Venice in winter is beautiful. Well, Venice is truly stunning no matter when you visit, but the winter months bring a special magic. The busy crowds thin out, hotel rates drop, and chilly weather enhances the romantic atmosphere. For first-time visitors seeking to avoid peak season madness or return travellers longing to see another side of Venice, winter is an ideal time to visit.
In this complete guide, we share everything, from a local perspective, you need to know to plan a winter trip to Venice. From the best things to see and do to where to find cosy cafes and delicious food, you’ll have all the information for an amazing Venice vacation, even during the colder months.
Is Venice worth visiting in the winter?
Absolutely! While the summer months draw larger crowds, visiting Venice in winter has its own unique charm. The cold weather makes strolling the streets and exploring the city much more pleasant, and you’ll avoid the summer tourist rush.
The fog rolling over the canals creates a mystical atmosphere, and the Christmas markets bring a festive spirit. The off-season prices are also more budget-friendly. We would highly recommend a winter getaway to Venice.
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Weather in Venice in Winter
Venetian winters tend to be cold and damp, with average temperatures reaching highs of 9°C (48°F) in January and February. The lowest temps drop to around freezing at night. It rarely snows in Venice, but cold rain showers are common.
The winter chill means you’ll want to pack warm layers, waterproof shoes, gloves, and hats. Locals sport stylish capes to stay cosy when out and about along the canals.
The lack of harsh winter weather means most tourist sites stay open year-round. However, be prepared for periodic acqua alta flooding from October to April. This occurs when exceptionally high tides inundate the city.
How warm is Venice in winter?
Venice remains relatively mild in the winter, with average temperatures around 10°C (50°F). January is usually the coldest month, with highs of 6-10°C (43-50°F). It rarely dips below freezing. A warm coat, hat, scarf and gloves are advised to explore the city comfortably. The winter weather is changeable, so be prepared for both sun and rain.
Does Venice ever get snow?
Snow in Venice is rare. Flurries may occur once or twice a year in the coldest winter months, but the snow does not tend to settle for long on the streets and canals.
The last significant snowfall was in 2018. So, while you might get lucky, heavy snowstorms in Venice are unusual. The city more commonly sees cold rains and thick fog in winter.
Is Venice too cold in December?
No, Venice in December is not too cold, but it is definitely wet! However, December in Venice may be the perfect time to visit the city on a budget and with fewer crowds. The average temperatures are around 10°C (50°F), ideal for sightseeing.
With fewer tourists than summer, you can take in the sights and wander Piazza San Marco comfortably. Don’t miss the Christmas carols and lights! Just be prepared with warm layers and waterproof footwear, as December has more rainfall.
What is Venice like during winter?
Venice has an entirely different personality in winter. The summer crowds vanish, leaving the narrow alleys and plazas wonderfully peaceful.
Chilly fog blankets the city, creating a magical atmosphere as it rolls across the Grand Canal. Locals emerge again to enjoy their city and the cosy bars and cafés. Christmas lights add some sparkle through the short winter days. Those wanting to experience real Venetian life deeply should visit in winter.
Why visit Venice in winter?
Well, the weather in the colder months might not be nice, cold and wet, but the Lagoon has its charm. Spending a few days in Venice in winter has several advantages:
- Smaller Crowds: Venice gets over 20 million visitors per year, primarily concentrated from April through October. Winter sees a sharp decline in tourists, especially in January and February. Even popular sites like St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace are remarkably empty.
- Lower Prices: Venice is an expensive city to visit in peak season. Hotel rates drop by 20-50% or more during winter. Airfare and public transportation also see significant discounts compared to summer pricing.
- Holiday Magic: Venice celebrates Carnival in February, and Christmas markets run through the winter. The festive atmosphere adds to the city’s mystique.
- Ideal Walking Conditions: Summer’s humidity gives way to cool, crisp air, perfect for long strolls along the canals and over the famous bridges.
- Cosy Ambiance: Sipping Italian hot chocolate or wine beside a crackling fireplace to warm up is a quintessential Venetian winter experience.
Top sights to see in winter
Though some attractions scale back their hours during winter, Venice’s most iconic sights remain open year-round. Here are the top spots to include on your winter itinerary:
Mark’s Square
This main public square beautifully combines architecture, history, and culture. The 900-year-old St. Mark’s Basilica stands alongside the impressive Doge’s Palace and two pillars topped with statues – one of the winged lion of St. Mark and the other of St. Theodore, Venice’s first patron saint.
In winter, the square transforms into a holiday wonderland with lights and decorations. Visiting the square and Basilica early in the morning ensures you’ll avoid the midday crowds that still congregate here even in low season.
Grand Canal
A trip to Venice requires a ride along the Grand Canal, the main waterway running through the central districts. Hop aboard a water bus or take a gondola ride to see top attractions like the Rialto Bridge and Santa Maria della Salute Basilica.
Look out for waterside palazzo houses that once belonged to wealthy Venetian merchants. The elegant Ca’ d’Oro, with its delicate gothic architecture, is a standout.
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
This modern art museum along the Grand Canal provides the perfect indoor activity for a rainy or cold day. View contemporary paintings and sculptures by renowned 20th-century artists like Picasso, Pollock, and Dalí.
The palazzo also served as Guggenheim’s mansion, where she famously held glamorous parties and hosted artists.
Gallerie dell’Accademia
Italy’s most comprehensive collection of Venetian art lives inside this former monastery. Highlights include elaborate paintings and frescoes created by legends like Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese from 1500-1800.
Don’t miss Veronese’s massive Feast in the House of Levi, taking up an entire wall. Arrive at opening time to avoid crowds.
Libreria Acqua Alta
This quirky used bookstore goes above and beyond. Bookshelves cram into gondolas, a full-size bathtub, and a brightly painted gondola inside the shop.
The whimsical décor continues outdoors, where a gondola overflows with books, and the entrance features a fun sign made of titles. See if you can hunt down any books in English!
Top winter activities in Venice
We have tried to help you plan the best Venice Itinerary, but consider the weather conditions and also the high tide. Some of the top sights of Venice, like the Libreria Acqua Alta, are not open when there are adverse climate conditions. Overall, between museum hopping; consider warming up with these fun activities:
Ride a Gondola
Glide along the canals in a sleek black gondola, bundled under a blanket if need be. Though costly, a 30-40 minute ride is a quintessential Venetian experience.
Take in views of the city’s hidden back lanes and waterside palazzos. Opt for a morning or evening ride when the light is prettiest. Negotiate the price beforehand or book your gondola ride in advance here with fixed price.
Explore Scuola Grande di San Rocco
This guild hall (scuola) features stunning religious art by 16th-century painter Tintoretto. His epic works cover the walls, ceilings, and canvases inside. The Scuola (means School in Italian) makes for an unconventional art museum with exhibits inside old meeting rooms and a grand hall.
Cook an Italian Meal
Embrace winter’s slower pace and learn how to make Italian dishes like pasta, tiramisu, and gnocchi during a cooking class.
Look for a class where you’ll visit Rialto Market to shop for ingredients before heading to a kitchen to release your inner chef! Classes often wrap up by eating the meal you prepared.
See an Opera at La Fenice
Attend an opera or classical concert inside one of Venice’s grandest theatres. The historic Teatro La Fenice puts on a full season between November and March.
Tickets are surprisingly affordable, especially compared to the costly summer festival productions. The Byzantine-style interior alone makes an evening at La Fenice worthwhile.
Explore the Jewish Ghetto
The Cannaregio district is home to the oldest Jewish ghetto in the world, established in 1516. Wander past synagogues and learn about Venice’s Jewish community inside the Jewish Museum and other sites. Look for kosher bakeries and restaurants serving traditional fare.
Take a Day Trip to the Islands
Escape the city crowds by visiting the beautiful islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello. Murano is renowned for its glass-blowing workshops. Burano delights with rows of rainbow-hued houses. Torcello brings a dose of nature with its blooming gardens and Ponte del Diavolo bridge. Tours easily reach all three in a half or full day.
Visit Marco Polo’s house in Venice
Venice was home to Marco Polo, a popular merchant and explorer who introduced Europeans to Central Asia and China through his epic 24-year journey to the Far East and writings like The Travels of Marco Polo.
Marco Polo’s modest home stands in the Sestiere San Giovanni Crisostomo neighbourhood, close to the Rialto Bridge. The small two-story courtyard house reflects typical Venetian architecture of its time with an inner courtyard and terracotta rooftops.
Inside, the Marco Polo Museum tells the story of the journey through the Silk Road and his role as an ambassador to Kublai Khan’s court. You can book a tour featuring Marco Polo’s house here.
Where to Eat and Stay
Many restaurants and hotels close for a portion of the winter, especially in January and February. However, enough quality options remain open year-round to accommodate winter travellers.
Best Winter Restaurants
- Osteria Al Cicheto: Cozy, casual eatery near Rialto, serving cichetti snacks and small plates paired with wine.
- Al Covo: Elegant family-run eatery focusing on fresh fish and seafood. Reserve ahead.
- Corte Sconta: Historic trattoria crafting creative versions of classic Venetian cuisine.
- Antiche Carampane: Sleek modern spot for inventive Italian dishes steps from the Ponte della Calcina.
- Osteria da Fiore: Relaxed yet romantic osteria lauded for its artfully presented cuisine.
Best Winter Hotels
- Ca’ Pisani: Stylish design hotel with artsy interiors near the train station and Accademia. Budget rates in winter. CHECK AVAILABILITY HERE.
- Hotel Moresco: Charming boutique hotel in a peaceful Dorsoduro location with wacky contemporary décor. BOOK IT HERE!
- Dimora Dogale: Our favourite, cozy, elegant rooms tucked on a quiet Calle near Piazza San Marco. Incredible winter value. Our room is the one above in the photos, with perfect view over the canals of Venice. BOOK YOUR ROOM NOW!
Things to know before visiting Venice in winter
Getting Around Venice in Winter
Venice’s walkability makes it easy to explore its winding alleys and bridges without a car. During winter, getting around requires more planning due to weather factors like rain, wind, and occasional flooding.
Walking
The best way to experience Venice is by wandering its maze of cobblestone passages on foot. Just make sure to wear waterproof shoes, as rainy winter days leave slick surfaces.
Opt for shoe covers or boots to keep feet dry. Bring an umbrella and watch your step on slippery bridges.
Vaporetto Water Buses
These public water buses navigate the Grand Canal and shuttle between islands. The open-air seating gets chilly in winter, so claim a spot inside.
Vaporetto stops can flood during high tide – staff position gangplanks to handle a small increase in water level. Keep an eye on the tide schedule.
Traghetto Gondola Ferries
Locals rely on traghetto gondolas to cross the Grand Canal between districts. Just €2 gets you from one side to the other on a shared gondola acting as transit.
Traghetto stands relatively stable boarding areas vs. fluctuating water levels, though some require a step up into the boat when flooded.
Water Taxis
For a smooth and dry trip across town, book a private water taxi. They’re costly but extremely convenient in bad weather. Water taxis have covered seating and can pull right up to hotel docks for easy boarding when canals overflow.
Top winter day trips from Venice
Venice makes an excellent home base to explore nearby towns and cities in northern Italy. Here are top picks for easy winter day trips:
Verona
The charming city of Verona sits just over an hour west of Venice by train. Made famous as the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Verona allures with its well-preserved Roman arena, medieval castle, Renaissance palaces, and lively restaurants and cafes. Don’t miss Juliet’s House and Balcony to leave your own love note.
Padua
This atmospheric university city boasts Europe’s most complete cycle of Giotto’s renowned frescoes inside the Scrovegni Chapel. Padua’s historic landmarks, like the Palazzo della Ragione courthouse and Prato della Valle elliptical square, sit alongside student-filled cafes and bookshops.
Trains reach Padua from Venice in 25-50 minutes.
Treviso
Treviso offers a smaller, slower-paced alternative to Venice, perfect for a winter day trip. Meander along tranquil canals lined with weeping willows and visit medieval churches and Renaissance villas.
Spend time at a local osteria before bringing home some radicchio, wine, or tiramisu from the town that invented the dessert. Treviso is only 30 minutes by train from Venice.
Ferrara
This medieval city to Venice’s south charms with winding cobblestone lanes and a wonderful castle surrounded by a moat. Ferrara flourished under the Este dukes who invited the brightest minds of the Renaissance here. Look for their influence in the harmonious architecture while visiting top sights like the Castello Estense and the impressive cathedral. Direct trains reach Ferrara in 1-1.5 hours.
Ravenna
Best known for its extraordinary Byzantine mosaics, Ravenna served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD.
The incredible Christian mosaics throughout the city led UNESCO to name eight Ravenna sites as part of the World Heritage list. For a day packed with history, wander past the elaborate Basilica di San Vitale, Galla Placidia, and Dante’s tomb. Trains from Venice get you there in 2.5 hours.
Venice in Winter: Magical and Unforgettable
A winter trip to Venice brings opportunities to see the city’s beauty from a completely different perspective, free from the summer tourist masses. You’ll find deals on hotels, fewer crowds at top sights, and a romantic atmosphere perfect for strolling hand-in-hand under twinkling holiday lights. Follow this complete guide to experience Venice at its most magical. The winter wonder of this one-of-a-kind city should not be missed.
