace worth the reservation.
- 🥉 Trattoria da Romano — Historic, artsy, and delicious; even Picasso ate here.
Need a table with zero stress? Our Cicchetti & Wine Tour team can book you local favorites and introduce you to hidden osterie on the way back.
🌾 Torcello — Venice Before Venice
Just across a narrow bridge from Burano lies Torcello, a peaceful, green island that feels suspended in time. Hard to believe, but this is where Venice began — a thriving settlement by the 7th century, home to 10,000 people before the main city even existed.
Today? Fewer than 20 residents. But its ruins, churches, and silence whisper stories older than Venice itself.
🧭 What to See on Torcello
- Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta (639 AD) — climb the bell tower for one of the lagoon’s most breathtaking panoramas. Inside: shimmering Byzantine mosaics of The Last Judgment that rival Ravenna.
- Church of Santa Fosca — serene Romanesque perfection, surrounded by olive trees. Free entry, priceless calm.
- Throne of Attila — a large stone chair in the square. No, it wasn’t Attila’s, but it’s great for photos and stories.
- Nature Paths & Birdlife — herons, egrets, and lagoon flowers. Bring binoculars and a quiet heart.
🍽️ Where to Eat in Torcello
There’s one restaurant you can’t miss — because it’s a legend:
🥂 Locanda Cipriani — once visited by Hemingway, Queen Elizabeth II, and Charlie Chaplin. Refined but warm, it feels like stepping into a dream. Even if you don’t stay for lunch, stop for a coffee in its rose garden where Hemingway wrote notes for *Across the River and Into the Trees*.
🛶 Perfect Day-Trip Itinerary
⏰ Morning — Depart & Discover
- Leave Venice (Fondamente Nove) by vaporetto Line 12 or join our Lagoon Tour.
- Stop at Murano briefly for glassblowing if you wish.
- Arrive in Burano — wander, visit the Lace Museum, snap photos under every bridge.
🥗 Lunch in Burano
- Dine at Al Gatto Nero or Riva Rosa for fresh seafood with a view.
⏰ Afternoon — Torcello Time
- Walk the footpath to Torcello (10 min).
- Climb the bell tower of Santa Maria Assunta.
- Visit Santa Fosca and the Throne of Attila.
- Stroll the nature paths before the crowds leave.
🧁 Late Afternoon
- Return to Burano for a coffee and “bussolà” — the buttery local cookie you’ll dream about later.
🌅 Sunset Return
Head back toward Venice just as the sun dips over the lagoon — golden light, calm water, and the feeling that you’ve time-traveled somewhere sacred.
💡 Local Tips for a Smooth Trip
- 🎫 Buy a day vaporetto pass if you’re using public transport.
- 👟 Wear comfortable shoes — there are bridges everywhere.
- ☀️ Bring water and sunscreen in summer months.
- 🍽️ Book restaurants ahead — especially on weekends.
- 🍂 Visit April–May or September–October for fewer crowds and cooler breezes.
❤️ Why Burano & Torcello Are the Heart of the Lagoon
Visiting these islands isn’t just a detour — it’s a pilgrimage into Venice’s soul. Burano bursts with life and color; Torcello whispers of beginnings and endings. Together, they tell the story of a city that rose from water and memory.
Burano gives you creativity and connection. Torcello gives you peace and perspective. The lagoon gives you clarity — and a sense that some places were made to be felt, not ticked off a list.
🎉 Ready to See Them with Locals Who Know Every Ripple?
Skip the guesswork and let us show you the lagoon we call home. Our Lagoon Tours and Slow-Lagoon Experiences combine Burano, Torcello, and Murano with artisan visits and local flavors — crafted just for you.
🚤 Book Your Private Island-Hopping Tour
🌊 Explore the Hidden Gems of the Venetian Lagoon
Because Venice isn’t just a city on water — it’s an archipelago of stories waiting to be discovered.
