My Photography & Travel Guide to Burano, Italy
Burano is a photographer’s paradise. It is an extremely photogenic island located 9 km from Venice. It is famous for its colorful houses, lace-making, and local fish cuisine. If you are visiting Venice, I would definitely take a short boat ride to the island.
Homes have been painted in vibrant colors since the 6th century to help fishermen find their way back home in the fog. Even today, property owners must request permission and select acceptable colors from the Italian government before painting a new coat of paint on their homes.
There’s a moment as your vaporetto glides away from the bustle of Venice, and the bright candy-colored houses of Burano come into view — like someone spilled a box of crayons into the lagoon. Fishermen call to each other from boats, laundry flutters between second-story windows, and the air smells like sea salt and slow afternoons. It’s quiet here, but not still — life hums gently along the canals.
Burano isn’t just pretty — it’s joyful. Every street corner is a splash of saturated color, every reflection in the canals a painting. I’ve visited five times, and it still surprises me. Whether you’re photographing with a Canon R5 or your iPhone, Burano is generous with its beauty. The light bounces differently off each painted wall. A green shutter next to a coral doorway becomes a composition. A quiet square bathed in golden light becomes your best portrait setting of the year.
The island was so renowned for lace that Leonardo da Vinci visited to shop for the Burano lace that covers the main altar of the Duomo in Milan
This guide is packed with everything you need to plan your photography adventure to Burano (and a side trip to Murano): top photo locations, where to stay and eat, travel tips, gear suggestions for DSLR and smartphone shooters, seasonal light notes, and some of my favorite moments from years of exploring these islands.
Where to Stay in Burano
While most travelers stay in Venice and take a day trip to Burano, staying overnight on the island offers something magical: early morning mist and empty canals before the day-trippers arrive. Burano has a few charming boutique options, and Venice offers more upscale stays with easy access to the islands.
Burano
Casa Burano: A beautiful, design-forward guesthouse scattered across several restored homes. Rooms have a modern aesthetic while preserving Burano’s colorful charm. It’s steps from the canals and a dream base for sunrise photography.
Best time to visit Burano
To avoid the crowds, consider visiting early in the morning. Burano has become a hugely popular destination due to Instagram.
Spring (April–May): My favorite season — mild weather, fewer tourists, and perfect diffused light. The canals are calm, and flowers bloom on windowsills.
Summer (June–August): Bright and bold. The midday sun is harsh, but early mornings and evenings give saturated colors and strong shadows. Bring ND filters for long exposures.
Fall (September–October): Golden and soft. Slight haze in the air makes for dreamy reflections. Light lasts longer, and colors glow.
Winter (December–February): Quiet, foggy, and moody — perfect for minimalist photography. The pastel colors against a gray sky are unexpectedly stunning.
It only takes about 1-2 hours to explore the entire Island, and the boat ride out on the Vaporetto is beautiful.
How About Murano?
I recommend visiting Murano as well. It is another beautiful island and is located much closer to Venice than Burano.
The island of Murano is famous for its long tradition of glass-making. There is even a Museum of Glass (Museo del Vetro). So, I recommend visiting both islands. I would first go to Burano and then stop in Murano on the way back.
Getting to Murano & Burano
Burano and Murano are car-free islands. You’ll arrive via vaporetto (public ferry).
Take Line 12 from Fondamente Nove in Venice to Burano (about 45 minutes).
Wear good walking shoes — the cobblestones are charming but uneven.
Travel light. I recommend a small backpack, a crossbody for your phone, and a compact tripod.
Be mindful of foot traffic on narrow bridges, especially during midday crowds.
Ferries leave every 20 – 30 minutes throughout the day, and it takes about 45 minutes to reach Burano. You can get the timetable for the ferry service from Venice to Burano here. The cost of a round-trip ticket is about 15 Euros and you can buy the tickets at the Ferry Terminal.
When the Outfit Matches the Houses
Another option is to go from Venice to Burano by private water taxi, but it will cost at least 130 to 140 euros each way.
Dining & Coffee
Burano’s food scene leans traditional, simple, seafood-focused, and perfect for slow lunches. If you love seafood, be sure to try the local fish. After watching an episode of Anthony Bourdain, we wanted to try the Trattoria Al Gatto Nero. Please make a reservation in advance. This restaurant is well known for its seafood and risotto.
Trattoria al Gatto Nero: An institution. Try the risotto di Go, a local specialty. Sit canal-side at lunch when the light is best.
Riva Rosa: Intimate and upscale, with rooftop seating and elegant seafood. Best at golden hour.
Panificio Pasticceria Palmisano Carmelina: For a sweet bite, grab a bussolà (Burano’s butter cookie) and shoot the pastel storefront in morning light.
Murano:
B Restaurant alla Vecchia Pescheria: Set in a converted fish market, this hidden gem has stylish interiors and great natural light.
Photography Challenge in Burano
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced here, especially in summer, is managing the intense midday sun. The bright colors of the buildings can become harsh and overexposed fast. I’ve learned to shoot early, break midday for lunch or a gelato, and head back out in the soft light of late afternoon. If you’re using a phone, tap-to-expose on the brightest section of the frame to retain detail. If you're on a DSLR, a polarizer and an ND filter are your best friends.
What Photography Gear to Bring to Burano
For Mirrorless/DSLR Users:
Camera: Canon R5, Sony A7R IV, Nikon Z7 II, etc.
Lenses: 24–70mm for walkaround, 35mm for street scenes, 70–200mm for compression and details.
Accessories: Circular polarizer (for canal reflections), ND filters (long exposures), compact tripod, spare batteries.
Smartphone Photography Tip Box
Use Portrait Mode for tight shots of details and window displays.
Wide lens for canals and vertical shots of colorful homes.
Shoot during early morning or late afternoon for best light.
Try Live Photos or burst mode to capture boats and movement.
Edit with Lightroom Mobile or Snapseed on the ferry back to Venice.
Bring a battery pack — shooting all day drains quickly.
What to do in Burano
Wander the streets
People come to Burano mainly to see the beautiful, bright houses. Because the island is so small and flat, you can easily walk around the entire island on foot. There are no cars here!
Alleyways
See the Terranova and Tre Ponti bridges. And don’t miss out on Casa di Bepi Suà, the most famous and colourful house on the island.
Doors
I would appreciate your taking the time to look at the details. I love to photograph doors.
Canals
Stroll along the canals, get a gelato, and take a lot of photos.
Colorful Houses
The houses are so vibrant in color. I also loved how many different colors are used to pain the houses.
Shop at the Galuppi Street
The main street of Burano is called Via Galuppi, and it is lined with shops and restaurants. The best shops for purchasing the handmade lace are La Perla and Dalla Lidia Merletti D’Arte.
Final Thoughts
Burano has a way of slowing you down — the kind of place where you set the camera down just to breathe it in. Whether you’re chasing reflections, pastel walls, or just moments of stillness, I hope this guide helps you see Burano (and Murano) through new eyes.
If this helped you plan your Burano photography trip — whether you shoot with an iPhone or a full kit — I’d love it if you shared it or tagged me in your shots. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook, or sign up for my newsletter for more guides. And if you're dreaming of joining a future photo workshop in Italy, you can sign up here to hear when the next one launches.
