Venice in January
Cold, quiet and genuinely local.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
January is a reasonable month in Venice — with trade-offs.
January is Venice at its quietest and most atmospheric, with fog rolling over the canals and very few tourists. Acqua alta (high water) is possible, so pack accordingly, but the empty squares make it worthwhile.
January in detail
What January actually feels like
- Weather
- 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
+Lowest crowds + lowest prices
–Cold, with fog and occasional acqua alta
My tip for January
Check the tide forecast each morning and pack waterproof boots in case of acqua alta.
- Low crowds
- Photography
How January compares
Against the other eleven months
9th of 12 overall in Venice, 11th for weather, 1st for space, 1st for value. It is the emptiest month of the year; and it's also the best value.
See all twelve months for VenicePlan around
What’s on in Venice in January
- 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.
Late January–mid-February
October–January
Not set on January?
Even stronger months in Venice
Also good in January
Weather
Weather in Venice in January
In January Venice averages a high of 8°C (46°F) and a low of 0°C (32°F), with about 40 mm of rain or snow over 6 wet days. The warmest month is July (around 29°C) and the coolest is January (around 8°C); the wettest month is May.
- Average high
- 8°C
- 46°F
- Average low
- 0°C
- 32°F
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Wet days
- 6
Climate data: Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Venice in January: the questions people ask
- Is January a good time to visit Venice?
- January is a reasonable month in Venice — with trade-offs. It ranks 9 of 12 months in Venice overall (11 for weather, 1 for space, 1 for value). The main upside: Lowest crowds + lowest prices. The main downside: Cold, with fog and occasional acqua alta.
- What is the weather like in Venice in January?
- Average highs are around 8°C and lows around 0°C. Expect about 40 mm of rain or snow over roughly 6 wet days. Cold and often foggy, with occasional acqua alta flooding. For comparison, the warmest month is July (around 29°C) and the coolest is January (around 8°C).
- Is Venice crowded in January?
- Crowds are low. One of Venice’s quietest months. January is the quietest month of the year.
- How expensive is Venice in January?
- Prices are at level 1 of 5 (€). Low — the best hotel value of the year. January is also the best-value month.
- When is the best time to visit Venice?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, September is the best month overall (January ranks 9 of 12). The quietest month is January and the best value is January.