Venice in Winter: The Best Guide to Winter in the Floating City
Picture this: sleepy canals, undivided attention from gondoliers and locals, and quiet corners that are virtually devoid of other travelers. If you’ve always dreamt of visiting Venice, Italy, but couldn’t stand the thought of being elbow to elbow with thousands of other travelers, you’ll love visiting Venice in winter.
While popular European winter destinations like Chamonix and Lapland take center stage, Venice is an unlikely hotspot that’s best explored during the shoulder season. Few hear about the Christmas trees that crown each piazza, Yuletide markets, holiday traditions, and colorful festivals.
If the Venice you picture is one of misty canals, residents quietly slinking through alleys, and seeing Piazza San Marco like a local, winter is the best time of year to visit! Here’s everything to know about visiting Venice in winter.
Shortcut Guide to Venice in Winter
Weather: Cold, damp, and foggy. Snow is rare.
What to Pack: Warm, waterproof layers.
Best Things To Do: Attend Carnevale, go ice skating in Campo San Polo, have the chance to get popular landmarks like St. Mark’s Basilica to yourself, peaceful day trips to nearby islands.
Why Venice is One of Europe’s Best Winter Destinations
Whether it’s just a stopover before heading to the Italian Alps or if its a destination in itself, Venice is one of Europe’s best winter destinations. Here’s why:
- Fun festivals
- Carnevale
- Feast of the Epiphany (La Befana)
- Fewer tourists (outside of Carnival season)
- Canals aglow with Christmas lights
- Have some of Europe’s most crowded sites and landmarks to yourself
- Cruise foggy/misty canals
What’s the weather like in Venice in winter?
Snowfall is fairly rare in Venice, but it isn’t unheard of in December and January. What you’re more likely to encounter is fog. Most days are cold and damp, with occasional sunshine thrown in. After all, Venice is a coastal city.
In my experience, visiting Venice at the tail end of winter, it was sunny every day. While we wore winter coats, the weather was fairly mild during the day and chilly in the evening.
One weather phenomenon that you might encounter if you decide to visit Venice in winter is the Acqua Alta, or high water. This is a periodic tidal event that usually occurs in winter and can make water rise to knee deep throughout the city.
What’s the weather like in Venice in December?
The average temperature in Venice in December ranges from 34°F to 46°F. This is one of the rainier months of the winter, with about 2.6 inches of rain on average.
What’s the weather like in Venice in January?
January is the coldest month in Venice, with temperatures typically hovering between 32°F and 45°F. The city sees about 1.9 inches of rain, a significant drop from December! This month has the highest chance of seeing snow falling on the canals!
What’s the weather like in Venice in February?
In February, temperatures are generally between 34°F and 49°F — it’s starting to warm up a bit! Venice gets around 1.9 inches of rain in February, too.
What’s the weather like in Venice in March?
Winter ends on March 20th, which means that most of this month is still firmly inverno (Italian for winter!) Temperatures are really starting to climb, with averages ranging between 40°F and 56°F. Precipitation also starts to pick up, with an average of 2.1 inches of rainfall. You’ll also have a few more hours of daylight to work with than in December/January.
Do the canals in Venice freeze in winter?
It’s extremely rare for the canals in Venice to freeze during the winter months, as the water is brackish (a mix of saltwater and fresh water). Still, it happened as recently as 2012!
Things to do in Venice in Winter
1.) Take a peaceful gondola ride
If you’re wondering whether you can take a gondola ride in Venice during the winter, the answer is yes! Gondolas continue cruising the canals throughout the colder months, unless these waterways freeze (which is very rare).
While you might think that visiting Venice in winter means you’ll be able to negotiate the cost of your gondola ride, prices are set by the official Ente Gondola, an official organization. However, prices do fluctuate slightly, depending on the time of day. Nighttime cruises are typically a bit more expensive.
One thing you will get out of a winter gondola ride is a bit more peace. Instead of being (literally) shoulder to shoulder with other tourists on their gondola ride, you have a much better chance of peacefully cruising the canals.
Don’t love the idea of shelling out €80 to €100 per gondola ride? You can book a tour for half the price… Hop on the Vaporetto instead. This is one of Venice’s public transportation options, which means locals use it to get around, too. Tickets cost €9.50 for a 75-minute, all-you-can-ride option, or €25 a day for unlimited use. You can also choose from a 2-day (€35), 3-day (€45), or 7-day (€65) pass.
Tip: It’s worth noting that the “single ride” 75-minute tickets also cover buses and trams.
You’ll still get to sail the canals, although the Vaporetto doesn’t turn down the more narrow and romantic slivers that wind through the heart of the city.
The Vaporetto are also a great option if it’s extra chilly in Venice. Grab a seat inside the enclosed main cabin where you’ll be much warmer than in a gondola.
2.) See the Christmas lights
What could make the dreamy architecture and romantic atmosphere of Venice even more magical? Christmas lights!
While cities like Strasbourg and Dresden often take the cake for the most famous Christmas markets and decorations in Europe, Venice is a Yuletide hidden gem. The beating heart of the city, Saint Mark’s Square, is one of the best places for pretty lights at Christmas in Venice. This is also where the city’s public Christmas tree is displayed.
Of course, you’ll see lights strung throughout the city. The main Venetian Christmas market is Campo Santo Stefano, although Campo San Polo (where you’ll find the ice skating rink) also has stalls.
Tip: Most of Venice’s Christmas markets end on December 24th.
3.) Get lost in the winding streets and alleyways
Rick Steve’s said it, and I’ll say it too: Venice is a city to get lost in.
My husband and I stayed in the more off-the-beaten-path neighborhood of Dorsoduro, which is a wonderful spot to lose your way. We loved traipsing around until we found a little corner of the city we could call our own.
One of our favorite spots was a local bar where patrons would spill out onto the street, perched on a tiny nearby bridge that spanned one of the canals. Funnily enough, it was actually called the Corner Pub. I know this doesn’t sound very authentic, but the Google reviews speak for themselves.
In Venice, you’re never really lost. The city itself is fairly small and concentrated around the Grand Canal.
4.) Attend Carnevale
I am by no means a Carnevale expert, as I’ve never been, but I couldn’t write about Venice in winter without including a mention of Carnevale! Venice celebrates Carnevale for the two weeks leading up to Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday).
If you decide to visit Venice for Carnevale, you’ll need to book hotels and tickets for popular sites and museums months in advance. While I can’t say I’ve been to Carnevale, I can say that Italy does festivals like no other country I’ve been to! Especially during this time of year.
My husband and I attended the Carnevale d’Ivrea (in the town of Ivrea), and it was incredible! Imagine La Tomatina, but instead of tomatoes, they’re throwing oranges. I even wrote an article about it for National Geographic!
If like me, you aren’t in Venice for Carnevale but still want to partake in the festivities, you can make your very own mask with a local artisan! This makes for the perfect souvenir, whether you’re in town for the festivities or not.
5.) Thaw out in a museum
Venice is a city for museum lovers. From witnessing masterpieces at the Galleria dell’Accademia di Venezia to the canal-front Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
The Galleria dell’Accademia di Venezia plays host to some of the city’s most important artworks, including Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man (although this is rarely on display). Most of the art in this museum is from the Gothic and Renaissance periods, although you’ll also find Baroque and Rococo works.
Perched on the edge of the Grand Canal in the Dosoduro neighborhood, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is my favorite museum in Venice. Essentially the private collection of Peggy Guggenheim, housed in her former home, you’ll find everything from contemporary American paintings to Salvador Dali and Picasso.
Of course, most visitor’s also make a bee line for the Doge’s Palace, a museum that showcases the seat of Venetian government and was once the residence of the city’s ruler. You’ll also get to cross the famous Bridge of Sighs, offering iconic peeks of Venice.
While landmarks like Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Campanile are worth your while at any time of year, they can be downright chilly. This is why I always recommend going to a museum, where you can fully escape the elements.
6.) Go ice skating at Campo San Polo
Tucked in the heart of Venice, visitors can go ice skating at the Campo San Polo (in the San Polo neighborhood), surrounded by pretty architecture.
Rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis and sessions last about 1.5 hours before they bring out the Zamboni. For whatever reason, it’s mandatory that you wear gloves at this rink!
Be sure to check hours, as they change daily. The rink typically opens at the end of November and closes sometime in mid-February.
7.) Take a day trip to Burano or Murano (or both!)
The sister cities of Venice, Burano and Murano are known for their artisans. Murano is the hub for all things glasswork, while Burano is a mecca for lace.
If you’re choosing between the two, opt for Burano. It takes a bit longer to get to, but it more than makes up for the trek with colorful buildings and generally more to see than simply shops selling lace.
Of course, you can always opt to check off both of these lagoon-front enclaves on a tour! While it’s easy to reach both of these little cities by public transport (Burano taking about 50 minutes and Murano 15-30 minutes, depending on where you start), it’s inexpensive and all around easier to book a guided tour with a local who will also let you in on the local history.
8.) Sip a hot drink like vin brulé or bombardino
Many bars throughout Venice (and Italy) will have steaming hot vats of vin brule and/or bombardino, but the Christmas market in Campo San Stefano is the most iconic place to enjoy.
Bombardino is made with Italian egg liqueur and brandy before being topped with a small mountain of whipped cream. This is a drink unique to Italy, while vin brule or mulled red wine, is something you’ll find across Europe in the wintertime.
Tip: If you’re on the hunt for a warm tipple, look for the word bacari in the name of restaurants you pass. These are more casual wine bars that should have the good stuff.
9.) Go on a cicchetti crawl through the city
Venice is one of those city’s where it can be really difficult to find good food. I know that sounds counterintuitive — it’s Italy after all! But I researched for days leading up to our trip and we almost always felt underwhelmed.
It’s for this very reason that I highly recommend booking a food tour in Venice! This city was made to be eaten through, case in point with one of their most famous ways to eat — cicchetti.
Cicchetti is essentially Venetian pintxos (Basque tapas) — small bites that are often served on little slices of bread. We did find one (slightly famous) cicchetti bar, Osteria Al Squero, that is worth checking out. If you’re dining outside — beware of the seagulls! You can also witness one of the last gondola makers crafting boats across the canal.
Winter makes for an extra fun time to go on a cicchetti crawl, as you’ll have the opportunity to sample seasonal specialties. Another good reason to book a tour in winter is so that you can avoid searching for a restaurant in the cold.
Tip: Keep in mind that many restaurants close for a few days around Christmas. Call or email ahead to double check!
What to pack for Venice in winter
Venice in winter can be chilly (around freezing in the evening), but most day time temps will probably surprise you, depending on where you’re visiting from.
One of the most important pieces of gear to bring is a rain jacket, as you’re more likely to encounter rain than snow. I always bring a set or two of good merino wool under layers when I’m traveling Europe in winter, too. In fact, you can get my ultimate packing guide for Europe in winter here, which includes my absolute favorite gloves that actually keep your hands warm!
Comfortable waterproof boots, like these tried and true L.L. Bean boots that I love, are perfect for getting around if its wet. They’re super comfy to walk around in all day, warm, and water resistant up to the ankle.
When my husband and I visited Venice in winter, we wore our typical winter coats. The temperature felt fairly mild to us during the day, but definitely cooled off at night. We would usually pull out our scarves, hats, and gloves after the sun went down.
Tip: Be sure to check the weather report ahead of your trip! If you’re visiting during an Acqua Alta, you’ll need heavy duty waterproof footwear to get around.
FAQ for Visiting Venice in Winter
Where to eat in Venice in winter?
While most visitors seek out cichetti (small snacks), fresh seafood, and Aperol spritz, winter is the perfect time to taste regional specialties! Search for fritole, fried donuts made around Carnevale, and polenta e schie, polenta with tiny lagoon shrimp in winter. At Christmas markets, you’ll find hot drinks like vin brulé (Italy’s answer to mulled wine) and bombardino, similar to eggnog.
What to do in Venice when it’s cold?
Take shelter in one of Venice’s museums, whether it be the Peggy Guggenheim Collection or the Galleria dell’Accademia. A cafe is another great spot to hole up with a warm drink when it gets chilly. If you have your heart set on cruising the canals but don’t want to be cold, hop on a Vaporetto, which have enclosed cabins.
What are the winter festivals in Venice?
The two most popular winter festivals in Venice are Carnevale and La Befana, also known as the Feast of the Epiphany.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Venice in Winter
Are you convinced yet? I know I’m biased, but I just love exploring Europe’s most popular corners in the winter months. If you’re willing to brave a bit of cold, you earn the right to discover the city like a local.
If you’re ready to traipse around Venice in winter — aka without any crowds — save this guide so that you can plan your trip!
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