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Best Time to Visit Venice: Month-by-Month Guide

By Alex Schultz · Last updated on April 3, 2024

While it is one of the most beautiful, romantic cities in the world, Venice’s huge crowds and high prices can sometimes make visiting a little less special. What’s going on in the city and its weather also has a massive impact on people’s experience exploring La Serenissima.

As it is a must-see destination for many, Venice is often inundated with visitors – just like its streets and squares in winter when they often flood. While the canals, bridges, churches and palaces always look incredible, there are, of course, quieter, calmer times to visit. Summer now is almost too full with its scorching heat also making walking around uncomfortable.

To help you plan your trip, let’s take a look month-by-month at what to expect in the Queen of the Adriatic in terms of its climate, crowds and cultural events.

What’s the Weather Like in Venice?

Lying in Northeastern Italy in the Veneto region, Venice is built atop 118 islands in a lagoon, adjoining the Adriatic Sea. As it is surrounded by water, it is not uncommon for everywhere to flood for a few hours at high tide during the winter months. This is known as acqua alta.

Apart from this phenomenon, the city sees regular rainfall throughout the year, each month averaging between 9 and 13 days. While its winters are cold, grey and foggy, summers are hot and humid. Temperatures in July and August average around 27 to 28°C (80 to 82°F) with their highs often being unbearable.

With ample sunshine, lots of hours of daylight and warm temperatures, spring and autumn are perhaps more comfortable weatherwise. They are not as good though for sunbathing or swimming at the Lido.

Best months to visit Venice

Although July and August are the most popular months to visit due to the summer holidays, the high heat, humidity and crowds can make exploring the city unpleasant. Its main sights, squares and museums are all packed with hotel rates and airfares being more expensive.

As they are a bit calmer and cheaper but the weather is still good, both spring and autumn are great times to visit. There is still a very vibrant feel about town with numerous festivals also taking place.

Other high points of the year include both Christmastime and carnival. Around these hugely important events, thousands of people pour in, come to celebrate and partake in all the fun festivities.

Venice in January

As it lies in between Christmas and carnival and is cold, foggy and grey, January is the least popular month to visit Venice. If you don’t mind the weather, exploring the almost deserted city can be very atmospheric in the gloom. At times, you may have to make your way about raised walkways if the acqua alta floods its lower areas.

Besides benefiting from the cheaper hotel prices, there are no crowds in the alleys or at any of its attractions. Some may have reduced opening hours, however. Aside from a couple of Christmas markets that are still around the first week, there is the Feast of the Epiphany to attend. Bonfires and concerts are held while a rowing regatta races along the Grand Canal.

Venice in February

February in Venice is all about one thing: its world-famous carnival. For two weeks, colourful costume-clad partygoers wearing masks amble about the city with opulent balls, boat parades and street fairs all taking place. Prices shoot up around this time as millions of people come to enjoy the unforgettable event.

As temperatures hover around 9°C (48°F), you’ll have to wrap up warm when exploring the Floating City. While it is the driest month, the bora winds create quite a chill, coming off the cold canals. At Campo San Polo, you can even ice skate if you like! Apart from carnival, February is the off-season so there are fewer crowds and prices are cheaper.

Venice in March

As the weather starts to improve, tourists slowly start to trickle back to Venice. March is the last quiet, more affordable month before the city is overrun at Easter and in summer. With a bit more sunshine and warmth to its days, spring can be a wonderful time to visit. You’ll still need to layer up though with many sights also still closing earlier.

Other than making the most of the shorter lines and relaxed atmosphere, it’s not a bad idea to take trips to popular places like Lake Garda and Verona before they get too busy. You can also hop on a vaporetto to Murano or Burano and enjoy gondola rides about its canals. After this, the region’s boats, trains and city centers are much more crowded.

Venice in April

Once the Easter holidays arrive, the peak season starts with the number of tourists in Venice only subsiding in November. Hotel prices and airfares are much higher with queues forming outside its main attractions and museums. While there is an excited buzz about the city, its narrow alleys do start to feel a bit crowded.

Coupled with its longer, sunnier days, averages of 17°C (62°F) are great for strolling about its stunning streets and squares. Parades and concerts take place for the Feast of San Marco while its prestigious Art Biennale also begins, carrying on til the end of November. Although it is a bit wetter than the winter months, its 12 days of rain shouldn’t put much of a damper on your trip.

Venice in May

Along with April, May is one of the best months weatherwise to visit Venice. Temperatures of around 21°C (70°F) are perfect for wandering about the city before the summer heat kicks in. This is also a good time to explore some other islands and cities in Veneto before they’re completely overwhelmed.

While many museums, shops and restaurants shut for Labour Day, there are some exciting regattas to watch later on in the month. These are for both the Vogalonga – a long-running competition – and the Feast of the Ascension. Although there are loads of crowds around, prices are still more affordable than in summer.

Venice in June

With average temperatures rising to 25°C (77°F), Venice starts to feel a bit hot and stuffy, especially with the hordes of tourists thronging about its streets. The weather is finally good enough though to sunbathe and swim at the Lido. Other than all its Art Biennale exhibitions, June is the last month to catch an opera at La Fenice Theatre before the summer break.

As each day has around 16 hours of light, there is ample time in which to sightsee or sit and sip a spritz at its outdoor cafes. June is one of the rainiest months though, along with August and November. While prices are more expensive, concerts, dances and exhibitions also take place for the Feast of St. John in Bragora and Feast of San Pietro de Castro.

Venice in July

July and August are the absolute peak season in Venice when everywhere is packed and all its shops, restaurants and bars are at their busiest. You’ll have to queue at many of its main attractions and museums with the vaporetti to Murano and Burano also being full. To avoid the astronomical accommodation prices, it’s worth having a look for hotels in nearby Mestre.

The hottest and sunniest month of the year, July’s high averages of 28°C (82°F) are actually rather unpleasant. While wandering about is a hot and sticky affair, it’s the perfect weather to lounge on the beach at either the Lido or Jesolo. The city has a lovely, lively atmosphere about it with regattas and firework displays also being held for the Feast of the Redeemer.

Venice in August

While many Italians take their holidays in August, business continues as usual in Venice with most shops and restaurants remaining open. The Rialto Bridge and streets near Piazza San Marco are absolutely rammed. To escape the crowds, consider heading to less popular areas like Dorsoduro and Cannaregio.

The sweltering weather and slow-moving throngs of tourists can make sightseeing tiring and a bit frustrating. You can always cool off though at the beach or in one of its countless quiet churches. Besides the Festival of Santo Stefano’s sports competitions and dance shows, the world-renowned Venice International Film Festival starts, continuing into September.

Venice in September

Once the school holidays are over, things are finally a bit quieter, calmer and cheaper in the city – that’s not saying much though! Prices remain high and massive groups of tourists still mill about its streets. As it is a few degrees cooler, ambling around is more comfortable with the days being dry and sunny.

Aside from the International Film Festival at the Lido, there is the fascinating Regata Storica and all its historic boats to watch along the Grand Canal. The opera season also opens again at La Fenice Theatre. As the weather is still warm, you can always sunbathe and swim at its beaches. Most nearby day trip destinations will still be quite busy though.

Venice in October

As October has fewer big events going on, accommodation is finally a bit more affordable with the city being much quieter the further you stray from Piazza San Marco. For the most part, the weather is quite warm and dry, though the days are shorter. Its 5 hours of sunshine and averages of 18°C (64°F) are still lovely for sightseeing but a bit too cool for the beach.

Before things turn cold, wet and grey in November, it’s worth taking trips to historical cities like Padua, Vicenza and Verona. You also no longer have to fight for space on its vaporetti to Murano and Burano. At the end of October, thousands visit for its marathon which passes by its scenic canals over little old bridges.

Venice in November

With just 3 hours of sunshine, much more rain and temperatures of 12°C (53°F), November is well and truly the off-season in Venice. Blissfully crowd-free, its reduced hotel prices and airfares can make a trip tempting. You’ll have to pack an umbrella though and listen out for sirens signalling acqua alta’s impending arrival!

While many of its attractions have reduced opening hours and there are fewer daylight hours in which to explore, Venice looks incredible at any time of year. Traditional events such as its Feast of St. Martin and Feast of Our Lady of Health also take place. At these, you can watch religious parades and sample local delicacies. Its Art Biennale also finally comes to a close in November for the winter.

Venice in December

A bit drier and colder than November, Venice has a wonderful, relaxed feel to it in December with the Christmas holidays also bringing some festive cheer. While the chance of fog, wind and acqua alta is higher, exploring its deserted alleys is still magical if you wrap up warm.

Still very quiet in comparison with the spring, summer and autumn months, it sees a spike in visitors around Christmastime. Hotel prices of course rise around the holidays. Other than perusing its cozy markets, you can shoot about the ice rink at Campo San Polo. To welcome in the New Year, you can enjoy concerts and firework displays in Piazza San Marco or attend a special performance at La Fenice Theatre.

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When to visit Venice

May 15, 2023 • 4 min read

Find the perfect time for your visit to Venice with our guide to events in the city through the year © LeoPatrizi / Getty Images

There isn't a true low season in Venice . Not really.

The Serenissima is so unique and so famous that the desire to see it with one’s own eyes knows no seasonal limit. Every time of the year has its pros and cons – as well as different activities and events to enjoy up and down the canals – but there isn’t really a bad time to visit.

From festivals like Carnevale to the quieter winter months, we pick through the best times to visit Venice.

May to October hosts the best Venetian festivals

This is when Venice is at its best: with nice weather and sun lasting long past 8pm. The closer to summer it gets, the more tourist numbers and prices rise but the best free things to do in Venice can help you keep within your budget. At the height of summer, the weather crosses the threshold from nice to stiflingly hot – something to be aware of if you’re planning to explore the city on foot .  The crowds arrive for Carnevale (held on Shrove Tuesday) in spring too.

May is almost summer, and the whole city is alive with the knowledge that the warmest months are fast approaching. Events begin to pop up and gather crowds – the chief among all being the Biennale, which has been celebrating visual arts since 1895. June is the start of high season and tourists begin to pour in, especially once schools officially close down for summer break around the middle of the month. If the main tourist spots get too much, consider seeking out one of Venice's less-trafficked neighborhoods .

Even though the weather will begin to feel stifling in July, Venice is still bustling – get yourself a good spot among the other visitors for the Festa del Redentore (third Sunday of July) fireworks. If the crowds really get too much, consider a day trip outside the city . A good way to deal with the sun beating down on your head is to make the most of it while lying down at one of the many beaches of the Lagoon, both in and around Venice . 

September is one of the best months of the year – the heat dwindles, but the weather is still great, and it makes for an excellent set-up to enjoy the last moments of the warm season. Then, come October, fall has arrived. There are some good days, but it’s also when the possibility of acqua alta looms on the horizon. Pack rain boots just in case.

Go in March to April for cooler weather

If you thought the city emptied out after the revelries of the Carnevale, think again. With days getting longer and the weather getting warmer, people are again out and about on the bridges and canals. The spring months are the best choice if you want to do plenty of exploration without too much sun beating down on your head (and don’t mind getting caught in the occasional rain shower).

April is the true start of the spring season. Centuries-old celebrations like St Mark’s Day make for quite the photogenic stay. A trip around Easter time will also ensure you see your fair share of the best Venice has to offer , as the days of the Holy Week are always dotted with celebrations and ceremonies – but keep in mind that schools close in Italy for Easter, and there might be a lot of tourists coming in for a weekend trip.

November to February is the best time for budget travelers

With the exceptions of Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the colder months are as empty as they can be in a city like Venice – with school and work in full swing, tourist numbers are much lower than they are in June and July.

A lack of travelers doesn’t mean the city is less lively. The Festa della Madonna della Salute brings the lagoon alive in late November, where stalls line the canals and a candlelit procession crosses a bridge of boats to reach the Salute.

Over Christmas the area around the Rialto Bridge glimmers with lights and markets, but it is in January for the Regata delle Befane – the boat race where participants dress as witches – that visitors will want to find a viewing spot on the infamous Ponte di Rialto.

The costumes continue at the world-famous Carnevale, a riot of color and concealment, the February coming together is the final throes of winter before the mask slips and spring in the city begins to unfurl.

This article was first published Oct 4, 2021 and updated May 15, 2023.

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Venice   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Andreas Koch | EyeEm

Best Times To Visit Venice

The best time to visit Venice is from September to November when tourists desert the city. Although the temperatures – which range from the upper 30s to mid-70s – necessitate some layers, the lowered hotel rates and the barren canals make it worth it. Winters are cold with temperatures in the 30s and 40s, while spring brings Venice's most beautiful weather. Summertime is peak season and is characterized by high hotel rates, high temperatures and – you guessed it – plenty of crowds. Although acqua alta  (high water) can occur anytime between late September and April, it's most likely to happen in November and December, so make sure to pack a pair of rain boots if you plan on traveling then. 

Weather in Venice

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

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Popular Times to Visit Venice

Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016.

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Best time to visit Venice | A comprehensive guide

Things to do in Venice Venice Travel Guide Best Time To Visit Venice

Venice, the city of canals makes for a great travel destination year round. Whether you're planning to make it in time for the Venice Carnival or you're looking to steer clear of the acqua alta , this guide will give you an idea of the best time to visit Venice. You can also glance through what happens in Venice every month of the year and what makes Venice a year-round delight.

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• Best Time To visit Venice - Know Before You Plan Your Trip

Venice Through The Year

Best season to visit venice, weather in venice year round, a month-by-month guide to visiting venice.

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Know Before You Plan Your Trip to Venice

Best time for staying outdoors in venice.

If plenty of sun and a day by the beach is what you’re looking for, Venice offers you its best from March onwards till August. In these months, you will find several resorts and pools opening up for the holidaying crowd. You may also indulge in sailing or rowing, which is a popular activity in Venice during summers.

Best Time for Sightseeing & Museum Hopping

Art enthusiasts can head to Venice between August to November. The temperature during these months is pleasant, and one can also make the most of the iconic Venice Film Festival that is held during this time. Being the shoulder season, these months also witness relatively less crowd around the city.

Best Time for Honeymooners

Venice boasts of pleasant climate during the months of September and February. With the winter either settling in or making its way through the city, Venice witnesses partly cloudy and foggy climate that makes up for the ideal romantic destination. Honeymooners can also avoid the crowd during these months as they fall just before the high season in Venice.

Best Time for Budget Travellers

If you’re looking for an economic getaway, planning your trip around the months of November to January is an ideal option. Off-season in Venice sees lesser crowd and budgeted accommodation. Apart from this, there are also several holiday events lined up around the city that you simply shouldn’t miss!

Best Time for Shopaholics

Venice houses an annual sale during the months of November and December. It is also during these months that there are pop up markets around the city during Christmas. Shopaholics can make the most of their trip by having a go at some of the most ornamental Christmas markets in the city.

Tourist Seasons in Venice

High season.

June to August witnesses a very busy time for Venice. It is during this time of the year that you may find long queues, swarms of crowd and lack of accommodation in Venice. However, if you’re looking for a summer holiday with lots of sunshine by the beach, this season could provide in abundance.

Shoulder Season

Beginning from March to May and from September till November is shoulder season in Venice. This season relatively sees a lot less crowd than summer, but still has people visiting for the pleasant temperature and iconic festivals. While it does not promise cold, a thick jacket is advisable for the season as it gets nippy every now and then.

December to February in Venice marks a low season in the city. With the mercury dipping down to zero and days getting shorter, there are often very few activities available to enjoy. However, the holiday season does bring in the necessary fervour and you may spot arrays of Christmas markets in the city and before the New Year kicks in.

Visiting Venice in itself is one of the best experiences you will have in life. For most, it hardly matters what time of the year you visit Venice. However, if you want to know before you go, this is how the seasons in Venice look.

Venice in Spring

Venice welcomes Spring season at the beginning of March and it extends upto the end of May. The pleasant weather and the energetic ambiance is a welcome change after the gloominess of winter that often overstays up till February. It is also the time before summer kicks in, leaving enough time before the crowd finds its way to the city. Venice shows wonderful shades of the season with flowers blooming everywhere you go.

Venice in Summer

Cheerful sunshine and blue skies looking over the Venetian beaches — summer is quite a popular time to visit Venice and several tourists from around the world believe so. You may encounter large crowds and longer queues, so make sure you book on time. With long days and starry nights, Venetian summers also give way to interesting events taking place every now and then.

Venice in Autumn

If you’re looking for a nip in the air without having to face the music, Autumn is the best time for you to visit Venice. With winter settling in slowly and summer making its way out, there are a lot of open air activities that you could enjoy during this season. Venice also hosts a number of art festivals during this time that could be enjoyed by art-enthusiasts.

Venice in Winter

While the weather may seem challenging during winter, Venice is a sight for sore eyes with quaint pop-up markets and cutesy outdoor cafes prepping for Christmas. The temperature dips down to 0°C but the city retains its charm and lively ambiance during the season. The season also witnesses a relief from the crowd that is around for the summer or spring season in Venice.

The weather in Venice year round has been charted on the graph below. The Highs are depicted in red and the Lows in blue.

Follow our detailed guide to pick a month for your Venice exploits.

Venice In January

Average Temperature: 3°C to 6°C

If you’re looking to spend some quiet time in Venice, January is an ideal time to get acquainted to the city. With the mercury dropping every now and then, the city offers you an ambiance that is straight out of a romantic movie. Days can be cloudy, accompanied with some Venetian fog, and there’s always chance of untimely rains. However, the weather is pleasant and does not get as chilly as it does in December. Pack enough layers, including gloves, scarves and a warm coat to make the most of the weather in January.

Related Read : 12 Utterly Romantic Things To Do In Venice

Venice In February

Average Temperature: 5°C to 6°C

Despite the retreating winter, February can be quite cold in Venice. While you don’t need to pack as heavy as you would in January, you still require to carry enough overalls to keep you warm during early mornings and late evenings. February, however, hosts the most-awaited Venice Carnival that is the right time to stop by for a gala time and indulge in public shows as well as other events lined up especially for it. February is the ideal time to visit if you’re planning to enjoy the Venetian winter without having to book tickets during holiday season!

Recommended Experiences in Venice during Winters

Venice in march.

Average Temperature: 8°C to 12°C

With the onset of Spring, Venice warms up and you can enjoy the newly bloomed flowers across the city. Expect a little more of rainfall than usual in this season, but apart from that there is plenty of sunshine with 12 hours of daylight on an average. Celebrations begin to pop up around this month and you may notice various events being held for Women’s Day on 8th of March and 19th March which is St. Joseph’s day (also celebrated as Father’s Day in Venice). With Easter break just around the corner, be prepared to encounter moderate crowd.

Venice In April

Average Temperature: 12°C to 16°C

With April comes pleasant weather and lots of sunshine in Venice. Light clothing and comfortable footwear goes a long way during this season. This is the best time to visit outdoor cafes and open-air events that happen around this time of the year. Along with Easter in Venice , other iconic festivals including the feast of St. Mark on the 25th of April bring in a lot of cheer and celebration on the St. Mark Square. Apart from this, Venice also celebrates Liberation Day on the same day, commemorating Italy’s liberation during the World War II.

Venice In May

Average Temperature: 15°C to 21°C

May marks the beginning of the peak season in Venice, which means you may encounter larger crowds, more queues and accommodation issues. However, this will also mean a cheerful atmosphere and sunshine that will brighten up the city unlike any other weather. You can expect warm days but don’t be surprised to see the temperature dipping by the end of the day. This season will also witness several water sports taking place, as Festa della Sensa, commemorating Venice's marriage to the sea, takes place on the first Sunday after Ascension Day. It is also followed by Vogalonga, a rowing race, something that tourists as well as locals believe in participating.

Recommended Experiences in Venice during Spring

Venice in june.

Average Temperature: 16°C to 24°C

With the peak season along with summer, both on a full-swing, Venice is hot and sunny during June. There is still a chance of rain and some afternoon thunderstorms which drop in unannounced during summer season here. Pack light along with your beachwear, which is recommended if you want to catch some tan during the longest day in Venice, June 20. During odd numbered years, Venice hosts its Art Biennale, that runs from June to November. You may also catch up on its various previews and pre-events, apart from Art Night Venezia.

Venice In July

Average Temperature: 18°C to 28°C

July is not only the hottest month in Venice, but is also the peak of its tourist season. The temperature rising can This is perhaps the best season to pack your bathing suits and sandals to cool off at the beaches. It is advisable to pack a sunscreen with high SPF to avoid a possible sunstroke. Venice celebrates its biggest festival — Festa del Redentore — commemorating the end of plague in the city during 1587. The spectacle attracts many from around Europe and the world and is celebrated widely across Venice with pomp and fervour.

Related Read : 10 Museums In Venice You Ought To Visit Now!

Venice In August

Average Temperature: 18°C to 27°C

August in Venice can still be hot, however, night time can turn pleasant as compared to June or July. There is above average rainfall during this month and also a chance of thunderstorm. It is recommended to pack according to the changing weather and keep a raincoat at hand. August in Venice is a great time to go rowing or sailing, which could provide a respite from the heat in this season. Ferragosto, a traditional Italian holiday, takes place in August along with the preparations of the famous Venice Film Festival. You may also find a lot of interesting outdoor concerts and movie screenings taking place in this month.

Recommended Experiences in Venice during Summer

Venice in september.

Average Temperature: 15°C to 24°C

September witnesses a decline in the temperatures in Venice, however it does not require you to pack heavy just yet. Carrying a sweater for the evenings can do the needful as temperatures tend to dip moderately during the night time. While rain isn’t significant in this month, expect light drizzling every now and then which could cause the temperature to cool. With the Venice Film Festival taking place, September is also a lively time to visit the city. Experience a fun-filled, traditional gondola race at the Historical Regatta, which also takes place at the start of the month.

Venice In October

Average Temperature: 14°C to 16°C

It gets noticeably cooler in Venice during October, and you may also find a little less crowd than usual as the peak season dissipates. You may require a thicker jacket during this weather as the temperature gets nippy with the daylight constantly decreasing. Opera season kicks in at La Fenice in October which is ideal for those who are enthusiastic about the art. With Halloween around the corner, several lively parties and haunts come alive in October with a much younger crowd. Expect to find some fun events lined up for the festival across the city if you’re in town.

Recommended Experiences in Venice during Autumn

Venice in november.

Average Temperature: 4°C to 11°C

There is a dramatic drop in the temperature that marks the onset of winters in Venice. November can also get rainier, with rainfalls occurring every now and then. The temperature can drop more as the month progresses, so be sure to pack wisely. November starts off with an All Saints Day in Venice, which is a public holiday for the city. The Festa della Salute held on the 21st of November is yet another festival that commemorates the end of plague in 1631. November is a great time to sip hot chocolate in an outdoor cafe before the winter kicks in in December.

Venice In December

Average Temperature: 0°C to 7°C

December is the coldest month in Venice, and is also the beginning of holiday season in the city. Packing your cold gears, heavy jackets, hats and gloves is advisable if you plan to visit Venice during this season. With Christmas and Hanukkah around the corner, you may encounter several pop-up Christmas markets in the city. Closer to the New Year’s Eve, Venice will also have lively events taking place leading up to December 31st. The finale on New Year’s Eve features a firework show on Piazza San Marco and ends with couples kissing on midnight.

What is the best time of year to visit Venice?

The best time of year to visit Venice is from April to June or September to October when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller.

How many days should I plan to spend in Venice?

You should plan to spend at least 3 days in Venice to see the major sights and attractions. You can take a look at a curated Venice 3 Day Itineray

What are the must-see attractions in Venice?

The must-see attractions in Venice include the Grand Canal, St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

Can I take a gondola ride in Venice?

Yes, you can take a gondola ride in Venice! Gondola rides are a popular tourist activity and are a great way to see the city from the water.

What is there to do at night in Venice?

There are plenty of things to do at night in Venice! You can explore the city’s many bars and restaurants, take a moonlit gondola ride, or enjoy some live music.

What is the food like in Venice?

The food in Venice is typically Italian, with plenty of pasta, seafood, and pizza options. There are also many great restaurants to choose from.

What should I pack for my trip to Venice?

When packing for your trip to Venice, be sure to pack comfortable shoes as you will do a lot of walking. You should also pack a light jacket or sweater as the weather can be cool in the evenings.

When should you avoid Venice?

You should avoid visiting Venice during the peak tourist season from July to August when the city is crowded and prices are higher. You should also avoid visiting Venice during the winter months from November to March when the weather is colder and there are fewer things to do.

Ready to visit Venice?

Check out the top things to do in Venice and our comprehensive Venice Travel Guide to plan your vacation like a pro!

Lakshmi Menon

Born to parents bit by the wander bug, Lakshmi calls her love for travel "hereditary and habitual". Perpetually ensconced with a book in her hand and a mug of coffee in the other, she has been to over 15 countries in her 23 years of existence and is currently saving miles and money for her solo trip to Iceland. Always hustling towards the least trodden path, she has encountered some wonderful people during her escapades and if you ever meet her, she won't stop gushing about them.

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Venice Revealed

The Best Time to Visit Venice: The Ultimate All-Season Guide

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To truly appreciate Venice’s romantic allure , it’s crucial to plan your visit carefully. I live very close to Venice and spend time there frequently meaning that I have been there in every season.

What’s the best time to visit Venice? My favorite times to go there are in April and May and then again in September and October.

However, the best time to visit Venice can vary greatly depending on your preferences. Some prefer the bustling energy of the peak season, while others seek the tranquility of fewer crowds. Factors such as weather, hotel rates, and key events also play a significant role in determining the ideal time for your visit.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll delve into the nuances of Venice’s seasons, discuss the city’s weather patterns, highlight key events and attractions, and provide practical tips to help you plan your visit.

Want to know the worst time to visit Venice? Click here for my full article!

Understanding Venice’s Seasons

Venice, like much of Italy, experiences four distinct seasons, each with its unique characteristics and charm. Understanding these seasons and their implications for travel can greatly enhance your visit to this enchanting city.

Peak Season

The peak season in Venice typically falls in the summer months, from June to August. During this time, the city is teeming with tourists from around the world, drawn by the warm weather and the vibrant atmosphere.

The city is in full swing, with all attractions open and tons of events taking place. However, be prepared for large crowds , long lines, and packed vaporetti, especially in popular spots like Piazza San Marco and the Grand Canal. Also, hotel rates tend to be at their highest during this period and some people complain that it’s smelly in the summer.

You’re not too far from some gorgeous beaches , though, so if you have some extra time to spend in Venice then it’s worth it to come during this season.

The off-season in Venice is generally during the colder months, from November to February, excluding the festive Christmas period and the famous Carnevale in February . Aside from during those times, the city sees fewer tourists, resulting in smaller crowds and shorter lines at attractions.

The weather can be quite cold, and some attractions may have shorter hours or be closed entirely. However, hotel rates are generally cheaper, and you can experience a quieter, more authentic Venice.

There is still plenty of events and things to do in the off season. For instance, in January you can take in the Epiphany celebrations.

Shoulder Season

The shoulder season in Venice occurs in the spring (April to June) and fall (September and October). These periods offer a balance between the bustling energy of the peak season and the tranquility of the off season. The weather is generally pleasant, and while there are still tourists, the crowds are less overwhelming.

Hotel rates are also more moderate compared to the peak season. The shoulder season can be an excellent time to visit Venice if you’re looking for a balance between good weather, manageable crowds, and reasonable prices.

Read my guide on the most romantic hotels once you’ve started planning your trip!

Peak Visitor Numbers and Tourist Seasons in Venice

Venice, the city of canals, is a popular tourist destination that attracts millions of visitors each year . Understanding the peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Venice can help you plan your trip more effectively, ensuring you get the most out of your visit.

Venice experiences its highest tourist influx during the summer months, particularly in July and August. This is considered the “peak season” when the city is bustling with tourists from around the world. The weather is warm, and all attractions are open, making it an ideal time for sightseeing. However, it’s also when Venice is most crowded, and hotel rates are at their highest.

On the other hand, the “off season” typically falls in the colder months, from late fall to early spring. During this time, the number of tourists drops significantly. While some attractions may have shorter hours, you’ll enjoy fewer crowds, and accommodations are generally cheaper.

The “ shoulder season ” falls in the transitional periods between the peak and off seasons, usually in late spring (April to June) and early fall (September and October). During these months, the weather is still pleasant, and the tourist crowds are less overwhelming than in the peak season.

However, it’s important to note that these are general trends and can vary from year to year.

Weather in Venice

Venice, the city of canals, is a marvel to behold in any season. However, the weather can significantly impact your visit, so it’s essential to know what to expect.

Average Temperatures

Venice experiences a humid subtropical climate, with cool winters and very warm summers. The average annual temperature is 18℃. The warmest month of the year is July, with an average temperature of 28℃. On the other hand, January is usually the coldest month, with an average temperature of 7℃.

Here’s a month-by-month breakdown of the average temperatures:

• January: 7℃
• February: 9℃
• August: 28℃
• September: 24℃
• October: 19℃
• November: 13℃
• December: 9℃

Precipitation

Venice also sees a fair amount of rainfall throughout the year. The months with the largest precipitation are October, November, and May, with October seeing the highest average precipitation of 88mm.

Here’s a month-by-month breakdown of the average precipitation:

• January: 49mm
• February: 51mm
• March: 61mm
• April: 73mm
• August: 62mm
• September: 68mm
• October: 88mm
• November: 84mm
• December: 62mm

Visiting Venice in Different Seasons

Each season in Venice offers a unique experience, with its own set of pros and cons. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect when visiting Venice in different seasons:

Summer (June – August)

• Long, sunny days perfect for sightseeing
• Numerous events and festivals, such as the Festa del Redentore in July
• Gondola rides and alfresco dining are particularly enjoyable in the warm weather
• High tourist season, resulting in large crowds and long lines at attractions
• High temperatures and occasional summer thunderstorms can be uncomfortable
• Hotel rates are at their peak

Fall (September – November)

• Fewer tourists, resulting in a more relaxed atmosphere
• The weather is generally pleasant, with temperatures dropping from the summer highs
• The occurrence of “acqua alta” can be an interesting experience (though it’s best to come prepared with rain boots)
• Some attractions may have shorter hours
• The weather can be unpredictable, with a higher chance of rain and acqua alta

Winter (December – February)

• The least crowded time to visit Venice
• Lower hotel rates
• Unique events like the Venice Carnival in February
• Cold winters, with temperatures often dropping below freezing
• Shorter days mean less daylight for sightseeing
• Some businesses may be closed or have reduced hours

Spring (March – May)

• Beautiful blooming flowers and pleasant weather
• Fewer crowds compared to the summer months
• The Venice Biennale starts in late May, a major contemporary art exhibition
• Spring showers are common, so it’s a good idea to carry an umbrella
• Some popular sites can start to get crowded, especially during the Easter holidays

Remember, the best time to visit Venice depends on your personal preferences and what you want to get out of your trip.

Key Events and Holidays in Venice

Venice is a city that’s rich in culture and tradition, and this is reflected in the numerous events and holidays that take place throughout the year. These events can significantly impact your visit, affecting everything from hotel rates to tourist crowds.

National Holidays in Italy

Italy celebrates several national holidays, many of which are also celebrated in Venice. These include New Year’s Day (January 1), Easter Monday (date varies), Labor Day (May 1), and Christmas Day (December 25). During these holidays, many businesses and attractions may be closed, but the city often comes alive with special events and celebrations.

Specific Events

One of the most significant events that impact the city’s crowd levels is the Carnevale di Venezia, or the Carnival of Venice. This annual festival is world-renowned and attracts visitors from all corners of the globe. The Carnevale typically takes place in February , leading up to Lent. The exact dates vary each year, but in 2023, for example, many of the Carnival events were scheduled from the 11th to the 21st of February, according to the official Venice Carnival website .

If you’re planning to visit during the Carnevale, it’s recommended to book your accommodation and tickets for events well in advance. Some of the most popular events, like the ‘Il Ballo del Doge’ or the Doge’s Ball, can sell out quickly.

Another significant event is the Festa del Redentore in July, a grand festival with fireworks and a regatta to celebrate the end of the plague in 1576.

Holy Week , leading up to Easter, is also a special time in Venice, with religious processions and services taking place throughout the city.

Christmas in Venice is a magical time, with festive decorations, special church services, and Christmas markets. The markets start popping up around the end of November and often last until into the second week of January.

Another notable event is the Vogalonga Regatta, a non-competitive rowing event that takes place in May. It’s a spectacular sight, with hundreds of boats from around the world participating.

Impact on Hotel Rates and Tourist Crowds

During these events and holidays, Venice can become particularly crowded, and hotel rates often increase due to the high demand. It’s advisable to book your accommodations well in advance if you plan to visit during these times.

For events like the Vogalonga, transportation and even the routes the gondolas can take are impacted. The Grand Canal is closed to public transportation during the Vogalonga for most of the day, for example.

Practical Tips for Visiting Venice

Visiting Venice can be an unforgettable experience, but it requires some planning and preparation. Here are some practical tips to help you make the most of your trip:

Weather Preparedness

Venice’s weather can be quite variable, so it’s important to plan for good weather and prepare for the possibility of bad weather. Check the average temperatures and rainfall for the time of your visit and pack accordingly. Remember, even in the summer, thunderstorms can occur, and in the winter, the city can experience cold temperatures and high water levels (acqua alta). Always have a plan B for outdoor activities in case of unexpected weather changes.

Venice can be an expensive city, especially during the peak tourist season. If you’re on a tight budget , consider visiting in the off-season when hotel rates are generally cheaper. Also, keep in mind that many attractions charge admission fees, so factor these into your budget as well.

Buying one of the many passes available for things like transportation, museums , and other attractions can save you money and time. I highly recommend one and you can see the ones that should help you on your trip by clicking here.

Check out my guide on the most popular Venice Passes so you can find one that suits your needs best!

Packing Appropriately

Packing appropriately for your trip to Venice is crucial. In addition to clothing suitable for the weather, consider packing items like rain boots and a waterproof jacket, especially if you’re visiting during the acqua alta season . If you are caught by surprise by aqua alta and didn’t pack appropriately, don’t worry as many souvenir shops sell boots.

Comfortable walking shoes are a must as you’ll likely spend a lot of time on your feet exploring the city.

Check out my packing list guide for what to wear in Venice!

Day Trips and Special Events

Venice’s location in northern Italy makes it a great base for day trips to other cities and regions such as the Prosecco hills for a wine tour . Consider adding a day trip to your itinerary to explore more of Italy. Also, if you’re visiting over New Year’s Eve, you’re in for a treat. Venice hosts a spectacular fireworks display over the lagoon to ring in the new year, a truly magical experience.

Check out my article on the best day trips from Venice to help you plan your ideal trip!

Venice, with its unique charm and rich history, is a city that captivates every visitor. Whether you’re navigating the bustling streets during the peak tourist season, experiencing the festive atmosphere of the Carnevale, or enjoying the quieter charm of the off-season, Venice promises an unforgettable experience.

Remember, the best time to visit Venice is the time that suits you best. So, plan your trip, pack your bags, and get ready to fall in love with La Serenissima, the most serene city.

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When's The Best Time To Visit Venice

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Venice ’s tourist season is very nearly an all-year affair . Peak season is from Easter to early October when hotel rooms are virtually impossible to come by at short notice; if possible, try to avoid July and August , when the crowds are at their fullest, the climate can be oppressive, and many restaurants and bars take their annual break. The other two popular spells are Carnevale (leading up to Lent) and the weeks on each side of Christmas; again, hotels tend to be heavily booked, especially for Carnevale

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• Spring ( March to May) and autumn (September to November ) are the most favourable periods to visit Venice, when temperatures are mild and crowds are smaller, allowing you to explore its canals and architecture more closely.
• Acqua alta , or flood season, occurs from October to January , presenting a unique aspect of Venice with its flooded streets and squares, offering a different perspective on the city's charm.
• The Venice Carnival , a world-famous event, usually takes place in February , transforming the city into a colourful scene of masquerades, elaborate costumes and cultural festivities.
• Venice is hot and crowded in the summer ( June to August ), but there are opportunities to enjoy lively festivals, al fresco dining along the canals and spectacular sunsets over the lagoon.

When's the best time to visit Venice?

For the ideal combination of comparative peace and pleasant climate, the two or three weeks immediately preceding Easter are perhaps the best time of year. Climatically, the months at the end of the high season are erratic: some November and December days are so clear that the Dolomites seem to start on the edge of the mainland, but others bring torrential rain or fog so dense you can’t see across the Canal Grande. 

However, the desertion of the streets in winter is magical, and the sight of the Piazza under floodwater is unforgettable. This acqua alta, as Venice’s seasonal flooding is called, is common between October and March, and you should anticipate a few inconvenient days in the course of a winter visit.

Here are some highlights:

• Spring : Ideal weather and Venice Biennale.
• Summer : Vibrant festivals and outdoor dining.
• Autumn : Serene beauty and the Venice Film Festival.
• Winter : Carnival of Venice and unique acqua alta scenes.

Grand Canal, Venice, Italy © Apple Kullathida/Shutterstock

In Venice, the tourist seasons are characterised as follows:

High Season

From June to August, from late December to early January (Christmas and New Year's Eve), and a fortnight at Easter. Venice is at its busiest during this period, with warm summer weather attracting tourists to its canals and events such as Easter creating a festive atmosphere. Expect crowded attractions, higher accommodation prices and a lively city pulse.

Shoulder Season

Occurs in April, May, September and October. These months are characterised by milder weather and coincide with events such as the Venice Biennale art exhibition, which alternates with the Architecture Biennale, which begins in May. 

At this time, the city is less crowded than in high season, allowing for a more relaxed exploration of Venice's historic streets and canals. Accommodation prices are moderately high but more affordable than in high season.

Lasts from November to March, with the exception of the Christmas, New Year and Carnival periods. This season is characterised by cooler temperatures, potential acqua alta (especially from November to January) and a calmer atmosphere of the city. 

The number of tourists decreases significantly, resulting in lower prices and a more soulful experience of Venice. This period offers a unique opportunity to explore the city without the crowds of tourists, although some businesses may operate on reduced hours or be closed.

When planning a trip to Venice it is important not only to consider the weather conditions but also to find suitable accommodation. Our guide to the best places to stay in Venice will help you solve this issue .

St Mark's Square from the Grand canal. Venice, Italy © volkova natalia/Shutterstock

Venice, a city of great beauty and historical significance, offers its visitors unique experiences throughout the year. However, some months stand out for their perfect combination of pleasant weather, relatively smaller crowds and the city's vibrant cultural calendar. These months capture the essence of Venice and will make your visit unforgettable.

Weather in Venice in April

April marks the beginning of spring in Venice. The weather becomes comfortably mild and the city begins to blossom with colour, making it an ideal time for photography and nature lovers. Easter celebrations add to the festive atmosphere and you can enjoy open cafes and restaurants without the summer crowds. April also sees the opening of the Biennale art or architecture exhibitions, depending on the year, and the start of a wave of cultural events.

Weather in Venice in May

May is probably one of the best times to visit Venice. The weather is warm but not yet hot, allowing you to explore the city's narrow streets and countless bridges for long periods. The city is alive with colour, from fresh greenery to clear blue skies, perfect for leisurely gondola rides. Also in May, Venice often hosts the Biennale, making it a magnet for art lovers from all over the world.

Weather in Venice in September

As the summer heat begins to subside, September welcomes visitors with comfortable temperatures and a light, pleasant atmosphere. The city breathes a sigh of relief as the peak tourist season comes to an end, allowing for more relaxed cultural and historical sightseeing. Among other things, the Venice Film Festival, held in early September, attracts film lovers and adds a glamorous touch to the city's already enchanting atmosphere.

Weather in Venice in October

October is the month that showcases the tranquil beauty of Venice. Temperatures cool down and the summer crowds eventually dissipate, offering a more intimate introduction to the city. The change of season brings stunning autumn colours, creating picturesque scenes around every corner. This is a great time if you want to immerse yourself in the rich history and art of Venice without the hustle and bustle of high season. In addition, the mist over the canals adds a mysterious charm to the Venetian scenery.

Venice landmark, Burano island canal, colorful houses and boats, Italy © StevanZZ/Shutterstock

The closest equivalent to the rainy season in Venice is mostly in the fall: the rainiest month is November, as well as October and April. These months often see acqua alta, or floodwaters, causing flooding in some parts of the city. This phenomenon, while unique and fascinating to observe, can affect the movement and accessibility of Venice. 

If you plan to visit during these periods, you should be prepared for possible disruptions and the opportunity to see the city from an unusual perspective as its waterways and streets merge together.

The Venice Carnival is a world-famous festival that transforms the city into a land of wonder, history, mystery, and beauty. It usually takes place in February and concludes with Lent, so guests from all over the world come to take part in its extravaganza.

It is important to book accommodation in advance, as the city is flooded with people wanting to experience the magic of Carnival. While most of Venice's attractions remain open, expect them to be more crowded than usual.

The appeal of Carnival lies not only in its historic costumes and elaborate masks but also in the variety of entertainment it offers:

• Majestic masquerade balls in ancient Venetian palaces.
• Street performances that enliven the city's narrow streets
• Gondola parades along the famous canals.
• Impressive art exhibitions and live music events.

However, the influx of tourists during this period means that popular destinations can be extremely busy and airfares and hotel prices can rise significantly. It is therefore advisable to plan your Venice Carnival adventure well in advance to ensure you have an enjoyable time in the colorful atmosphere of the festivities.

Venice offers a wide list of things to do at any time of the year. If you're feeling confused and don't know where to start planning your itinerary, check out our list of the best things to do in Venice for all tastes .

Masked man by the water at Venice Carnival, Italy, Europe – copyright Kiki Deere

Plan your visit during shoulder season

Visiting Venice during the "shoulder" months of March, April and October can enhance your experience. During these periods, the weather is milder, the crowds are smaller and the beauty of the city is more tranquil. You'll get fewer queues at the main attractions and a calmer atmosphere for exploring the winding streets and canals.

Embrace the Acqua Alta

The Acqua alta , or high water, is a unique phenomenon in Venice that usually occurs between October and January. Instead of seeing it as an inconvenience, embrace this aspect of Venetian life. Put on waterproof boots and walk on the elevated platforms to see the city in a whole new light. It's an experience unique to Venice that you won't want to miss.

Get lost in the backstreets

One of the best ways to get to know Venice is to wander its less-visited paths. Venture beyond the main tourist spots, such as St Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge, to discover hidden gems. Here you'll find quieter canals, charming local shops and authentic Venetian restaurants, giving you a glimpse into the daily lives of the residents.

Use Public Transportation Wisely

Venice's public transport system , primarily the vaporettos (water buses), is an efficient way to get around the city. If you are staying for a few days, consider purchasing a pass to save on the cost of individual tickets. Remember that gondola rides, although iconic, are more for the experience than as a practical way to get around, and they can be expensive.

Online editor at Rough Guides, specialising in travel content. Passionate about creating compelling stories and inspiring others to explore the world.

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The Best Time to Visit Venice

Italy › Venice › Best Time to Visit Venice Updated: May 4, 2022 By Santorini Dave

• Venice – Best Places to Stay
• Best Hotels in Venice
• Best Hotels for Families in Venice

When is the best time to visit Venice?

Me and my two boys in Venice on a summer visit.

My favorite time to visit Venice is during April, May, September, and October when the city is warm and dry but not too hot. I try to avoid visiting in August when the weather is hot and muggy and many Venetians leave for a month-long vacation. Winter is excellent for avoiding crowds (except during Carnival season), but it is rainy and the chance of flooding increases, though typically not enough to prevent sightseeing.

The best time to go to Venice is April, May, September, and October.

• Best Time for Sightseeing : Mid-spring, and particularly the first half of May, is the very best time to enjoy sightseeing in Venice. The cold of winter has lifted and the sun makes a daily appearance, while temperatures are comfortably warm. Tourist services are fully operational, yet you’re unlikely to run into large crowds. Unless your goal is to spend your days lying on the beach, there is really no downside to visiting in May. If going in May is not an option, the second half of September is your next best bet, with the crowds of summer beginning to thin, and temperatures cooling down some. August is arguably the worst time for sightseeing in Venice, with stifling heat and high humidity, lots of bugs and plenty of sweaty tourists to contend with. No matter what time of year you’re in Venice, visiting the most popular attractions like St. Mark’s Square, is best enjoyed during the early morning hours. Not only will you have the best chance for being at the front of the queue for places like the Basilica and the Campanile, but you can take advantage of the early morning light for especially magical photos.
• Best Time for Visiting the Rialto Markets : The Rialto Bridge, located in the oldest and most central quarter of the city, has been a bustling hub for hundreds of years. No matter what the season, the area is always filled with tourists. This is one spot where you won’t notice a significant difference in crowds between summer and winter other than the temperature. As with many other popular destinations, the best time to visit is early in the morning – before 9am, on a Friday or Saturday; the markets begin winding down after lunchtime. By going early in the morning, not only will you see the local fish and vegetable market, but you can also enjoy a fairly tranquil scene at the bridge. The Rialto Market is open Tuesday through Saturday from about 7:30 a.m. to about 1:00 p.m. On Mondays, the fruit and vegetable vendors are open, while the seafood stalls are closed.
• Best Time to Attend Carnivale : Carnivale is one of the biggest celebrations in all of Italy, but there is no place in the country that does it bigger or better than Venice. It takes place here, and many places around the world, 40 days before Easter, with a final party before Ash Wednesday and Lent. The events typically last for two to three weeks before the actual Carnival Day (Shrove Tuesday – the day before Ash Wednesday). While many events, like the opulent masquerade balls, require invitations and have very high ticket prices, many others, like the candlelit parade of boats, concerts and street performances, are free and open to the public. If you arrive into Venice mid-week during the first week, you might wonder, “why all the hype?” Other than a few low-key events and the skating rink in Campo San Polo, there’s not really a lot going on. But that’s because all of the excitement comes on the weekends, and the final weekend in particular. St. Mark’s Square is the focal point, where you’ll see the most elaborate costumes and masks. On weekdays, the area is generally still fun, and also fairly manageable – on the weekend, visitors flood in and the streets can get very crowded. Away from the costumes and all of the masks, the local areas of Venice are still relatively quiet and peaceful.
• Best Time for a Gondola Ride : Gondola rides are available throughout the year, and while anytime is a good time for this unforgettable experience, it may be most romantic in winter, early Spring, or late Autumn, with less boat traffic on the canals, the water especially tranquil and blankets available to cuddle up in and ward off the chill. It makes for a more intimate ride than a summer adventure when the waterways are packed and temperatures are sizzling. No matter what the season, the time of day you go matters too. Just about everyone plans to go at sunset or just after dusk, which means the canals will be jam-packed with gondolas. If your priority is to capture that idyllic photograph, choosing to go in the late morning or early afternoon hours may be best, as crowds will be at a minimum and you’ll have plenty of light, not to mention, it’s less expensive too.
• High Season (June through August) : Venice’s very busy high season falls in the summer. During this time of year tourists are crammed into even pricier gondolas and hotels charge their highest rates. This season also means stifling heat and pesky bugs, but if a summer vacation is a must, or if you simply enjoy the excitement of the crowds and want to take advantage of longer days with an abundance of sunshine, going to Venice during high season may be for you. Summer in Venice is more temperate than in Italy’s scorching inland cities, and as most Venetian hotels come with air-conditioning, it can be pleasant, or at a minimum tolerable.
• Shoulder Season (March through May, September through November) : Shoulder season in Venice falls in the spring and autumn months, both beautiful times of the year to be in the City of Canals. In the spring, Venice defrosts, with temperatures rising from the lower 50s in March to the lower 70s in May, and in the fall, the city begins to empty of peak summer crowds, making for a magical atmosphere, though you’re likely to need a coat as November’s temperatures range from the upper 30s to lower 50s.
• Low Season (December through February) : Winter is low season, which means none of the sweat and stress of the high tourist season, with temperatures averaging in the 30s and 40s. While this time of year certainly has its advantages, with few crowds and discounted accommodation rates, keep in mind that sights may have shorter hours – many close as early as 5pm – and there will be fewer activities available. February, during Carnevale, is the exception, when rates are high, crowds are vast and there are numerous events to take part in. This season can bring some flooding, particularly at St. Mark’s Square and along Zatteree at the southern edge of Venice, though it’s unlikely to significantly affect sightseeing plans. A number of tabacchi (tobacco shops) and a few souvenir shops sell boots that will help keep your feet dry.

Venice Weather by Month

• Venice Weather in January : Venice is at its coldest, and quietest, in January, with daytime temperatures typically hovering around 3°C and sometimes dipping below freezing, particularly at night. This is when that famous Venetian fog rolls in that gives the canals a ghostly, romantic atmosphere. Most days are partly cloudy, and you should expect to experience rain on an average of nine days in January, with about 58mm falling in total. Often, there is moderate or light rain during at least part of the day. While it’s usually not enough to keep one indoors, as it’s rather chilly, you should plan on dressing in layers, bringing a warm coat, hat, gloves and a scarf. On the plus side, the cruise ships have long departed, and you won’t have to fight crowds to see the sights. (Average Max Temperature: 6°C. Average Precipitation: 58mm.)
• Venice Weather in February : February can still be quite cold in Venice, with temperatures typically hovering around 5° to 6°C and overnight lows just a bit over freezing at 1°C. Warm clothing is a necessity as it was in January, but the days are growing longer now. Rain isn’t significant, but with the heavy fog, it will likely feel rather damp. A month earlier, there was about nine hours of sunlight, by February 1 that increases to 9 hours and 45 minutes, and by February’s end, you’ll enjoy slightly over 11 hours of light with the sun setting just before 6pm. As fog is usually quite heavy now, it can make for an especially romantic canal ride. (Average Max Temperature: 8°C. Average Precipitation: 50mm.)
• Venice Weather in March : Temperatures in March are becoming milder, but it’s still cool, so you’ll need to pack that hat, scarf and coat. Temperatures range from about 8°C to 12°C during the day, dipping down to 4°C at night. This month is wetter, with around 64mm of rainfall on an average of 12 days; precipitation is likely to occur as moderate rain, with occasional light rain and thunderstorms as well. A raincoat with a hood will allow you to get around comfortably. There are about 12 hours of daylight on average, with 12 hours and 46 minutes by March 31 when the sunsets just after 7:30pm. (Average Max Temperature: 12°C. Average Precipitation: 60mm.)
• Venice Weather in April : April ushers in much more pleasant weather, though it doesn’t get too warm. It’s the beginning of sunshine in Venice, with open-air cafes and lots of fabulous places to soak up the joyful atmosphere. The average high temperature has increased to 16°C and overnight lows are a rather comfortable 12°C. This month experiences about the same amount of rainfall as March, with around 64mm coming down over an average of 13 days in April, mostly as moderate rain, along with occasional thunderstorms. On most days, light clothing is appropriate, though as the weather tends to change frequently, bring along a light jacket with a hood and/or an umbrella. The days are significantly longer than they were over the winter months, with more than 14 hours of daylight and sunset at 8:17pm on April 30. (Average Max Temperature: 16°C. Average Precipitation: 60mm.)
• Venice Weather in May : May marks the official start of the tourist season, and temperatures start to rise, with sunshine brightening up the entire city. You’ll start to notice more bugs, along with bigger crowds and sweatier tourists. The average temperature is around 21°C, which means a light shirt or top and pants or shorts are typical daytime attire, though you may need a sweater in the evening with temperatures dropping to 12°C after dark. Pack a bathing suit, as it will probably be warm enough to soak up the sunshine on the beach, or to take part in watersports like jet skiing. There is typically 70mm of rainfall over 11 days in May, often coming down as moderate rain or thunderstorms. There is a significant difference in temperature from May 1 to May 31, with highs averaging around 15°C early in the month, increasing to highs of 23°C by the end of May. (Average Max Temperature: 21°C. Average Precipitation: 70mm.)
• Venice Weather in June : The tourist season is now in full swing – and, so is the heat. Expect hot, sunny and long days; the longest day is June 20, which brings nearly 16 hours of sunlight. Pack your beachwear, including a bathing suit and sunscreen, along with t-shirts, shorts and capris. The average high temperature is 24°C and it doesn’t cool down much at night, with low temps average 16°C. Rain this month occurs on an average of 12 days, often as afternoon thunderstorms.
• Venice Weather in July : July is the hottest month in Venice, and the peak of the tourist season. The average high temperature is 28°C, with lows dipping only to around 18°C overnight. Pack your bathing suit so that you can cool off in the water at beaches like Lido, along with t-shirts, shorts and sandals to wear during the day and nice casual, light clothing for going out in the evening. Due to the high temperatures, and long hours of sunshine (over 15 ½ hours on July 1), be sure to bring and wear high SPF sunscreen as well as a hat. Around 63mm of rain falls on an average of 10 days in July, most of it through summer thunderstorms. (Average Max Temperature: 28°C. Average Precipitation: 63mm.)
• Venice Weather in August : August in Venice is still very warm and very busy, though the average high drops a degree to 27°C this month. At night you can expect the same, with warm, relatively pleasant evenings, and the temperature dropping to 18°C. Rain increases slightly to 70mm over nine days, mostly as thunderstorms, and there is about 14 hours of daylight, with August 31 the shortest day and the sun going down just before 8pm. August is a good time to get out on the water and go sailing or rowing, to cool off from the intense heat, but if you aren’t able to, be sure to duck under an umbrella or head inside during the hottest part of the day. (Average Max Temperature: 27°C. Average Precipitation: 70mm.)
• Venice Weather in September : Temperatures are slowly beginning to drop now, reaching an average high of 24°C and a low of 15°C, while tourist crowds start to thin. During the day a short-sleeve shirt and pants or even shorts are usually adequate, though you may need a sweater if a cool breeze blows through. Rain generally isn’t significant, falling on an average of nine days in September, mostly occurring in the form of thunderstorms followed by light rain. The days are getting shorter, with a little less than 12 hours of sunlight by the month’s end. (Average Max Temperature: 24°C. Average Precipitation: 70mm.)
• Venice Weather in October : It’s noticeably cooler in October, and much less busy with the tourist season having come to an end. Days are pleasant, typically around 14°C to 16°C, and after the sun goes down, you’ll likely need a sweater or jacket as the temperature drops to an average of 10°C. Expect about the same amount of rain as last month, with 70mm falling over 10 days, mostly moderate with the occasional thunderstorm. Daylight is decreasing, to just over 10 hours of sunlight on October 31 and sunset at about 5pm. (Average Max Temperature: 18°C. Average Precipitation: 70mm.)
• Venice Weather in November : Weather is changing dramatically now, with high temperatures dropping to an average of 11°C and lows to 4°C. As this is one of the rainier months in Venice, rain increases particularly during the second half of the month, making the need for an umbrella and warm jacket more likely. There is a rather large difference in temperature from the beginning to the end of the month, starting out with highs around 10°C, dropping three degrees to 7°C by month’s end. Overnight, temperatures hover just a few degrees above freezing. (Average Max Temperature: 11°C. Average Precipitation: 70mm.)
• Venice Weather in December : One of the coldest months of the year in Venice, in December the average temperature typically only reaches as high as 7°C, and after dark, it often falls to right about freezing. You’ll need to bring your cold weather gear, including a warm jacket, heavy sweaters, a hat, gloves and scarves. An umbrella and waterproof shoes or boots are likely to be appreciated too. A heavy fog and mist rolls in now, creating a haunting cityscape along with a chill in the air. The days are shorter now, with the shortest day falling in mid-December bringing less than nine hours of daylight and the sun setting at 4:30pm. (Average Max Temperature: 7°C. Average Precipitation: 50mm.)

Venice Events and Festivals by Month

Venice events in january.

• New Year’s Day – New Year’s Day is a national holiday in Italy, and in Venice, most attractions, including museums as well as shops, restaurants and other services are closed. Many Venetians celebrate the start of the new year by taking a morning dip in the chilly waters from the beach on the Lido.
• Ephiphany/La Befana – This national holiday held annually on January 6, marks the 12th day of Christmas and is one on which Italian children wake up to toys and candy in their shoes, celebrating the arrival of La Befana, a good witch. In Venice, it’s also celebrated with a regatta known as La Regatta delle Befane, which features men dressed up like the witch who race boats in the Grand Canal.
• Festival of Saint Anthony (The Feast Day of Saint Anthony Abbott) – This Italian holiday held on January 16 and 17 in Venice, celebrates the patron saint of butchers, domestic animals, gravediggers and basket makers. In Venice, it traditionally marks the start of the Carnevale season. The tradition of the festival begins with a bonfire outside of two churches near the square, and is followed by a mass on the morning of the 17th. At the conclusion of mass, visitors can observe the release of balloons in the piazza which represent blessings for all children and animals.
• Post-holiday Sales – A state-mandated sale period begins in January and lasts for six to eight weeks. While the date varies each year, the sales usually begin early in the month, after La Befana, and are known for offering some very good bargains, often with discounts of 25 to 35 percent or even more. Look for signs in shop windows reading SALDI, which means “sales.”

Venice Events in February

• Carnevale di Venezia – Carnivale is celebrated across Italy, but Venice is known for throwing one of the biggest parties of all. Here, the entire city center is transformed into a living theater set for two entire weeks or more, following a tradition that originated back in 1162. It involves tens of thousands of costumed participants who attend masquerade balls and take part in activities like street performances, juggling, and a nonstop program of historical plays in the central Piazza San Marco. The “grand finale” includes a candlelit, silent water parade where hundreds of gondolas float along the Canal Grande. Travelers from across the globe crowd into the city to enjoy the parades on land and in the canals, food fairs, children’s carnivals and many other activities. It takes place 40 days before Easter, with a final party before Ash Wednesday and Lent. The events typically last for two to three weeks before the actual carnival day, the day before Ash Wednesday, which changes every year according to when Easter falls.
• Valentine’s Day – Surprisingly, it’s only been in recent years that Italy has started to celebrate the feast day of Saint Valentine, or Festa di San Valentino, with love letters, hearts, and candlelight dinners. You can celebrate by taking a gondola ride and kissing under the famous Bridge of Sights, enjoying two-for-one admission at some of Venice’s museums or toasting to your love with a drink at an outside table in Saint Mark’s Square after dark.

Venice Events in March

• Festa della Donna – Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8 throughout Italy, honoring mothers, and all women. On this day, men bring flowers, usually yellow mimosas, to the women in their lives, and restaurants offer special meals honoring women. If you plan to dine out on this day, reservations are recommended. Watch for concerts and local events that will be held around Venice and other cities through Italy.
• Festa di San Giuseppe – This is Father’s Day in Italy. The Feast Day of Saint Joseph includes the tradition of children giving gifts to their fathers, and zeppole (a fried dough similar to a doughnut) is consumed.
• Holy Week and Easter – Holy Week, or Easter Week, may be in March or April. It always begins on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter. This is a very busy time in Venice, with tourists crowding the city rather than locals. Because it’s a long weekend, many Italians take the opportunity to get out of town, heading to the countryside, the sea, or the mountains. Visitors can enjoy pageants, classical music concerts and Easter services during this time. Most major sights and museums will be open on Easter Sunday and Monday, though many shops and restaurants will be closed.

Venice Events in April

• Settimana della Cultura – The Week of Culture is typically held in mid-April, though the exact dates aren’t usually released until just before the event. During this time, many national museums and sites offer free admission. Some museums in Venice that participate include the Accademia, the Ca d’Oro and the Archeological Museum, among many others.
• Festa di San Marco and Liberation Day – Held annually on April 25, this busy day on the Venetian calendar is an important religious observation of the city’s beloved patron, Saint Mark. He’s feted on this day with a gondoliers’ regatta that includes commemorations of the saint who died on April 25, 68 AD at Saint Mark’s Basilica, and festivities in Saint Mark’s Square. Tradition also includes men giving their wives or girlfriends the “bocolo,” the bloom of the red rose. The day also marks the anniversary that Italy was liberated at the end of the Second World War.

Venice Events in May

• Labor Day and the Festa della Sparesca – International Workers’ Day, or Labour Day, is a national holiday held on May 1 each year. Many Venetians leave town for the long weekend, while those who stay can witness the gondolier regatta known as Festa della Sparesca held at Cavallino in the lagoon.
• Festa della Sensa – The Festa della Sensa is an ancient celebration commemorating Venice’s relationship to the sea. It takes place on the first Sunday after Ascension Day (40 days after Easter). Festivities include a magnificent procession at sea, with colorful parade boats from all the rowing associations in Venice following the Serenissima which carries the mayor and the patriarch.
• Vogalonga – Held the weekend following the Sensa festival, Volalonga is a thrilling rowing race that includes as many as 3,000 participants. The 32-kilometer course runs from San Marco Basin to the island of Burano and returns through the Grand Canal, concluding at the Punta della Dogana. This is a fantastic event to watch, with the suffocating motorized boat traffic ceasing, and the water is left to the oars.

Venice Events in June

• Festa della Repubblica – Republic Day is a national holiday held on June 2 each year. It is similar to Independence Day in other countries, and celebrates the nation becoming a Republic in 1946. Though many businesses, including museums and restaurants, will be closed, there are almost always some eateries open that cater to the countless visitors that flood the city during high season. Keep an eye out for posters announcing special festivities and concerts throughout town.
• La Biennale – This month-long contemporary arts extravaganza beings in June every other year during odd-number years, and runs through November. Sixty days after Easter, Corpus Domini, honoring the Holy Eucharist, is celebrated by Catholics. In Venice, this day typically features a long procession in and around St. Mark’s Square. It’s believed to be the oldest of its kind in the country, dating back to 1317.
• Palio of the Four Ancient Maritime Republics – This boat race rife with medieval pageantry is hosted in Venice every four years. The traditional regatta shifts between Pisa, Genoa, Amalfi and Venice. Prior to the race is a parade, with participants donning medieval dress and marching through the streets.

Venice Events in July

• Festa del Redentore – July’s biggest event is the Festa del Redentore, or Festival of the Redeemer, which marks the end of an epidemic in 1576. It is accompanied by fireworks and a rowing competition, while the footbridge from the mainland to Giudecca, which is created from a connected flotilla of boats, becomes one of Venice’s most famous bridges. The unique event is renowned throughout the country, with boat parades and elaborate Venetian-style dinner hosted at numerous restaurants before the big pyrotechnic show begins. Dinner reservations must be made well in advance as seats are limited.
• Arena di Campo San Polo – This open-air cinema begins in late July and runs through the end of August. It features the largest screen in Venice and includes films that are generally reruns of the previous season’s blockbusters, but there are also a number of premieres as well. Most are in Italian, or dubbed into Italian, although six films in the original English language version are typically also featured.

Venice Events in August

• La Biennale di Venezia – The Venice Biennial is considered one of the most important art extravaganzas in the world. Held every other year during odd-number years, it runs throughout the month of August and includes the International Art Exhibition, International Film Festival and International Architecture Exhibition as well as the Festival of Contemporary Music and International Theatre Festival.
• Ferragosto – The traditional beginning of the summer holidays for most Italians, Ferragosto, held on August 15, falls on the religious holiday of Assumption. It marks the time when local Venetians head out of town, to the beach or mountains, to escape the heat and mosquitoes that summer brings. While some businesses will be closed, many stay open, catering to tourists. Fireworks are a very big part of Ferragosto across the country, including in Venice.
• Venice Film Festival – The Venice Film Festival is an annual internationally known film festival on Venice Lido that brings out a bevy of stars who grace Venice’s gondolas and red carpets.
• Outdoor Concerts and Movies – Several squares around Venice host outdoor movies and concerts throughout the month of August, including Campo San Polo. Look for the posters with information about the events.

Venice Events in September

• Regata Storica di Venezia – Venice’s Historic Regatta is one of the most spectacular events in Venice, and the most important event on the rowing calendar, highlighting the city’s reliance on boating and waterways. Taking place on the first Sunday of September annually, it is made up of four different races and involves many different types of boats, including the gondola. Teas of gondoliers, some decked out in costume, race a course along the Grand Canal. The event is accompanied with much fanfare, food and music.
• Festival of the Triumph of the Cross – September 14 is a holy day marked annually with a procession at the church and grand school (Scuola Grande) of San Giovanni Evangelista in the Sestiere di San Polo.

Venice Events in October

• Opera Season at La Fenice – Venice’s famous opera house is an unforgettable place to see an opera, and is highly recommended, even for non-opera fans.
• Venice Marathon – Every fourth Sunday in October, this internationally recognized race begins on the mainland and finishes in St. Mark’s Square.
• Halloween – Although Halloween isn’t an Italian holiday, it’s become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly among young adults. Many of the shop windows feature Halloween décor, and nightclubs, bars and restaurants on the Lido host Halloween costume parties.

Venice Events in November

• All Saints Day – November 1 is a public holiday. This is a time when Italians remember their deceased loved ones by visiting cemeteries and graves. In Venice, families traditionally crossed a pontoon bridge to the island cemetery of San Michele, placing flowers on the graves of their saintly or secular relatives. Today, they make the trip by vaporetto or water taxi, though the idea is the same, honoring the dead and keeping in touch with the loved ones they expect to see in the hereafter.
• Festa di San Martino – On November 11 each year, kids armed with their mothers’ pots and spoons raise a ruckus around Venice, chanting the saint’s praises and demanding trick-or-treat-style tokens in return for taking the noise elsewhere.
• Festa della Salute – The festival of La Salute is held annually on November 21. The day commemorates the plague that decimated much of the city’s population, when one-third of Venetians died from a plague that occurred in the early 17th century. Celebrants give thanks at the church of the Madonna della Salute in the Dorsoduro sesteire, which was built by survivors. City workers lay a footbridge built on pontoon boats across the Grand Canal which leads from the San Marco quarter to the steps of the church where the main doors are opened, as they are just once a year and have been for nearly four centuries, to receive the masses for mass.

Venice Events in December

• Hanukkah – Venice celebrates Hanukkah in the Ghetto, which is the Jewish area of Venice that was the first segregated Jewish community in Europe. If you visit, you can witness the lighting of the Menorah, sample kosher food finds and enjoy a variety of Hanukkah festivities.
• Feast of the Immaculate Conception – On December 8, Catholic faithful celebrate the day of the Virgin Mary’s conception of Jesus. This is a national holiday which means many businesses may be closed.
• Christmas Markets – From mid-December through mid-January, the festive Christmas market in Campo Santo Stefano is filled with stalls selling beautiful Venetian handicrafts, including nativities, children’s toys, and delectable seasonal treats. Live music is also part of the festivities.
• Christmas Eve/Christmas Day – Venetians celebrate Christmas Eve with a multi-course fish dinner, and many follow the meal with a midnight Mass at Saint Mark’s Basilica with services in Italian, English, French and German. Everyone is invited, and although it technically starts at 11:30pm, you’ll need to get there a few hours before to reserve a seat. On Christmas Day, everything will be closed. Venetians celebrate over a large lunch with family and opening presents. You can follow them later to a free concert held at 4pm at the Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari church.
• Festa di San Silvestro/New Year’s Eve – December 31st in Venice, and throughout Italy, is celebrated with plenty of fanfare. You’ll find parties throughout the city, and in Piazza San Marco, hundreds of visitors fill the square to enjoy fireworks, toasts, music and a midnight kiss.

About Santorini Dave

We will be in Italy in late March of this year. We will be arriving in Milan on March 30. We were planning to visit Venice on March 31 (Saturday) however Easter this year is on April 1. Trying to determine when would be the best day to visit Venice Saturday or Sunday? We don’t celebrate Easter, however, we would like to go on a day in which shops will be open and we can get the best out of our day trip. What would be your suggestion?

Saturday will be slightly less busy than Easter Sunday but both will be very busy. (And Easter Monday busier still.) Most shops and restaurants in Venice will be open during Easter but still might be some surprisings.

Hello. Any recommendation for a good restaurant with a scenic view in Venice? (Visiting in November.) Thank you Dalia

Terrazza Danieli has great food and view.

I’ve been wanting to visit Venice for as long as I can remember. If you had a favorite month – or even a favorite week to visit Venice what would it be? Looking for good weather that’s great for walking. Smaller crowds would also be nice (though not as important as good weather.) I’ll be there with my husband and we both love food. Is there an area of Venice that is good for excellent food and true Italian food? – would love to avoid the tourist spots, but perhaps everywhere is touristy. Advice and recommendations appreciated.

Thank you, Stefani

I’d go for late September-October as crowds drop a lot once school in Europe has gone back. October can be warm and sunny with beautiful light – but naturally these days the old weather patterns vary a bit so there’s never a guarantee. However to be honest, Venice is a special experience in whatever conditions. Mid winter in the fog can be very romantic! For food I’d recommend the Cannaregio district with its many neighbourhood eateries. If you’re interested in local food be adventurous and ask the waiter for suggestions and what’s in season. Avoid restaurants that offer a set tourist menu. Venice is touristy but a lot of people live there too and they need to go out to dinner too so it is possible to have a good authentic meal.

Any preference between traveling to Venice in early June or late September (crowds, hotel rates, weather)? Also, how far in advance would you book hotels for a June or September visit? And how far in advance should we book our train tickets from Rome to Venice? Thank you, Shawn

Early June can be hot (though these days weather forecasts are hit and miss) while late September tends to be more comfortable in terms of temperatures. Both will be fairly crowded but that’s Venice. (The quiet time is midwinter). Both periods are pretty well high season in terms of hotel rates though advance booking can often get you a good deal. Train tickets can be booked up to 3 months ahead on Trenitalia.com but tickets can also be purchased at the train station. Trains to Rome are plentiful so booking more than a day in advance isn’t necessary (though you may not get your choice of departure at the last minute).

Hope this is helpful.

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TravelAwaits

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Traveling To Venice, Italy: What To Know Before You Go

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• Destinations

Venice, Italy is one of the most dreamlike and romantic places on earth. You’ve probably grown up seeing idealized images of Venice in magazines like National Geographic that provided a fantasized version of what Venice, Italy is like: the traditional gondolas, the stunning canals, the endless bridges… So, the question remains: Is this what Venice is like in real life?

When you first get off the plane in Venice, it seems hard to believe that a stunning canal-lined city surrounded by the Adriatic Sea exists just a few short miles away. It’s not until you hop into your water taxi and are driving down the Venetian Lagoon that you realize you really are in Venice, and that it really is like those photos you grew up seeing.

Venice is a city in northeastern Italy and is the capital of the Veneto region. It is nestled amongst a group of 118 small islands separated by canals, and linked by over 400 bridges, hence where it gets the nicknames the “City of Canals” and the “City of Bridges.”

The following information will provide you with everything you need to know in order to plan a trip to this unparalleled and unique Italian city, including the weather, best things to see, what to eat, where to stay, and how to get around.

Shutterstock / givaga

Weather In Venice

Average High/Low Temperatures by Month

January: 45°/32°F February: 48°/33°F March: 55°/40°F April: 62°/47°F May: 71°/55°F June: 78°/62°F July: 83°/66°F August: 82°/65°F September: 75°/58°F October: 65°/50°F November: 54°/41°F December: 46°/33°F

Months with the Most Rainfall

June: 11 days November: 11 days August: 9 days

The Climate in Venice

Venice has a Mediterranean climate with hot weather and high humidity in July and August. July is the hottest month in Venice with an average temperature of 73°F, and it is also the month with the most daily sunshine hours. Violent thunderstorms and flooding are common in Venice.

June and November are Venice’s wettest months, and winter months see chilly weather. Winter in Venice welcomes frequent and sometimes freezing fogs, especially in January.

The Best Time to Visit Venice

The best time to visit Venice is during spring months. Spring offers favorable temperatures ideal for sightseeing, especially in May. In May, the cold of winter diminishes and days are comfortably warm.

The Carnival of Venice is one of the biggest celebrations in Italy, occurring each year in February. Though February is a cooler month in Venice, it is a great time to visit, due to this world-renowned celebration.

What to Pack for a Trip to Venice

Since Venice sees four seasons, it’s important to pack for the weather when planning a trip to Venice.

If you’re visiting during winter months, be sure to bring warm clothes. If you’re traveling to Venice in summer, be aware that it can get very hot, so you’ll want the works: sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, light clothing, and, of course, comfortable walking shoes!

If you happen to visit Venice during its rainy season, namely in November, make sure you come fully prepared with rain boots and an umbrella.

Shutterstock / Catarina Belova

Best Things To See In Venice

There are endless things to see and do in Venice, from its bustling plazas to its stunning canals, bridges, and basilicas.

1. Piazza San Marco

Commonly referred to as St. Mark’s Square, Piazza San Marco is the city’s principal square, with several prominent buildings and landmarks, including St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace , and St. Mark’s Clocktower . Spend the day touring these sites, watching the hundreds of pigeons that frequent the square or indulge in some delicious Italian favorites at the plaza’s many surrounding restaurants and cafes.

2. Grand Canal

Forming one of the major water-traffic corridors in Venice, Grand Canal follows a natural channel that traces a reverse-S from St. Mark’s Basilica to Santa Chiara Church . Travelers can take a traditional poled gondola ride along Grand Canal, or watch as motorized water buses and private water taxis zip through the area.

3. St. Mark’s Basilica

Situated in Piazza San Marco, St. Mark’s Basilica is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. It’s undeniably the city’s most famous church and is best known for its Italo-Byzantine architecture.

4. Rialto Bridge

The oldest of four bridges that span Venice’s Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge is a stone-arch bridge built at the end of the 16th century. The bridge is renowned as an architectural and engineering achievement of the Renaissance.

5. Bridge of Sighs

Another prominent bridge in Venice, the Bridge of Sighs gets in name from a suggestion that prisoners would sigh at their last glimpses of Venice, just before being taken to their cells. Made of white limestone, the Bridge of Sighs passes over the Rio di Palazzo, connecting the New Prison to interrogation rooms in Doge’s Palace.

Best Food To Eat In Venice

1. sarde in saor.

A sweet-and-sour (agrodolce) dish, sarde in saor consists of fried sardine fillets marinated in vinegar, onions, raisins, and pine nuts. It was originally consumed during the Middle Ages as a means of preservation for Venetian sailors and fisherman. The word saor itself refers to the technique of marinating food in vinegar.

2. Bigoli in salsa

In Italian, bigoli are long, thick, whole-wheat pasta noodles that resemble spaghetti. The sauce on bigoli consists of onion and salt-cured fish, namely sardines or anchovies. Bigoli in salsa is traditionally served on lean days, such as Christmas Eve and Good Friday. This simple dish is bursting with flavor and will have you saying, “Now, that’s amore !”

3. Dried and salted cod

Venetian salted cod, called baccal à mantecato in Italian, is one of the most popular ways of preparing cod in Italy, especially in Venice. The salted cod is typically beaten with milk and peanut oil until whipped. It is usually served on a bread crostini or atop baked polenta.

4. Cicchetti

Known as Venetian antipasti, cicchetti are delicious, cheap dishes unique to Venice. Cicchetti is small plates or finger foods, similar to tapas in Spain. These small plates are usually enjoyed out at a restaurant with friends and family, accompanied by a glass of wine or spritzer and good conversation.

Other Things To Do In Venice

Take an italian cooking class.

One of Italy’s greatest appeals is its cuisine, and what better way to spend your time in Venice than learning to cook like a true Italian?

There are endless cooking classes held throughout Venice, but Mama Isa’s Cooking School is our pick and was awarded as Italy’s top cooking school by the New York Times .

Travelers can choose between a half-day, full-day, or pizza cooking class. Mama Isa herself is a chef, cooking class teacher, and “sfoglina,” known in Venice as a pasta specialist. She has more than 10 years of experience hosting cooking classes in Italy, teaching visitors how to make their own homemade pasta, toss their own pizza dough, or make risotto from scratch.

Hop on a Gondola Ride

It wouldn’t be a trip to Venice without hopping on a gondola ride and being serenaded by a gondolier. While riding a gondola in Venice may be a slight tourist trap, it’s one that no traveler should be ashamed to partake in.

Gondolas have been a primary form of transportation in Venice since the 12th century, up until speedboats started taking their place in the 20th century.

While gondolas are still considered a mode of transportation in Venice, their main purpose is to guide tourists through the picturesque canals of the city, while gazing upon centuries-old Baroque buildings and breathing in that fresh Adriatic Sea breeze.

Shutterstock / Ihor Serdyukov

Best Kept Secret In Venice

Libreria acqua alta.

Arguably one of the most unique bookstores in the world, Libreria Acqua Alta has rejected Venice’s constant state of flooding by keeping its collection of books in boats, gondolas, canoes, and tanks.

Located in Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa, Libreria Acqua Alta sells a massive collection of books in all languages that cover every topic imaginable, including art, food, sport, cinema, fiction, and non-fiction.

Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., the out-of-the-ordinary bookstore is a must-see when visiting Venice. This dream-like attraction invites visitors to explore its endless“bookshelves” and get lost with some literature in its encyclopedia-lined staircases.

Shutterstock / Habrus Liudmila

Best Areas To Stay In Venice

Neighborhoods in Venice are called sestieres, and there are several wonderful areas to choose from when looking for accommodations in Venice.

1. San Marco

San Marco is situated in the heart of Venice and is home to the largest number of museums, tourist attractions, and monuments. Though this is arguably the most beautiful area to stay in Venice, keep in mind it may also be the most crowded, and the most expensive.

2. Cannaregio

Cannaregio is a more authentic alternative to neighborhoods like San Marco, and is home to Venice’s Jewish Ghetto, one of the oldest throughout all of Europe. This is a great choice for travelers that like to get a bit off the beaten path. Sites to see in Cannaregio include the Church of Madonna dell’Orto and Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli .

3. Castello

Castellois the largest sestiere in Venice, dating back to the 13th century. It’s yet another very local and very authentic neighborhood in the city and is a great option for those who are looking to save on accommodations.

4. Dorsoduro

A true tale of two cities, Dorsoduro is known for having both a tranquil daytime ambiance and a bustling nightlife. Dorsoduro is home to the Gallerie dell’Accademia , Venice’s most renowned art gallery.

Shutterstock / OlgaKhorkova

How To Get Around In Venice

One of the main aspects of Venice that makes it so unique is its presence of canals in place of roads. Venice is made up of more than 150 canals, thus there are no cars in the city. It’s undeniably what gives Venice it’s romantic appeal, but how does one get around without road transportation?

Since Venice is quite small, the best way to see the city is on foot, and you can easily walk to all of the city’s main attractions. Though Venice can be seen primarily on foot, there are some options for those that wish to take advantage of Venice’s water transportation. There are bus-boats that serve as public transportation in Venice, though it costs a pretty penny. A one-way fare that’s good for one hour costs €7.50.

A more affordable alternative to Venice’s bus-boats is something called a “traghetto.” A traghetto is a gondola-like boat that takes visitors from one side of Grand Canal to the other for only a couple of euros. There’s nothing fancy or romantic about these boats, but they’re used by locals and will give you a more authentic take on public transportation in Venice.

Key Phrases To Know In Italian

While Venice is, in fact, a very popular tourist destination, I myself was surprised to discover that not many Italians spoke English when I visited the beautiful canal-lined city a few years back.

When you are visiting touristy areas throughout Venice, namely Piazza San Marco, Rialto Bridge, Saint Mark’s Basilica, etc., there will be more people that people English, such as restaurant and hotel employees. But don’t expect this to always be the case!

It would probably be in your best interest to learn and practice some key Italian phrases before heading to Venice. You probably already know a few Italian phrases or words without even realizing it!

The following basic phrases will undeniably help you navigate your way through Venice. Even if you don’t use them in conversation, being able to recognize the following words or phrases on signs could help make your trip a little easier (like knowing how to read the word for “bathroom,” for instance).

Hello: Ciao Good morning: Buon giorno Goodbye: Ciao Please: Per favore Thank you: Grazie Yes/No: Si/No You’re welcome: Prego Excuse me: Mi scusi How much?: Quanto? Bathroom: Bagno Can you help me?: Me potete aiutare? Do you speak English? Parla inglese?

Shutterstock / Iakov Kalinin

Things To Know About Italian/Venetian Culture

1. the art of ordering coffee.

Italians have a very particular way of drinking coffee, and you’ll get some head scratches or maybe even some under-the-breath chuckles if you don’t follow suit. The best way to prove you’re a foreigner in Italy is by not knowing how to order coffee.

In the morning, Italians only drink cappuccino or macchiato. Anytime after 12 p.m., you no longer consume any beverage that contains milk, thus will be ordering espresso and only espresso if choosing to drink coffee in the afternoon or evening.

Coffee is also known for costing exactly €1.30 throughout Italy, so never pay more than this. There also is no such thing as coffee to-go, so expect to stand at a bar or sit at a table while consuming your morning or afternoon coffee.

2. Siesta: It’s Important

Like Spain, Italy takes its midday nap time very seriously. Except for the city center in major cities throughout Italy (Rome, Florence, Venice, etc.), shops, restaurants, and businesses will close during siesta.

Siesta in Italy normally occurs between 1-4 p.m. It’s a time for Italians to go home, eat lunch with their families, and relax before heading back to work.

3. Eating Late

Italians are also known for eating dinner quite late, and restaurants will follow this schedule. Don’t expect dinner restaurants to be open until about 7 p.m. or later throughout Italy.

More To Read…

If you’re like us here at Travel Awaits and want to learn as much about a destination before you travel there, there are several helpful articles, books, and travel guides that will fully prepare you for your trip to Venice.

Helpful Articles About Venice Travel

1. To get some ideas on where to stay in Venice, be sure to check out Luxury Hotels In Venice, Italy and Best Budget Hotels In Venice, Italy .

2. For more information on all of the wonderful things to do in Venice, read Venice, Italy: Must See And Do In This Magical City .

3. To learn about the reason Venice may not exist in the future, head to Why Future Generations May Not See Venice .

Venice Travel Guides

Here is a list of some of the best travel guides for Venice:

1. Fodor’s Venice (Full-color Travel Guide)

2. Lonely Planet Venice & the Veneto (Travel Guide)

3. Michelin Green Guide Venice and the Veneto (Travel Guide)

4. Blue Guide Venice: Ninth Edition

5. The Monocle Travel Guide to Venice: The Monocle Travel Guide Series

Venice Books

For some excellent fiction and non-fiction material, both about Venice and by famous Italian authors, be sure to read:

1. A History of Venice by John Julius Norwich

2. The City of Falling Angels by John John Berendt

3. Death in Venice by Thomas Mann

4. In the Company of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant

5. If Venice Dies by Salvatore Settis

Alexandra was first bitten by the travel bug when she studied abroad in Seville, Spain, in 2013. Since then, she graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor of arts in journalism and a double minor in Spanish and music. After graduation, she taught English abroad for four years in Spain and Thailand. Besides being a contributing writer for TravelAwaits, Alexandra has turned her passion for travel into a career as an expedition manager at National Geographic Expeditions, overseeing trips throughout Southeast Asia, Europe, and Africa.

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The Ultimate Travel Guide

Best Times to Visit Venice

If you’re considering a trip to Venice, you might wonder when to visit. The answer, of course, depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to experience the city’s busiest and most vibrant, you’ll want to come during peak season. But be warned: Venice can be incredibly crowded during this time. If you’re looking for a more relaxed vacation, shoulder season or even off-season may be a better bet. Keep reading to learn more about the different factors that can affect your decision on when to visit Venice.

Venice’s Weather by Month

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The National Centers for Environmental Information (NOAA) reports that Venice’s climate has typically ranged from a freezing 30°F (-1C ) to a comfortable 86° F (30C) over the past several years.

Remember that these are only monthly average temperatures; hotter or colder days could happen during the month.

For example, although the monthly average temperature for Venice in July is 86° F, don’t be fooled into thinking the temperature remains consistent the whole month. You will likely experience some days above 90 degrees and others in the 70s.

Similarly, in colder months, don’t expect the temperature to always stay cold; you may find yourself suddenly surprised by warmer conditions than anticipated.

For those who prefer a moderate climate, rejoice! Venice is an excellent place for you. Every time I’ve been to this beautiful city, it has provided me with an ideal temperature – never too hot or cool. I find Venice’s average temperatures to be a great mid-point.

When it comes to weather, though, rain, wind, and humidity will all contribute to the perceived temperature. Make sure you have at least one outfit for each occasion.

(March-May and September-November)

Experience the beauty of Venice during its shoulder season and reap the rewards! Prices for hotels and flights are substantially lower than during peak season, helping you explore the city on a budget.

Furthermore, you can explore Venice and everything it has to offer with significantly fewer crowds. Despite a potential dip in average temperature or an unforeseen shower, visiting Venice in shoulder season is undoubtedly worth it.

Shoulder season in Venice generally runs from mid-March to early May (spring) and late September to November (autumn).

If you visit Venice in the spring, you’ll be treated to warming temperatures and longer days. The downside is that it can still be chilly, so pack a light jacket or sweater.

Autumn is also a beautiful time to visit Venice. The weather is cool but not cold. Just be prepared for some rain.

(Late May-August)

Peak season (or high season) in Venice runs from late May to August when the average temperature is warmest, and the city experiences the least rain. This is the most popular time to visit Venice, so expect high prices and large crowds.

Book your hotel and flights well in advance if you plan a trip to Venice during the high season. Prices will be increased during this time of year, and accommodation may fill up quickly. We recommend booking a place in the Cannaregio district as hotel rates are often the most affordable and the district is quiet (i.e., further from the touristy sections).

On the plus side, there’s a lot to do in Venice’s high tourist season: outdoor cafes, restaurants with outdoor seating, gondola rides, festivals, famous Venetian churches to explore, and more.

While they’ll be very crowded during peak season, you should visit Burano, Murano, Lido, and Torcello. We wrote guides on the Best Things to Do In Burano , the Top Things to Do in Murano , and the Best Things to Do in Torcello .

Plus, have you really been to Venice if you didn’t go during the hustle and bustle of tourist season?

(December-February)

Winter is Venice’s low season and the best time to visit if you don’t mind the cold and like to explore places without crowds. From December through February, temperatures are at their lowest. However, I can assure you that Venice still has plenty of activities during this time.

The first time I took a tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace was in January 2018, and it was fantastic. Low crowds meant I got to interact with our guide, ask questions, and request to visit certain areas of the museums.

The canals may be a bit chilly, but with fewer crowds in the city, you’ll get to explore more at a slower pace and take in all the details that Venice has to offer. Plus, there’s nothing like walking through Saint Mark’s Square uninterrupted and alone.

The one exception to the low season is Venice’s carnival. Thousands gather to participate in parades, parties, and other unique festivities – like wearing traditional masks and garb. Read our guide to the Venice Carnival – including tips on food, parades, and the history of this event.

Events and Holidays in Venice

New Year’s Day concert at Teatro La Fenice. You’re in for a treat if you don’t know anything about La Fenice. It made our list of the top 10 things to do in Venice . This majestic opera house, renowned for featuring some of the greatest singers and composers from Italy and Europe, is one of the most revered venues in the world. Boasting a storied history, it has held countless performances that have captivated audiences for centuries.

Carnevale – Now a national holiday, this is the most significant event in Venice and one of the largest in Italy. Throughout February and March, you’ll find an abundance of revelry and traditional masks everywhere you turn. As part of this festival, visitors can partake in parades, parties, fireworks shows, concerts, food markets, and more! If you want to learn more, we wrote an in-depth guide to Carnival in Venice . Keep in mind that hotel rates are at their highest during carnival.

Su e zo per i ponti (“Up and Down the Bridges”) – a non-competitive walk that starts in the Piazza San Marco, in front of the Doge’s Palace, and follows designated routes throughout the city that leads walkers through calli (streets), campi (squares) and ponti (bridges).

Celebrated annually on April 25th, St. Mark’s Day honors Venice’s beloved patron saint, Mark the Evangelist. Popularly known as the Feast of Saint Mark or Rosebud Festival, it is a day cherished by Venetians and Sardinians.

Biennale di Venezia (“Venice Biennale”) – an art exhibition that has been held since 1895 and showcases modern and contemporary works of art and architecture from the best international talent. The year’s focus rotates annually between art and architecture (hence the name biennial).

Vogalonga – an event where Venetians and visitors participate in rowing races throughout the canals of Venice in protest of wave damage caused by motor boats and lagoon degeneration. Venetians are not alone in this plight; people from all corners of the globe have come to offer their support and bring enlightenment.

Salone Nautico – Venice’s primary boat show. Held at the Arsenale of Venice, it features a wide variety of luxury yachts, super yachts, sailboats, and some of the world’s most impressive vessels.

Festa de San Pietro de Casteo – The first of the summer holidays is a a festival celebrating the end of June and the arrival of summer. This event is a feast for the Saints Peter and Paul, who are venerated in the basilica of San Pietro. It celebrates Venetian culture and features musical shows, games, and food festivals.

Regata delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare (“Palio of the Historical Maritime Republics”) – a historical re-enactment aimed at recalling the rivalry of the most famous Italian maritime republics: the republics of Amalfi, Pisa, Genoa, and Venice. Four rowing crews representing each republic compete against each other to bring honor to their city.

Festa del Redentore – a religious holiday in which Venetians commemorate the end of a terrible plague in 1576, which killed 50,000 people, and ended the lives of several prominent figures, including renaissance painter Titian.

This celebration features fireworks and boat parades throughout Venice’s canals every year. The highlight is visiting Il Redentore church, one of the oldest and most beautiful cathedrals in Venice , designed by famed architect Andrea Palladio to commemorate the end of the plague.

Ferragosto – A traditional Italian holiday that started with Feriae Augusti, commemorating Emperor Augustus’ decision to designate the 1st of August as a day of rest for those who had worked tirelessly in the agricultural sector.

Venice Film Festival – Hosted at the Venice Biennale on Lido Island , this event is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. It features screenings of over 100 international films and documentaries each year, as well as awards ceremonies and special events.

Regata Storica – a traditional boat race that takes place on the Grand Canal and is intended to evoke Venice’s maritime history. The Regata Storica features elaborately decorated boats and pageantry.

Venice Marathon – held annually since 1986; this course starts in Stra and passes through Mestre, Parco San Giuliano, and Ponte della Libertà before ending at Riva dei Sette Martiri in Venice.

Festa della Madonna della Salute – a religious event that commemorates the end of the Great Plague in 1630. During this day, Venetians and tourists gather at this beautiful Venice cathedral to pay homage to the Virgin Mary and give thanks for her protection.

Christmas – the highlights are the markets around the Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco. Find traditional dishes, fireworks, and novena scenes that rival those in Rome. Expect smaller crowds at Christmas but larger crowds the closer you get to New Year’s Eve. The same applies to hotel rates: they’re cheaper before Christmas and more expensive near New Year’s.

Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of a vacation in Venice can vary widely depending on the time of year, activities, and accommodation. Generally speaking, prices range from €50 to €200 per day for budget travelers. Prices can go up significantly for those looking for more luxurious accommodations or experiences (like guided tours or visiting neighboring islands Murano , Torcello, and Burano ).

The cheapest month to go to Venice is usually December or January, when the city has fewer tourists and accommodation prices are lower. February is also more affordable, but prices will increase the closer you are to Venice’s carnival.

If you’re looking to visit Venice on a budget, try to travel during the shoulder seasons (March-May and September-November) or the low season (December-February) when average temperatures drop. Be sure to bring warm clothes.

It really depends on what you’d like to do during your stay in Venice, but you should budget for anywhere between €150 to €200 per day. This includes hotel accommodations, food, transportation, and recreational activities.

For budget-conscious travelers, the best location to stay in Venice is Cannaregio . It’s a beautiful and very old section of the city that doesn’t generate as much foot traffic, so hotels are the cheapest in this area. It’s also home to some of the best restaurants in Venice .

If you want to be right where the tourist sites are, you should try to book a hotel in San Marco or San Polo. These locations are home to the most significant sites in Venice (Doge’s Palace, Rialto Bridge, and Saint Mark’s Basilica).

Regardless of where you choose to stay, Venice is a very small city , and it only takes around one hour to walk from one end to the other. So you’ll always be within walking distance of something fun to do and see (read our guide on the 10 best things to do in Venice ).

Tired of walking? Explore our guide to using the Venetian Water Taxi and Vaporetto system .

We recommend a minimum of two days to visit Venice. This will give you enough time to see the major sites and explore a few side streets. However, if you have more time, we recommend extending your stay for at least three days. Then you can spend more time exploring churches, museums, and neighboring islands Murano, Burano, and Torcello.

Yes, most locals in Venice are very familiar with English, and you should be able to communicate easily. However, learning a few polite phrases in Italian (like ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’) is always good practice to show respect for the culture.

Venice’s famous acqua alta (high water) usually occurs in late autumn and winter. The highest tides are usually seen in December, January, and February. While the city doesn’t flood like it used to, thanks to the new MOSE barrier system, check the tide forecast before planning your trip. If it does flood for some reason, souvenir shops sell boots (at a premium).

Venice’s ‘rainy season’ runs from March through November, but the most rainfall is in May and June. If you plan to visit during this time, bring a lightweight raincoat or umbrella!

Ultimately, the best time to visit Venice depends on your goals and budget. Shoulder season provides a more low-key atmosphere and is usually less expensive than peak season. For those looking for an authentic Venetian experience, the off-season is ideal as there will be fewer tourists around, although you’ll face cold winters. High season is Venice at its peak, with plenty to do, beautiful weather, and other tourists.

No matter when you decide to visit, Venice is sure to be a magical destination. With its charming canals, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture, it’s no wonder why so many travelers flock here year after year. Bon voyage!

Have you been to Venice? What do you consider the best time to visit? Let us know in the comments below!

About Todd O'Rourke

Todd is an award-winning writer and filmmaker who co-founded Compass and Pine with his dog Leg. Together, they have traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, with their base of operations in Philadelphia.

He started Compass and Pine after living in Vicenza, Italy for three years and falling deeply in love with the country, the people, and, of course, the food.

His favorite city is Florence, Italy, and his favorite National Park is Olympic in Washington.

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Best Time to Visit Venice

Wondering when is the best time to visit Venice? Venice is so special that every time of year is perfect for a trip! Every season has something different to offer, both in terms of weather and events.

Table of Contents

Best Time to Go to Venice in Brief

Best months to go in Venice for sightseeing: April, May, September, October Best months to visit Venice for some outdoor activities : April, May, June Best weather in Venice: April, May, September, October Best time to visit Venice for the events : February, August, September, December

Best Time to Visit Venice by Season

High season in Venice: summer. Though Venice can get really crowded and expensive between June and late August, there are no significant changes in comparison to the other seasons. The weather is generally hot and humid, so it’s not the best time to go sightseeing. 

Low season in Venice: winter. Even if between November and March there are fewer visitors in town, there are two exceptions: February and December. Prices are not particularly lower except in late November and late January. The weather is generally cold and rainy.

Shoulder season in Venice : March, April, September, and October. These months are definitely the best ones to visit the city because of the overall lovely weather conditions. April tends to be crowded due to the Italian Easter holidays/Spring Break.

Let’s see why you shall visit Venice in every month!

Best Time to Visit Venice by Month

Venice in january.

Max Temp: 7°C Min Temp: 0°C Rainy days: 10

January is the coldest month of the year in Venice and the perceived temperature can be considerably lower due to high humidity. 

Events in Venice in January: Jan 6th: Epiphany. The main event is the so-called “Befana Boat Race”, where all the participants are dressed up like the famous Italian folk character.

What to do : visiting a museum is the best activity to escape the cold, but you can also simply lounge at a restaurant and taste all the typical dishes without rushing your meal. In January, you can also go ice-skating in Campo San Polo.

Why January : plan a weekend off in the second half of the month to benefit from lower fees and fewer tourists around.

Perfect time for: art lovers and foodies

Venice in February

Max Temp: 9°C Min Temp: 1°C Rainy days: 11

It’s often quite cold and rainy, but weather gets better towards the end of the month.

Events in Venice in February:

Carnival: one of the main local events takes place in February, which is also one of the busiest months in Venice. Many tourists from all over Europe go there to attend local parties, parades or simply be immersed in local folklore.

St. Valentine’s Day: a weekend for two in Venice is something you shall experience once in a lifetime!

What to do: sightseeing can be quite tiring in February, since there are many people everywhere. For this reason, it’s best to book your visits in advance, either joining a guided tour or buying a skip-the-line ticket. Don’t miss a masked ball or a special Carnival event (check the list of the main events and their schedule here Carnival of Venice – parties and masquerades balls).

Why February : to experience the liveliest time of the year in Venice

Perfect time for: having fun

Venice in March

Max Temp: 13°C Min Temp: 8°C Rainy days: 11

Venice can be rainy all year long, but weather gets warmer and sunnier in March.

Events in Venice in March:

March 8th: Women’s Day. Local museums and art exhibitions are free for women.

What to do: you can plan one or more day trips to explore the areas nearby. Start with a tour of the islands and discover their traditions and landscapes.

Why March : to celebrate the arrival of spring

Perfect time for : a girls’ weekend

Venice in April

Max Temp: 17°C Min Temp: 12°C Rainy days: 12

Climate varies a lot in spring and you shall dress in layers and bring an umbrella with you to be ready for any kind of weather conditions.

Events in Venice in April:

Easter: a typical holiday period for Italians often choosing to spend a few days in a city of art like Venice. A typical local tradition is having a fish lunch and you can taste all the local specialties in a cozy restaurant overlooking Canal Grande.

April 25th: Italian Liberation Day and St. Mark’s Day, that is the patronal feast of Venice. On this day, men are used to offering a rose bud to their girlfriends and wives and the city center is full of rose vendors filling the air with spring scents.

What to do: April is one of the busiest months in Venice due to Italian Spring Break, so you shall plan your visits in advance and get your skip-the-line tickets whenever possible. It’s also a great time to take some beautiful pictures, thanks to the perfect spring light and the clear water of the canals. If you want to avoid large crowds, focus on less popular but equally interesting neighborhoods like the Jewish Ghetto or Castello district.

Why April : for a Spring Break in Italian style

Perfect time for : photographers/travel bloggers/influencers and visitors who like being surrounded by people

Venice in May

Max Temp: 21°C Min Temp: 15°C Rainy days: 12

Weather is generally warm and pleasant, but rainfalls are frequent.

Events in Venice in May:

May 1st: Labor Day. A typical weekend off for Italians who often choose Venice as a base.

What to do: on a bright and warm day, you shall definitely enjoy a boat tour, whether on the picturesque Canal Grande or in the Lagoon. In May, you can also spend some nights out thanks to local mild weather and a gondola ride in the evening could be a good idea to watch the city lights on the canals.

Why May : to spend your time outdoor and to enjoy some warm spring nights

Perfect time for : a boat or gondola ride

Venice in June

Max Temp: 25°C Min Temp: 20°C Rainy days: 10

Summer is generally hot and humid, but weather is still pleasant in June.

Events in Venice in June:

First Sunday of the month: Vogalonga boat race. It’s a 30Km regatta which is really spectacular to watch from the canals’ banks.

What to do: of course, summer is the ideal time for your day trips! You can also spend a day on the beach in Lido neighborhood, which is easily accessible by waterbus (it takes about 40 minutes from the city center).

Why June: despite being a sunny and warm month, there are not too many tourists around

Perfect for : combining sightseeing and relax on the beach

Venice in July

Max Temp: 27°C Min Temp: 20°C Rainy days: 10

Summer is often muggy because of high humidity.

Events in Venice in July:

Third Sunday of the month: Redentore Festival. It celebrates the end of the plague in 1577 and the highlight of this day is the firework display in the lagoon.

What to do: escape the heat inside a cool museum or take a dip in the sea. Enjoy a romantic gondola ride at sunset and join locals at a bacaro for an aperitivo based on Spritz and cicchetti (local tapas).

Why July : it’s not the best month to go sightseeing, but you could plan a beach holiday in a nice seaside resort and plan a day trip or a whole weekend in Venice.

Perfect for: people who are not bothered by high temperatures and humidity

Venice in August

Max Temp: 28°C Min Temp: 20°C Rainy Days: 10

Events in Venice in August:

August 15th: Ferragosto. This mid-summer celebration brings many tourists to Venice, even just for a weekend. There are also many entertainments offers and music festivals around that time.

Film Festival: one of the most eagerly awaited events takes place between the end of August and the beginning of September in Lido neighborhood.

What to do: August is another muggy month in Venice. Spend your time visiting some museums, relaxing on the beach and walking in nature visiting local beautiful gardens like the Biennale ones, where you’ll also find a few summer art exhibitions.  

Why August: to attend the famous Film Festival and spot some celebrities

Perfect for: movie lovers

Venice in September

Max Temp: 25°C Min Temp: 18°C Rainy days: 9

Weather is at its best: warm, sunny and dry

Events in Venice in September:

Film Festival: it usually ends around Sept 6 th -10 th

Historical Regatta: on the first weekend of September, a water parade of costumed character crowds the Canal Grande

What to do: in the second half of the month, there are fewer tourists around and the city gets quieter, so it’s the perfect time to explore the calli at your own pace and to enjoy the beautiful monuments and the many churches of Venice.

Why September: lovely weather

Perfect for: movie lovers and people who like wandering around the streets and be immersed in the local atmosphere

Venice in October

Max Temp: 18°C Min Temp: 13°C Rainy days: 10

Autumn is generally cool but there are still many sunny days in October. Towards the end of the month, the mist is quite common and you can already experience the typical phenomenon of Acqua Alta (partial floods due to high tide and winds).

Events in Venice in October:

October 31st: Halloween. You can find many themed tours in town: Venice: 2-Hour Legends and Ghosts of Cannaregio Tour.

What to do: October is one of the quietest months in Venice, so you can plan a thorough visit and spend several hours visiting all the monuments, churches, and museums at your own pace. The weather is generally good until the end of the month, so a walking tour can be a good idea too.

Why October : nice weather and no crowds

Perfect for: enjoying a thorough and quiet visit

Venice in November

Max Temp: 13°C Min Temp: 8°C Rainy days: 13

Heavy rainfall is relatively common as well as fog and Acqua Alta.

Events in Venice in November:

November 1st: All Saints. Avoid the closest weekend to this celebration if you don’t like crowds.

November 21st: Feast of Madonna della Salute. It celebrates the end of the plague and locals are used to going to mass in the homonymous church reachable by a votive pontoon bridge.

What to do: keep your camera at end and take plenty of pictures of a foggy and mysterious evening, a reddish sunset or a flooded square. Bring rubber boots, umbrella and raincoat with you since Acqua Alta is common in November!

Why November: to experience the foggy and wet yet romantic Autumn in Venice

Perfect for: artists, poets, photographers and romantic people

Venice in December

Max Temp: 10°C Min Temp: 6°C Rainy days: 11

Weather is generally cold and grey.

Events in Venice in December:

December 8th: Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It marks the official start of the Christmas season in Italy

December 25th: Christmas

December 31st: New Year’s Eve. If you can stand spending long hours out in the cold, there is a free concert in Piazza San Marco and some fireworks at midnight.

What to do: weather is not so good in December, but local Christmas magic is definitely worth the trip. December is one of the most expensive months (Venice is always expensive!) due to the high affluence of both national and international visitors. The main December activities in Venice are: going to La Fenice Theater to enjoy one of the best shows of the season, ice-skating in Campo San Polo, admiring the nativity scene in the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, go shopping at the Christmas market in Campo Santo Stefano.

Why December: to experience local Christmas magic

Perfect for: people who are not bothered by cold and humid weather and high-budget travelers

Planning a trip to Venice? You might also like: How many days in Venice? How to spend 2 days in Venice Venice in winter Best day trips from Venice Interesting facts about Venice Venice or Rome?

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Best time to visit Venice Italy

If you are organizing your trip to Venice , you should know which is the best time to visit it .

Before we start our article, however, we want to let you know that the city is actually beautiful any time of the year . Anyhow, each season has its own characteristics , related to the weather, temperatures, festivals and so on.

Would you start this journey with us?

When is the best time to visit Venice Italy?

We truly do not know which is the best time to visit Venice .

As locals, who live here all year around, we love experiencing different sides of our beloved city .

However, from a tourist point of view , you may want to have some tips .

Let us explain our considerations to you.

Annual weather in Venice according to the seasons

In Italy, as you probably know, we could subdivide the year into 4 seasons.

Spring, from March to June , is characterized by beautiful sunny days and temperatures that may be warm . You can also experience some temperatures dropping, rainy and windy days. But that's all part of spring weather.

Summer, from June to September , is the hottest time of the year . Coming in those days of the year, you can experience warm temperatures but also sultriness and wet weather. It can be very challenging exploring Venice in July or August, so you have to organize your itinerary, avoiding the hottest hours of the day.

Autumn, from September to December , is characterized by colder temperatures and rainy days . However, due to climate change, in the last decade, we are experiencing a never ending Summer, so...

Winter days, from December to March , are characterized by the coldest temperatures of the year . Coming here during winter, you could also experience the high tide (acqua alta) so you'd better be prepared ( check out our guide to know more ).

Peak Season in Venice

If weather and temperatures are an important feature of your trip to Venice, so are peak season.

In fact, during peak seasons you will find less availability (of hotel rooms or restaurant tables) at higher rates .

Which is Venice's peak season? It's a tough question , indeed. In our opinion, it's easier if you ask which are not peak seasons!

Many festivals and events spread throughout the year, making Venetian calendar full of events and things to do.

For example, in many parts of the world, February is considered low season: however, in Venice it is the moment to celebrate one of the craziest festivals of the year : the Carnival!

Best time to visit Venice for events and festivals

As we said, February hosts the first big event of the year.

However, the season that concentrates most of the festivals and events is actually the Summer .

From the Biennale to the Mostra del Cinema (this one the first days of September); from the incredible Redentore feast (the third weekend of July) to the many events related to the Assumption Day on August 15th.

The city is very crowded but the atmosphere is so festive and joyful .

Should you visit Venice during the low season?

If you want our opinion (we run some restaurants in the city), the least busy time to visit Venice is January only .

Many shops, hotels and restaurants, in fact, decide to close during the coldest month of the year, just after the Christmas celebrations. They all open again to celebrate Carnival.

During January you would expect fewer tourists and of course fewer crowds . It's the perfect time of the year if you want to visit many attractions and museums.

November can also be considered off season. However, if you come here in the last week of the month, the city is more crowded than ever.

In fact, this is the moment to celebrate the Madonna della Salute (Holy Mary of the Health) and to organize a splendid festival with a beautiful floating bridge and beautiful fireworks !

When to visit Venice if you are traveling on a budget

From November to January is the best time to visit Venice on a budget . Hotel rates are lower and the city is less crowded.

Of course, you should avoid the last weeks of December for obvious reasons.

Please explore our guide on how to stay in the city to save some money .

In conclusion, which is the best time to visit Venice Italy?

As you probably have understood by reading carefully through the article, there is not a better moment to visit Venice.

It all depends on which kind of person you are and which kind of things you want to do.

If you don't stand high temperatures, please do not come here during July or August, but if you want to experience some of the craziest and traditional events this is the perfect time to come here.

If you want to stay quiet inside the museums and do not have to think about how to avoid large crowds, come here in November or January. However, this is also the coldest time of the year, with many rainy and foggy days.

You just have to be prepared to make the best out of your visit to the city !

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The best months to go to Venice, Italy

Venice is one of the most touristic cities in the world, so finding that sweet spot of when to schedule your trip is key to making it a successful one. We understand that the question of “when is the best time of year to visit Venice” may be very subjective since each traveler has her own unique taste. 

Even though I may prefer visiting the city when it is empty, other people may be happy to face the crowds if that means having nicer weather. This is why we have split this guide according to different travel styles. Navigate below to  discover the best months to go to Venice  according to your preferences.

Best time of year to visit Venice for solo travellers

Most solo travelers may travel alone, but end up meeting other like-minded people along the way to travel together. If that is your case, you would want to go to Venice when it isn’t completely empty and when social events are blooming. So the best month for your visit would be  June.

June is the month when the summer temperatures are already approaching and the summer travelers are starting to come. If you visit Venice in early June, you will find significantly fewer crowds than in the months of July and August, which makes it easier to visit the main attractions in the city.

When to visit Venice as a couple

If you are looking for a romantic escapade in the City of Canals, we recommend the month of  October .

October is a relatively quiet month in Venice regarding tourism. The summer tourist crowds have already dissipated as the temperature starts to drop with the start of autumn. However, this is still quite a pleasant time of the year regarding temperature – you will need a jacket for going out in the evening but will be able to enjoy the days well.

Best time of the year to visit Venice with the family

When traveling with small kids, avoiding crowds is a must. For this reason, specifically, the best months to visit Venice as a family are  April or May.

Spring is a lovely season to be in Venice, when the green starts coming back to life, slowly bringing along the hustle in the canals. These are quieter months, without any typically big events happening in the city.

When to visit Venice with friends

I need to be honest here and say that I think Venice is an amazing place to visit with friends at any time of the year because you will always have incredible food and nice local bars open, whether it is winter or summer. However, during the warmer months, you will definitely have more options for leisure activities to choose from.

With that being said, if you and your friends intend to visit the city, go out, meet people, etc – we recommend going in the warmer months of May or June. If you and your friends are having this trip to reconnect and enjoy each other’s company while exploring the city, it may pay off to travel to Venice during the low season in Winter.  February  for instance may be a very good option, with very short lines on most of the attractions.

Cheapest month to visit Venice for budget travellers

Without a shred of a doubt, the cheapest time to visit Venice is during the  low season, from December to February  (except Carnival). This is the only time of the year when the accommodation prices drop, which makes the trip much easier on your wallet. Flight prices are often cheaper around this time of year also, especially if you will be getting a short flight within Europe to get to Venice.

Pro tip:  If you have the flexibility, check for last-minute accommodation options. Many hotels and hosts give extra discounts for rooms booked for the upcoming days. This year we ended up staying at a 4-star hotel very close to San Marco for only 50€ a night, whether, in summer, the same room would cost 250€.

Best months to visit Venice for party seekers

Venice isn’t your typical party destination. You won’t find many clubs around, as easily as you would in other European destinations. On the other hand, it has a blooming scene of amazing local bars, and this is where I recommend you focus if you like to experience Venice by night as locals do. 

The best months to visit Venice if you are looking to go out are  June and September.  These are months when the weather is quite warm and pleasant to be outside and has still quite some movement to ignite social events. This is also the period when Venice gets busy with students as the university semester finishes/starts.

Pro tip:  Our favorite neighborhoods for going out to local bars are Cannaregio and Dorsoduro.

The best time to visit Venice for long-time stays

As being a digital nomad becomes more and more popular, the search for long-time stays continuously increases. Venice isn’t a cheap destination so it is usually not the first choice for people who will be staying for a month or more. However, it is a place many people dream about, and only by having an extended stay, you will be able to really feel what life in Venice is like for a local.

If you intend on spending one month or more in Venice, we recommend  arriving in mid-September  and extending your stay throughout the following months, for as long as you wish. The end of summer and the start of autumn is an amazing time of the year to be in Venice as you will be able to experience the city getting quieter as time passes. By arriving in September, you will catch a glimpse of what the city feels like during the high touristic season, and observe the change in the atmosphere as the tourist groups start to decrease day by day.

When to avoid visiting Venice?

We recommend  avoiding Venice in the months of July and August , which is when the peak of the high season happens. During these months, most locals flee the city to enjoy the summer vacation somewhere else. Meanwhile, the crowds of tourists keep on coming, making for huge lines at all the attractions and also when walking around the alleys of the center.

Besides the crowds, another reason why we recommend avoiding Venice during the peak summer months is the weather. August is an especially hot and wet month, which doesn’t make for very pleasant weather if you will be all day outside, walking up and down narrow alleys with few options for refreshment.

When is the acqua alta in Venice?

The acqua alta is what the locals call the flood that happens almost annually in Venice. Even though it can happen at any time of the year, it is  most common between October and January , when the city typically gets heavier rainfall.

This being said, you shouldn’t fear the acqua alta as your tourism will most likely not be affected. Venice has experienced floods for centuries and it is very well prepared for it. Life goes on without much interference during the high water season, as the city workers build passages and bridges for people to walk in the most affected areas. You will also see that many people use wellies to not get their feet wet – you will easily find them for sale in local stores if the acqua alta happens.

Important events to have in mind when visiting Venice

Like any other important city, Venice has a busy calendar when it comes to social events. Here is a summary of the most important dates and holidays to have in mind when planning your trip to Venice:

February/March – Carnival

Venice hosts one of the most famous Carnavales in the world, which always happens 40 days before Easter. The city gets very busy throughout one whole week, where you will see many people dressed up in the streets and many social events happening.

May to November – The Biennale

Every two years, in odd-numbered years, Venice hosts the Bienalle for Art. It is an international event that brings together pieces from world-renowned artists, attracting thousands of visitors that come to see the installations scattered around the city.

May – Vogalonga

Usually happening in late May, the Vogalonga is a famous rowing competition that brings together rowers for the whole world. Rowing is a highly esteemed sport in Venice (for obvious reasons) and if you are a sports enthusiast, this is a very interesting event to attend.

July – Festa del Redentore

Happening on the third weekend of July, the Festa del Redentore (in English, the Feast of the Redeemer) is a religious festival that happens at the Church of the Redentore, located in Giudecca. This festival is very unique because the city builds a floating bridge connecting San Marco to Giudecca. The festival is celebrated with fireworks and a gondola regatta.

September – Regata Storica

The Regata Storica, which translates into Historic Regatta, is a very popular event amongst Venetians. As the name suggests, this race has been happening since the 13th century in the Venetian Lagoon. Before the actual race, there is a parade and many social events happening at this time.

Continue reading about how to organize your trip to Venice:

Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Venice

Best Day Trips from Venice by Train

Perfect Day Trip to Chioggia

Can You Walk Everywhere in Venice?

If you are still looking for tours and inspiration on what to do in Venice, check out a few options below:

Organizing your trip

To help you plan your trip to Italy, we have put together our favorite planning resources: 

• Flights : Get affordable flights to Italy on  Skyscanner.com . 
• Travel insurance : Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use  VisitorsCoverage  whenever we are traveling abroad. 
• Renting a car : We always use  Discover Cars  to get the best car deals. 
• Accommodation : Find the best hotels and apartments on  Booking.com . 
• Activities : Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with  Get Your Guide.
• SIM Card : Stay connected during your trip with  Airalo.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means that we get a small commission from any purchase you make, at no additional cost to you!

Fernanda is the Brazilian half of Mauka. Originally from Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Fernanda is also part Italian. After having lived in several countries such as the Netherlands and the UK, she ended up moving to Slovenia with Edo. Traveling is her biggest passion and she is always looking for new places to explore - be it on another continent or a hidden hike close to home.

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Best Time To Visit Venice

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What is the best time to visit Venice?

April, May, September and October are the best months to visit Venice, with temperatures ranging between 10°C to 25°C. These months mark the peak of Spring and Fall, respectively. They are devoid of the winter cold and experience plenty of warm sunshine. The pleasant weather and the lack of excessive crowds make these months a magical time to visit Venice to explore it in its raw state. The first half of May is also an excellent time to visit Venice.

June to August, in particular, are not advised for sightseeing. The sweltering heat and the presence of mosquitoes and bugs, combined with excessive tourists, make it impossible to experience Venice at its best. Alternatively, travellers who are keen to take part in any of Venice’s famous carnivals or events can plan their trips around the specific event. It is recommended to make your bookings in advance in such cases. If you’re looking for the lowest fares in flights as well as accommodation, then winter is your best bet.

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• Hanukkah is celebrated widely in the Ghetto - the Jewish region of Venice.
• Feast of the Immaculate Virgin takes place on 8th December.
• Christmas Markets pop up from mid-December onwards. Christmas Eve is usually celebrated with a multi-course fish dinner followed by a Midnight Mass at the Saint Mark’s Basilica. 
• New Year’s Eve or Festa di San Silvestro is celebrated pompously throughout Venice. The festivities include parties, music, toasts and fireworks.
• La Befana or Epiphany is another national holiday. It is held on January 6th every year. It is celebrated with a regatta, known as La Regatta Delle Befane, in Venice.  
• The Feast Day of Saint Anthony Abbott is held on 16th and 17th of January. This Italian holiday celebrates gravediggers, the patron saint of butchers, domestic animals and basket makers.
• State-mandated sales start in early January and last for about eight weeks. Watch out for some excellent bargains.
• Carnivale di Venezia is one of the most significant events in Venice. Though the Carnivale is celebrated throughout Italy, it is Venice that throws the biggest parties.

Venice in Spring (March-May)

• Easter Week occurs in March or April, depending on the calendar. It is a busy week for Venice as tourists start pouring in, owing to the long weekend. Restaurants and other businesses usually remain closed during this time.
• Festa di San Marco and the Liberation Day are celebrated on the 25th of April every year. It is the day when Italy was liberated towards the end of the Second World War.
• The Week of Culture or Settimana della Cultura usually takes place around mid-April. National museums and other tourist attractions offer free entry in order to promote the Italian culture.
• Festa Della Sensa is an ancient celebration that commemorates Venice’s relationship with the sea. The festivities include colourful boat parades and an elaborate procession at sea.
• Vogalonga is an exciting rowing race held during the weekend after Festa Della Sensa. About 3000 participants take part in the 32 km race to put forth a fantastic event.

Venice in Summer (June-July and August)

• Festa Della Repubblica or Republic Day is a national holiday in Italy. It takes place on June 2nd each year. Majority of the public places and businesses will remain closed on this day. 
• La Biennale is a cultural arts event that takes place in alternate years. It starts in June and goes on till November. Long processions are held in Venice on this occasion.
• Palio of the Four Ancient Maritime Republics is a boat race that is held in Venice once in every four years. 
• Arena di Campo San Polo is an open-air cinema that begins in late-July and goes on till the end of August. It is the largest screen in Venice and features blockbusters from the previous season. Most of the films are either in Italian or dubbed in Italian.
• Festa del Redentore or the Festival of the Redeemer is the biggest event in the month of July. It marks the end of the 1576 epidemic. 
• La Biennale di Venezia or the Venice Biennial is regarded as one of the most prominent art extravaganzas in the world. It is held in alternate years in the month of August. 
• The Venice Film Festival is an internationally-renowned and important annual event. It takes place in August each year.
• Ferragosto takes place on August 15th, which is also a religious holiday of Assumption. Since it marks the beginning of the summer holidays, locals usually head out of town.
• Several outdoor concerts and movies are held throughout the month of August.

Venice in Fall (September to November)

• Festival of the Triumph of the Cross is a holy day that takes place on September 14th. Processions take place at the church and grand school of San Giovanni Evangelista.
• Regata Storica di Venezia is Venice’s Historic Regatta. It is regarded as one of the most spectacular and important events of this city. 
• The Venice Marathon is held on the fourth Sunday of October each year.
• Opera Season at La Fenice takes place towards mid-October. It is a perfect opportunity to see an opera at Venice’s popular opera house.
• Various events are hosted by local restaurants and pubs on the eve of Halloween. The festival is becoming increasingly popular in recent times.
• All Saints Day takes place on November 1st and is a public holiday. This day is dedicated to the deceased loved ones and locals visit the cemeteries in their memory.
• Festa di San Martino takes place on November 11th each year. Kids create a ruckus and indulge in a trick or treat sort of event.
• Festa Della Salute or the Festival of La Salute takes place on 21st November every year. It commemorates the plague that had decimated a majority of the city’s population.

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The Best Time to Visit Venice, Italy for Weather, Safety, & Tourism

The best times to visit Venice for ideal weather are

April 23rd to June 24th

based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.

Venice Travel Guide

Temperature.

• Perceived Temperature
• Rain and snow
• Humidity and wind
• The busiest and least popular months
• Overall travel experience by time of year

Other Venice Travel Info

Weather in venice.

Average temperatures in Venice vary drastically. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a fair chance of precipitation about half of the year. The area is less temperate than some — in the 34th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above . If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Venice, the hottest months are July, August, and then June. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally late June where highs are regularly around 85.2°F (29.6°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 69.7°F (20.9°C) at night.

Venice Temperatures (Fahrenheit)

Venice temperatures (celsius), “feels-like” temperatures.

The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.

Venice Perceived Temperature (F)

Venice perceived temperature (c), average venice temperatures by month.

Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.

Show Fahrenheit

Show celsius, precipitation (rain or snow).

If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Venice are October, September, and then May. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early to mid May. For example, on the week of May 7th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in late October to early November with an average of 3 days of significant precipitation the week of October 29th.

Chance of Precipitation

The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Venice.

Snow on the Ground

The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Venice (in).

Average Rain and Snow by Month

Show inches, show centimeters, humidity and wind.

Venice has some very humid months, and above average humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is July (63.8% relative humidity), and the most humid month is February (80.6%).

Wind in Venice is usually extremely calm . The windiest month is December, followed by September and November. December’s average wind speed of around 4.8 knots (5.6 MPH or 8.9 KPH) is considered “a light breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in mid November where average top sustained speeds reach 13.3 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze.

Relative Humidity (%)

The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Venice.

The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.

Average Wind Speeds

Show wind speeds.

All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.

Show Relative Humidity by Month

Is it safe to travel to venice.

Our best data indicates this area is generally safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are no travel advisories or warnings for Italy; exercise normal security precautions. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories . This advisory was last updated on Nov 22, 2023.

The Busiest and Least Crowded Months

The busiest month for tourism in Venice, Italy is May, followed by July and April. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Venice in November. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.

Estimated Tourism by Month

Most popular months to visit, overall venice travel experience by season, spring (march through may).

Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderately cold. Highs range from 76.5°F (24.7°C) and 51.5°F (10.8°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 4 to 6 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.

Summer (June through August)

The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see the most precipitation with 4 to 6 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the second busiest season for tourism in Venice, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly more.

Fall (September through November)

Fall daily highs range from 80.7°F (27.1°C) and 45°F (7.2°C), which will feel comfortable given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 1 to 9 days per month. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced.

Winter (December through February)

Weather is too cold this time of year in Venice to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 52.6°F (11.4°C) and 38.3°F (3.5°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 5 to 6 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.

Best Times to Travel › Italy › Venice, Italy

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The Best Time to Visit Venice 2024: the Ultimate Guide

Venice is known as a magical and legendary city. With history as the capital of a small country, a major port of trade, an art hub, and a military presence in northern Italy, it has certainly earned the recognition. Built on a series of islands, and connected by many bridges, it has a unique and unmistakable appearance, which makes it a very much sought-after tourist destination. With beautiful stone pathways and old magnificently crafted bridges, you would be hard-pressed to find any cars in this ancient metropolis, so be sure to drop off any extra luggage at a storage locker before exploring. You may also want to pack a comfortable pair of shoes, as no vacation should ever have sore feet as a consequence. 

While Venice is always full of great things to do, some activities are better during certain seasons. August is very hot and humid, October through February is the time of Acqua Alta (High Water), and winter is just cold. So make sure you know which season would be best for the activities that you hope to do. If you choose to visit Venice in the later fall months or the earlier spring months, you may find smaller crowds and lower prices, but the weather is more unpredictable. Summer’s warm and sunny weather makes it one of the best times to visit if you are planning on hitting the beach, but that also makes it the most popular time for most vacationers, causing prices to soar. So here is a list of some of the pros and cons of visiting in different seasons, as well as some fun things to check out.

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Summer in Venice, June - August 

Venice is known for its stunning architecture and waterways, and many people vacation in the region just for these, but the countryside surrounding the city can be just as spectacular. If you find yourself visiting the city in the summertime, you might want to consider adding hiking to your itinerary. Hiking in the mountains is a fun and economical activity for summer vacations in Venice. Even if the Italian Alps seem too challenging, rest assured in knowing that there are still some easier trails for beginner hikers.

You may also want to hit the nearby beaches, whether to go for a swim or just to relax. Set on the shore of the gorgeous Adriatic Sea , spending some time on the sand can be a wonderful way to break away from the cityscape while still enjoying the magic of Venice. On top of that, there are several nearby islands that you may want to plan a day trip to. Further from the tourist traps and bigger crowds, most of them can be reached by a short cruise on a Vaporetto or ferry and are well worth the trip for the view alone.

Museum tours are also a delightful way to spend your days in Venice. With almost 100 separate museums, from art and architecture to religion and culture, you will have plenty to choose from.  

A popular and relaxing option is to simply wander the streets and admire the stunning architecture. During the summer, the evening is a great time for exploring on foot, as the average temperatures drop and the city cools down.

One disadvantage to taking a trip in the high season is the fact that everyone wants to visit in summer, so the lines are longer, and everything is busier. Prices tend to be sky-high during the peak season, and the city is generally less amazing. Most cruise ships will dock on Saturday or Sunday, so if you are hoping for a weekend trip, be prepared to run into massive crowds of tourists.

The normal summer temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.4 degrees Celsius) and the sky is usually mostly sunny. Combine the high temperatures with bustling crowds, and navigating the city can become very exhausting during the busiest months. August is generally considered the least pleasant time to visit Venice, as the weather turns hot and muggy. Most natives will take a vacation at this time to avoid the weather.

Fall in Venice, September - November

If you enjoy wine tastings and festivals, fall is a great time for you to visit Venice. With harvests and various Catholic celebrations in full swing, Venice in autumn still has strong tourist appeal, but with fewer of the warm weather visitors who will have left by now. October and November are really the best fall months to take a trip to the city if you are trying to avoid crowds and don’t mind the brisker 50 to 60-degree weather (10 to 15.6 degrees Celsius). You can wander the streets and admire the city, or head to the countryside for a scheduled vineyard tour. 

You may also find better hotel rates as the prices drop post vacation season and fewer tourists during the off-season.

In autumn you will find the Venetians appreciating the milder temperatures while celebrating the many fall festivals, such as All Saints Day, the Feast of Santa Maria della Salute , and the annual Venice Marathon. All Saints Day is a celebration of not only the classic Catholic saints, but all of the grandparents, parents, friends, and inspirational figures that people have lost over the years.

The Santa Maria della Salute (commonly referred to as the Salute) is a magnificent Basilica built to commemorate the end of the bubonic plague outbreak, also known as the Plague of Milan. In November, the Feast of the Presentation of the Virgin, a Roman Catholic tradition, is held at the Salute.

The Venice Marathon is recognized worldwide as a quality race, and it boasts the IAAF Bronze Label. Just over 26 miles long, the race takes a scenic route through the city. 

For movie lovers, the International Venice Film Festival is definitely worth visiting. Started in 1935, it is designed to showcase masterfully made movies. Most of the viewings are open to the public, with tickets available for purchase online. 

Hiking is still quite enjoyable in late September and early October, as the sun tends to spend most of its time hiding behind the clouds after the summer months, and the cooler weather is still quite nice. November's temperatures range from 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celcius) and the fall rains begin at this time, so hiking may not always be possible.

One disadvantage to visiting in the autumn is the high water season. With fall rains causing flooding, some popular tourist areas, such as Piazza San Marco, may be found under quite a bit of water. However, if you grab a pair of rubber boots you can still walk through the plaza. Many souvenir shops sell boots, however, they may be marked up significantly.

If you choose to visit Venice in the shoulder season you are also more likely to find some shops and restaurants closed, though there are always plenty of others to check out.

Winter in Venice, December - February

One of Venice’s most notable traditions is the Carnival of Venice. Known for its lavish costumes and outlandish masks, it has become quite an attraction for visitors to the region. According to tradition, the Carnival originally commemorated the victory of the Venice Republic over one of its enemies. Now it is just an excuse to have a party in the middle of February.

The Christmas season is another magical time to visit Venice, as most of the large crowds wait until Christmas day to swarm, leaving the streets peaceful the week before. If you choose to visit during the Christmas season, you may also want to stick around the city long enough to see the massive fireworks display held every New year's Eve in front of Saint Mark's Basilica.

If you prefer a more relaxed visit, you can take your trip to Venice during the early winter months before the Carnival. Take a lovely walk through the streets and pop in to check out some of the local cafes and restaurants, or take some time to appreciate the classic art of opera. Venice is also home to one of the oldest cafes in Europe, Caffè Florian . Built during the eighteenth century, it has hosted famed Italians and lasted through the ages. A work of art itself, it is still a coffee shop, so a reservation is not needed. 

Another great activity for a winter vacation is museum touring. With several huge museums, as well as medieval churches, a peaceful winter walk through the historical monuments is a wonderful way to spend the day.

The water buses will run rain, shine, or snow, so you won’t have to worry too much about transportation if you don’t feel like walking. 

Speaking of snow, Venice does get some snow flurries, but the weather usually stays just warm enough to keep the snow from sticking around. The temperatures can drop to as low as 32 degrees (0 degrees Celsius) but average closer to 35 degrees (2 degrees Celsius), so make sure you pack warm clothes. In general, the weather is rather dreary and wet during winter, which some people may like, while others would prefer to visit Venice once the sun has returned to the city.

Spring in Venice, March-May

Spring is a great time to explore Venice. The average temperature is 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) and as nature begins to wake up, it is a lovely time to explore the city without the massive throngs of tourists that invade the city during the summer. Most of the same attractions that would be open in summer are still available earlier in the year, but they may close earlier in the day than they would in summer.

Lacking the large summer crowds, Venice can be seen in a more authentic light in the spring months. And if you choose to visit in April during the holy week, you can participate in an Easter service at one of the numerous churches in the city, or partake in Benedizione del Fuoco (the Blessing of the Fire). 

Another fun cultural tradition is the Vogalonga Regatta. Starting at Saint Mark’s Basin near the Piazza San Marco, this massive gathering of motorless boats moves through the canals of Venice along a picturesque route. It is more of a boat parade than a competitive race, with prizes given out almost randomly. 

If you are looking to wander a bit farther from the city, you may want to check out the glass blowing factory on Murano Island, a short distance from the city itself. You can take a Vaporetto to get to and from the island, but you may have to schedule a visit before getting to the factory.

One disadvantage to visiting in Spring is the high water that will sometimes hit the city due to spring rains. Like the fall floods, the lower areas of the city will be left several inches underwater. But as long as you have your trusty rain boots, you will be unstoppable.

Another reason to possibly avoid springtime Venice would be the Easter crowds. While spring as a whole may be less busy than summer, the holy week of Easter will attract a lot of spring vacationers, so it may be best to wait until later in the season to plan your trip.

With its unique layout, Venice has become a natural vacation spot. There is no doubt you have heard of some of the more iconic attractions, such as the gondola rides through the canals and classic Italian cuisine. But there is so much more. Built around and through the Venetian Lagoon on a series of islands, it has a strong history as a merchant center. Due to cultural influences coming in from all directions, it is a beautiful and distinct metropolis. Like many European cities, you may find a modern coffee shop situated right next to an intricately detailed medieval building with centuries of history. You really shouldn't limit yourself to just the metropolis though. The surrounding countryside is just as gorgeous, with the Adriatic Sea to the east and the fields and mountains to the north, the whole Venetian region is truly a sight to be seen. 

Overall, the springtime after the holy week but before the summer peak season is one of the best times to visit Venice, especially if you are looking for a nice relaxing weekend trip with fewer crowds. You can enjoy the low season, participate in key local events, and see the city in the purest light.

So no matter what's your best time to visit Venice, there will be something fantastic to partake in. Whether it’s basking on the beach, hiking the Italian Alps, appreciating the classic Italian opera, or participating in traditional Venetian celebrations, a stay in Venice is a wonderful and memorable experience. 

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When is the Best Time to Visit Venice?

Home > Blog > When is the Best Time to Visit Venice?

Venice attracts countless visitors every year with its unique architecture and fascinating historical legacy. It’s one of the best places to see in Italy, with so many wonderful things to do and mesmerizing experiences at your fingertips. However, deciding when to visit this Mediterranean gem can be quite challenging. 

All travelers have different preferences, so what one might consider the best time to visit Venice would be the worst time for someone else. To help you decide, we’ve created a comprehensive guide for the best time to visit Venice. We provide details about each season, with an overview of the different months, as well as the weather and events that you can expect while visiting. 

So if you’re planning a trip to Venice and can’t decide when to go, read on to discover what the different seasons of Venice can offer.

The Best Time to Visit Venice

Before we dive into the different traveling seasons of Venice, we thought it would be helpful to start this guide with the overall best time to visit . Spring and late summer are largely considered the best times to visit Venice. This is due to the pleasant weather and reduced number of tourists, which makes the city much more enjoyable. 

If you want to have the best time in Venice , then the months of March to May and September to October are when you should visit. You can enjoy the highlights of the city in uninterrupted bliss and you’ll still have plenty of sun. 

If you would like a more detailed review of the best time of year to visit Venice, you can find a helpful breakdown of each season below.

The Shoulder Season in Venice

The shoulder season in Venice takes place from March to May and is widely regarded as one of the best times to visit the astounding city. Spring is in full swing, with flowers bursting into bloom and the city awakens from its wintry slumber. This is one of the best times to visit Venice for a more relaxed trip where you can avoid the crowds and have many of the top attractions all to yourself.  

Venice in March

March brings the first signs of spring in Venice, the weather is much milder and many establishments begin to prepare for the busy summer season. With fewer crowds, this is one of the best times to visit the museums in Venice like the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Gallerie dell’Accademia . There are fewer visitors in March, meaning you can explore the top attractions in Venice at a more leisurely pace.  

Venice in April

Much like March, April in Venice is still relatively quiet. However, it’s one of the best times to visit Venice for a relaxed vacation. Parks and gardens in Venice like Giardini Papadopoli are in full bloom, with aromatic flowers adding a splash of color to the city. 

Venice in May

Late spring is one of the best times to visit Venice if you want to avoid the peak summer season. The weather is much more comfortable in May , allowing you to enjoy the lush Mediterranean climate. Plus, with Venetian summer just around the corner, the streets and canals will feel much more lively than in previous months.  

The Weather in Venice in the Shoulder Season

The weather in Venice during the shoulder season is quite mild but gradually warms up by late May. Average highs in Venice during this season range from 55°F to 72°F, making it a good time to venture outdoors and see the sights. Venice does experience some rain in spring, approximately 5-8 days depending on when you visit, so be sure to pack an umbrella or rain jacket.  The milder weather makes the shoulder season in Venice a great time for walking tours of the city . The days are also longer than in winter, giving you ample time to enjoy the sunshine and wander along the crisp canals.

Events in Venice in the Shoulder Season

The shoulder season brings some of the best events and festivals to Venice, making it a dynamic time of year to visit the City of Canals. With Easter celebrations and a fabulous cultural exhibition, it’s a great time to visit Venice to experience local traditions and culture. 

Easter  

Easter in Venice is characterized by religious traditions and cultural celebrations. You will see various religious processions complete with traditional attire in neighborhoods across Venice, giving the city a unique spiritual charm. You can also attend vibrant Easter markets as well as special Easter Mass services, like the one held in St. Mark’s Basilica . 

Venice Biennale 

Another spectacular event in Venice is the Venice Biennale , one of the most important international cultural exhibitions in the world. The exhibition has an extensive history and alternates between art and architecture, with the art exhibition taking place in even-numbered years and the architecture exhibition taking place in odd-numbered ones. It typically starts in May and runs till November, with a packed schedule of events and talks that will inspire any creatives who attend. 

The Peak Season in Venice

While it may not be for everyone, summer in Venice is a great time to visit for an Italian vacation. The city truly comes to life, with a variety of things to do and events to attend. That said, it is also the most popular time to visit Venice and temperatures can get scorching hot, so be prepared for big crowds and sweltering sunshine. 

Venice in Jun e

Summer in Venice kicks off in June and the city begins to swell with tourists. However, this adds to the atmosphere of the canal city, with many annual events and festivals taking place. Venice in June is a great time to visit if you want to experience the peak summer ambiance without as many crowds. 

Venice in July

July is the busiest time of year in Venice and is the peak tourist season. You can expect the main attractions in Venice to be very crowded but there will be a spirited sense of excitement in the air. The warm weather also makes it one of the best times to visit Venice for outdoor activities, like visiting the stunning islands of Venice . 

Venice in August

Similar to July, August in Venice is the high tourist season, with thronging crowds and soaring temperatures. Popular attractions in Venice, especially in and around St. Mark’s Square, can be crowded but with nearly 14 hours of daylight, you’ll have plenty of time for sightseeing. The streets of Venice feel very vibrant in August, with cultural and musical performances taking place across the city and bringing a sense of joy to the floating city. 

The Weather in Venice in the Peak Season

The weather in Venice in summer is perfect for those looking to enjoy warm Adriatic temperatures. Average highs in Venice range from 79°F to 84°F, with warmer temperatures expected in late July and August. The long days are filled with sunshine and the vibrant energy of summer makes the tourist crowds much more bearable. 

Summer is the perfect time to tour the Venetian Islands of Burano and Murano. These islands are famous for their charming architecture which encompasses all colors of the rainbow. It’s also a great way to get out of the bustling city and experience the unique artisanal traditions of the islands. 

Events in Venice in the Peak Season

There aren’t as many summer events in Venice compared to other Italian destinations, but there is one that stands out. The Festa del Redentore is a highly anticipated event with deep historical roots in Venice.  It allows visitors to experience local traditions and heritage all while enjoying the delightful weather and exciting atmosphere of summer in Venice. 

Festa del Redentore

One of the most significant events in Venice, the Festa del Redentore celebrates the end of the plague that ravaged Venice in the 16th century. It takes place on the third Sunday of July and is marked by a fabulous fireworks display. There is also a procession of colorful boats and a pontoon bridge is erected across the Giudecca Canal . 

The entire city bursts into life during the festivities, with religious processions and colorful decorations adorning the historic buildings. If you plan on attending this miraculous event, be sure to arrive at the canal early to secure a good viewing spot. You may also want to book your accommodation well in advance as the event is very popular and draws in countless visitors.

The Off-Peak Season in Venice

Often considered the second shoulder season in Venice, Autumn is the off-peak season. The summer rush winds down and cobbled streets are less busy. However, there is still great weather and excellent opportunities which makes it one of the best times to visit for those looking for a more laid-back vacation. 

Venice in September

As Summer ends, September sees the tourist crowds thinning out but the delightful weather of previous months remains. With this in mind, September is the best time of year to visit Venice if you want to avoid large crowds but still have high temperatures. It’s the perfect time to enjoy a gondola ride through Venice’s waterways and immerse yourself in the city’s innate beauty. 

Venice in October

October is the perfect time to visit Venice if you want to experience a different side of the city. As the leaves begin to fade to rusty shades of red and orange, the streets become enchanting and reminiscent of a fairytale. With far fewer tourists than the peak summer months, this is a great time to visit Venice on a romantic Italian break where you can spend quality time with your loved one. 

Venice in November

November brings an end to the Off-Peak season in Venice, with hardly any tourists and many establishments starting to close for the low season. There is also a much higher chance of rain and flooding which can make November in Venice quite dreary. However, if you don’t mind wet weather this is one of the most serene times of the year to visit Venice as you will have most of the major sights all to yourself. 

The Weather in Venice in the Off-Peak Season

The Off-Peak season in Venice is much cooler than the scorching summer months. Average daily highs can range from 66°F to 77°F, meaning you still have lovely weather for your vacation. It’s a much more peaceful time and great for travelers looking for a slow-paced escape. 

Venice experiences some rain in the Off-Peak season, around 5 – 6 days depending on which month you visit. However, you can still enjoy the very best of Venice’s cultural offerings. You can explore the top historical sights without any crowds and delight in seasonal delicacies like pumpkin risotto and fresh seafood.

Events in Venice in the Off-Peak Season

While the Off-Peak Season in Venice is quieter, there are some fantastic events you can attend which will make your trip truly memorable. From thrilling boat races to feast celebrations, the Fall months are the perfect time to visit Venice to experience local customs and festivals. 

Regata Storica

This historic boat race is held in September and is one of the most important events in the Venice calendar. The Regata Storica is believed to date back to the 13th century and is held on the first Sunday of September. The event opens with a colorful boat parade and a pageant of themed boats before the races begin, showcasing the different boats and styles of Venetian rowing. 

Festa della Salute  

Like the Festa del Redonte, the Festa della Salute commemorates the plague which devastated Venice in the 16th century. The day is dedicated to giving thanks and includes a spirited procession to the Church of Santa Maria della Salute . It is held annually on November 21st and includes prayers and a mass as well as the lighting of votive candles.

The Low Season in Venice 

Winter is the low season in Venice, with hardly any crowds and much colder weather. This might not appeal to everyone but this is also when you can find some of the cheapest flights and accommodation for a Venice trip. So if you’re looking to enjoy this Italian gem on a budget, the low season is a great time to go to Venice. 

Venice in December

December is the beginning of winter in Venice as well as the start of the low season. There will be fewer tourists during this period, but the city will still feel festive despite the chill in the air. The streets are adorned with charming decorations and dazzling lights, which create an enchanting atmosphere.  

Venice in January

With the festivities of Christmas coming to a close, January is a very quiet month in Venice. While it is one of the coldest months of the year, you can still visit many of the city’s main attractions like Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Basilica which are open year-round. Venice will feel less vibrant in January, but it’s a great place to visit in Italy if you’re looking to escape from the winter blues. 

Venice in February

While February is still part of the low season, it brings a unique charm to Venice. Carnival festivities take place across the month, with locals dressing in elaborate costumes and intricate masks. If you want to visit Venice at its most fantastical, then February is the best time to go. 

The Weather in Venice in the Low Season

This is the coldest time of year and the rainy season in Venice. Temperatures drop to average highs of 46°F to 48°F and lows of 34°F are common, so you’ll want to pack plenty of layers and a warm coat. There is a chance of frost in January and the month experiences an average of 1.2 days of snowfall. 

The Low Season is also when you are likely to experience Acqua Alta , the Venice Floods. For a few days in the year, the water level of the Venice canals rises and parts of the city become partially flooded. It is a completely natural phenomenon but it could impact your visit, so be sure to plan some indoor activities for your trip.

Events in Venice in the Low Season

While there aren’t many tourists in Venice in winter, there are some major events which bring in visitors and locals. These events paint the city in a festive light and can make the somber winter days much more exciting. So while it may not be the most popular time to visit Venice, you won’t be short of festivals to attend. 

Of course, we couldn’t talk about winter in Venice and not mention Christmas. Venice is a great place to spend the festive season, with spirited Christmas markets and a joyous atmosphere. Piazza San Marco is decorated with elaborate lights and you can take refuge from the cold in a cozy cafe where you can take in the charming winter ambiance.  

Carnival 

One of the biggest events in Venice takes place in February, the Venice Carnival . Famous for its elaborate historical costumes and detailed masks, the festivities last for weeks and include balls, parties and parades. You can hire a costume and take part in the celebrations which will make you feel like you have stepped into the past as you enjoy the colorful traditions of Venice.

Overall, Venice promises to please you no matter what time of year you choose to visit. The Shoulder and Off-Peak seasons offer some of the best weather whilst having fewer crowds, which is perfect for travelers who want to enjoy Venice at its best. However, the summer brings radiant temperatures to Venice, ideal for those seeking fun in the sun. 

You can also visit in the low season, where cheaper prices and fewer tourists make it an ideal winter escape. Plus with events like the Venice Carnival, you are certain to have the adventure of a lifetime. 

So whether you want to visit during the mild March evenings or spend a sunny summer sojourn in Venice, there is a ‘best time to visit’ for every traveler. 

Thinking about visiting Venice sometime soon? Get in touch with Italy4Real to start planning your vibrant Venice vacation and create a custom tour of this Mediterranean marvel.

About the Author

Rem Malloy started Italy4real back in 1995 with his mother, Deborah de Maio.

He specialises in Italian tours as well as customised tours to France, England, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Greece and Spain. He was also featured in the Travel Channel show Mysteries at The Museum in 2016.

Rem has family in Italy and his mothers home town is Cava di Terrani, near the Amalfi Coast. The family has a street named after them in Sorrento, Via Luigi de Maio; a relative who was mayor of Sorrento.

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November in Venice: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Venice is one of Italy's most popular destinations—and it's not hard to see why. There's the romantic St. Mark's Plaza, the gondolas floating on the canals , and of course, the incredible food. However, with fame comes crowds, so if you want to have the city to yourself, it's best to visit in the off-season. November is a nice time to visit as the tourists leave after the summertime high and hotels drop their rates. Just be prepared to pack a few extra layers for the brisk weather and chilly evenings.

Venice Weather in November

In November, you'll escape the heat (and tourists) as temperatures drop, which makes walking in this carless city all the more pleasant. The weather averages between 40 F and 53 F, although it tends to get colder and can even touch freezing at night. Although there will still be some sunny days in November, it is one of Italy's rainiest months and there is a slight chance of snow as it gets closer to December.

In November, Venice often experiences  acqua alta  or flooding from high tides. (It is called the Floating City, after all.) This centuries-old phenomenon is caused by the moon's gravitational pull coinciding with a strong  scirocco , or warm wind that pushes water from the Adriatic Sea into the Venetian Lagoon. But don't let the "flood" fool you; it is more like a few larger puddles in the Piazza San Marco (the lowest point in the city) or some splashing onto the sidewalk near the canals. And since acqua alta is a tidal occurrence, it only lasts for three to four hours during high tide.

What to Pack

In general, bring your typical winter wardrobe, including long pants, sweaters, jackets, and light gloves. Because of the extra precipitation, you may want to pack an umbrella, raincoat, waterproof windbreaker, and rubber boots for avoiding the puddles and possible acqua alta flooding on the cobblestoned streets. It also wouldn't hurt to throw in a few plastic bags in case you need to put wet clothes or boots in your suitcase.

November Events in Venice

November is the start of the holiday season, so there are many religious celebrations and events. There are also arts and cultural festivities, including concerts, theater shows, and exhibits.

• All Saints' Day : On this public holiday (November 1), Italians remember their deceased loved ones by visiting graves and cemeteries. Note that many stores and services will be closed.
• Festa della Salute : The Festa della Salute  (November 21) commemorates the end of the 1630 plague that decimated one-third of Venice's population (see also the Festa del Redentore in Venice in July ). Locals celebrate by making a pilgrimage across a bridge of boats on the Grand Canal to light a candle and pray to the Holy Virgin at the church of the Santa Maria della Salute. Markets around Venice also set up stalls selling fresh produce, sweets, and the specialty dish:  castradina , a mutton meat stew with onions, wine, and cabbage.
• La Biennale : This months-long  contemporary  arts  extravaganza  happens every other year and runs from June through November. It features art, dance, film, architecture, music, and theater.
• Opera Season at La Fenice Theater : You'll never forget seeing an opera at Venice's famous opera house, Teatro La Fenice . Besides classic Italian operas, there's also piano competitions and contemporary music.

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The Best Time to Visit Italy – Complete Month-by-Month Guide (2024)

Finding the best time to visit Italy is one of the toughest decisions to make. Ironically, having a specific holiday calendar makes this part of planning easier, even though sometimes you might prefer traveling in a different season. The best time to visit Italy is spring for many reasons, but it all comes down to your personal preferences.

Every month and every season, in fact, has a different experience to offer. Do you want to be part of the Yule spirit in Italy? December is a magical month to plan your trip. Are you a beach enthusiast? Plenty of beautiful beaches in Italian regions like Sicily, Puglia, and Sardinia.

Our guide is a handy starting point for planning when to travel to Italy as we tell you what to expect in the country month by month.

Table of Contents

When to visit Italy – Step-by-step guide

January – the best time to visit italy for crowd-free landmarks.

January is a cold winter month and the best time to visit Italy if you are looking for quieter landmarks and cheaper flights and hotels. This better applies after January 7th, when the Christmas festivities are completely over and the streets are much less crowded.

Usually, this is a month we expect rain but it’s already been a few years since we had quite dry January. From Rome south, the temperatures are cold but totally bearable and if you are wearing your winter jacket you won’t have any problem. In the northern regions of Italy , from Florence up north, you will definitely find colder temperatures and in fact, this is the highest season for the ski resorts in Trentino-Alto Adige , Valle d’Aosta, and Veneto.

Click here for our full guide to visiting Italy in January

February – The month of Carnival in Italy

There are mainly two reasons for you to be wanting to visit Italy in February: Carnival and fewer crowds.

Colorful and exciting Carnival parties and celebrations take place all over Italy with the most famous being in Venice , Viareggio and Ivrea, but not the only ones worth visiting. Lovers of offbeat travel will certainly enjoy heading to Sardinia for the Sartiglia in Oristano or Mamoiada’s Mamuthones , or see the Carnival of Ronciglione near Rome.

Check out our full guide to February in Italy

March – When to visit Italy for a quiet vibe

March marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring in Italy. While the weather is a bit unstable with unexpected temperature drops and occasional showers, the low tourist season makes it possible to enjoy a more authentic experience across the country, including big draws like Rome, Florence, and Venice.

Together with fewer crowds, in March like in February you can expect lower rates, especially for flights and hotels. Everything will be open, from historic sites to restaurants, and you will have a better experience than when the huge spring and summer crowds hit the country.

Check out our full guide to March in Italy

April – When to visit Italy for Easter

In April, the weather starts being warmer and sunnier. Since it’s not very hot yet, wandering around the cities and towns is much more pleasant than in summer. Plus, April is when in Italy we celebrate Easter, a very heartfelt religious commemoration at the end of Lent.

April is also when Italians start getting out more often. In fact, on Easter Monday we like to enjoy a day out in nature and set ourselves up for a relaxing picnic, and this is pretty much how we kick off the “outdoors season”.

Check out our full guide to April in Italy

May – The best time to visit Italy for perfect weather

May is probably the best time to visit Italy overall because the weather is perfect: the temperatures are very pleasant, the winter cold is gone and the summer heat is not here yet. So the days are warm enough for a nice stroll but not enough to make you sweat.

This, however, is far from being a secret and you are likely to find crowds pretty much everywhere. In Rome , the May crowds are bigger than in August. Every location is perfect to visit in May because walking is pleasant in big cities, smaller towns, and obviously hiking paths and routes . May, for example, is the best time to hike the Gorropu canyon in Sardinia.

Check out our full guide to May in Italy

June – The beginning of summer in Italy

Warmer than May, June is the last month of spring and when summer starts. It is also a pleasant month to travel to Italy because it’s still not as hot as July. Depending on where you go, you will find large crowds. The big draws like Rome, Florence, and Venice, will be quite packed, but not so much the beach destinations.

In fact, I think June is a great time to hit the beach in Italy because of the great weather and the fewer crowds than July and August. In June, especially at the beginning of the month,

July – Italy’s hottest month weather-wise

July is the central month of summer in Italy and in my opinion the hottest. You are likely to find hot days also in June and definitely in August, but around mid-August the weather starts being whimsical, while July is usually always hot.

The beaches across the country will start being crowded and tourists will start withdrawing from the largest cities due to the heat. Famous beach destinations like Puglia, Sicily, Sardinia , and the Adriatic Coast will start being very crowded even though still less than August.

In July, you can find also local festivals such as food fairs or religious celebrations like the Ardia horse race in Sardinia.

August – The crowdest month on the Italian beaches

This is the month most Italians go on holiday so beach destinations will be very crowded, especially on the week around August 15th, a religious anniversary that translates into beach parties and many activities shut down for almost a week.

The weather is still very hot because summer is at full tilt but towards mid-August, it starts getting spoiled and you might find occasional rain, wind, and clouds. August is a true holiday month and everything is slower and more relaxed in Italy.

September – The best time to visit Italy for quiet beach time

September is the last month of summer and even though fall starts on the 21st, sometimes the weather is better than in August. For sure, you should expect warm temperatures in September, too, and since Italians are back to work and students are back to school, fewer crowds on the beach.

Inside the cities, however, is where most tourists will gather again, and even though not as much as in spring, landmarks and piazzas are definitely going to be busy.

Check out our full guide to traveling to Italy in September

October – When to travel to Italy for pleasant city walks

This is the first full month of fall but temperatures are mild and very pleasant since the stifling heat is gone. Rains start to appear from time to time but not so often and if there are some storms, they don’t last long.

October is always less busy than May but the weather is quite similar. I can’t say that you are not going to find any crowds because it won’t be true. In fact, in Rome, this year fall has been one of the busiest seasons right after spring. Beach and mountain destinations will be less busy.

November – When to enjoy the fall in Italy

November is often one of the wettest months in Italy but since I don’t mind the rain, fall is when I would plan my trip. The only festivity in November is Toussaint and the Day of the Dead at the beginning of the month and usually, these are the days that mark a sharp change in the weather, fully welcoming the fall.

Click here for our guide to visiting Italy in November

December – To experience the Christmas vibe in Italy

December is a beautiful time to travel to Italy because the Christmas spirit lasts for the whole month with all the preparations and decorations. Tourist-wise, it’s not very busy but you will find the historic centers very crowded with locals on the lookout for gifts and to enjoy the themed events.

If you are religious, if you like shopping, or simply if you enjoy the festive spirit and don’t mind some cold weather, December is definitely the best time to visit Italy.

Click here for our complete guide to Italy in December

The best time to visit Italy for the best weather: May-June

The last months of spring are perfect weather-wise because the winter cold is gone and the summer heat hasn’t arrived yet. These are also some of the busiest months in landmark-packed cities where taking a stroll is a fantastic experience.

The beaches will still be quiet even though especially in June, the weather allows for some sunbathing and swimming. Although, keep in mind that the summer is just at the beginning and the sea water is not warm yet.

If you are hitting the coast, head to the beach in the warmest hours of the day and enjoy the remaining hours with some cultural sightseeing that in Italy is possible pretty much everywhere.

The best time to visit Italy for the beaches: June to September

From June through September is the best time to hit the beach in Italy. July and August will be hot and very crowded while June and September much less crowded.

The whole month of September is usually hotter than June. Keep in mind that summer starts only on June 21st so for the first three weeks it’s still spring and the water might not be warm enough to swim, while in September it’s perfect.

The best time to go to Italy for photography: Fall

I love fall and I think this is the best time to visit Italy to take incredible pictures. Fall offers a beautiful light and the falling leaves come in with a kaleidoscope of orange, red, purple, and brown, adding to the romance of the skies.

In fall, you are likely to find rain but you know what they say, right after a good rainfall, photographers grab their cameras and go out and about to catch beautiful light and reflections. Rome’s streets are quite full of potholes that become pools after the rain and when historic sights reflect on them, you can snap fantastic shots!

The best time to visit Italy for fewer crowds: January to March

January through March are the least busy months in the big cities like Rome but obviously more crowded in ski resorts across the country, especially in the northern regions. If you want to enjoy popular landmarks in peace and silence without being surrounded by crowds, winter is the best time to travel to Italy.

This is also the coldest season so even if you are not going skiing, keep in mind to pack winter clothes also for the other destinations.

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3 thoughts on “The Best Time to Visit Italy – Complete Month-by-Month Guide (2024)”

So many people I know have gone there lately. Reading this makes me want to go even more!

Wow is this post thorough..love the breakdown by season and month..sounds like several trips to Italy are needed 🙂

Thanks, Jennifer! Italy deserves many trips indeed 😉

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The Best and Worst Times to Visit Italy

These are the best times to visit Italy for fewer crowds, travel deals, and more.

Rocky Casale is a freelance journalist with more than a decade of experience covering travel. His work has appeared in The New York Times , Vogue , The Wall Street Journal , Travel + Leisure , Condé Nast Traveler , Fodor's Travel , Afar , and more.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

When you think of an Italian vacation, what comes to mind? Perhaps you picture Rome's historic attractions or Tuscany's vineyards — or maybe you prefer the picture-perfect Amalfi Coast or the iconic Venetian canals. No matter what part of Italy you want to visit, though, you'll need to know the best time to do it. Weather, crowd size, cost, and other factors can all influence your decision, but here's a basic breakdown of the Italian tourist seasons.

• High Season: May to September
• Shoulder Seasons: March to April and October to November
• Low Season: December to February

Below, we'll walk through the best (and worst) times to visit Italy for every type of vacation so you can start planning your next Italian getaway.

Best Times to Visit Italy for Smaller Crowds

Not too long ago, the busy season in Italy was confined to June, July, and August. Travelers flocked to the country during their summer holidays to enjoy good weather and a hearty dose of culture, and for the rest of the year, traffic would slow. Today, though, Italy is such an in-demand destination that its "high season" stretches all the way from May to September — and it seems to be getting longer every year.

Because of this, winter is the best time to avoid crowds. Many visitors to Italy are seeking a warm, sunny Mediterranean vacation, and the country's winter climate — with temperatures in the 40s and 50s in the south and snowy conditions in the north — isn't conducive to those plans. Unless you're headed to an Alpine ski town like Cortina D'Ampezzo, a winter trip to Italy will likely mean uncrowded hotels and piazzas with plenty of elbow room.

Chelsea Exton/Travel + Leisure

Best Times to Visit Italy for Good Weather

"Good weather" in Italy is another concept that's evolved in recent years. Certainly, sun-seeking travelers will still find plenty to enjoy in Italy's warm, largely rain-free summers — but soaring temperatures can make July and August uncomfortable in some regions. Temperatures above 100 degrees are increasingly frequent in southern cities like Rome and Naples, so heat-sensitive travelers may want to avoid the peak of summer in these areas.

For sunny skies and balmy beaches without sky-high heat indices, the best times to visit Italy are the late spring and early fall. Months like May and September offer temperatures in the 70s and 80s through much of the country's south, making conditions ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and taking walking tours through historic towns and cities.

In northern Italy, conditions typically remain pleasant for the duration of the summer, particularly if you're near water or at a high elevation. A getaway to Venice or Lake Como, for instance, can see temperatures in the 60s and 70s even during June, July, and August.

Michela Sieman/Travel + Leisure

Best Times to Visit Italy by Region

Best times to visit the italian coast.

Spring, summer, and autumn are often heralded as the best times to visit Italy, particularly in temperate coastal towns where extreme weather isn't a concern. The problem with late spring and summer, though, is that everyone has the same idea (including Italians with second homes by the sea). Umbrella and beach chair rental prices are exorbitant, and the beaches can get crowded and noisy. Look instead to smaller villages near the sea, like Terlizzi in Puglia, where the water remains warm through late October and nearby beaches are quiet.

Best Times to Visit Italy's Wine Country

Early spring and early fall can be ideal times to visit Italy if you hope to explore wine regions like Tuscany. The grape harvest occurs each September and October (exact dates vary from year to year), so this can be a fun time for wine lovers.

Best Times to Visit the Dolomites

If you dream of seeing the stunning Dolomites in northeastern Italy, we have good news. The destination is worth visiting year-round, depending on your interests. Hit the ski slopes in winter, or spend spring and summer days hiking and taking in the mountain views.

Best Times to Visit Italy for Lower Prices

Prices in Italy tend to move in tandem with the seasons: when there are lots of visitors, prices are high, and when tourist numbers taper off, so do the costs of airfare and accommodations. If you hope to score a deal on flights or hotel rooms, aim for the off-season of October to April. This is especially true in popular cities like Rome and Florence. While these metro areas can be pricey and packed at any time, things do slow down in winter.

Of course, there are other ways to save money on your Italian vacation besides just aiming for the off-season. Keep an eye out for flight deals, or check out cruise packages that can help you avoid expensive hotels and flights. Finally, consider traveling off the beaten path to the small towns and quaint villages that most tourists skip — even during busy periods, these can make for affordable vacations.

Worst Times to Visit Italy

Italy is a beautiful destination year-round, but if you want to avoid packed tour buses, long museum lines, and extreme heat, you probably don't want to plan a summer getaway to Rome, Venice, or Florence. Carnival season — typically February and March — is another less than ideal time in Venice if you aren't a fan of crowds. Hotels are at a premium, and the city's bridges, boats, and attractions may lose their charm as they fill with thousands of mask-wearing revelers. For a calmer version of Venice, the northern lagoon in November is sublime.

Tuscany can also be a tricky region for solitude-seeking travelers, given its mass popularity. Cities like Siena and medieval hilltop towns like San Gimignano can be full of tourists in the summer and autumn, so try planning your trip for the winter or spring to see slightly smaller crowds.

No matter where you're going, be sure to take note of any major local holidays planned during the dates of your visit. For example, Christmas is a beautiful time to explore Italy thanks to charming holiday markets and festive decor, but some shops and attractions will be closed or have restricted hours around the holiday. Easter pilgrimages, meanwhile, are beloved among Catholic travelers wanting to see the Vatican — but their popularity also means that prices will be higher and crowds larger during Holy Week than during the rest of the spring.

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10 Best Things To Do In Venice, Italy That Should Be On Your Bucket List

N estled in the Adriatic Sea, Venice is a magical place in the Veneto region famed for its scenic canals and picturesque bridges. Colloquially known as The City of Canals or The Floating City, the city is a captivating playground for adventure lovers as well as romantic couples. There is a myriad of interesting things to do in Italy ; however, visiting Venice is easily one of the best on discerning travelers' bucket lists.

Those visiting Venice for the first time would be thrilled to explore attractions such as St. Mark’s Square, Saint Mark’s Basilica, and the Rialto Bridge. Plus, there are many amazing things to do in Venice for families and fun-seekers. If that sounds like a fun way to spend a vacation in Venice, here are the top things that should be on the bucket list of every adventurer coming to what is indeed one of the most famous cities in Italy - the vivacious and very vibrant Venice.

Visit St. Mark's Square

Set in the heart of Venice, St. Mark’s Square is one of the must-visit sites in Venice city. Locally known as Piazza San Marco, it is a historical plaza that houses the iconic St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doges Palace. Since the 12th century, this has been a major gathering spot in the city where tourists can freely mingle with the natives. Revelers are always trickling down here at night to enjoy the exciting cacophony of Italian sounds ringing throughout the plaza.

Soak Up Magical Canal Views From The Rialto Bridge

Constructed in the late 16th century, the Rialto Bridge takes pride as the oldest bridge across the Grand Canal. Romantics vacationing in the city love coming here to admire the breathtaking views of gondolas on the canal. In the evenings, the bridge is usually packed with tourists marveling at the stunning sunsets. The bridge has shops and eateries where tourists can buy things and dine while enjoying magnificent canal views. The bridge was a result of a design competition that took place in the city.

Explore The Bridge Of Sighs

Travelers visiting Venice wouldn’t leave the city without stopping at the Bridge of Sighs. It’s a popular tourist attraction with plenty of stories to tell. Constructed in 1600 with white limestone, the bridge connected the Doge’s Palace and the New Prison. That allowed prisoners who had been sentenced to have a last glimpse of the City of Canals before their execution. Today, tourists come here to reminisce about the prisoner’s plight and to take photos for their memories.

RELATED: 9 Tours You Should Take To See A Different Side Of Venice

Tour Doge's Palace

Apart from the breathtaking canals, Venice is also a destination known for its stunning architecture, and no place embodies that better than the Doge’s Palace. It is one of the oldest structures in the city, having been built in the year 1340. Tourists always stop by to marvel and take photos of its stunning Gothic architecture. The palace, which today is a museum, is also a must-visit site for history buffs looking to have a glimpse of the city’s storied past.

Marvel At The Galleries In The Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Set along the Grand Canal, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is one of the best attractions in Venice (that aren't overrated and actually worth it) . It’s a popular art museum that is nestled in an 18th-century palace, the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni. For about three decades, the property served as the residency of a famous American heiress known as Peggy Guggenheim. Today, art enthusiasts visit the museum to view her private collection of modern artworks. The exhibits inside showcase concepts such as cubism, surrealism, and abstract expressionism.

Watch A Live Performance At Teatro La Fenice

Venice is a truly unique wonder and one of the most romantic cities in Europe, and there is no better way to savor such an experience than watching a live performance with a dear one at Teatro La Fenice. This is a famous opera house that attracts tourists from far and near. It’s a spacious theater that can comfortably host up to a thousand people at a time. Literally, it rose from ashes after a fire had consumed it to the ground. Today, it’s a popular venue for enthralling activities such as concerts and ballet dances.

RELATED: Here's Why Venice Can Be Even More Stunning When It Rains

Stand In Awe At Ponte Dell'Accademia

Another masterpiece located across the Grand Canal is Ponte dell'Accademia, a sophisticated bridged found near the southern end of the canal. It is one of the prime spots in the beautiful city of Venice, where tourists come to enjoy magical photo sessions. It’s a fantastic spot where travelers can come to feast their eyes on awe-inspiring views of the canal or romantic sunsets. It’s a strategic point to watch gondolas and other water vessels sailing on the canal.

Admire The Beautiful Colored Houses On Venice's Burano Island

Tucked away in the Nothern Venetian Lagoon, Burano Island is home to the famous colored houses in Venice and offers lots to do and see . It's the perfect day trip from Venice, as it is an enchanting island that is a must-visit for romantics. The town is known for its stunning canals and architecturally gorgeous structures, but visiting this island allows tourists to see a different side of Venice they didn’t know existed. Adventurer lovers can take a gondola tour for a chance to see the beautifully colored houses that sit on the island. The island is also highly associated with traditional lacemaking.

Buy Seafood At Mercato Di Rialto (Rialto Market)

Foodies vacationing in Venice wouldn’t miss the opportunity to tour Mercato di Rialto (Rialto Market) for anything in the world. This is a popular fresh food market that sits in front of a canal, allowing shoppers to buy while admiring the sailing water vessels. The market is lined with a plethora of stalls that sell fresh produce from the farm as well as freshly caught fish. Buyers can also grab spices to help add aromas to their meals. Visitors can also purchase fresh or dried fruits here.

RELATED: Is A Venice Gondola Ride Worth It? Here Are The Pros & Cons

Taste Locally Made Wine At Venissa Wine Resort

Lovebirds and honeymooners can make the most of their time in Venice by taking a tour of the Venissa Wine Resort . Being part of the Venetian Lagoon, this is a fantastic spot for tourists to come and experience the island’s unspoiled beauty. There is a restaurant on the property where couples can enjoy a romantic dining experience after strolling in the pristine vineyard. Be it red or white wine, a sip of the fine wine here can leave taste glands tingling.

Pay to enter: Venice becomes the first city to implement a tourist ticket system

Venice became the first city in the world on Thursday to introduce a payment system for visitors in an experiment aimed at dissuading tourists from arriving during peak periods.

However, it isn't the only place in Italy that has recently introduced new measures aimed at slowing tourist flows.

Here are some of the initiatives currently in force.

Venice tourist tax

The lagoon city has introduced 5 euros (about $5.35) tickets for day trippers, valid from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The experiment came into force on April 25, a national holiday in Italy. Tickets will be needed for the following 10 days and thereafter for most weekends until mid-July.

Venice residents, students, workers, and homeowners are exempt from paying or booking a slot. Visitors aged under 14 and tourists with hotel reservations will need to register, but access for them will be free of charge.

Other cities, such as Como, have said they are considering introducing a similar measure but are waiting to see how the Venice initiative works before deciding.

In addition, Venice has said that from June, it will limit the size of tourist groups to 25 people and ban the use of loudspeakers by tour guides.

Florence tourist measure

Florence announced in October that it was banning new short-term residential lets on platforms such as Airbnb in its historic center. It also offered three years of tax breaks to landlords of short-term holiday lets who start offering ordinary leases for residents.

The city's famous museum, the Uffizi, offers discounts to people who arrive before 8.55 a.m. and lower prices off-season. To spread out crowds, it also closes at 10 p.m. once a week.

Cinque Terrer overtourism

The five villages that make up the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera regularly get swamped with visitors.

To try to reduce the overcrowding at peak periods, the authority which oversees the area said this week it would charge visitors 15 euros (about $16) to walk the most celebrated coastal path. In addition, the path can only be walked in one direction.

Capri tourism measure

The picturesque small island that lies across the bay from the southern city of Naples has doubled its entry fee, which is automatically added to ferry tickets, to 5 euros. The fee will be charged from April 1 to October 1.

Capri, Ischia, Procida, Lampedusa and Linosa changes

These islands have introduced limits, or outright bans, on cars for non-residents during the main tourist season.

Venice Tests a 5-Euro Entry Fee for Day-Trippers as the Italian City Grapples With Overtourism

The fragile lagoon city of Venice has launched a pilot program to charge day-trippers a 5-euro or $5.35 entry fee that authorities hope will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more livable for its dwindling residents

Stewards check tourists QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy's Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

VENICE, Italy (AP) — Under the gaze of the world’s media, the fragile lagoon city of Venice launched a pilot program Thursday to charge day-trippers a 5-euro ($5.35) entry fee that authorities hope will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more livable for its dwindling residents.

Visitors arriving at Venice's main train station were greeted with large signs listing the 29 dates through July of the plan's test phase that also designated separate entrances for tourists, and residents, students and workers.

“We need to find a new balance between the tourists and residents,’’ said Simone Venturini, the city’s top tourism official. “We need to safeguard the spaces of the residents, of course, and we need to discourage the arrival of day-trippers on some particular days.”

Not all residents, however, are persuaded of the efficacy of the new system in dissuading mass tourism , insisting that only a resurgence in the population will restore balance to a city where narrow alleyways and water buses are often clogged with tourists.

Hundreds of Venetians protested against the program, marching festively though the city's main bus terminal behind banners reading “No to Tickets, Yes to Services and Housing.” Protesters scuffled briefly with police with riot gear who blocked them from entering the city, before changing course and entering over another bridge escorted by plainclothes police officers. The demonstration wrapped up peacefully in a piazza.

Tourists arriving at the main station encountered almost as many journalists as stewards on hand to politely guide anyone unaware of the new requirements through the process of downloading the QR code to pay the fee.

Photos You Should See - April 2024

Arianna Cecilia, a tourist from Rome visiting Venice for the first time, said she thought it was “strange” to have to pay to enter a city in her native country, and be funneled through separate entrance ways for tourists. She and her boyfriend were staying in nearby Treviso, and so downloaded the QR code as required. But she was still caught off-guard while soaking in her first view ever of Venice's canals by the sight of the entrance signs and her boyfriend telling her to get out the ticket.

On the other side of the entrance ways, workers in yellow vests carried out random checks at the train station. Transgressors face fines of 50 to 300 euros ($53 to $320), but officials said “common sense” was being applied for the launch.

The requirement applies only for people arriving between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Outside of those hours, access is free and unchecked.

Venice has long suffered under the pressure of overtourism, and officials hope that the pilot project can help provide more exact figures to better manage the phenomenon.

The city can track the number of hotel visitors, which last year numbered 4.6 million and is down 16% from pre-pandemic highs. But the number of day visitors, which make up the majority of the crowds in Venice, could only be estimated until recently.

A Smart Control Room set up during the pandemic has been tracking arrivals from cellphone data, roughly confirming pre-pandemic estimates of 25 million to 30 million arrivals a year, said Michele Zuin, the city’s top economic official. That includes both day-trippers and overnight guests.

But Zuin said the data is incomplete.

“It’s clear we will get more reliable data from the contribution” being paid by day-trippers, he said.

Venturini said the city is strained when the number of day-trippers reaches 30,000 to 40,000. On peak days, local police set up one-way traffic for pedestrians to keep the crowds moving.

Residents opposing the day-tripper tax insist that the solution to Venice's woes are to boost the resident population and the services they need, limiting short-term rentals to make available more housing and attract families back from the mainland.

Last year, Venice passed a telling milestone when the number of tourist beds exceeded for the first time the number of official residents, which is now below 50,000 in the historic center with its picturesque canals.

“Putting a ticket to enter a city will not decrease not even by one single unit the number of visitors that are coming,’’ said Tommaso Cacciari, an activist who organized a protest Thursday against the measure.

“You pay a ticket to take the metro, to go to a museum, an amusement park. You don’t pay a ticket to enter a city. This is the last symbolic step of a project of an idea of this municipal administration to kick residents out of Venice,” he said.

Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro declared the launch day, coinciding with an Italian holiday, a success, registering 15,700 paying visitors, 50% more than anticipated.

More than 97,000 others had downloaded a QR code denoting an exemption, including to work in Venice or as a resident of the Veneto region. Hotels in Venice, including in mainland districts like Marghera or Mestre, provided a QR code for visitors to attest to their stay, which includes a hotel tax — accounting for 40,000 of those.

Venturini, the tourist official, said that interest in Venice’s pilot program has been keen from other places suffering from mass tourism, including other Italian art cities, and municipalities abroad such as Barcelona, Spain, and Amsterdam.

But Marina Rodino, who has lived in Venice for 30 years, doesn't see the fee as the cure-all. Neighboring apartments in her residential building near the famed Rialto Bridge once inhabited by families are now short-term apartment rentals.

The corner butcher shop closed. Yet she noted that the new entrance fee requirement will still allow young people to flood the city in the evening for the traditional aperitivo, which can grow rowdy.

She was passing out mock European Union passports for “Venice, Open City,” underlining the irony of the new system, and challenging its legal standing with citations from the Italian Constitution guaranteeing its citizens the right to “move or reside freely in any part of the national territory."

“This is not a natural oasis. This is not a museum. It is not Pompeii. It is a city, where we need to fight so the houses are inhabited by families, and stores reopen. That is what would counter this wild tourism,’’ Rodino said.

Copyright 2024 The  Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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How to enjoy the venice biennale in three days.

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It’s Biennale time in Venice, aka the Art Olympics, an every-two-year event where La Serenissima’s 118 islands are almost entirely dedicated to contemporary art from countries and artists around the world. What started out as small art fair in the Giardini, Venice’s public park, has turned into a six-month, all-island, non-stop blockbuster art fest of exhibitions in palaces, galleries, public spaces, and, of course, the Giardini and Arsenale. This year’s 60th Venice Biennale Stranieri Ovunque - Foreigners Everywhere brings it on strong with 331 artists, 88 national pavilions and 30 collateral events, not to mention other pop ups. That’s a lot of art to take in, and a lot of ground to cover. Many people ask me how to do it all in a limited amount of time.

60th Biennale Art 2024 "Strangers Everywhere" (Photo by Simone Padovani/Getty Images)

I’ve just returned from an intense five-day visit, and after days marching through exhibitions, plus years of visiting and covering the Biennale, including time a past life as a gallery girl at the USA Pavilion, I’ve got it down to the perfect and most palatable rhythm. Here are my tips on the best way to navigate the Venice Biennale in three days.

Day 1- The Biennale Gardens and Arsenale

From now through November 24, Stranieri Ovunque - Foreigners Everywhere is everywhere all at once. The Giardini , the island’s large park, is home to the national country pavilions (UK, Spain, et cetera) that each show individual and group artist exhibits, while the Arsenale , Venice’s former ship arsenal, hosts a large group show, with a smattering of country pavilions. Throughout Venice’s six sestieri (neighborhoods), you’ll find collateral events and exhibitions popping up in fabulous palaces, deconsecrated churches, former offices spaces and more.

The key to a great Biennale experience is planning ahead. Plan to spend your first day at the Giardini and Arsenale, compressing both locations into a one day experience so that you can make the most of Venice for spontaneous art exploration. If you’re a culture vulture and really need to see every pavilion and every work of art, buy a multi-ticket pass which allows unlimited entry to Giardini and Arsenale over a period of days allowing you to return at the end of three days to bookend your trip. With that in mind, here’s my list of pavilions and exhibitions not to miss:

Arsenale at the 60th Venice Biennale Art Festival

Hundreds of Russian Troops Gathered Out In The Open They Didn t Know The Ukrainians Had Aimed Four ATACMS Rockets At Them

Your best look yet at the new iphone 16, the richest person in every state 2024, australia: kith and kin, archie moore.

Golden Lion winner for Best Pavilion. First Nation artist Archie Moore created an installation that is a tribute to Australia's First Nations people while examining colonialism. At the center of the room is a table piled with hundreds of redacted documents tracking the historic incarceration of First Nations people, while on the surrounding black walls is a massive hand-written family tree spanning 24000 generations and 65,000 years.

Egypt Drama 1882, Wael Shawky

Shawky’s Drama 1882 is a film rendition of an original musical play directed, choreographed, and composed by Shawky about Egypt’s nationalist Urabi 1879-82 uprising against imperial influence. Operatica and mesmerising, Shawky’s set, colours and composition are surreal.

Archie Moore's kin and kith, Australian Pavilion, Venice Biennale 2024

France: Attila cataracte ta source aux pieds des pitons verts finira dans la grande mer gouffre bleu nous nous noyâmes dans les larmes marées de la lune, Julien Creuzet

Creuzet’s installation is like walking through a technicolor looking glass. His multimedia collage is a mix of sounds, images, and objects that seemingly trawl the ocean to pull up traces of contemporary culture and colonial history. What does this mean? It’s a beautiful visual and auditory experience, with a captivating soundtrack.

Korea: Odorama City , Koo Jeong A

For the past decade, Korea has been my go-to pavilion, and this year, it didn’t disappoint. Koo’s Odorama City was a bit surreal, an almost empty pavilion guided entirely by scent. In 2023, he amassed 600 written statements about Korean smells and then worked with perfumers to interpret them into 16 distinct scents. I found it really calming, and serene.

A view of the US Pavilion Photo by Luc Castel/Getty Images

Poland: Repeat After Me II, Open Group ((Yuriy Biley, Pavlo Kovach, Anton Varga)

A film-slash-karaoke experience in which viewers are invited to sing the sounds of war, imitating AK47s, missiles and explosions that witness refugees share. It’s dramatic, and the sounds continue to follow you outside of the pavilion and into your Venice experience.

USA: the space in which to place me, Jeffrey Gibson

Gibson transforms the US pavilion with dynamic colour, craft, sculpture and video. A member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and of Cherokee descent, Gibson explores narratives of identity and tradition of Indigenous and minority communities in the American landscape, deconstructing and redefining mainstream with a futuristic vision of inclusivity. What does that mean? It’s bright, colourful and inspiring.

Stranieri Ovunque continues in the Arsenale, but what I enjoyed the most was the Corderie, a nearly one-kilometre stretch where room after room is a curated group show. There is a lot of art to see, and it is almost overwhelming. Take a deep breath, and just enjoy what catches your eye.

Matahoo Collective, Arsenale, Venice Biennale 2024

Golden Lion winner for Best International Work. The Corderie kicks off Takapau, a large-scale installation by New Zealand’s Mataaho Collective (artists Erena Arapere-Baker, Sarah Hudson, Bridget Reweti and Terri Te Tau) and inspired by Māori takapau (finely woven mats made for special events). Takapau is 200sqm of suspended weaving made from six kilometres of trucking straps and other safety materials (like buckles and j-hooks) used in construction and labor jobs. Light and shadows change beautifully with every angle.

Disobedience Archive

Walk the entire Corderie, and if you aren’t oversaturated, turn into the next area, a series of rooms for exhibitions and country pavilions. My personal favorites include Bokk by artist Alioune Diagne in the Senegal pavilion , Wangshui ’s futuristic video and LED installation, and Sites of Memory, Sites of Amnesia by artist Abdullah Al Saadi UAE pavilion .

Days 2 and 3 - Off Site in Venice

You’ve done it. You’ve visited the main venues of the Biennale. You’ve seen a lot of art and want to see more, without the intensity. What truly makes the Biennale experience is the kismet of walking around the city and stumbling into an offsite pavilion and collateral events that pop up in every neighborhood. From San Marco to the Giudecca and more, there is art in every neighborhood. Sometimes it’s as easy as just walking into a palazzo. Other times, you need a little bit of foresight and organization. If you’re visiting Venice for Biennale 2024 season, drop a pin on the following out-of-this-world exhibitions.

Are We the Aliens_Arne Quinze, Swizz Beatz

Castello, San Marco and Rialto

Walking from San Marco to Castello, head to Palazzo Bollani for Tesfaye Urgessa’s beautiful paintings in the Ethiopia pavilion and then back to Campo San Francesco alle Vigne for Are We The Aliens , which could be my personal favorite of the entire Biennale. You are guided through a quasi-extraterrestrial landscape to the first level of deconsecrated church where you are surrounded by Arne Quinze's oversized, cloud-like sculptures. A soundtrack of sonic sounds by Swizz Beatz, choreographed with llights, hypnotise and take you higher.

On route to Canareggio, ’ Palazzo Soranzo van Axel is a fairytale, a gorgeous Gothic palace of light stone. The palazzo is also the perfect setting for Collective Behaviour , a glimpse at key pieces chronicling the career of MacArthur Foundation genius Shazia Sikander.

Tesfaye Urgessa, ETHIOPIA

In Riato sestiere, Eva Jospin creates Selva, a fantastical forest with fairy tale cottages made of wood, cardboard and earthy fibres inside the gorgeous Museo Fortuny. In nearby San Marco, I learned everything I needed to know and more about Robert Indiana in the retrospective The Sweet Mystery in Piazza San Marco, Both visits require ticket purchase.

Dorsoduro and Giudecca

On the edge of Dorsoduro’s Zattere are two beautiful, immersion pieces: Magazzino del Sale is The Rooted Nomad, a trippy installation cover the interior of a large house with the works of India’s M.F. Husain, and Josefa Ntjam’s swell of spæc(i)es, a futuristic almost off world space inhabiting the courtyard of the Accademia di Belle Arti .

swell of spæc(i)es, Josefa Ntjam

Nearby is Boundaries , a digital video animation slash altarpiece by Memo Akten in Chiesa di Santa Maria della Visitazione . As you return towards the Accademia bridge, stop at Passengers in Transit , a group show inside a former ancient pharmacy. Paris’s 193 Gallery shows a capsule collection of work by Afro-descent artists April Bey, Christa David, Euridice Zaituna Kala, Joana Choumali and Thandiwe Muriu.

In Campo San Barnaba, walk into Palazzo Canal for Nigeria Imaginary , a group show of the Nigeria Pavilion featuring Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, Ndidi Dike, Onyeka Igwe, Toyin Ojih-Odutola, Abraham Oghobase, Precious Okoyomon, Yinka Shonibare CBE RA and Fatimah Tuggar. In a labyrinth of rooms, the artists’ work explores moments in Nigeria’s history, and offer both a Nigeria that could be and one that is yet to come.

Last but definitely not least is the Holy See Pavilion, inside Giudecca’s Casa di Reclusione Femminile . This could be the sleeper hit of the Biennale, most likely because it requires the most effort. The group show takes you inside the women’s detention center, and in order to enter, you ’ll need to book a reservation well in advance .

Maurizio Cattean's feet at Holy See on the Giudecca.

It’s easy to find once you get to your location pin- Maurizio Cattelan’s enormous feet mural covers a building wall. Recalling Andrea Mantegna’s Il Cristo Morto , Cattelan’s piece sets the tone for a show that addresses themes in human rights, and talks about judgement and be judged. Once inside, prisoners guides you through the hallways and rooms where you’ll find pieces by Claire Fontaine, Sonia Gomes, Corita Kent, Marco Perego & Zoe Saldana, and Claire Tabouret.

At the end of three days, you’ll either be exhausted or excited, and definitely saturated in contemporary art. The best advice? Make a general plan, drop some pins of your not-to-miss pavilions and exhibitions in a personalised Google map, and wear comfortable shoes. Get ready for the unexpected - you never know what you where the Biennale will lead you.

Venice Access Fee

If planning a trip to Venice during May, June and July, you may have to pay to enter Venice. On April 25th, the city of Venice initiated the Venice Access Fee , a 5 euro entry ticket (during the hours of 8:30 am and 4pm) for 30 trial days during May, June and July.

Venice Access, April 2024

On select dates - April 25 to May 5, May 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, June 8,9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 and July 6, 7, 13 and 14 - visitors to Venice will need to show registration of a Venice Access Fee QR to enter. Available on line and at the train station, day-trippers must purchase a 5 euro entry ticket, while overnighting hotel guests simply register for the Venice Access ticket with payment exemption. In some cases, your hotel may do it for you. You'll be required to show your pass with QR to Venezia Unica stewards upon exiting Venice’s train station.

Stranieri Ovunque – Foreigners Everywhere runs until Sunday November 24, 2024.

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Venice launches world first tourist entrance fee in bid to fight overcrowding

VENICE, Italy — Ancient and beautiful, this city is sometimes referred to as an open air museum — and now visitors to Venice will have to pay an entry fee after the tourist hub on Thursday became the first in the world to introduce a charging system for day-trippers.

In a bid to thin out the crowds that throng to see the canals, bridges and striking architecture during vacation season, day-trippers will have to pay 5 euros ($5.35) to enter the lagoon city on 29 peak days, mostly on weekends, as part of a trial phase until July 14. 

Tourists who have booked at least one night at a hotel in the city will be exempt from the charge, as will residents, workers and students in the city. Visitors under age 14 will also be exempt. But like the day-trippers, they will also have to ensure they have registered online and received QR codes.  

Those without smartphones will have to go to the city’s Santa Lucia train station to buy tickets. 

Among the thousands of people lining up at the station for a ticket Thursday was Donna Porter-Mutchler, a tourist from Tennessee, who told NBC News she thought the charge was “a wonderful idea.”  

“Venice deserves to be taken care of,” she said. “I think it’s more than worth it. I come here often, and I’ll pay every time.” 

While there will be no limits on the number of people who can register, officials hope the fee will put people off on days it applies. 

“We are not looking to collect money, tax people or introduce a police state,” Simone Venturini, Venice’s tourism councilor, told NBC News. “We are being democratic about it, but the important message is: ‘Please, if you are a day-tripper, choose another day.’”

While there are no turnstiles at the city’s entrance points to make sure people have passes, inspectors will make random checks and issue fines of 50 to 300 euros to anyone who has failed to register.

Prominent signs across the city and a TV and newspaper advertising campaign have been launched in Italy and some other countries to let people know about it. And with the help of artificial intelligence , Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has also recorded a video message in several languages to inform tourists about the charge.  

Officials in the city estimate an average of 50,000 people a day visit Venice, an influx that almost matches the resident population, some of whom are unhappy about the new charge.  

“Venice has turned into Disneyland, where tourists are catered more than residents, and charging $5 is not going to stop anyone,” Federica Toninello of the Social Assembly for Housing and the Solidarity Network for Housing in Venice said Thursday. “It’s just propaganda.”

Others, like tourist guide Luisella Romeo, said they were concerned about the use of personal data collected by the new system. “That’s an invasion of privacy. Those details will remain in the system for five years and could be given to third parties, public and private,” she said. 

But officials in the city, which narrowly escaped being placed on UNESCO’s “World Heritage in Danger” list last year, in part because the United Nations body decided that it was not addressing concerns that its delicate ecosystem risked being overwhelmed by mass tourism, have insisted that something needed to be done. 

Three years ago, large cruise ships were banned from sailing into the Venetian lagoon , and the city has also announced limits on the sizes of tourist groups.

While the charge in Venice is still in its experimental stage, other popular Italian tourism destinations, like Lake Como, which has struggled with overcrowding for years, are watching closely.

Only time will tell whether it ends up dead in the water.  

Claudio Lavanga is Rome-based foreign correspondent for NBC News.