Destination
When should you visit Venice?
Venice runs on a different calendar than most cities: Carnival in February, acqua alta flooding risk from autumn into winter, and a summer that is both its most crowded and most humid season. When to go depends on which version of the lagoon city you want.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
My recommendation
September
September combines warm, settled weather with the historic Regata Storica in its first week, and crowds that thin out noticeably as the month goes on — Venice's strongest overall balance.
Best weather
May, June and September
Warm without the peak humidity of July and August.
Best for Carnival
Late January to mid-February
Venice's famous masked festival, dates move with Easter.
Best for low crowds
January and November
Quietest, though November brings the highest flood risk.
Best value
January, February and November
The lowest hotel rates of the year.
September scores
Plan around
What to know before you book
- Plan around Carnevale
- Carnevale di Venezia usually runs for roughly two and a half weeks, ending on Shrove Tuesday. It draws masked crowds and raises prices sharply for its duration. Outside those dates, February is quiet and cold like January.
- Acqua alta season
- High water from the lagoon can flood St Mark's Square and nearby streets, most often from October through January. Pack waterproof footwear and check the daily tide forecast if you're visiting in this window.
- The sweet spot
- May and September both avoid July and August's heaviest crowds and humidity while keeping comfortable, warm weather for walking the canals.
Late January–mid-February
October–January
May and September
Venice travel tip
Check the tide forecast every morning between October and January. Acqua alta can flood St Mark's Square and low-lying streets with little warning, and knowing a raised-walkway route in advance saves a soaked afternoon.
Month by month
All twelve months, at a glance
Tap any month for full scores, temperatures and planning notes.
- Temperature
- 0–8°C
- Cold and often foggy, with occasional acqua alta flooding
- Crowds
- Low
- One of Venice’s quietest months
- Prices
- €
- Low — the best hotel value of the year
Check the tide forecast each morning and pack waterproof boots in case of acqua alta.
- Low crowds
- Photography
- Temperature
- 1–9°C
- Cold and often foggy, with occasional acqua alta
- Crowds
- Moderate–High (Carnival) / Low (rest of month)
- Low outside Carnival weeks, high during them
- Prices
- €€€
- Moderate–high — spikes sharply during Carnival
Decide whether you want Carnival or a quiet trip — the dates move with Easter, so check the current year’s calendar before booking.
- Carnival
- Masked balls
- Temperature
- 4–13°C
- Noticeably milder, though fog and rain are still common
- Crowds
- Low
- Low — still well before the spring rise
- Prices
- €€
- Low — prices stay close to winter levels
Pack layers for sudden temperature swings and keep a rainy-day museum list ready.
- Low crowds
- City walking
- Temperature
- 9–17°C
- Mild and often sunny, with scattered spring rain
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Moderate — busier around Easter, manageable the rest of the month
- Prices
- €€
- Moderate
Book ahead if your trip includes Easter weekend, and expect queues at St Mark’s Basilica even outside peak summer.
- Walking
- Photography
- Festa di San Marco
- Temperature
- 14–22°C
- Warm, long days with the first real summer feel
- Crowds
- Moderate–High
- Moderate–high — peak season is clearly starting
- Prices
- €€€
- Moderate–high
Start at St Mark’s Square before 9am to beat the day-tripper crowds arriving from cruise ships and the mainland.
- Warm weather
- Vogalonga
- Temperature
- 17–26°C
- Warm and increasingly humid, with occasional storms
- Crowds
- High
- High — one of the busiest months of the year
- Prices
- €€€€
- High
Confirm whether your visit falls in a Biennale year, and plan major sightseeing before midday to avoid both heat and the worst crowds.
- Art Biennale (odd years)
- Early-morning sightseeing
- Temperature
- 19–28°C
- Hot and humid, with the lagoon offering little relief
- Crowds
- Very High
- Very high — peak summer tourism
- Prices
- €€€€€
- Very high
If you’re here for Redentore, book a boat spot or waterfront table well in advance — it is one of the city’s most-watched nights of the year.
- Festa del Redentore
- Early mornings
- Temperature
- 19–28°C
- Hot and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms common
- Crowds
- Very High
- Very high — stays near the yearly peak
- Prices
- €€€€€
- Very high
Base yourself near the Lido if the Film Festival is the draw, and expect central Venice to stay at its most crowded regardless.
- Venice Film Festival (late August)
- Lido beaches
- Temperature
- 15–24°C
- Warm, sunny days as the summer heat eases
- Crowds
- Moderate–High
- Moderate–high, easing through the month
- Prices
- €€€
- Moderate–high
Aim for the second half of September for the best balance of warm weather and manageable crowds.
- Regata Storica
- Overall experience
- Temperature
- 10–18°C
- Mild and atmospheric, with rising odds of high water
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Moderate — comfortable without peak-summer intensity
- Prices
- €€
- Moderate
Check the daily tide forecast and pack waterproof footwear, especially if visiting St Mark’s Square.
- City exploring
- Photography
- Temperature
- 6–13°C
- Cool and damp, with the year’s highest flood risk
- Crowds
- Low
- Low — a quiet month, especially after the Festa della Salute
- Prices
- €
- Low — good value before December
Check the tide forecast daily, and keep a raised-walkway route in mind if acqua alta is forecast.
- Low crowds
- Festa della Salute
- Temperature
- 1–8°C
- Cold and often damp, with occasional fog
- Crowds
- Low–Moderate
- Low to moderate, rising sharply in the final week
- Prices
- €€
- Moderate — rises over the Christmas–New Year week
Visit before 20 December for a quiet, festive version of the city, and book early if your trip overlaps New Year’s Eve.
- Festive atmosphere
- Photography
Climate
Venice weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Precipitation | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°C / 46°F | 0°C / 32°F | 40 mm | 6 |
| February | 9°C / 48°F | 1°C / 34°F | 56 mm | 5 |
| March | 13°C / 55°F | 5°C / 41°F | 60 mm | 6 |
| April | 17°C / 63°F | 9°C / 48°F | 70 mm | 8 |
| May | 22°C / 72°F | 14°C / 57°F | 80 mm | 8 |
| June | 26°C / 79°F | 17°C / 63°F | 64 mm | 9 |
| July | 29°C / 84°F | 19°C / 66°F | 58 mm | 6 |
| August | 28°C / 82°F | 19°C / 66°F | 66 mm | 6 |
| September | 24°C / 75°F | 15°C / 59°F | 73 mm | 6 |
| October | 19°C / 66°F | 11°C / 52°F | 72 mm | 7 |
| November | 13°C / 55°F | 6°C / 43°F | 72 mm | 6 |
| December | 8°C / 46°F | 1°C / 34°F | 50 mm | 6 |
Climate data: Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
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