The Best Times to Visit Venice
Venice is one of the world’s most iconic destinations, and no matter the season, the city offers unique experiences. Here is a guide to when it is best to visit La Serenissima – depending on your preferences for weather, activities, and atmosphere.
There is not really a true low season in Venice – not really. La Serenissima is so unique (and so famous) that many people want to see it with their own eyes, regardless of the season. Each time of year has its own advantages and disadvantages, but with different activities and events along Venice’s canals throughout the year, there truly isn’t a bad time to visit.
Spring: Carnevale and the Beginning of Life
If you thought the city empties out after the Carnevale festivities, think again. With longer days and warmer weather, visitors are once again out on Venice’s bridges and canals. The spring months are the best choice if you want to explore without the sun beating down on your head (and you don’t mind getting caught in the occasional rain shower).
April marks the true start of the spring season. Centuries-old celebrations such as St. Mark’s Day make a stay particularly photogenic. A trip around Easter also ensures that you see the best Venice has to offer, as the days of Holy Week are always filled with celebrations and ceremonies – but remember that schools close in Italy for Easter, and many tourists may come for a weekend getaway.
Summer: Life and Heat
This is when Venice is at its best, with lovely weather and daylight that lasts well past 8 p.m. The closer it gets to summer, the more tourists and the higher the prices, but the best free things to do in Venice can help you stay within budget. In the middle of summer, the weather crosses the line from pleasant to oppressively hot – something to be aware of if you plan to explore the city on foot.
June marks the start of the high season, and tourists pour in, especially when schools officially close for the summer holidays around the middle of the month. If the main tourist sights become too crowded, you can always head out to one of Venice’s less trafficked neighborhoods.
Although the weather begins to feel stifling in July, Venice is still busy. If the crowds really become too much, you can consider a day trip outside the city. A good way to cope with the sun is to enjoy it while lying down on one of the many beaches in the lagoon, both in and around Venice. Also make sure to get a good spot for the Festa del Redentore (third Sunday in July) fireworks.
Autumn: Mild Weather and Fewer Crowds
September is one of the best months of the year – the heat subsides, but the weather is still fantastic, and it is an excellent time to enjoy the last moments of the warm season. When October arrives and autumn has set in, there are still good weather days, but it is also when the possibility of acqua alta (high water) looms on the horizon. Pack waterproof boots just in case.
Winter: Quiet and Festivities
With the exception 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 from March to October.
A lack of travelers does not mean the city is less lively. Festa della Madonna della Salute brings the lagoon to life at the end of November, when stalls line the canals and a light procession crosses a bridge of boats to reach Salute.
Over Christmas, the area around the Rialto Bridge sparkles with lights and markets. In January, visitors will find a vantage point on the notorious Ponte di Rialto for the Regata delle Befane – the boat race where participants dress up as witches.
The costumes continue at the world-famous Carnevale, an explosion of colors and masks. February gathers people for the last festivities of winter, before the mask falls and spring begins to unfold.
