The Very Best Time to Visit Venice

Venice in Spring

Spring is a really nice season to visit Venice. It might be rainier than usual but the weather has started to warm up from winter yet the tourists haven't started arriving in droves.

Venice's Carnival overtakes the city for a week but depending on the year, this happens either in February or March each year. It changes the face of the city entirely but in a really fun way. It's exciting to see the intricate costumes and I highly recommend you dress up, at least a little bit yourself. A nice mask will make your day more fun and give you a souvenir to take home with you.

If your trip overlaps with Carnival, you can even buy tickets to attend one of the many balls that takes place throughout the city but for those, costumes are mandatory. You can rent a costume while in Venice but I do recommend you sort that out before your trip.

Spring Weather

Temperatures change greatly between the start of spring and the end of it. March will likely have more days that feel like winter, where May will feel more like summer. Regardless, I'd expect mornings to be chilly. Like I mentioned before, it can be the rainiest season.

Temperatures in Venice in spring average 65°F (18°C) during the day to lows of 50°F (10°C) at night.

Best Things to Do in Spring

Given that you might face more rain in the spring season than other times of the year, this is the perfect time to head indoors.

There's a big number of museums, churches, and historical spots to head to dive deeper into Venice. The obvious starting point would be to visit St. Mark's Basilica and/or Doge's Palace. Truthfully, I haven't been to these places yet but if I were to, I'd opt for an after hour's tour when there's less people around.

A local also advised me to go inside Basilica Santa Maria della Salute. It's free to enter but best enjoyed on a sunny day when the light streams through the windows.

Also a clear day, I'd recommend a gondola ride. Believe it or not, I avoided hopping on a gondola for years. I saw it more of a "tourist trap" and couldn't justify the price. Now that I finally caved and went on one though, I can admit I was wrong. There are some tips though I'd share with getting on your gondola:

1. Choose a less crowded gondola station. These are all over the city and not hard to do. Prices and lines will be better outside of the main hub. We used this one and we're happy with it.
2. Avoid the grand canal. The waves rock the gondola and you don't get as much "bang for your buck" here since the gondola can go as smoothly. If you dream of riding down the grand canal, take a public ferry (vaporetto) that rides on it. I'd ask the gondolier if you can avoid the grand canal as much as possible and stick with the smaller waterways instead. That's where the real magic is.

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Venice in Summer

Summer is my least favorite time to visit Venice. While summer certainly has its perks with longer days and warmer weather, it also brings far bigger crowds and weather that's too hot to enjoy outside of a beach. June is significantly less crowded than July and August.

That said, if summer is your only time to visit Venice, go for it. Just be smarter about how you spend your time here.

I'd avoid the area around Rialto Bridge and St. Mark's Square like the plague that once rampaged this city. Pop in and see them but don't plan to hang around or stay in these areas. Instead, spend time around Dorsoduro and/or Castello.

Summer Weather

Summer can get really hot in Venice. Expect high humidity and temperatures that can get sweltering. Note that air conditioning isn't a given in Italy so be sure to check if that's offered at your hotel before booking.

Average temperatures in Venice in summer hover around 85°F (29°C) during the day to lows of 63°F (17°C) at night.

Best Things to Do in Summer

Summer is the perfect time to visit one of the other islands of Venice, Lido. "Lido" means beach in Italy and so you know exactly what you're getting if you visit this island. This island can be reached by public boats from the main island. There are a number of beach clubs here where you can rent chairs, umbrellas, and enjoy food and drink.

Really though, the best thing to do in summer in Venice is stay the night. Most of the crowds are just here for a day trip so early mornings or nights give you a glimpse into a less chaotic side of the city than mid-day traffic brings.

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Venice in Fall

Although my favorite time in Venice is still to come, fall here is a close second. Fall offers the best weather, giving you the most diversity of options when deciding how you'll up your trip.

Whether you want to spend your time exploring the center of Venice or heading to the other islands, like Murano or Burano, you should be in for a treat.

If you plan to head to Lido, know that the Venice International Film Festival is held in the first week of September. Mid-September is Venice Glass Week, which pays tribute to the artistry of Murano's glassblowers. These events shouldn't affect your trip too much but are important to keep in mind if you tend to wait until the last minute to make hotel reservations.

Fall Weather

September and October are particularly great in Venice. November's temperatures tend to drop and bring with it more chances of fog and rain. This is also when "acqua alta" season starts. This translates to "high water" but really means occasional flooding. Since it mainly affects winter, skip to the winter weather section for more details on this phenomenon.

Temperatures in the fall average around 65°F (18°C) during the day to lows of 50°F (10°C) at night.

Best Things to Do in Fall

For a fall trip to Venice, you can do just about anything I mentioned in the other seasons. There's just one addition I want to mention here: it's the perfect time for a boat trip to the other islands.

This is easily one of my favorite things to do in Venice and something I highly recommend if the weather is right. You can get to Murano and Burano by vaporetto but if you choose public transportation, keep in mind that it might be too much to visit both (or even more) islands in one day. You might be better off staying the night in Murano since this island sits in between the main island of Venice and Burano.

If you have the budget, I'd recommend renting a private boat with a driver for the day. We've done this for a family trip and overall it was faster, more comfortable, and gave us the opportunity to visit some of the other islands all in one day. Our hotel organized this for us.

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Venice in Winter

Have I saved the best for last? I think so.

Personally, I love Venice in the winter. The weather can be chilly and windy but you shouldn't face any snow or ice.

More than for the weather, it's for the lack of crowds and the Christmas decorations. Venice is always charming in my eyes but add in some Christmas lights and it gets even better. Instead of it being a hot and sweaty trip, it turns into a cozy and charming one.

Plus, if you visit the Sunday before Christmas you're in for an extra treat with La Regata dei Babbi Natale, or Santa's Regatta. For this event 100s of "santas" paddle their gondolas down the Grand Canal, some racing for the win, others dancing, singing, and simply spreading Christmas cheer. I think it's my favorite holiday event to date.

Winter Weather

Winter in Italy is relatively mild, unless you head north into the mountains. Venice is no exception. The biggest "issue" with Venice in the winter is the fog and the poor insulation in many buildings, making it feel colder inside than even outside at times.

This means you'll just want to be smart about where you book and ensure they offer heating. Note that in many buildings in Italy, heating is controlled by the building itself and isn't available 24/7. You only have the option to turn it on or off but during some hours (like mid-afternoon), it'll likely be shut off.

Another issue you might face in Italy in winter is acqua alta. This is a natural phenomenon attached to the tides and changes in atmospheric pressure during this season. What this means for you is that there are chances of flooding. You can still get around and you'll locals not bat an eye as waiters pop on the rainboots over their uniforms. For more details on this, you can consult the City of Venice's website.

Average temperatures in Venice in winter can range from highs of around 49°F (9°C) during the day to lows of 32°F (0°C) at night.

On a clear day, the temperatures will be much warmer. Even though there are always chances of fog and humidity in Venice, the weather tends to be more humid in the summer so there's more chances of great views in the winter.

Best Things to Do in Winter

Other than witnessing Santa's Regatta, there are a few other things I'd recommend you do during your winter trip to Venice.

The boat rides will be chillier so if you do decide to venture to one of the other islands, dress warmly. Otherwise, I think this is the perfect time to explore the city with fewer tourists around. Now is the time to get the picture of Rialto Bridge or St. Mark's Square.

It's also the perfect time to visit attractions that are usually bustling with people and long lines. St Mark's Campanile (a tower in St. Mark's Square) offers great views of Venice on a clear day and in the winter you shouldn't have to shoulder your way in for it.

Although I'm still adamant that Venice is far better than its biggest icons, this is the perfect time for you to indulge in the more touristy bits without so many others around.

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Venice Travel Tips

Although I've divided this guide by seasons to give you a good idea of the best time to visit Venice for your trip, there are some things that are important all year-round.

Where to Stay in Venice

If you haven't yet decided where to stay in Venice, I can recommend a few spots:

• Budget Option: Cà Beatrice: Located near the university, this area is a lot of fun and one of the more affordable zones in Venice. You'll have a good selection of local places to eat and drink in this area.
• Mid-Tier Option: Charming House Iqs: This trendy apartment has a lot of style and is close to the tourist area, without putting you in the center of it. It's a good choice for those that don't want to walk too much each day.
• Luxury Option: San Vio Palace Luxury Apartments: This is where I stayed when my mom came to visit me in Italy. It was perfectly located within walking distance to the sights but tucked away in a more local area. If you prefer a hotel, this apartment is managed by Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace. I stayed here when my aunt came to visit and really loved it.

If staying on the main island of Venice isn't within your budget, you still have a handful of great options. I suggest looking into:

• Around Venezia Mestre train station: This is the other Venice train station on the mainland. I don't recommend you stay here because the area is necessarily great but more because it'll save you a lot of money. You can take the train from Mestre to Santa Lucia in just 15 minutes, making it a quick and easy commute.
• Murano: Murano is most visited as a day trip for those looking for colorful glassware as souvenirs. From experience, not many people stay the night making it a really charming place for those looking for something quiet. The cost of hotels is also much more affordable than staying in Venice.
• Burano: This island is one of the farthest away from the main island so I would only recommend staying in Burano if you're more interested in exploring the surrounding islands than the main one.

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Local Food to Try

Just like everywhere you visit in Italy, Venice is home to some local cuisine you might not be able to find anywhere else. While here, I recommend you try at least a few of their dishes:

• Cicchetti: Pronounced "chee-keh-ti," are small bites of bread topped with just about anything you can imagine. They're a local delicacy and a great introduction to Venetian cuisine. For the most traditional cicchetti experience, try one with baccalà mantecato.
• Sarde in saor: These are sweet and savory sardines served as an antipasto, or appetizer. They're really unique and personally, I enjoyed them but both my mom and Raf said no more after just one bite.
• Scampi alla Veneziana: These are boiled scampi, dressed lightly in olive oil and lemon. For the best version of this dish, try it in the summer when shrimp are in season.
• Nero di seppia: This is a black ink pasta made with cuttlefish that I really love. From all the dishes in Venice, other than gorging on cicchetti, this is my favorite.
• Risi e bisi: Simply put, rice and peas. It's a bit of a combination between risotto and soup and is known as a comfort food, ideal for cold winter days.

You've likely heard of Aperol Spritz but did you know that drink comes from Venice? While Aperol has become the most internationally famous, Venice offers a wide variety of spritz options so have a little fun and try out some different ones while here.

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How to Get Around Venice

Venice is unique in all senses and that means getting around town is different, too. Other than right at the start of the island where the bus station and parking lot is, you'll see there are no cars on Venice.

That means, to get around you either need to walk or take a boat or gondola. You'll have the choice between either a public bus, un vaporetto, or a private boat.

If you have the budget for a private water taxi, I imagine that's a pretty incredible way to get around. I've never been able to do this but my mom did schedule one to get her straight from the center of the island to the airport when she visited. She said it was the icing on top of an already incredible trip.

I didn't mention taking a gondola ride during your 3-day trip and that's mainly because other than the first time I visited, I haven't been back on one. I've been more than happy to explore on foot without spending the pretty hefty price tag on one. That said, if that's high on your bucket list, know that there are gondoliers all around the city, waiting to offer you a scenic ride.

Public Transportation

Most people will rely on public transportation to get around. The water buses in Venice are called vaporetti (plural form) and work exactly like buses do. They have a set route with a number of spots and you get on and get off where you please.

You'll need to buy a ticket in advance but can save yourself the later hassle and some money by buying a ticket valid for the duration of your trip.

You can also use a vaporetto to get you to the other islands of Venice. That's how we got around and it was easy and fun to navigate.

Google Maps

For public transportation, you can rely on Google Maps. In my experience, it's pretty reliable to show the boat lines.

There are two big caveats with using Google Maps in Venice:

1. At times it'll confuse a vaporetto line with a bridge. If you put in a walking route and see that it's taking you over a canal, zoom in to ensure there is actually a bridge there. A dotted line over water is a vaporetto line, not a bridge.
2. Don't use it while walking unless you have a specific destination in mind. Given the complexity of Venice, if you rely on the map to get everywhere, you'll spend all of your time looking down at your phone instead of enjoying your surroundings. Sometimes, like getting to your hotel, it's pretty important to follow a route but on a day you're simply strolling around, I highly recommend you wander. Since Venice is an island, you really can't get too lost.

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When Will You Visit Venice?

Although my favorite times to visit Venice are fall and winter, there's really no bad time to visit. Venice truly is a spectacular that deserves to be admired. Just remember that there's more to these islands than just its most famous attractions.

Allow yourself to wander and turn down alleyways that appeal to you. Don't stress if you hit a dead end, just try another way. The good thing about Venice being an island is you really can't get lost. And from experience, the most beautiful corners are the ones you stumble upon.