Burano is famous for its houses. It’s as though the town’s planners took the colour palette and cranked it up to 11! The island makes for a pleasant half-day trip from Venice and is a key stopover during a day touring the Venetian lagoon. There’s no doubt about it – the colourful houses are what attract people to visit Burano these days. Legend has it that local fishermen coloured their houses to differentiate them from one another, and to recognise their own place when out at sea.

The bright pastel buildings are a cute sight to behold and can even make a dreary day that much more cheerful. Owners of the houses are required to seek permission from the government to paint their house and are prescribed a set colour palette to choose from.