You’ve probably already seen photos of Burano’s colorful houses, painted in those bright hues so that returning fishermen can find them in the fog. Though Burano’s age-old traditions of fishing and lacemaking are waning as time marches on, you can still find traces of them on a daytrip here, and you’ll get away from some of the craziness of Venice. Lots of people combine Burano with a stop at Murano, but do take at least a few hours to explore this quieter side of life in the Venetian Lagoon.
Time Out tip: Consider spending the night on Burano so you’ll be there in the evening, when fishing boats pull in for the night, neighbors lean out of their balconies chatting, and the day-trippers have gone home.
Nearby:
Museo del Merletto: For a fascinating look at Burano’s lacemaking traditions
Trattoria al Gatto Nero: For a memorable fresh-off-the-boat seafood dinner
Torcello Island: For a look at where Venetian history began