Our two days in Venice had been just the way any holiday to your dream destination should be. Doing everything that the heart wished for. Hectic at times and relaxed moments as well. Add to that some great food all through made the foodie in me immensely satisfied. But possibly the best way to end a holiday in Venice is to visit these 3 islands on your last day. We did just that with our morning spent well in the Glass Island of Murano followed by a nice lunch. And now we head for the best of Burano Torcello, Venice. Yet again after Murano, these two islands are also bound to steal your heart away.
Burano – The colorful Fishermen’s Village
Ranked among the top 10 most colorful destinations in the world, Burano steals the traveler’s heart with their vibrant colors. With houses in red, blue, green, yellow, violet and all others that you can imagine. Legend has it that all houses were painted in striking colors for fishermen to identify their houses from the water.
You’ll love the homes with colorful flowers hanging out from their balconies. And you can’t miss out the smiling and calm craftswomen pursuing their passion for embroidering laces Murano is renowned for. Moreover the sight of happy children cycling all around adds to the charm of this lovable island.
But let’s first experience the Riot of Colors
Also Read- How to enjoy the best of Murano
It’s like planning your own at great prices
Best way to reach Burano & Torcello
Although you have the options of water taxis and conducted small group tours to reach Burano from Venice or Murano, they are the costlier options and not too flexible either The best way to travel around Venice and the islands are the Vaporetto Water Buses. Buy your 1,2,3 or 7 day Actv public transport tickets and you are ready to go. Anywhere anytime throughout your stay. Use line 12 to reach Murano, Burano or Torcello from Venice or when traveling between the islands.
How to enjoy Burano
Walk around the Canals and explore
Walk to the ‘Lace Museum’
Museo del Merletto or Lace museum as it is popularly known is located at the historic palace ‘Podestà of Torcello’ in Piazza Galuppi. You would get a complete overview of the history and artistry of the famed Venetian laces here. Add to that close to 200 rare and precious masterpieces displayed inside for you to understand and marvel at. Do book your Lace Museum online tickets in advance from the museum website to avoid queues. Come experience a bit with us.
Take a stroll on Piazza Galuppi, the Central Square
Visit San Martino Church & admire the leaning Bell Tower
Watch a Lace Making Demonstration
Do some shopping in Piazza Galuppi
Head to Restaurant Galuppi
A nice cool place to relax at the center square, you might have to wait a while for your turn as the place is quite busy. But when you do get your table, do chill with a coffee or beer and a specialty Venice dish ‘Risotto de gò’ made from Go fish, rice, carrots, onion, celery, a bit of parsley and aromas.
Or settle for a Seafood Spaghetti like we did splitting it up between the two of us, filling up a bit before our late evening flight. And it was fantastic not only in the presentation but taste as well. If you are a vegetarian, there are many options to choose from. Not so sure about vegans though. You could check it out when there.
Enjoy nature, click a few
Head to Torcello
Also Read- Best itinerary for 3 Days in Venice
Tailor-made holidays just for you
Torcello – The Peace Haven
Right from the moment you set foot on the island, there is a sense of eternal peace. An island with just 15 permanent residents now, it was a bustling village till the silted canals and malaria drove almost everyone away to the safety of Venice and other islands. Now you can hear the chirping of birds, watch the flowing stream of the Venetian lagoon and enjoy nature as you walk and explore.
What to do in Torcello
Take a Leisurely Walk
Past the homes and the canals
Have a look at the only surviving Vineyard
Visit Torcello Cathedral & Santa Fosca Church
Walk to Ponte del Diavolo
Sit a while on the bridge
Drop in at Locanda Cipriani
Torcello does not have too many eating joints except few small ones on the canal. Locanda Cipriani stands out as a nice restaurant and is known for being a top destination wedding location. We weren’t really hungry but went in to check the facilities. Then had a coffee before moving back to the dock.
Wait a while for your Vaporetto
And we sail back to Venice
If you loved being in Burano & Torcello with us, PIN it for planning later!
Oh, how I wish I had more time to explore Burano and get to Torcello when I was in Venice! We literally took the boat to Burano to snap a few photos as the pier and then turned right around so we could catch the train back to Florence. I was hoping to see the lace-making museum! I would have loved to come home with a few of those lace-embellished tops in my suitcase. And I had no idea Torcello had so few residents, or that you could see the mountain range! After seeing your post, I know I definitely need to get back there to explore more…and soon!
Yes Jackie it’s a beautiful few hours visiting the three islands of Burano, Torcello and Murano. Reason to go back.
Burano is a beautiful place with rows of colorful houses by the waterfront. Museo del Marletto offers enriching exhibits of lace making besides an authentic lace making demonstration. And that seafood spaghetti looks so yummy and I can understand why you enjoyed every bit of it and so does the risotto. The island of Torcello indeed looks like a peace haven with medieval charm of soothing greenery beside canals and bridges for a leisurely walk. Ponte del diavolo is a unique bridge.Touring Burano, Torcello on a vaporetto is a unique experience I would love to experience.
I am sure you will certainly fall in love when you visit.
Yes, Vaporetto water buses are the cheapest option to get around. I have read about your Murano article, and now here reading amazing things about Burano. The lace-making demonstration was very interesting. Torcello is another beautiful I got to know about from your blog.
Thanks Shreya. Happy you found the post useful.
I explored Burano as well as a day trip, when I last visited Venice. Such a beautiful place with so many things to see and experience. Indeed, taking the Vaporetto is the most economical solution, and you can get there in no time. I didn’t go to Tocello as well as it was my last day and I had a flight to catch in the afternoon as well, but from what you’ve written, it sounds very beautiful, I’d like to go there next time I’m in Venice.
Yes Joanna Torcello is very different from the other islands. And you must explore next time.
Thank you for sharing these tips on how to enjoy Burano. I love the idea of walking and explore the area. It would be nice to visit the Lace Museum too and of course, shopping!
My pleasure Clarice. Happy you loved reading.
I loved reading this as we are planning to visit Venice in June. I haven’t looked up anything yet so I don’t know what to do there. But I will for sure bookmark your posts for our future travels. I can’t wait to eat all the Italian delicious foods.
Great Paula. Have a wonderful time when there.
Those fishermen’s homes are indeed so colorful and they do make great subjects for a photographer. It was quite illuminating to read about the lace industry here – I for one, did not know about it at all. I even enjoyed discovering the leaning Bell tower. Definitely Burano makes a great outing.
Yes Ami Burano definitely is worth a visit. And Torcello as well. Very serene.
We always use the vaporettos to travel around Venice and the local areas. I love the idea of exploring the riot of colour that is Burano Torcello. We would definitely wander and discover all the local gems. I normally don’t shop when we travel but I might not be able to miss on a lace souvenir! A seafood lunch would keep us happy for hours.
I have realised over time that Linda we are travellers with similar likes and dislikes. Yes Venice and the islands are so colourful.
I’m yet to visit Venice but more than Venice, I’m interested in Burano, since I love handmade stuff. Indeed the buildings are a riot of colors! I really wouldn’t miss a lace making demonstration. Totally my kinda thing to do. Torcello looks great, esp. with the backdrop of those mountains. I would definitely spend some time at the historic sites in Torcello.
Yes lace making demonstration was really nice Bhushavali. Worth the time spent.
Nice share. It all looks amazing. We are visiting Venice in November. Thank u 👍👍
You’ll love it. Best wishes for your trip. Have a great time.
Thank you so much 🙏