Burano

Join a guided tour of the Venetian islands and stroll through the winding streets of this charming island to admire the brightly painted houses and watch a lace-making demonstration. A private tour of Burano, Murano, and Torcello islands is a fascinating way to explore the less famous corners of the Floating City by boat.

• A boat trip to Burano is a must for photography buffs, who will love capturing the vibrant colors.

• Venice island tours require getting on and off a boat, so confirm wheelchair and stroller accessibility ahead of time.

• Burano lace, like Murano glass, is made entirely by hand and is very expensive. Don't be fooled by cheap industrial knock-offs sold at many souvenir shops.

• The island's main street is lined with souvenir shops, cafés, and restaurants.

From St. Mark's Square, take the 5.2 vaporetto from the San Zaccaria stop to Fondamente Nove, then transfer to the 12 to Burano. Boats run until late, but if you miss the last vaporetto, you’ll have to take what may be an expensive water taxi back to Venice.

Though the small islands outside Venice are less visited than sights like St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, they can still get quite crowded. The best time to visit is in early spring or late fall. If you’re there in summer, head to Burano first thing in the morning.

Burano is often mistaken for Murano, the island known for its long history of glass blowing. You can easily visit both in a single day on a tour that combines them both. You’ll want to see Burano for the photo opportunities and lace-making and Murano for the glass-making demonstrations in the island's many glass factories.