Our Venice Carnival Italy Visit – Day 3

Morning in Murano – Exploring the Lagoon Islands During the Venice Carnival in Italy

On our third day in Venice Italy, we explored the Venetian Lagoon’s islands, Murano and Burano, and then admired the colorful carnival costumes parade in St. Mark’s square in the evening.

First we had breakfast at the hotel between 8.30 – 9.00 am, and then we headed to Ferrovia vaporetto stop and boarded Circolare No. 3 diretto Murano. We passed through Cannaregio Canal, also by Palazzo Labia and then got underneath Ponte delle Guglie and also underneath the Tre Archi bridge. In 30 minutes we finally arrived at Murano.

Murano Island Sightseeing and Glass Art

At Murano we got off at the first stop – Colonna and then we headed onward north on Fondamenta dei Vetrai. We got to Campiello Michieli, where Chiesa di San Pietro Martire is situated on the same side of the canal. Just across the canal from St. Pietro Martire Church, over the bridge, there is Campo Santo Stefano with its Cometa di Vetro and also Torre dell’Orologio, which you can see in the following pictures.

Also, see the map of the itinerary here, day 3 map.

Then in the next picture you can see Chiesa di San Pietro Martire.

Afterwards we crossed back the bridge to Fondamenta dei Vetrai and continued further north. We eventually reached a larger canal and also a bridge – Ponte Longo.

See pictures from the bridge below.

Discovering Murano Landmarks and the Glass Museum

Then we crossed Ponte Longo and turned to the right on Riva Longa that leads to the city center.

Then we arrived at the Glass Museum – Museo del Vetro, located within the Palazzo Giustinian. Also the visit to this museum was included in the price of Museum Pass + Rolling Venice Card.

Here are some pictures of the interior. However, the visit didn’t take long.

Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato – Spiritual Heritage of Murano

Then we went further on Fondamenta Giustinian, and got to Campo San Donato where there is Basilica S. Maria e Donato.

We went back the same way on Fondamenta Giustinian, then on Riva Longa. From a shop on Riva Longa we bought a beautiful original Venetian Mask. Then we continued the way to reach Campo Santo Stefano, and then we went on Fondamenta Manin.

From Murano to Burano – A Colorful Journey

From Fondamanta Manin we turned left on Calle Bressagio, before reaching the Ponte del Mezzo, and then kept forward on Calle Bressagio till we reached the Lagoon. There is the ACTV Line 12 stop – Faro in the direction of Burano.

So the trip to Burano would take 40 minutes.

Discovering the Colorful Streets of Burano and Lunch in a Piazza

Then in Burano, from the ACTV stop we walked on the San Mauro dock and then down Via San Mauro. Then, at the crossroads we kept right on Viale Marcello until we got to a canal. We then continued right along the canal on Fondamenta di Cavanella in order to admire the colorful houses.

In fact, these famous fisherman’s houses are painted in all colors, which is what makes Burano so unique.

Eventually, we arrived at a square filled with several restaurants. So we decided to stop for lunch at SUZO restaurant.

We then leisurely strolled around Tre Ponti Bridge, enjoying views of the lagoon stretching out in the distance.

Then we returned along the canal to the point where it turns right; from there, the street becomes Fondamenta S. Mauro.

In Burano, as well as in Venice you can discover some very narrow streets.

As you walk along the canal, you’ll notice many souvenir shops, pastry shops, and also restaurants lining the way.

Exploring Piazza Baldassarre Galupi – Heart of Burano Island

We continued on Fondamenta S. Mauro along the Canal, passed by a bridge and when we arrived at a second bridge, we could already see the tower of the duomo of Burano in the distance. After crossing the bridge, we proceeded along Via Baldassare Galupi, which eventually brought us to the heart of the island – Piazza Baldassare Galupi – where we found both the Basilica San Martino and the Museo del Merletto.

The Duomo (Cathedral) di San Martino has a leaning bell tower called Oratorio di Santa Barbara.

Below you can see the large Piazza Baldassare Galupi.

The island of Burano is famous for the lace made here for more than 500 years. In Piazza Baldassare Galupi, you’ll find the Museo del Merletto – the Lace Museum – and also the Lace School. Moreover, we enjoyed the advantage of free entry and the ability to skip the queues, all thanks to our Museum Passes and Rolling Venice Cards.

Moreover, from the piazza you can see the Lagoon in the distance.

Coming from the East there is another canal which flows into the lagoon.

First, we strolled a little along the canal on Riva dei Santi, and then continued along the shore of the lagoon, called Fondamenta del Pizzo.

Inside the Lace Museum – Burano Tradition and Craftsmanship

Then back in the piazza, we entered the museum.

We admired valuable lace exhibits, clothes, drawings and also photographs. Within the Lace Museum there still functions a Lace School and during the tour we could see at work some ladies that mastered the lace-making craft.

Afterwards, we returned to the vaporetto stop following the same itinerary. Along the way, near a bridge, we paused in order to admire a charming cat posing for the visitors of Burano.

Returning to Venice – Passing San Michele Island and Finding Hidden Corners of Venice

Finally, we boarded Line 12 to Venice, heading toward the Fondamente Nove stop. The trip took about an hour. Along the way, we also passed by the island of San Michele, which serves as a cemetery divided into various sections: Catholics, Greek Orthodox, and Protestants. Notably, the graves in the Catholic section are well maintained and beautifully decorated. They are displayed vertically, with ladders placed to help visitors reach the graves at the top.

We arrived at Fondamente Nove and decided to walk the streets of Castello, instead of taking Circolare 4.1 to San Zaccaria stop in St. Mark’s square.

Eventually we managed to find Ramo Varisco – the narrowest street that is only 53 centimeters wide.

Discovering Castello and San Zanipolo – Historic Venice Sights

Then we got to Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo (San Zanipolo in Venetian dialect). It is situated at the border between sestieri Cannaregio and Castello.

Then we had the chance to meet one of the cats of Venice on the narrow streets of Castello sestiere.

The Venetian Arsenal and Maritime Heritage

And then we got to Campo de l’ Arsenal; see the picture below.

The Venetian Arsenal is an imposing building and features several lions that decorate its entrance. However, the interior cannot be visited.

The Padiglione della Navi is located on the Fondamenta Arsenale, just after crossing the bridge from the Arsenale di Venezia. At that time, however, the Museo Storico Navale di Venezia (Naval & Maritime History Museum) was closed for restoration. Only Padiglione della Navi, hosting an exhibition of gondolas could be visited, but we arrived at the closing time so we weren’t able to visit.

We then continued our itinerary on Fondamenta Arsenale.

Strolling Toward St. Mark’s Square Along Riva degli Schiavoni – Venice, Italy Carnival Views

Finally, we arrived at the Arsenale vaporetto stop, from where we could clearly see Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore across St. Mark’s Basin.

Afterwards we strolled on toward St. Mark’s square.

Riva degli Schiavoni is Venice’s most famous promenade, situated just off San Marco square. This is also where Venetians traditionally like to stroll after lunch or dinner. The promenade is stretching forward East till Giardini della Biennale under other names: Riva Ca’ di Dio, Riva S. Biasio and then Riva dei Sette Martiri.

Evening in St. Mark’s Square – Venice, Italy Carnival Costumes

Upon returning to St. Mark’s Square, we met lots of costumed people. Meanwhile, the square was bustling with tourists that afternoon. See in the following gallery some nice carnival costumes.

In St. Mark’s Square, it is forbidden to feed the pigeons; however, there are still people doing it anyway.

Next, please enjoy another collection of Carnival costumes we had the chance to photograph.

Night in Cannaregio – Dining and Local Life During the Venice Carnival in Italy

Afterwards, we headed towards our accommodation, walking through Cannaregio. Along the way, we passed through the narrow Mercerie streets, which were full of shops and restaurants. We then got to Strada Nova, stretching all the way between the train station Santa Lucia and Rialto Bridge. Strada Nova is wider then the other streets, but it’s even fuller of shops and restaurants, bars, pizzerias, trattorias, osterias and any other places where one can eat. There are souvenir shops, but also shops used by the locals. Finally, we had dinner in Cannaregio, in a restaurant close to Santa Lucia.

Below you can see a nice Venetian Masks shop.

Also, along the way, we met somebody wearing an interesting Carnival costume and we took a picture.

The streets of Cannaregio are full of people at evening, looking for a place to have dinner. In fact, this sestiere is very popular both with tourists and locals, given that the prices in this area are reasonable.

Souvenirs and Venetian Masks – Ending the Day at the Venice Carnival in Italy

Just by the train station we met a couple dressed somewhat funny. Their clothes were for Carnival, but maybe not a Venetian Carnival.

We got to our hotel room after another full day.

The most common souvenirs to buy during a trip to Venice are of course the Venetian masks, especially the original crafted ones. We managed to find a superb original Venetian mask, a bauta type, made of paper mache. It is a man mask, a cat mask. See it below. We found it in a shop in Murano and it only costed around 11 euros.

Read On

Make sure to check out Our Venice Carnival Italy Visit – Day 4 to continue exploring — from hidden corners to grand vistas, there’s much more to discover. You can find all our posts about Venice on this page. Also, for more inspiration and practical tips on visiting Italy, grab our maps and travel guides and head over to our Italy Travel Hub and Italy Bucket List — your starting point for all things Italian! Want to discover more? Don’t miss our posts about Lake Como, Milan and Bergamo!

Thanks for reading!

Related:

• Destination Italy: Venice at Carnival
• Our Venice Carnival Italy Visit – Day 4
• Our Venice Carnival Italy Visit – Day 2
• Bergamo
• Venice

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