Venice is stunning, atmospheric and incredibly beautiful with no end of things to see and do. But it really is worth setting aside the time to take the 40 minute journey by water bus no.12 – from Fondamente Nove near St Mark’s Square – going out into the lagoon to visit the rainbow island of Burano!
When you hear about Burano you know there will be colourful buildings – it’s trademark that sets it apart from the other surrounding small islands – but there is no preparing you for the actual brightness, vibrancy and multicoloured-ness! A real life rainbow!
Originally the fisherman had painted their own home a bright colour so that it was easily recognisable to them on return, in dim light and with tired eyes, after a long night’s fishing trip! Nowadays it really is a huge selling point and draw to visitors so the houses are kept beautifully ship shape and freshly painted. Although you can’t just paint your home any old colour you fancy as there are rules and permissions from the town hall that need to be sought before any colour can be changed!
Obviously the explosion of colour coming from every angle is a delight! In addition though the houses also have so much character because of the billowing traditional door curtains, the hanging flower baskets in bloom and the washing lines full of freshly cleaned sheets and clothing!
It’s easy to forget that people actually live here as it looks and feels like a made up Disney set! But they do live and lead every day lives here alongside hordes of tourists continuously flocking in and photographing their homes and their washing !! This, of course, is the case for most tourist destinations but as Burano is so small and so compact it seemed more evident and therefore felt a need to be more respectful – you can still get all the shots you want but without being too intrusive!
In effect it is a miniature glowing Venice with narrower waterways giving it such an enchanting feel with yet even more colour within the boats that are moored en route around the island! And don’t be afraid to wander off of the busy tourist trail as there are gems of quiet squares and waterways that are just as pretty, interesting and full of bright facades!
We couldn’t have loved or enjoyed our day trip out of Venice more than here in this extraordinary place!
It is joy! It is happiness! Fun and quirkiness personified! You will not regret paying a visit!
If you love and/or are interested in stunning ITALY
then you may want to take a look at more of our Italian trips :
