Welcome to this guide which looks at February in Venice, AKA one of the most special times of the year to visit which can only mean one thing: Carnival!
During the two weeks of Carnival celebrations, fleets of tourists and enthusiasts flock to the streets of the city, transforming them into a whirlwind of colourful masks and costumes, capable of curing any winter blues and lift our spirits up!
Venice in February
If you’re planning to visit Venice in February then keep reading this guide to find what to expect from this month, the weather and best city events to not miss.
Why Visit Venice in February?
Do not be deceived by the fact that it’s still winter in Venice in February! The Carnival celebrations make this month one of the most vibrant of the year.
However, the cold can be off-putting for many travellers so let’s take a deeper look by sharing a few reasons why you should plan your next trip to Venice in February:
- Venice Carnival. This Carnival is undoubtedly one of the most famous in the world together with the Carnival in Rio (Brasil) and Mardi Gras in New Orleans (USA). It’s a very important event for the Lagoon city that attracts an impressive number of tourists every single year.
- Venice is considered one of the most romantic cities in the world, so is there a better place to celebrate Valentine’s Day? There are many activities for couples to do with your other half, from the classic gondola ride to watching a sunset from Zattere promenade or the Rialto Bridge to a candlelit dinner.
- It’s not all about Carnival masks, parties and costumes. During this period, there are some mouthwatering traditional Carnival treats worth trying! On the top list are the fritole (sweet fritters), the galani (sweet and crunchy ribbons) that my grandma prepares during Carnival celebrations (in my hometown we call them ‘crostoli’) and the castagnole (fried sweet balls covered in sugar).
Are these good enough reasons for you to want to visit Venice in February? These are just some of my favourites, but of course there are many more to discover!
Read below to learn more of why Venice is a special place to be during this month.
Venice in February weather
In Venice in February temperatures are still quite cold and humid and you should wear appropriate clothes to protect you. Temperatures range between 1 and 9 °C.
There are not many hours of daylight (10/11) which means you’ll have to try to visit as many attractions as you can in order to make the most of the natural light.
Humidity in Venice accentuates the perception of the winter cold so my recommendation is get dressed in layers and carry heavy clothes.
In February it doesn’t usually rain a lot but it is possible that during some days you may encounter the acqua alta (high tide), typical Venetian phenomenon.
Not only do you need to keep your eye on the forecast but it is important to know what to wear in Venice and how to dress with different layers to avoid feeling cold.
Here’s a list of must-haves to carry when spending the winter in Venice:
- Winter coat or a reliable rain jacket that’s packable;
- Pullovers and warm jumpers;
- Long-sleeve shirts;
- Vests and Long Johns (for men);
- A small portable umbrella or a poncho;
- Scarf and hat;
- Rubber boots if acqua alta is expected (you can buy them in Venice);
- Comfortable sneakers for men or boots for women.
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Things to do in Venice in February
During February, Venice truly turns into the liveliest city in Europe and that’s not only because of the Carnival, but also for other unique events and things to do. Find out what to expect in the next paragraphs.
Take part in the most awaited event: the Venice Carnival
Venice in February is synonymous with Carnival! The Carnival dates change every year, so keep an eye on the official Venice Carnival website for dates and times.
The most spectacular, colourful and lively event of the year, fills the streets of Venice with colours, masks, costumes (of all sorts) and will keep you busy with a rich calendar of exclusive events.
If you are in for a show in the very heart of Venice: St. Mark’s Square then try to book your trip for the Carnival’s opening show called ‘Salto dell’Angelo’ or the one that puts an end to the Carnival celebrations which is called the ‘Svolo del Leon’.
During the ‘Salto dell’Angelo’ the ‘angel’, the ‘Maria’ of the previous Carnival’s year (the most beautiful girl of the city) jumps from the St. Mark’s Campanile attached to a rope to reach the Doge’s Palace.
Throughout Carnival, there’s lots going on in the city: from music and mediaeval dances in St. Mark’s Square, to dinner party shows and floating parades.
Of course, around the city you’ll see thousands of masks and costumes. From the most traditional ones, inspired by the famous characters of ‘commedia dell’arte’, like the iconic Arlecchino and Pantalone, to the more contemporary ones, inspired by movies or pop culture figures (which are some of the most recognisable by tourists).
Why don’t you create your own Carnival mask? During this Carnival mask workshop you can learn all the secrets of masks and how to create one!
Be ready for the huge tourist influx during the Carnival which also means that flights and accommodation must be booked in advance and will be more expensive.
Read all about where to stay in Venice by neighbourhood with my dedicated post.
Feeling romantic in the City of Love on Valentine’s Day
The 14th of February is Valentine’s Day all over the world and many couples choose to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Venice. Venice is the perfect destination for couples looking to spend romantic and unforgettable moments.
It’s no coincidence that Venice is considered one of the world’s most romantic cities, it can surprise you with its fiery sunsets from viewpoints such as the iconic Rialto Bridge, Riva degli Schiavoni, the Zattere promenades and even from the rooftop terraces of these 5 star hotels which you can also book your stay at.
I know it’s a classic but nothing it’s more romantic than a private gondola tour around the city’s canals, what do you think? You can book a gondola ride and surprise your partner in Venice or just do it last minute if you like!
With my guide that covers how to take a gondola ride I explain everything you should know about gondola rides in Venice and the latest prices. Finally, why don’t you organise a candlelit dinner in one of the many romantic restaurants in Venice?
The choice is vast and with a relatively high budget, you can afford to play it safe by booking yourself a table at Quadri in St. Mark’s Square, Arva inside the stunning Hotel Aman Venice or Bistrot de Venise, which is not too far from the Rialto Bridge.
Celebrate with Venetians the Festa delle Marie
If you’re in Venice in February you can also attend one or move events during the Festa delle Marie. This is a far lesser known festivity compared to the Carnival itself but with ancient origins.
Once upon a time, at the behest of the Doge, the wealthiest Venetian families used to give their sumptuous and elegant clothes as gifts to dress up the 12 most beautiful girls of humble origins of Venice, so that they could get married.
In the past, this event sparked numerous disagreements among the inhabitants of the Serenissima that banned it for several years.
Only more recently, the Festa delle Marie has been revived as an event and it’s both a historical re-enactment and a beauty contest.
The event takes place over more days and it’s a unique opportunity to take a close look at the traditional dresses of the Serenissima Republic of Venice, watch historical parades and the gondola parade with the Marie on the Grand Canal.
Go to a flamboyant masquerade private party inside a Venetian palace!
There’s no better way to immerse yourself in the Carnival atmosphere and celebrations, by going to one of the many private masquerade parties with shows that take place in the city’s noble palaces every year.
A masquerade party in Venice is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fully experience the magic of Carnival!
You get access to the most beautiful Venetian palaces in the city, and start travelling back in time with your imagination to relive the glories of the Serenissima.
You can expect to get surrounded by a whirlwind of precious tapestries, golden mirrors, the Murano glass chandeliers and other lavish decorations adorning these dream locations! The parties are quite popular and you have to book your entrance and dinner in advance.
Is there a dress code to respect? Yes! There are masquerade parties that want their guests to wear a formal dress with matching mask, while others are traditional costume and mask events that you can rent in Venice. You can check the list of all private parties along with the entry prices so you can book your tickets.
Try the best Carnival sweet: the fritole
Carnival in Venice has a long history that it couldn’t help but encompass the millennia Venetian cuisine. There are many sweet treats to taste if you’re here during the Carnival celebration, and the one not to miss is the ‘fritola’ (sweet fritter).
Fritole are delicious desserts made up of balls of flour batter, eggs, milk, sugar, sultanas and pine nuts, which are subsequently fried and served with a sprinkling of icing sugar on top.
The size of these sweets are usually four centimetres in diameter and are prepared in different variations, some of which also contain cream, zabaione or jam.
They are simply succulent and the good news for you is that you can find them in some pastry shops all year round!
I suggesst the ‘fritole’ from Pasticceria Tonolo. If you have a sweet tooth like me and visiting Venice in February, try the ‘galani’ or ‘crostoli’ also the castagnole too.
Go on a Bacaro tour
No matter whether it’s your first time in Venice or not, you can’t leave the city without having aperitivo at the bacaro. Bacari are small taverns that serve delicious traditional dishes known as cicchetti (which get their name for their small size).
They can be accompanied by a good glass of wine or Venetian Spritz, these small savoury bites were created from the ‘oste’ to feed hungry residents and visitors, after walking for many hours around the Venetian streets.
The bacari tradition is still pretty heartfelt and a proper ritual for Venetians. In particular it’s young people that keep the tradition alive by organising the so-called Bacaro Tour, a food and wine itinerary that sees the bacari as stops.
Check out this highly-rated bacaro tour during which you’ll be accompanied by a local around some of the best bacari of the city! The tour is the perfect activity to find shelter from the cold winter climate of February, have a taste of some local dishes for an affordable price (between 2 and 4 euros each!).
Visit the best art museums and palaces with no crowds
Once the throngs of tourists arrived in Venice to celebrate Carnival, leave the city, everything returns back to normal.
After the second half of February, you can enjoy a quieter city, with half empty streets and squares and less queues at the entrance of the best art museums.
Although it’s true that Venice is an open air museum, there are artistic treasures kept inside churches, art galleries and palaces.
Here’s the list of best art museums in Venice that I recommend visiting:
- Gallerie dell’Accademia – if you are interested in Renaissance art and masterpieces by Titian, Canova, Veronese and Tiepolo.
- Peggy Guggenheim Collection – if you’re more into contemporary art and want to discover the incredible 20th century artworks collected by Peggy Guggenheim for over 40 years, book your skip the line ticket.
- Doge’s Palace + Correr Museum, Marciana Library and National Archeological Museum. One ticket 4 museums: this entry ticket includes not only the visit to the popular Doge’s Palace and the Prisons but also access to 3 of the most important museums in St. Mark’s Square.
- Galleria Internazionale d’Arte Moderna Ca’ Pesaro is worth a visit if you want to admire paintings and sculptures of the 19th and 20th centuries, with masterpieces by Klimt, Chagall, Mirò, Kandinsky, Klee and Matisse.
- Natural History Museum is the best museum to visit in Venice in February if you’re travelling as a family! The perfect escape from a grey or rainy day that will keep your children entertained.
Venice in February
As you have seen, a trip to Venice in February is ideal if you are looking to explore Venice from a completely different angle, like during the Venetian Carnival.
The Venetian Carnival celebrations are literally famous all over the world, so make sure to plan well in advance your visit to Visit during this time of the year.
For those that instead want to spend a couple of days dedicated to romance, then why don’t you celebrate Valentine’s Day with your partner in this beautiful city?
If you prefer to wait for the warm weather and enjoy milder temperatures, spring is just around the corner so why not try visiting Venice in March as an alternative?
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