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Best time to visit Venice
Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.
Best time to visit Venice, Italy
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.
| Month | Score | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4-8°C, often cloudy with rain, occasional fog | low | low |
⚠ Acqua alta (high water) is possible, especially early in the month. | |
| February | 6-11°C, variable with sunshine and rain | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Carnival can bring peak crowds and prices for a week. | |
| March | 8-14°C, increasing sunshine, occasional showers | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Still a chance of acqua alta. | |
| April | 12-18°C, generally sunny with scattered showers | high | high |
⚠ Easter week can see peak crowds and prices. | |
| May | 16-22°C, mostly sunny with occasional rain | peak | peak |
⚠ Can be very busy; book accommodation and tours well in advance. | |
| June | 20-26°C, warm and sunny, potential for thunderstorms | peak | peak |
⚠ Can be hot and humid; book well in advance. | |
| July | 22-28°C, hot and humid, sunny with possible afternoon storms | peak | peak |
⚠ Heat can be intense; humidity is high. Book far ahead. | |
| August | 23-29°C, hot and humid, sunny with potential for thunderstorms | peak | peak |
⚠ Many Venetians leave the city; some smaller shops may close. Very hot. | |
| September | 18-24°C, pleasant and sunny, fewer humid days | high | high |
⚠ Still busy, but temperatures are more comfortable than summer. | |
| October | 14-20°C, crisp autumn air, sunny days with chances of rain | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Increasing chance of acqua alta as the month progresses. | |
| November | 8-13°C, cool, often cloudy with frequent rain | low | low |
⚠ High risk of acqua alta; many days can be damp and chilly. | |
| December | 5-10°C, cold, cloudy with rain, possibility of fog | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Acqua alta is common. Cold and wet conditions are likely. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
A world-famous festival of masks, costumes, and parties held in the weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday.
Celebrates Venice's patron saint with processions, a gondola race, and the tradition of gifting a red rose.
A major international exhibition of contemporary art, held in odd-numbered years (alternating with the Biennale Architettura).
Commemorates Venice's historical dominion over the Adriatic Sea with a procession and a symbolic wedding of the sea.
A spectacular historical boat race down the Grand Canal, preceded by a colorful parade of traditional Venetian boats.
One of the oldest film festivals in the world, part of the Venice Biennale, held on the Lido.
Insider timing tips
- •Acqua alta (high water) is most common from October to January, but can occur in any month. Check forecasts and be prepared for damp conditions and elevated walkways.
- •The shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) offer the best balance of pleasant weather and manageable crowds, though prices can still be high.
- •August is very hot and humid, and many locals leave the city, but it's peak season for beachgoers on the Lido.
- •While crowds are lower in winter (November-February), cold, damp weather and a higher risk of acqua alta can impact the experience.
- •The Venice Biennale (Art and Architecture) significantly boosts visitor numbers and prices during its exhibition periods.
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