Venice in May

Are you considering visiting Venice in May?

May is one of the best months to visit Venice. The days are long and generally quite warm and there are fewer tourists as in the summer, Christmas, or Carnival time.

Visiting Venice in May is perfect for those who want to explore every corner of the city, go for long walks to discover hidden gems, and make the most of spring.

In this guide, you’ll learn which key events in the city occur in May and get access to some top-rated travel resources to help you make the most of this city’s beauty.

Venice in May

There is much more to do in Venice than you could imagine and if you decide to visit the lagoon city in May, you can also attend some special events, go on boat tours around the Venetian lagoon (or in the Veneto region) and spend time outdoors!

I have spoken a lot about the day trips from Venice you can do with minimal effort, as well as some special excursions that you can take part in during the weekend. So, are you ready to get to know what to do in Venice during the month of May?

Why visit Venice in May?

If by any chance you’re still not 100% sure about where to go in Italy in May and taking Venice into consideration, or you’re already planning your trip to Venice and still wondering what to do in Venice in May keep on reading below.

I believe May is possibly the best month of the year to visit Venice but I would like to take this opportunity to explain why, so you can make your own decision.

See some reasons why May is Venice is a great time:

Now that you know what to expect from a trip to Venice in May, let’s take a look at the best things you can do during this month and the unique events to attend.

If you’ve already read my guide to some of the best free things to do in Venice why not incorporate some of those suggested activities during your stay as well?

Venice in May weather

The weather in Venice in May is very pleasant with a minimum temperature of 15 °C and a maximum that can reach 25 °C. You can expect to find some rainy days but very a few compared to the amount of sunny days.

You will find that May is one of the best months to spend time outdoor, walking around the streets of Venice and visiting other places in the Venetian lagoon.

I recommend wearing some comfortable shoes such as sneakers, dressing in layers and remember to carry some t-shirts or tops in cotton with you.

Jumpers and cardigans are great to wear this time of the year, especially for when temperatures start to drop a little in the evenings and also for visiting religious places and museums where the air conditioning is usually turned on.

If you’re planning to visit Lido, Jesolo or other beaches near Venice, I suggest you carry a swimsuit, a good sunscreen and some sunglasses to protect your eyes.

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Things to do in Venice in May

Note, these are only suggestions for the month of May, I still suggest you take a look at my guide on things to do in Venice to get the full picture on what’s on offer here.

Attend the Vogalonga regatta

The Vogalonga is a non-competitive event during which different rowing boats can participate. The event was born in honour of the Venetian rowing tradition and represents a much-awaited event for locals and tourists alike.

More precisely, it dates back to the year 1975 by the will of Venetians that didn’t want to lose the use of rowing boats, now widely replaced by motorboats.

Did you know that every year, thousands of people attend the Vogalonga from all over the world to compete?

The route of the competition is about 40 kilometres to complete without the help of the boat engine. It starts in Piazza San Marco and ends at Punta della Dogana. The route see the racers rowing along by many islands in the Venetian lagoon such as Sant’Erasmo, San Francesco del Deserto, Burano and Murano.

Travel back to the Serenissima Republic days during the Festa della Sensa

This celebration takes place on the day of the Ascension of Christ (Sènsa in the Venetian language) and represents an anniversary of an ancient tradition of the Republic of Venice.

For more than a thousand years, the rite of the Marriage of the Sea has taken place on this occasion and symbolizes the Venetian supremacy over the waters.

This occurrence dates back to the year 1177 when Pope Alessandro III and the emperor Frederick Barbarossa through the mediation of the doge’s Alessandro Ziani, signed a peace treaty. On this occasion, the pope gave a ring to Venice defining it ‘queen of the seas’.

Today, the festival is characterized by a re-enactment of this ancient ceremony, accompanied by regattas in which traditional costumes are worn. Even the Venetian mayor takes part in the celebrations as well as residents and tourists.

Enjoy Venice from its rooftops and best view points

There’s nothing better than admiring the beauty of Venice from above. To do that, there are many hotel rooftops, palaces and even the most important bell tower, the Campanile di San Marco which offer you the chance to get panaormic city views.

In fact, you’ll quickly learn that the Campanile offers the best bird-eye view and not only of Venice itself but the entire Venetian lagoon.

Apart from the view from Rialto Bridge and Accademia Bridge two of the most famous bridges in Venice, you can enjoy wonderful views from the rooftop of the Fondaco dei Tedeschi. The old warehouse during the Serenissima Republic days is a building that overlooks the Grand Canal, adjacent to the Rialto Bridge.

Just get to its rooftop terrace by booking your free slot and aim to take as many pictures as you can! Also, the Contarini del Bovolo stairs are getting more popular among tourists because you can enjoy lovely city views from the top.

If you’re been reading this this blog, it’s no secret that there are some astonishing rooftop terraces and popular 5-star hotels in Venice that offer amazing city views.

At the top of the list, there’s Terrazza Danieli which belongs to Hotel Danieli and is known as the highest terrace in the city, then you have the lounge bar Settimo Cielo, located on the 7th floor of the Palazzo Bauer both are worth a visit while here.

Explore the city markets

If you really want to get to know a city, there is certainly no better way than visiting its markets, where you can discover its everyday life and most authentic soul.

Immersing yourself in the characteristic atmosphere of the local markets in Venice is an excellent way to discover different areas of the city and some of the most famous squares in Venice called ‘campi’ where most local markets usually take place.

The Rialto Market is one of the most important markets of the city and the oldest one in Italy. Founded in 1097, it is a must stop in any Venetian itinerary.

It is located near the Rialto Bridge and extends between Campo San Giacometo and Campo de la Pescaria. To learn more, why not join this food and market tour with an expert guide and get to know more about the history of Rialto Market?

Here you can visit both the famous fish market and fruit + vegetable market.

Other markets worth visiting in Venice in May are:

• Rio Terà San Leonardo market in the Cannaregio neighbourhood.
• Via Garibaldi market in the Castello district.
• Vegetable & Fish Market at Campo Santa Margherita.
• Floating market Campo San Barnaba, in the Dorsoduro neighbourhood.

Visit Venice Lido, the closest beach to the city

Among the places to visit in Venice, Lido certainly deserves some attention. Lido is an island in the Venetian lagoon, more specifically a strip of coastline overlooking the Adriatic Sea and an elegant and refined seaside resort.

Lido is the Venetian’s beach par excellence and here you can spend a day away from the chaos of the historic centre and hit-and-run tourists. Enjoy a day at the beach, spend time surrounded by nature and walk among beautiful Liberty Villas.

The only way to get there is by water and the water bus lines arriving to Lido are: the line 1, 2 (seasonal), 5.1, 5.2 and 6 leaving from Piazzale Roma and Santa Lucia railway station and the lines 10 and 14 leaving from St. Mark’s Square.

Among the best things to do in Lido, you should: visit the church of San Nicolò, explore Malamocco village, the Jewish cemetery and go to the island by bike, which I believe is the best way to discover all its best bits and hidden corners.

Walk around the lesser touristic neighbourhoods

Getting around Venice on foot is always a unique experience as it allows you to discover the more authentic sides of the city. Whilst exploring Venice in May, it’s crucial to wear comfortable footwear and carry a packet of blister plasters with you.

Also, dress in layers since the mornings are cool but during the day, temperatures can go over 22 °C on a clear sunny day. Some of the best walking itineraries in Venice unravel in the lesser touristic neighbourhoods and off-the-beaten-track.

The Dorsoduro district is loved by art and architecture aficionados, students and residents since not many tourists reach most of its piazzas and narrow streets.

Then there’s the Cannaregio district, full of picturesque alleyways and bridges, with bacari mainly frequented by locals and where you can visit the Jewish Ghetto.

Finally, you can reach Punta della Dogana where you can visit the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute and enjoy views over the Grand Canal and the Doge’s Palace.

Go on a bacaro tour!

What is a bacaro tour? It literally means to wander from one bacaro to another. During the tour, you avoid the expensive and touristic places and only stop at the most traditional taverns. After all, all this walking and no eating takes it’s toll, right?

A bacaro is a small locally-run tavern, often characterized by a dark ambiance and where you can try the ombra de vin (glass of local wine).

Here locals love meeting up to eat some Cicchetti, small bread bites topped with cheeses, seasonal vegetables and cured meats or seafood and have a chat.

Some bacari also sell mozzarella in carrozza, polpette (meatballs) and (perfectly) fried lagoon fishes. You can also order an Aperol Spritz or a Prosecco wine in a glass, just like the locals do. Andar per bacari doesn’t mean getting drunk, but to use it as an excuse to catch up with friends with a glass of wine and a few snacks.

Only locals know where the best bacari are, but I’m happy to share a few:

• Osteria al Squero
• Bacareto da Lele
• Osteria All’Arco
• Cantina do Mori
• Cantine del Vino già Schiavi

If you like the idea of sampling the best Venetian street food, then I recommend this small group street food tour during which you’ll be accompanied by a local guide.

Venice in May

After reading this guide you should now have a much better idea of what to expect if you’re planning to visit Venice in May or, you’ve already got your trip organised.

May is the ideal time, since you’ll avoid crowds and queues especially if you book tickets to top attractions such as St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace in advance.

In general, I recommend booking admission tickets to the most popular attractions before getting there and some guided tours as a way to make the most of your time.

Rainy days happen even in May, but there’s a limited risk and you can always take the opportunity to visit museums and art galleries if that’s the case.

If you’re planning to visit Venice for a weekend break you can check out my perfect 2 days in Venice guide to get to know what to see and do in a short span of time.

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