Only accessible by boat, Burano is a town of 3000 people known for textiles, seafood, and colorful buildings.
I have never seen anything like it.
Fish & Fine Dining
As soon as I walked off the boat I smell fresh fish. Sure enough within a few feet, after getting off the boat, stands a seafood restaurant. The entire city of Burano is laced with seafood joints, bakeries, and fine dining restaurants perfect for carb loading. Even knowing this I had a hankering for a cappuccino. The boat ride was a little chilly, and a hot cup of coffee is exactly what I needed. I sat in Al Vecio Pipa Vida, leached off some of their wifi, and enjoyed the warm for a few minutes.
Stepping outside I am ready to brave the cold.
Barely able to contain my excitement, I strolled up and down the streets of Burano. Burano is so picturesque, it is a photographers dream. I turn around a corner and I spot another set of colored houses blending with one another.
Architecture & Living
The houses were originally painted bright colors so that fishermen would find their way back home with ease. Each family has a specific color. It is amazing when beauty can collide with practicality. All buildings have the iconic Italian wavy shaped reddish-brown rooftops.
During the winter months, Burano is a quiet and cool place. Almost like a shade of blue, is blanketed over the city. There is not much to do, but a lot to see. Burano is an excellent place for the ultimate relaxation.
Local Culture
In the midst of awe-struck tourists, like myself, there is a local culture of Burano. I see fishermen coming home from a day’s work in their boots, laundry hangs outside windows on a line, and locals greet one another by exclaiming “Ciao” along the streets.
All over Venice, Burano included, there are striped poles at the beginning of a neighborhood. These Candyland looking poles are a specific color, depending on the neighborhood they represent.
I peeled a clementine and snacked on it while sitting near the water’s edge, staying there until the sun went down. Everything is so magical in Burano I didn’t want to move. I wonder if the island is a utopia to all its inhabitants. It sure is my utopia.
Burano is one of a kind city, that I wouldn’t miss for anything if I got the chance to go back to Venice again.
Though I am reluctant to leave, I realize that the town has gotten quieter and most other tourists have gone back to Venice for the day. It is time that I head back as well.
Luckily, the boats are easy to navigate and I am able to hop on the line 12 boat and head back to San Marco Piazza. By this time it is dark and I want to see the Christmas lights of San Marco one last time before leaving Venice.
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