Last updated on December 8th, 2024.
I was in university the first time I visited Venice in winter.
The setting was everything I’d imagined it to be, and I was immediately captivated by the mysterious island city on the water.
Many moons later, I find myself living not just in Veneto but also only 40 minutes from Venice.
Because of this, I’m confident I can provide sound, local advice not just on visiting Venice in winter but also on planning a trip to Italy.
Why visit Venice?
Venice appeals to travelers on every level and is truly Italy bucket list material.
It’s a place where couples can get lost in the side streets of Murano and Burano, as well as in each other. For families with children, Venice offers a real-life interactive class in art, history and architecture.
Day trips from Venice are plentiful and easy to reach. A short ferry bus from Piazzale di Roma is Lido di Venezia. More than the location of the international Venice Film Festival, it’s home to Liberty-style villas and a beautiful beach.
When winter arrives in Venice
While summer brings the heat and masses of people, winter in Venice brings the calm and far fewer visitors. And, as much as I like warmer weather, I much prefer the stillness and mystery of Venice in the winter.
When the cold season arrives in Venice, the city becomes even more alluring. At times, it feels more on par with visiting a quieter town or village in Veneto. It’s a period where you can take full advantage of the quieter streets and the endless photo opportunities.
How cold does Venice get in winter?
Temperatures in Venice in winter can include everything from heavy rain to snow when the temperatures really dip.
Personally, we enjoy visiting Venice in November over December. Average temperatures in November can range from highs of around 53.6°F (12°C) during the day to lows of 41°F (5°C) at night.
Venice in December
In Venice in December, temperatures drop further to around 46.4°F (8°C) during the day and lows of 33.8°F (1°C) at night.
To say it’s cold in December is putting it lightly. It’s similar to temperatures we experienced when visiting Iceland in November, but wetter. Mornings are chilly, misty and the chance of snow in Venice in December is high.
However, we’ve been lucky (so far) when visiting during winter in Italy, only experiencing plenty of sunshine and dry weather. For us, Venice has always been a great winter sunshine destination in Europe.
Truthfully, Venice in winter can get really cold, but pack the right clothing and you’ll be fine.
What is Venice like in January?
January in Venice, in my opinion, is a great time of year to visit. The weather can be hit or miss, as it’s typically a month known for cold and wet weather.
When we visited, temperatures reached a maximum of 42.8°F (6°C) in January and fell to around 33.8°F (1°C) at night. The winds add an extra chill factor in Venice in winter so bear this in mind.
Some hotels and restaurants are also closed in January in Venice but don’t let this put you off. There are still many places open for business and they’ll potentially be less crowded too.
Museums, churches and general exhibitions are all still open in Venice in January. My advice is to check beforehand if there’s a specific place or exhibition that you’d like to see.
5 reasons why Venice in winter is the perfect time to visit
Fewer tourists
It’ll come as no surprise that there are fewer tourists to contend with in Venice in winter. The period before Christmas and after the new year is the time I most enjoy visiting.
I get a pang of anxiety when thinking about the number of people that flock to Venice in summer. There are the hordes of people at Piazzale Roma either arriving, departing, or lining up to buy tickets for the vaporetto.
Then, there’s getting on the vaporetto itself, and having the (dis)pleasure of being sandwiched between sweaty tourists.
Winter in Venice is a more chilled experience.
Sure, you get the occasional irate Venetian losing their cool, and speaking passionately in their local language. But, it’s nothing compared to crowds of tourists from everywhere — some happily shouting, others out of frustration.
Less busy transport
Vaporetto (water bus)
With fewer crowds around, you can choose to sit or stand on the vaporetto. Personally, I prefer to stand to get the best uninterrupted views of Venice, and to photograph the stillness of the city.
Gondolas
Along the banks of the canals are gondoliers vying to take passengers on a gondola tour of Venice.
We find the gondola rides a little expensive, but we understand it’s a one-off experience for many. A fun and unique option is to learn how to row like a gondolier.
Water taxis
Another mode of transportation in Venice are the water taxis, like this one from Venice Marco Polo airport. The price can also be costly, but if splitting with family or friends, it’s a chic way to whizz around Venice.
Water taxis can accommodate up to 10 people so consider it as your personal limousine in Venice.
On foot — is winter a good time to visit Venice?
From all the transport options available, nothing beats exploring this incredible city than on foot. Even in colder temperatures, it’s still one of the best things to do in Venice in winter.
It goes without saying that comfortable footwear is essential, because you’ll be walking a lot. In winter, choose something that’ll keep your feet warm and dry, but will still keep you looking stylish.
We are after all in northern Italy.
Map of Italy
Less need to book at top restaurants
The region of Veneto is known for its comfort-style Italian cooking, and for dishes that are ideal for winter.
One ingredient that’s seasonal and that I can’t get enough of, is radicchio. Produced in the neighboring city of Treviso, it’s a huge upgrade from the packet stuff.
Breakfast in Venice — is it worth visiting Venice in winter?
With all the walking you’ll be doing in Venice, it’s a good idea to recharge your batteries at one of the many pasticceria (patisserie).
For breakfast, there are tons of top pasticceria places in Venice, serving buttery croissant and frothy cappuccinos.
In Campo Santa Margherita are many good breakfast places that aren’t overly crowded too.
For those unfamiliar with how Italians do breakfast, it’s sweet not savory.
Don’t expect anything like a full America/English breakfast, or anything containing eggs. A classic Italian breakfast consists of espresso and something sweet, like a croissant or biscotti.
Where to eat lunch in Venice
Rather than sit down to a standard lunch, try something a little different and head to a cicchetteria.
Cicchetti are small snacks or side dishes, a bit like tapas, and budget friendly too. Many bars, known as ‘bacari’ serve up different types of cicchetti, which include sandwiches with various toppings.
Something for everyone
There are vegetarian and vegan cicchetti options available too, which for me is among some of the best food to try in Italy.
During winter, you’ll likely meet more locals at the bacari. The more rustic and no-frills the bacaro, the better.
Once you find a good one, I encourage you to try at least 3 cicchetti. Pair it with a glass of local wine and soak up the laidback vibes.
Some of my favorite cicchetti places in Venice include:
- El Sbarlefo San Pantalon, Calle San Pantalon, 3757
- Ostaria Dai Zemei, San Polo 1045
- Majer, Calle Larga, 1630
- Bakarò, Dorsoduro, 3662
What desserts to try in Venice
The period between Christmas and carnival in Venice brings with it a smorgasbord of delicious desserts to try. Frittelle are balls of fried doughy goodness, usually filled with chantilly cream or zabaglione.
As with the cicchetti places, it’s not easy to find a pasticceria that sells good frittelle. The only thing you can do, is try a few and decide which is best.
During carnival that takes place in Venice in February, another seasonal sweet favorite is Venetian crostoli. These sweet crispy pastries are served with a sprinkling of sugar and are a common sight during carnival.
Where to have dinner in Venice
Dining out in Venice can be expensive, but you can’t leave without trying out one of their best restaurants.
You get the chance to sample excellent Venetian cooking, and also in a relaxed setting.
Visiting in the colder months has many advantages, the first one being availability. Making a reservation at any of the top restaurants in Venice is vital. And in winter, it’s a lot easier to get a table at a top restaurant.
The best table
Some of my favorite restaurants in Venice include Al Colombo and Alle Corone.
The former’s a cozy style trattoria, where you can eat well without any pretension. Seafood is served fresh, and you can also find traditional Venetian dishes on the menu like bigoli with ragù.
Alle Corone is located within luxury hotel Hotel Ai Reali, and is worth every Euro. Dine on some of the best, and seasonal, Venetian cuisine, while admiring the gondolas passing by your window.
Booking.com
Venice is yours to enjoy in winter
When you travel in winter to Venice, it can sometimes feel like the city is just for you.
Away from Piazza San Marco and the Rialto, there are other parts of the city, like Castello, waiting to be discovered.
Explore every narrow street as well as the smaller bridges connecting Venice. Stop as often as you like, and take as many photos as you want.
It’s also in these parts of Venice where you get to see a glimpse of everyday life.
Local life up close
Many visitors tend to forget that people live, work and study in Venice, and during winter, you see it immediately.
A good example of this are the workshops where they make the gondolas. It’s only a short distance from the allure of Venice’s Grand Canal, but intriguing to see what goes on behind the scenes.
As an amateur photographer, I can’t stress how much better it is to visit Venice in the off-peak season. No angle of the canal or of the Rialto Bridge gets tiresome to photograph.
Instead, scenes come to life, during the day, or at night. And with the help of a little post production, the colors of Venice pop out that bit more.
Stay at top Venice hotels for less
It’s no secret that top hotels reduce their prices during the off-peak season to attract more guests.
Saying that, when traveling in winter, staying at a boutique, luxury boutique or luxury hotel is more affordable.
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Venice in winter, these options will suit all budgets and tastes.
Novecento Boutique Hotel
Location, location, location is the buzzword at Novecento Boutique Hotel.
Booking.comIt takes around 5 minutes to reach the impressive Gallerie dell’Accademia, and around 10 minutes to reach Piazza San Marco.
The rooms showcase a mixture of Mediterranean and Oriental design, created by Italian artists and stylists. Thai platform beds and Moroccan carpets sit alongside Venetian marble in this wonderfully unique boutique hotel.
Breakfast is a homemade affair, in the form of a buffet serving products straight from the market.
Corte di Gabriela — best boutique hotels in Venice
Spend time in a 4-star boutique hotel that has a modern feel, and treats every guest like royalty.
There are 11 suites at Corte di Gabriela, ranging from comfort to the generously sized Junior Suite Balcony.
Booking.comOne of the best boutique hotels in Venice, breakfast at Corte di Gabriela receives consistently high reviews. Items include freshly baked croissants with dark chocolate filling, locally produced ham and Asiago cheese.
Breakfast is rounded off with a steaming cup of coffee sourced from a local coffee roaster.
Room for all
For families, or larger groups traveling to Venice, you may prefer booking one of the suite apartments.
They can accommodate 4 people, and Corte di Gabriela provide daily fresh linens and towels for your stay. The apartments are in a separate building a few meters away from the main hotel.
Enjoy a ‘home away from home’ experience, and pretend momentarily that you also live in the heart of charming Venice.
Luxury hotels in Venice — The Gritti Palace
Nothing screams luxury in Venice than checking into a 5-star 15th century palace. Securing one of the top locations on the Grand Canal, The Gritti Palace interiors are even more impressive.
Booking.comTypes of accommodation include Patron Canal Suites to Venetian guest rooms. The former has views of the Grand Canal, marble bathroom with a walk-in shower and unique art adoring the walls.
Venetian guest rooms have Venetian stucco, or Rubelli customized designed silk walls, Murano glass chandeliers, and historical oil paintings.
Whichever type of suite you choose at The Gritti Palace, your stay’s bound to be memorable.
A luxury spa
If you’re not already sold on staying at The Gritti Palace, maybe a mention of its spa might do the trick.
There are 2 double spa suites with private steam baths decorated in Venetian mosaics. Your skin and general wellbeing is in good hands as they use Sisley Paris products.
Many top spas around the world use this premium skincare range and they are extremely effective. Treatments at The Gritti SPA include couple’s massage, facials and a foot bath.
Would you like to visit Venice in winter? Drop me a comment below, I’d love to hear from you.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
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ABOUT me
Welcome to my site. I'm Lisa, an Italy-based travel and lifestyle blogger behind Following the Rivera. Find out more about me and my story.
How cold does Venice get in winter?
Average temperatures in November can range from highs of around 12°C (53.6°F) during the day to lows of 5°C (41°F) at night. In Venice in December, temperatures drop further to around 8°C (46.4°F) in the day and lows of 1°C (33.8°F) at night. Mornings are chilly and the chance of snow is possible.
What is Venice like in January?
Average daily temperatures can reach 6°C (42.8°F) in January and fall to around 1°C (33.8°F) at night. The wind chill makes it even colder. Some hotels and restaurants are closed in January in Venice but the majority of attractions are still open.
Your food pix have my mouth watering!
Lol mine too!
I’ve been to Venice in February for the Carnival when it’s crowded again but still better than during summer. I can’t imagine snowing in Venice, we had a lovely weather and enjoyed some of the authentic Venice as we escaped the tourist routes close to the Grand Canal.
That’s the best thing to do Anda; Venice has so many little side streets that it’s possible to escape the large crowds. I’m glad you’ve experienced visiting in winter 🙂
I love Venice. I didn’t think I would, but it was so wonderful once you escape the hordes of tourists. Lovely article.
Exactly guys, it’s one of those cities that really grows on you 🙂
I would love to visit Venice in winter! It’s such a beautiful city!
You must visit one day, it’s so pretty!