Boat tour to Burano
Island of Burano Tour
Boat tour to Burano
Being farther from Venice than the other islands, the best way to visit Burano is to hop aboard one of our boats and enjoy one of our tours.
The name Burano derives from “Porta Boreana,” referring to the northeast-facing gate of Altino, the direction from which the bora wind blows. Like Torcello, this island was likely founded by the people of Altino, fleeing the arrival of the Huns and Lombards.
Burano is mainly located on four islands in the Northern Lagoon and is connected to the island of Mazzorbo by a bridge.
The houses were originally very primitive, built on stilts with cane and mud walls. Later, they were replaced by brick houses. The peculiarity of Burano’s homes lies in their brightly colored exteriors.
It is believed this originated because the island, predominantly inhabited by fishermen, often experienced foggy and misty conditions due to its humid, marshy environment. Each family used a specific color to identify their home when returning from fishing trips. Today, some houses feature multiple colors, indicating changes in ownership.
During the Serenissima Republic, Burano, then home to around 8,000 people, was an island of poor fishermen and farmers. It was the art of lace-making that brought fame to the island, enabling its craftsmanship to be exported worldwide.
According to legend, this artisan tradition began with a fisherman. Resisting the sirens’ song for his beloved awaiting him in Burano, he was rewarded by the queen of the waves with a crown of foam to gift to his bride. Inspired by the veil’s beauty, her friends tried to replicate it, starting a tradition of lace-making that dates back to the 16th century.
Another famous local product is the Bussolà biscuits, made with eggs and butter, shaped into circles or S-shapes. Burano also boasts numerous restaurants that, taking advantage of the island’s natural offerings, serve excellent fresh seafood dishes.