There isn’t a true low season in Venice. Not really. The Serenissima is so unique (and so famous) that many people want to see it with their own eyes, no matter what the season. Every time of the year has its pros and cons, and as there are different activities and events to enjoy up and down the canals of Venice all year, there really isn’t a bad time to visit.
From festivals like Carnevale to the quieter winter months, we pick through the when is best for you to visit the storied city of Venice.
From May to October, Venice is abuzz with visitors and festivals
This is when Venice is at its best, with nice weather and daylight 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 volume of visitors first arrives in Venice for Carnevale (held on Shrove Tuesday) in spring. Then in May, as summer approaches, the city is abuzz. Events begin to pop up and crowds gather – the chief among all being the Venice Biennale, which has been celebrating visual arts here since 1895.
June is the start of high season and tourists 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, you can always seek out one of Venice’s less-trafficked neighborhoods.
Even though the weather will begin to feel stifling in July, Venice is still bustling. 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. Also be sure to get yourself a good spot for the Festa del Redentore (third Sunday of July) fireworks display.
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 time to enjoy the last moments of the warm season. Come October when fall has arrived, there are some good days, but it’s also when the possibility of acqua alta looms on the horizon. Pack waterproof boots just in case.
Go in March or April for sunshine without the heat
If you thought the city emptied out after the revelries of the Carnevale, think again. With days getting longer and the weather getting warmer, visitors are out and about on the bridges and canals of Venice again. The spring months are the best choice if you want to do plenty of exploring without the sun beating down on your head (and you 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 best 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 from March until October.
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. In January visitors will want to find a viewing spot on the infamous Ponte di Rialto for the Regata delle Befane – the boat race where participants dress as witches.
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.
