Our guide on the Best Months To Visit Venice and what to do and what to eat for your next trip.
Venice, known as “La Serenissima,” is a dream destination with its iconic canals, grand architecture, and rich history. However, Venice can get crowded and weather conditions can vary, making some months better than others for visiting.
Here’s a guide to the best months to visit Venice, what to do while you’re there, and what to eat for an authentic Venetian experience.
Read here Mistakes to avoid in Venice, the best Italy sim card for tourist and how to get from Venice airport to city center
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Top Things to Do in Venice Year-Round
Regardless of when you visit Venice, there are certain must-see attractions and activities you can enjoy throughout the year:
Visit St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco): The heart of Venice, surrounded by iconic buildings such as St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and Campanile (bell tower). Be sure to climb the Campanile for panoramic views of the city.
Explore the Canals by Vaporetto: Venice’s water buses, or vaporettos, are a convenient and scenic way to get around. Take a ride along the Grand Canal to see the city’s famous palazzi.
Discover Rialto Market: Visit the Rialto Market to see fresh seafood, local produce, and traditional Venetian food stalls.
Visit the Doge’s Palace: A masterpiece of Gothic architecture and a symbol of Venice’s political power during the Republic era. The Bridge of Sighs, which connects the palace to the prison, is also a must-see.
Get Lost in the Streets: One of the best things to do in Venice is simply to wander. Venice’s maze of narrow alleys, bridges, and hidden squares offer endless surprises and charming views.
What to Eat in Venice
Venetian cuisine is known for its seafood dishes, local specialties, and rich flavors. Here are some must-try dishes:
Cicchetti: These small, bite-sized snacks are the Venetian version of tapas. Common cicchetti include crostini topped with baccalà mantecato (creamed cod), fried meatballs, and marinated anchovies.
Baccalà Mantecato: A Venetian classic, this dish is made from dried, salted cod that’s whipped into a creamy spread and typically served on crostini.
Sarde in Saor: Fried sardines marinated in onions, vinegar, raisins, and pine nuts—a sweet and savory dish typical of Venice.
Fritto Misto: A mix of fried seafood, such as calamari, shrimp, and small fish, often served as a street food or at casual eateries.
Tiramisu: Though originally from Treviso, this famous Italian dessert of coffee-soaked ladyfingers layered with mascar
Best Months to Visit Venice
The best time to visit Venice depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. Here’s a breakdown of Venice’s seasons, along with what to expect and enjoy during each period:
1. Spring (March to May)
Best For: Mild weather, fewer tourists, and blooming gardens.
Temperature: 8°C to 18°C (46°F to 64°F).
Spring is one of the best times to visit Venice. The weather is mild and pleasant, with less rain than in winter. The crowds are lighter compared to the busy summer season, making it a great time to explore the city without the heat or overwhelming tourist numbers.
What to Do:
St. Mark’s Basilica: Visit this iconic basilica with fewer crowds. Spring is a good time to tour the inside and enjoy St. Mark’s Square with less foot traffic.
Take a Gondola Ride: With the canals less congested in spring, this is a great time to enjoy the quintessential gondola experience.
Explore the Venice Biennale: If you visit during late spring (May), you can catch the Venice Biennale, a major contemporary art exhibition that takes place every two years.
Visit the Islands: Take a day trip to Murano (famous for glassmaking) and Burano (known for its colorful houses and lace-making).
What to Eat:
Sarde in Saor: A Venetian dish of marinated sardines with onions, pine nuts, and raisins. It’s light and refreshing, perfect for spring.
Risotto di Gò: A creamy risotto made with lagoon fish, typically served in Venice’s island restaurants.
Gelato: Spring temperatures are perfect for enjoying Venice’s delicious gelato while walking along the canals.
2. Summer (June to August)
Best For: Beach time, nightlife, and festivals.
Temperature: 18°C to 30°C (64°F to 86°F).
Summer is Venice’s high season, bringing warm temperatures, long days, and crowds of tourists. While it can get quite hot and busy, summer offers some of the city’s best events and a lively atmosphere.
What to Do:
Visit Lido di Venezia: If you want to escape the heat and crowds, take a short vaporetto ride to Lido Beach, a perfect spot for relaxing by the sea.
Attend the Festa del Redentore (July): A major festival that includes a spectacular fireworks display over the lagoon. The event commemorates the end of a 16th-century plague.
Take a Sunset Gondola Ride: In the evening, Venice cools down, and the canals look particularly romantic during sunset.
Visit St. Mark’s Basilica at Night: To avoid the midday heat and crowds, visit the Basilica in the evening or during its extended hours.
What to Eat:
Cicchetti: Venetian tapas-style snacks often served in the evening with a glass of wine. Try baccalà mantecato (creamed salted cod) or polpette (meatballs).
Fritto Misto: A mix of fried seafood, including calamari and shrimp, is a popular summer dish.
Spritz: A refreshing cocktail made with Aperol or Campari, prosecco, and soda water. It’s a Venetian favorite and perfect for cooling down on a hot day.
3. Fall (September to November)
Best For: Fewer tourists, mild weather, and cultural events.
Temperature: 12°C to 24°C (54°F to 75°F).
Fall is an excellent time to visit Venice, with the summer crowds dwindling and the temperatures becoming cooler and more comfortable. Early autumn is particularly beautiful as the city’s cultural calendar is still in full swing, and the weather remains pleasant.
What to Do:
Venice International Film Festival (Late August-September): If you’re a film enthusiast, the Venice Film Festival is one of the most prestigious in the world, held on the Lido.
Walk Through the Cannaregio District: Explore this quieter area of Venice, which has a more local feel, with fewer tourists.
Visit the Venice Biennale (If Applicable): If the Biennale is on during your visit, it’s a must-see for contemporary art lovers.
Attend Historical Regatta (Regata Storica): Held in early September, this famous boat race features traditional gondolas racing along the Grand Canal.
What to Eat:
Fegato alla Veneziana: A classic Venetian dish made of calf’s liver cooked with onions. It’s rich and hearty, perfect for cooler fall evenings.
Bigoli in Salsa: A traditional pasta dish made with thick spaghetti-like noodles and a sauce of onions and anchovies.
Porcini Mushrooms: Fall is porcini mushroom season, so look for dishes that feature this prized ingredient, especially in risottos.
4. Winter (December to February)
Best For: Venice without crowds, Christmas markets, and the Venice Carnival.
Temperature: 2°C to 11°C (36°F to 52°F).
Winter in Venice is cold, damp, and quieter, but it’s also incredibly atmospheric. This is the best time to visit if you want to experience the city without the crowds and don’t mind bundling up for chilly walks. The Venice Carnival in February is a major draw during this season.
What to Do:
Attend Venice Carnival (February): Venice Carnival is famous for its elaborate masks and costumes. This is the time to experience grand balls, parades, and performances.
Visit Museums: Cold days are perfect for exploring Venice’s many museums and galleries, such as the Doge’s Palace, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and Gallerie dell’Accademia.
Wander Through Quiet Streets: Venice feels like a completely different city in winter. The fog and mist give the canals an eerie beauty, and the lack of crowds makes it easy to explore at a relaxed pace.
What to Eat:
Moeche: Fried soft-shell crabs, a Venetian delicacy, are in season during the winter months.
Risi e Bisi: A Venetian-style risotto made with rice, peas, and pancetta, this dish is warm and comforting in the colder months.
Zuppa di Pesce: A rich fish soup, perfect for warming up on chilly winter days.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.