When is the best time to visit Venice? April to June and September to mid-October: afternoons are 17 to 26 °C (63 to 79 °F), the days are long and the city is more bearable than in high summer. Winter is cold and damp but quiet, apart from Carnival. July and August are hot, muggy and very busy.
Venice has a temperate climate with a continental influence, cooler than you might expect for Italy: nights come close to 0 °C (32 °F) in January, and summers are hot and humid (28 °C (82 °F) in the afternoon in July–August). Rain is spread across the year, with no real dry season, peaking in spring and autumn. Two other factors matter as much as the weather: crowds, very heavy from Easter to October and during Carnival, and high tides (acqua alta), mostly in autumn and winter. Here is how to choose, based on the official ISPRA normals.
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When to go to Venice at a glance
- Best times April to June and September to mid-October
- To avoid the crowds November, January and early March, outside weekends and holidays
- Hottest month July, with an average high of 28.5 °C (83 °F) (28.4 °C (83 °F) in August)
- Coldest month January, with 7.5 °C (46 °F) in the afternoon and 0.1 °C (32 °F) at night
- Wettest month May (80 mm (3.1 in)), followed by September; January is the driest (40 mm (1.6 in))
- High tides (acqua alta) mostly from October to January; check the tide forecasts before you go
- Major events Carnival (February or early March), Festa del Redentore (July), Regata Storica (September)
When to go to Venice by priority
- Best weather: September, then May, June and the first half of October: 18 to 26 °C (64 to 79 °F) in the afternoon
- Cheapest: January outside holidays and November; early March, before Easter, remains affordable
- Fewest crowds: January and November, at the price of cold, damp weather and a risk of acqua alta
- Events: Carnival in February or early March, Festa del Redentore in July, Venice Film Festival in late August – early September, Regata Storica in September, Madonna della Salute on November 21
Venice: the calendar at a glance
✅ Best months: April, may, June, September, October
Climate and weather in Venice month by month
The table below uses the 1991–2020 normals for the Venice-Tessera station, located at Marco Polo Airport, on the mainland beside the lagoon. The historic center, surrounded by water, may be slightly less cold at night in winter.
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.5 °C (46 °F) | 0.1 °C (32 °F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | Low | Low | Cold and foggy, but very quiet ⚠️ |
| February | 9.2 °C (49 °F) | 0.8 °C (33 °F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | Very high at Carnival | High at Carnival | Cold; Carnival very crowded ⚠️ |
| March | 13.2 °C (56 °F) | 4.5 °C (40 °F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | Moderate | Moderate | Cool, city still quiet early in the month ⚠️ |
| April | 17.4 °C (63 °F) | 8.7 °C (48 °F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | High (Easter) | High | Mild, ideal for walking ✅ |
| May | 22.0 °C (72 °F) | 13.5 °C (56 °F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | High | High | Pleasant, a few thunderstorms ✅ |
| June | 26.0 °C (79 °F) | 17.4 °C (63 °F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | High | High | Warm, long evenings ✅ |
| July | 28.5 °C (83 °F) | 19.2 °C (67 °F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | Very high | Very high | Hot, muggy and packed ⚠️ |
| August | 28.4 °C (83 °F) | 18.9 °C (66 °F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | Very high | Very high | Heat, mosquitoes and crowds ⚠️ |
| September | 23.8 °C (75 °F) | 14.8 °C (59 °F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | High | High | One of the best months ✅ |
| October | 18.5 °C (65 °F) | 10.5 °C (51 °F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | Moderate | Moderate | Mild, first high tides ✅ |
| November | 12.9 °C (55 °F) | 5.7 °C (42 °F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | Low | Low | Damp, risk of acqua alta ⚠️ |
| December | 8.3 °C (47 °F) | 1.0 °C (34 °F) | 50 mm (2.0 in) | Moderate (holidays) | Moderate | Cold, acqua alta possible ⚠️ |
Note that, according to the same normals, it rains 5 to 9 days a month all year, with a peak from April to June (more than 8 rainy days a month), often as thunderstorms in late spring. Sunshine goes from about 80 hours in December and January to nearly 290 hours in July.
The seasons in Venice: pros and cons
Spring (March to May): the city wakes up
March is still cool (13 °C (55 °F) in the afternoon, 4.5 °C (40 °F) at night) but bright. April turns mild (17 °C (63 °F)) and May pleasant (22 °C (72 °F)), with more frequent showers and thunderstorms. This is the season when café terraces reopen and when walking is most enjoyable. Easter, April 25 (national holiday and feast of Saint Mark, the city’s patron saint) and the May long weekends, however, draw large crowds.
- Pros: ideal temperatures for walking, soft light on the canals, lengthening evenings
- Cons: heavy crowds at Easter and on long weekends, rain possible a few days a week
- Our tip: aim for late April or late May, on weekdays, and book early for Easter
Summer (June to August): heat and crowds
June is still pleasant (26 °C (79 °F)), but July and August exceed 28 °C (82 °F) in the afternoon with high humidity that makes the heat heavy in the narrow streets. Nights stay warm (19 °C (66 °F)). Mosquitoes are present around the lagoon. This is the busiest and most expensive period of the year, with peaks on weekends and around August 15. The Festa del Redentore, in July, offers one of the finest spectacles of the year on the St. Mark’s Basin.
- Pros: long days, swimming possible at the Lido, Festa del Redentore, Biennale open
- Cons: muggy heat, crowds at St. Mark’s and the Rialto, prices at their highest, mosquitoes
- Our tip: if you travel in summer, sightsee early in the morning and in the evening, and stay in a less central district (Cannaregio, Castello)
Autumn (September to November): the most balanced season
September extends the summer without its heat (24 °C (75 °F)) and hosts the Regata Storica and, at the Lido, the end of the Venice Film Festival. October stays mild (18.5 °C (65 °F)) with fewer crowds. November is cool and damp (13 °C (55 °F)), and marks the start of the high-tide season: some low-lying squares, including St. Mark’s Square, can be flooded for a few hours.
- Pros: pleasant temperatures until mid-October, crowds receding after September, falling prices in November
- Cons: regular rain (more than 70 mm (2.8 in) a month), acqua alta possible from October
- Our tip: the second half of September and the first half of October are the best compromise
Winter (December to February): Venice in the mist
Winter is cold for Italy: 7 to 9 °C (45 to 48 °F) in the afternoon and nights close to 0 °C (32 °F). Fog is frequent over the lagoon, and acqua alta can occur in December and January. In return, January is the driest (40 mm (1.6 in)) and quietest month of the year. February changes character with Carnival, which fills the city and pushes prices up.
- Pros: few visitors in January and outside Carnival, low prices, very photogenic misty atmosphere
- Cons: damp cold, short days, possible high tides
- Who is it for? Museum and church lovers, small budgets, anyone who wants to see Venice without the crowds
Venice and its surroundings: what is the climate like?
The surroundings of Venice have similar climates, but a few differences matter if you combine several stops. The figures below are those of the Venice-Tessera station, the only one used in this article; the other rows give only general trends.
| Place | Particularity | Best time |
|---|---|---|
| Venice (historic center) | Reference climate for this table; high tides in autumn–winter | April–June, September–October |
| Murano, Burano, Torcello | Lagoon islands, more exposed to the wind; same climate | April–June, September |
| Lido | Beaches on the Adriatic; swimming in summer | June to September |
| Dolomites (as a long excursion) | Mountain climate, much cooler | June to September (hiking), December to March (skiing) |
The lagoon: Murano, Burano and Torcello
The lagoon islands can be visited by vaporetto in a day. In clear weather, from April to October, the crossing is pleasant; in winter, wind and fog make it more austere, and some lines run less often. Burano, with its colorful houses, is above all photogenic in the sun.
The Lido: Venice’s beach
The Lido, a long sandbar between the lagoon and the Adriatic, is the only beach easily reached from the center. Swimming is mostly possible from June to September. Many of its beaches are developed and paid, with a few free sections.
When to go to Venice by trip type
| Trip | Best time | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | April–May, September–October | St. Mark’s, Rialto, Dorsoduro |
| Carnival | February or early March (dates vary) | St. Mark’s Square, the whole city |
| Museums and churches in peace | November, January, early March | Accademia, Frari, San Rocco |
| Art or architecture Biennale | From about May to November | Giardini and Arsenale (Castello) |
| Beach | June to September | Lido |
| Small budget | January, November, early March | Cannaregio, Castello, or accommodation in Mestre |
| Family | April–June, September | Lagoon islands, Lido, vaporetto rides |
Major events in Venice
| Date | Event | Place |
|---|---|---|
| February or early March (depending on the date of Mardi Gras) | Carnival: masks, costumes, parades for about two weeks | St. Mark’s Square and the whole city |
| April 25 | Feast of Saint Mark, patron saint of Venice, and Liberation Day (public holiday) | St. Mark’s Basilica, the whole city |
| From about May to November | Biennale: art in odd-numbered years, architecture in even-numbered years | Giardini, Arsenale and pavilions around the city |
| July (one weekend) | Festa del Redentore: night-time fireworks over the St. Mark’s Basin | Giudecca, St. Mark’s Basin |
| Late August – early September | Venice Film Festival (Mostra) | Lido |
| September (usually the first Sunday) | Regata Storica: procession of historic boats and races | Grand Canal |
| November 21 | Festa della Madonna della Salute: pontoon bridge over the Grand Canal | Salute Basilica |
When to avoid Venice and when to go for less
The most expensive and busiest months are July and August, as well as the Easter, Carnival and New Year periods. If you fear the heat and the crowds, avoid the height of summer; if you fear damp cold and high tides, avoid November to January.
The lowest prices are in January (outside holidays) and November, then in early March, before Easter. These are also the quietest months, at the price of cold or damp weather and a risk of acqua alta.
Venice month by month: what to expect
Venice in January: The coldest month (7.5 °C (46 °F) in the afternoon, nights near 0 °C (32 °F)) but the driest (40 mm (1.6 in)). Frequent fog, acqua alta possible, very few visitors: ideal for museums.
Venice in February: Cold (9 °C (48 °F)). Carnival transforms the city for about two weeks: crowds and high prices. Outside Carnival, the city stays quiet.
Venice in March: Days lengthen (13 °C (55 °F)). A quiet start to the month, then crowds pick up. Depending on the year, Easter falls in late March.
Venice in April: Mild (17 °C (63 °F)), a few showers. Easter and April 25 draw many people: book early.
Venice in May: Pleasant (22 °C (72 °F)), but the wettest month (80 mm (3.1 in)), often with thunderstorms. The Biennale opens in some years.
Venice in June: Warm (26 °C (79 °F)) and bright, with the longest days of the year. A good month before the summer peak.
Venice in July: The hottest (28.5 °C (83 °F)), humid and very busy. Festa del Redentore on one weekend of the month.
Venice in August: Still hot (28.4 °C (83 °F)), mosquitoes and crowds, prices at their highest around August 15. Late in the month: the Film Festival opens at the Lido.
Venice in September: One of the best months: 24 °C (75 °F), sea still good at the Lido in early September, Regata Storica on the Grand Canal.
Venice in October: Mild (18.5 °C (65 °F)), crowds falling. First high tides possible: follow the forecasts.
Venice in November: Cool and damp (13 °C (55 °F), 72 mm (2.8 in)). Acqua alta season, few visitors. Festa della Salute on the 21st.
Venice in December: Cold (8 °C (46 °F)). Quiet until the holidays, then crowds for Christmas and New Year. Acqua alta possible.
When to book your trip to Venice
Accommodation in the historic center is limited and goes fast. For Easter, Carnival, spring weekends, summer and New Year, book 3 to 4 months ahead; for Carnival, even earlier if you want a hotel near St. Mark’s. In the low season, a few weeks’ notice is often enough. Flights arrive at Marco Polo Airport, and the train is an alternative.
Also keep in mind the access fee: on certain high-traffic days, the City of Venice asks day visitors who do not stay overnight for a contribution. The dates, the amount and the exemptions change from year to year: check the official website of the municipality before you go.
Planning your trip to Venice
- Entry requirements: rules depend on your nationality; see our guide to the entry requirements for Italy.
- Currency: the euro.
- Health: in summer, protect yourself from mosquitoes: the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 21 October 2026) lists west nile disease, dengue and biting insects among the health risks in Italy.
- Acqua alta: the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 21 October 2026) notes that high waters are a common occurrence in Venice and can cause flooding in parts of the city; the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025) also notes that high tides in Venice can cause flooding. Monitor local media and weather reports, and check the tide forecast before you travel.
To plan your visit, see our Venice travel guide. To combine Venice with Rome or Florence, see when to go to Italy and our Italy travel guide. To extend your trip, compare with when to go to Rome, when to go to Tuscany and when to go to Croatia. To compare with other destinations, see also our picks for where to go in September.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Venice?
September, followed by May, June and the first half of October: 18 to 26 °C (64 to 79 °F) in the afternoon and slightly lighter crowds than in July–August. April is also pleasant, outside Easter.
When does acqua alta happen in Venice?
High tides occur mostly from October to January, sometimes in spring. They generally last a few hours, around the tide peak. Check the tide forecast before you go.
Is Venice cold in winter?
Yes: according to the 1991–2020 ISPRA normals at Venice-Tessera, it is 7.5 °C (46 °F) in the afternoon in January and about 0 °C (32 °F) at night, with a dampness that accentuates the feeling of cold. Pack a warm coat and waterproof shoes.
When should you visit Venice to avoid the crowds?
In January, November and early March, outside weekends and holidays. The rest of the year, visit St. Mark’s and the Rialto early in the morning and explore Cannaregio, Castello or the lagoon at peak hours.
When is the Venice Carnival?
It runs for about two weeks before Mardi Gras, so in February or early March depending on the year. Check the official program and book your accommodation several months ahead.
Can you swim in Venice?
Not in the canals, where swimming is prohibited. To swim, go to the Lido, on the Adriatic, from June to September.
What is the cheapest month to go to Venice?
January, outside the year-end holidays, and November, two months of light crowds. Early March, before Easter, is also affordable. In return, it is cold and damp and acqua alta is possible.
When should you avoid Venice?
July and August if you fear the muggy heat (28 °C (82 °F) in the afternoon) and the crowds; Carnival, Easter and New Year if you are looking for low prices; November to January if you want to avoid the cold and the high tides.
Is November a good time to visit Venice?
Yes for museums and a quiet city at low prices: 13 °C (55 °F) in the afternoon and few visitors. It is, however, a damp month (72 mm (2.8 in)) and the height of the acqua alta season: follow the tide forecasts and bring waterproof shoes.
Our sources
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA) and NOAA: 1991–2020 normals for the Venice-Tessera station (Marco Polo Airport), published by ISPRA and included in NOAA’s WMO climate normals
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Italy (GOV.UK, updated 21 October 2026, read on 26 October 2026), and U.S. Department of State, Italy country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025): health risks and high tides
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
