Lago di Burano (english version) | WWF Italy

Lago di Burano (english version)

Foto aerea dell' Oasi WWF di Burano
© ArchivioWWF/F.Cianchi
Once a game reserve, the destiny of Burano lake changed when WWF took over. A beautiful coastal lagoon surrounded by sand dunes and Mediterranean maquis ... Burano is a true Oasis!
The Burano Lake protected area is the first WWF Oasis. It includes coastal sand dunes, Mediterranean maquis and a salty lake dominated by a tower.

About Lago di Burano nature reserve

What is called “Burano Lake” is in actual fact a coastal salt pond. It is what remains of an ancient lake today connected to the sea through a semi- artificial canal that can be opened according to management needs. The pond has a water surface of 140 hectares and a medium depth of 1 metre.
The 12 kilometres long sandy shore is covered by typical dune vegetation. The sand dunes are covered by a Mediterranean maquis that consolidates and protects the background Mediterranean forest from the sea wind.
The banks of the lake are mainly surrounded by a bed of reeds and bulrush. Extensive farming fields separated by draining canals surround Burano lake. It has an extension of 1010 hectares.

Flora and Fauna

With more than 600 species of plants the rich flora comprises sea daffodil, Santolina, sea holly and European beachgrass near the beach and by western prickly juniper, Phoenician juniper, myrtle, Phillirea, mastic tree and cork oak in the area immediately behind the sand dunes. The lake banks are covered by common reed, bulrush, water lily etc. The rare Teuchestes villosus is still present with approximately 60 other species of lichens.
The fauna includes 274 bird species among which tufted ducks, common pochards, grebes,   herons, flamingos, and many birds of prey like harriers and ospreys. Small passerines include the Sardinian warble, the Sub-alpine Warble and the Streaked Fantail Warbler. Among the mammals there are porcupines, badgers, foxes, beech martens, least weasels and the rare European polecat. The sand dune beetle fauna is also very rich comprising 233 species including the very rare  Eurynebria complanata. In the last few years the area is also a breeding site for the monarch butterfly, the death's-head hawk moth and the Lelya cenosa, a small night butterfly whose caterpillars feed on the common reed.

Visiting the Lago di Burano National Nature Reserve

The guided tour follows a sand bar (Tombolo) that divides the sea from the wetland. The path is approximately 2 Km in length. It is completely flat and of easy access even after storms.
The visit takes about 2 hours to complete. Visitors are introduced to the nature reserve giving ample space to the plants, birds and invertebrates of the reserve. Where encountered staff  help visitors to identify the mammals tracks observed along the trails.

conctat information and opening times

Open from September 1st to May 1st, the reserve can be visited only with a tour guide on Sundays at 10.00 am and 2,30 pm (3 pm during daylight saving months).

Guided tours for groups and schools are available every day on booking.

Summer visits on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays only by booking at 5,30 pm.

Phone number: +39 0564 898829  or +39 320 8223972



The nature reserve is located in the south of Tuscany, in the municipality of Capalbio (GR).

Take the S.S. n.1 “Aurelia”, and turn off at the junction for Marina di Capalbio at Km 133.

Another very convenient option is to take the train (Rome- Genoa line) and get off at the Capalbio Scalo station.
The visitor centre is located only a few minutes away from the station.

Places to visit

We suggest you also visit: the WWF Oasis of Orbetello and Oasis of Bosco Rocconi, the  medieval village of Capalbio, the Spacco della Regina, the Tagliata Etrusca, the Roman settlement of Cosa and the Tombolo della Feniglia Nature Reserve.

Overnight stays and restaurants

At the WWF Giannella farmhouse (Strada provinciale della Giannella Km 4) through advance booking. Tickets can be collected directly at the guesthouse.

Anywhere in Capalbio it is possible to taste the acquacotta (a soup of probable Etruscan origin) and naturally the famous tortelli toscani (sort of ravioli made the Tuscan way).

Dialling code: +39 0564.
Il Mestolone - Capalbio Scalo phone n. 898638
Caffè Station - Capalbio Scalo phone n. 898424,
La Selva - loc. Selva Nera phone n. 896014
Le Mura - Capalbio phone n. 896692
La Palma Hotel- Chiarone phone n. 890341
Valle del Buttero Residence Hotel- Capalbio phone n. 896097
Albergo del Lago - Capalbio Scalo tel 899039
Veronesi Agritourism- Capalbio Scalo phone n. 898519
Renaioli Agritourism- loc. Torre Palazzi phone n. 896687
Ghiaccio Bosco Agritourism- Capalbio phone n. 896539
Agrifoglio Agritourism- Capalbio phone n. 894010.
Capalbio Camping at Borgo Carige phone n. 899017
Capalbio Camping at Chiarone phone n. 890101