By Alexandra Redisch in Burano
Italy will feature heavily here on Sophie’s World in the coming weeks and even months. And while the focus will be mainly on Umbria, we’ll have a few other little goodies here as well..
Last July, I spent a week in la bella Venezia with my fiancé. In Venice, the tiny, colourful island of Burano was one of our favourite places.
Burano lies just a stone’s throw from Venice’s Ponte Rialto. And while big brother Murano is certainly more prosperous, not to mention famous, Burano has a quirkiness to it that I have yet to see anywhere else. The island boasts exquisite lace making, fresh seafood and yummy lemon biscuits known as bussole, but is perhaps best known for its vibrant colours.
Houses generally have two or three storeys, with kitchen, breakfast nook and toilet on the ground floor and bedrooms further up. An ancient legend says the local fishermen painted their houses in bright colours to better see them from far out in the lagoon. Today, if you wish to paint your house, the government must first approve the colour.
Venice skyline on the horizon
The leaning tower of Burano
Burano has its very own leaning tower – the Campanile of the church of San Martino.
Trattoria al Gatto Nero da Ruggero…
…complete with a gorgeous real life gatto nero
Have you seen Burano? What’s your favourite spot in la bella Venezia?
Burano is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Venice and its lagoon.
The colours of the buildings are amazing! So cheerful 🙂
I know – it was a really strange place, actually. There’s a “similar” place in Northern Norway called Hammerfest, where, because of the weather, you have to paint your house every few years, so people tend to go crazy with the colous of their houses!
What a beautiful spot – kind of reminds me of the coloured houses in Newfoundland and in Quebec’s Magdalen Islands.
Really? I have to check them out, then!
Nice photos! I love all the colorful stucco houses along the canal.
Thanks Don. They’re easy to photograph, being so pretty 🙂
I love these shots! Italy is such a photogenic country!
I know!!! So easy to photograph!
Looks lovely. I’ll be in Venice in July so will try and make a stop in Burano as well.
You definitely should Laurel! Stop by Murano as well, that’s the island next to it. I’m hoping to get a post up on that as well soon!
Burano is magic – so colourful.
Colourful but not fussy and over the top, but rather serene and calm, I found. Something you don’t expect when the houses are so colourful…
It’s so pretty and colourful! I guess it makes sense that Italy would have more than one “leaning tower,” given the age of the buildings. The architecture there never ceases to amaze me.
I’m constantly surprised by Italy, too. Around every corner…
Little secret, I’ve never been to Venice 🙂 Lovely photos!
The you must go! Now!
I went there when I was fresh out of college and have always, always wanted to return. Someday! Gorgeous photos!
I went there in July, but it would be interesting to go back in another season, maybe in the autumn, to see what the colours are like then…
Your photos are really nice! I didn’t know that the color of the houses in Burano needed an approval from the government! Their houses are really colorful and it’s really fun to look at.
It’s crazy really, must be because of the tourists/ keeping the local traditions.
I still need to visit Venice, but Burano seems lovely, such nice colours, must be a relaxing place to spend a while 🙂
The islands around Venice are really nice for getting out of the heat, too 🙂
I love all the colors.
Me, too 🙂
Lovely photos! I visited Burano a few years ago and it is such a peacefull little place… I would love to go back
Thanks 🙂
Love the vibrant colours on these ones. That’s Italy for you!
Very Italian,isn’t it…
” Today, if you wish to paint your house, the government must first approve the colour.”
Is this true? What’s wrong with choosing a paint color for your house?
Hannah – the house colours follow a specific system for historic reasons, so when painting your house, you can only use approved colours for the given part of the island.
I went to Burano a couple of years ago, but it was too rainy to appreciate it! We just had a quick overview of the city and moved away! Would like to go back in summer! 🙂
Something about a sunny summer day – makes the colour stand out even brighter…
Its been some time since we visited the outer islands near Venice and this brings back wonderful memories. We’ve been eyeing a cruise from Venice this year so I will look forward to your future posts on the one you took.
Alex and her fiance stopped in all sorts of lovely locations in Greece, Croatia and Turkey. Posts will be forthcoming 🙂
Beautiful shots! It could be an advert for colors, these wonderful houses are creating a breathtaking landscape. Mediterranean lifestyle. I can feel it.
Thank you, Anne 🙂
I have heard that Burano should not be missed while visiting Venice! Absolutely love the first picture. In fact, I’m still smiling 🙂
That’s my fave, too 🙂
How absolutely charming. I’d never heard of Burano before. Another place to add to the list. Thanks Alexandra + Sophie!
Both Burano and Murano islands are excellent stops when in Venice.
Great that you also found the real gatto nero! Brava! I adore Venice, too. I loved that we stayed on Lido Island and took the vaporetto every day to get to the main part of Venice. I also just enjoyed wandering around the less populated streets – quite a melancholic atmosphere with those crumbling yet beautiful houses and nobody around!
Staying on Lido is a very good idea, Christina.
God how gorgeous, I’ve got Italy envy! Been to Venice twice but not to the islands – next time!
The islands really are gorgeous – and a bit different from Venice herself.
I’ve been to Italy and Venice on my recently-concluded 70-day solo backpacking trip in Europe but unfortunately, I never got around to visiting the islands. I only stayed in the mainland. Too bad though, Burano looks so charming!
Always good to leave a little something for next time…
Such bright, cheerful buildings! I’d never heard of this place either, but it looks lovely.
🙂
I’ve seen a few posts about Burano and it looks so perfect. I’ve been to Venice a few times, Murano once, but never to Burano. I should have gone there instead of Murano! Next time 🙂
I think they’re both interesting to see.
Beautiful photos! We loved Burano and wished we had more time to visit. We were there during late November and the colors were just as vibrant. Though, the best photos we had were during dusk when their street lights were shining on all the colorful houses.
Would love to see your night time photos of Burano, Mary..
I love that the colors of the houses are all different. And the tiny alleys between the houses!
So Italian, isn’t it?
I just love the colorful buildings in Italy! Beautiful pictures!
Thanks, Becca.
Burano is so lovely and colourful – I would love to visit that part of Italy soon!
Well, summer’s just around the corner… 🙂
I was 16 when I visited. This brings back some very old, fun memories.
I was 15 when I was first in Venice. First time abroad without family – I have really good, fun memories as well 🙂
Breakaway Backpacker recommended Burano to me and it is really worth the afternoon just to wander the gorgeous streets.
For the colours alone!
Great photos of Burano. I made it to the bigger island, but skipped this one.
think that is the best article thet i have read