Is Venice worth visiting?
Yes, Venice is absolutely a city that any traveler should visit. During our time here, we had so much fun. During our first trip to Venice in the summer of 2008, we fell in love with its beautiful canals and squares and its truly unique atmosphere. We've been back several times since then to experience it even more.
Whether you're a traveling as a family, a couple, or a backpacker, this city has a lot to offer. Any local will tell you what makes it special is the fantastic museums and attractions and spectacular historical sights.
Venice is loved by visitors for many reasons, and is routinely on national "best of" lists, including Travel and Leisure's Best Places to Visit in 2023 - Cultural Immersion.
Venice is one of the most popular attractions in Italy, and at times it does feel more like an attraction than a city. But that doesn't mean that it's not truly beautiful and romantic - a not -to-be-missed stop on any Italian itinerary. Part of the experience in Venice is simply getting lost. Tucked away in the hidden corners you'll find what really makes this city one-of-a-kind.
Venice
4 Reasons to Visit Venice
1. Museums and Attractions
The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is known for its huge collection of 20th-century artwork in the former home of the artist. (€17)
Scuola Grande di San Rocco is known for ornate and beautiful halls adorned with Renaissance art. (€10)
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo is known for its terrific views overlooking the city and interesting art exhibits. (€8)
Ca' Rezzonico is known for its wide array of Venetian art from the 18th century. (€10)
Gallerie dell'Accademia is known for its huge collection of Venetian paintings from the 14th to 18th century. (€15)
The Doge's Palace is known for its stunning architecture, historic artwork, and classic Venetian style. (€30)
St. Mark's Campanile is known for its scenic views overlooking the city. (€10)
The Grand Canal is known for being the life of the city and the main mode of transportation. (Free)
Rialto Bridge is known for being a romantic spot to admire the surrounding city and Grand Canal. (Free)
The Bridge of Sighs is known for being a popular photo spot with gorgeous architecture. (Free)
2. Historical Sights
The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.
Piazza San Marco is known for its grand arcades, ornate architecture, and historic events in the heart of the city. (Free)
3. Shopping
There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.
Piazza San Marco is known for its grand arcades, ornate architecture, and historic events in the heart of the city. (Free)
4. Food
For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables. Many of the restaurants are excellent, but head into the local neighborhoods for the best options.
Is Venice worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the high season for travel in Venice, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This is an extremely popular destination, and in the high season it's busier than usual as this is when most people are able to travel. Expect large crowds of tourists, longer lines, and higher prices for hotels. On the other hand, you'll find that everything is open and you'll have a wide array of activities, things to do, and places to eat.
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 23°C (73°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 29°C (83°F).
You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to browse through museums and browse around the old town.
Summer Weather in Venice
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 23°C (73°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| August | 23°C (73°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| September | 19°C (67°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Is Venice worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Venice. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 14°C (57°F).
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. During this season it's fun to experience the gorgeous scenery, the historic old town, and the famous sights and museums. Also, you can admire the quaint setting.
Autumn Weather in Venice
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.7 in) |
| November | 8°C (47°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| December | 4°C (38°F) | 50 mm (1.9 in) |
Is Venice worth visiting in the Winter?
The weather in Venice can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 3°C (37°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
The low season for travel in Venice is during the winter. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.
You'll like that you can take public transit easily in the winter, too. You can get around quickly while avoiding bad weather if needed. This is a great time of year to browse the museums, taste delicious cuisine, and admire the historic sights.
Winter Weather in Venice
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 3°C (37°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| February | 5°C (41°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| March | 8°C (47°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
Is Venice worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Venice. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 13°C (55°F).
The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops, spend time at the museums, and admire the quaint atmosphere. Also, you'll be able to take in the beautiful scenery and browse around the old town.
Spring Weather in Venice
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 13°C (55°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| June | 21°C (69°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Venice
Nightlife: Most people don't associate Venice with a lively nightlife scene. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.
Lots of Tourists
Venice sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Venice might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Venice here or see if Venice is expensive here.
Related
What is Venice most famous for?
Venice is most famous for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges. People visit this impressive city for its great museums and attractions, historical sights, and shopping. Also, it's known for food. It is often described as historic, beautiful, romantic, cultural, and magical.
What is the most famous sight in Venice?
The most popular sight in Venice is St. Mark's Basilica. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Venice on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for St. Mark's Basilica and other attractions here.
How touristy is Venice? Is it a popular city to visit?
Venice is a very touristy city that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Venice Market and Cicchetti Semi-Private 6 People Food Experience: $179
- Private Venice Family Tour with Saint Mark’s & Doge’s Palace: $298
- Private Tour of St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace: $142
- Kayak Discovery Tour in the Lagoon of Venice: $187
- Amarone-Valpolicella private tour. Visit Verona. From Venice: $240
- Venice Hidden Gems and Secrets Tour with a Local in Small Group: $84
- Tour and Photo Shoot with a Private Photographer.: $259
- The best of Venice on a tour of the most and least known points: $70
How long should I spend in Venice?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Venice is two to seven days. Since Venice has a variety of activities such as museums and attractions, historical sights, and shopping, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Venice?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Venice?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Venice?.
More Things to Do in Venice
- Are Gondola Rides Worth Doing?
- Is The Doge's Palace Worth Visiting?
- Is Piazza San Marco Worth Visiting?
- Is St. Mark's Basilica Worth Visiting?
- Is St. Mark's Campanile Worth Visiting?
For guided and organized tour options, check out The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Expert Advice from Local Travelers
We're asking our community members and registered users to contribute their experiences about Venice.
Why would you recommend Venice to budget travelers? Or, why not?
Venice is gorgeous but we spent a lot of money here. Everything from our hotel to restaurants to the public boats were expensive. But it's something you have to see at least once, because it's so beautiful. So either bite the bullet and pay the price or book ahead to get the best price possible.
What makes Venice a budget-friendly destination? Or not?
We always end up spending more money in Venice than we plan to. Both hotels and restaurants can be expensive, so if you want to save money, consider staying off the island and visiting as a day trip.