Things to do in Venice in September 2026

September is one of the best months to experience Venice.

Visiting Venice in late summer and early autumn means milder temperatures and a city that slowly starts to breathe again after the August heat.

It’s an ideal time if you want to combine sightseeing with culture, from the Venice Film Festival and the Regata Storica to glass exhibitions, island days and long walks through the quieter neighbourhoods once the day visitors leave.

Venice in September at a glance:

• Weather: Warm and pleasant, with average temperatures between 19–25°C
• Crowds: Busy, especially during the first half of the month and around major events
• Vibe: Cultural, lively and a little more pleasant than midsummer
• Best for: Film and art events, island hopping, outdoor dining, walking tours and day trips

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your September trip, from what to expect to events and practical travel tips to make the most of your time in Venice.

Are you visiting Venice in September?

I love Venice in September. It offers the best of both worlds: summer temperatures without the August humidity, and a packed cultural calendar that starts the moment the Film Festival opens in Lido.

September is a wonderful time to experience Venice’s most famous attractions, but also to get lost through its narrow calli in the evening and enjoy the city at a slower pace once the daytime crowds begin to leave.

If you want to explore beyond the tourist trail and uncover hidden gems, my neighbourhood maps and guides can help you achieve that.

The weather is still perfect for spending most of the day outdoors, whether that means taking long walks, enjoying an aperitivo by the canals, joining a tour on a traditional boat called Bragozzo around the Venetian lagoon or heading to the beach in Lido.

It is also one of the best months for exploring beyond the historic centre. Conditions are excellent for visiting Murano, Burano and other islands and for taking day trips across the Veneto region without the intense summer heat.

Is September a good time to visit Venice?

Yes, September is one of the best months to visit Venice.

Here’s why:

• Comfortable weather: Temperatures typically range from 19 to 25°C, warm enough for the beach in the first half of the month but far more manageable than the July and August heat.
• The start of the shoulder season: From the second half of the month the city noticeably quietens down, prices soften and attractions become easier to enjoy at your own pace.
• An exceptional events calendar: The Venice Film Festival, the Regata Storica, The Venice Glass Week, Homo Faber and the Art Biennale all fall within the same month. No other time of year packs in this much.
• Perfect for island hopping: Murano, Burano, Torcello, Lido and all the other islands are all at their best, with warm days, calmer light.
• Long, atmospheric evenings: Sunsets are earlier than in June but the evenings stay mild, ideal for dinner outdoors and late walks by the canals.
• Busy at the start, calmer at the end: The first two weeks are genuinely busy because of the Film Festival, so book early if those are your dates.
• I recommend booking your accommodation at least 2–3 months in advance, so you can have more accommodation choices and better prices.

Weather in Venice in September

Average temperatures in Venice during September range from 19–25°C (66–77°F), with the first half of the month often still feeling properly summery.

Rainfall is moderate, with plenty of sunny days and a few rainy days, more likely from the second half of the month, sometimes arriving as short but heavy thunderstorms.

The warm days and mild evenings make it ideal for spending time outdoors, whether you’re exploring the city on foot, enjoying dinner by the canals or visiting the islands.

What to pack for Venice in September:

• Light clothing for the day (t-shirts, dresses, linen shirts)
• A light jumper, cardigan or jacket for the evenings
• Comfortable walking shoes or sandals
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Compact umbrella or light rain jacket
• Crossbody bag or anti-theft backpack
• Swimsuit (if you’re visiting the Lido or nearby beaches in the first half of the month)
• Blister plasters, you’ll walk far more than you expect

I recommend packing layers, so you can stay comfortable during warm afternoons while still being prepared for cooler evenings and the occasional shower.

Does Venice smell in September?

This is one of the questions I get asked most, and the honest answer is: ‘not really’, and far less than in July and August.

The smell people associate with Venice comes from the canals at low tide, when mud and algae are briefly exposed, combined with high summer heat. September temperatures are milder, so even when you do notice it, it’s usually faint, localised and short-lived, in a narrow side canal at low tide rather than across the city.

You’re most likely to notice it around midday in early September, in the smallest and least flushed canals. Along the Grand Canal, the lagoon side, Zattere and the wider waterways, you’ll mostly get sea air.

It’s also worth knowing that the canals are dredged and maintained and that the tides flush the lagoon twice a day, so the situation is nothing like it was decades ago.

If you’re sensitive to it, plan your walks along the wider canals and the lagoon-facing fondamente, and save the tightest calli for the morning and evening.

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Things to do in Venice in September

Note, these are only suggestions for the month of September. I still recommend reading my guide on things to do in Venice to get the full picture on what’s on offer here.

1. Attend the Venice Film Festival in Lido

Founded in 1932, the Mostra del Cinema is the oldest international film festival in the world, and it turns the Lido into a red-carpet strip for eleven days.

A word on timing for 2026: the 83rd Venice International Film Festival runs from 2 to 12 September 2026. The Festival aims to promote the knowledge and dissemination of international cinema in all its forms. Stay alert as you walk around Venice’s streets, because there’s a high chance of spotting your favourite actor or film director in September!

If you want to be there for it, you can read my guide on how to get from Venice to Lido of Venice and book accommodation months ahead if you want to stay there. Rooms in Lido of Venice and in central Venice are scarce and expensive during the festival, and the Hotel Excelsior, the festival’s historic heart, sells out first.

2. Watch the Regata Storica along the Grand Canal

The famous Regata Storica takes place on the first Sunday of September and is the main Venetian maritime event. This Venetian regatta is a rowing race between boats, not only from the local area but from other parts of Italy too.

Before the race there is a historical reenactment parade that winds along the Grand Canal accompanied by music. Everyone that finds themselves in Venice on this day takes part in the city’s celebrations, in particular the first part of them.

The rowers in the boats are dressed in costumes of the Serenissima days. After the parade, you can assist in different races, from the schie regatta of children aged less than 10 to the women’s regatta on the mascarete.

The historical regatta is the perfect time to take a closer look at the traditional lagoon rowing boats (for once the Venetian gondola is not the main character of the scene!) and admire them meandering down the canals.

3. Load up on art at the Venice Biennale

The Venice Biennale is an important event in Venice that attracts art lovers. It takes place between spring and late November.

During the Biennale, artists from all over the world participate in this event and compete for an award in disciplines of: art, architecture, dance, music and theatre.

It’s worth knowing that the Venice Film Festival is organised by the Biennale. Places to visit during the Biennale are the Arsenale and Biennale Gardens for the discipline of art and architecture, whereas for the music and theatre exhibitions Cà Giustinian and again the Arsenale of Venice, in the Castello neighbourhood.

If you visit Venice in September and you’re around St. Mark’s Square, walk along Riva degli Schiavoni until you get to the Arsenale or to the Biennale Gardens where you can visit some pavilions. Go to the Biennale official website to get your ticket.

4. Visit Burano during the local Regata Storica

The Burano Regata Storica takes place on the island of Burano, usually on the 3rd Sunday of the month. It’s much less frequented than the Venice Regata Storica, but perfect if you’re on the look out for smaller-sized festival vibes.

You can assist at lagoon rowing boat races of men aboard gondolas with 2 oars and women on pupparini with 2 oars. On this day the island is surrounded by a festive atmosphere as it gets ready to welcome both tourists and residents alike.

There are various events organised by the Burano associations, music and food stalls. This is a great time to try a fish-based meal at Burano’s finest restaurants, or you can taste excellent fried fish from the stands located in the Piazza.

5. Discover Venetian glass during The Venice Glass Week

The Venice Glass Week is the international festival dedicated to glass art, and in 2026 it celebrates its 10th edition from 12 to 20 September.

For 9 days, Venice, Murano and Mestre host exhibitions, installations, live furnace demonstrations, talks and open studios, with hundreds of events spread across museums, galleries, historic palaces and working glassworks.

Many events are free to attend, and the festival trail is a brilliant excuse to explore Murano properly rather than rushing through the usual demonstration-and-shop circuit. If you have any interest in craft, design or art, plan at least half a day for it, and check the programme in advance because the best furnace visits fill up fast.

6. Experience craftsmanship at Homo Faber

Homo Faber is the biennial exhibition dedicated to contemporary craftsmanship, and it returns for the whole of September 2026 on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, inside the beautiful setting of the Fondazione Giorgio Cini.

The 2026 edition, titled ‘An Island of Light’ and directed by Es Devlin, turns the island into a route of immersive installations showcasing hundreds of handmade objects by artisans from all over the world, alongside live demonstrations and workshops.

It’s one of the most atmospheric cultural experiences you can have in Venice, partly because of the exhibition itself and partly because of the island: San Giorgio Maggiore is a five-minute boat ride from St. Mark’s yet feels a world away from the crowds.

Tickets should be booked online in advance to secure your time slot, and ticket holders can use the free shuttle boat from San Marco-San Zaccaria. Otherwise, vaporetto line 2 will get you there in minutes.

7. Plan to do some Venice island-hopping

Since the weather in Venice in September is still enjoyable, why don’t you try going on a boat tour of the famous Murano and Burano islands from Venice?

There are even lesser-known islands in the Venetian lagoon worth visiting, and the month of September is the ideal time to slowly explore them.

You can also visit San Giorgio Maggiore, the island that you can see from Riva degli Schiavoni, near St. Mark’s Square or the Giudecca, where you can book your stay or simply have aperitivo at Hilton Molino Stucky’s rooftop bar.

But even Venice Lido is perfect if you’re looking to spend a day at the beach and relax. Sant’Erasmo, also called ‘the garden island of Venice’ or Mazzorbo, a laid-back island where you’ll find the Venissa estate that grows an ancient native vine.

Don’t want to hop on a vaporetto or join a boat tour? No problem! There are many day trips by train from Venice you can plan too. Two popular cities in Veneto that are less than 1 hour away from Venice are Padua and Treviso… check them out.

📅 Venice Events in September

Dates can change, so always double-check on the official Venezia Unica and Comune di Venezia event pages before you book.

Making the most of Venice in September

September is one of the best months to experience Venice if you are looking for warm weather, a rich cultural calendar and a city that gradually gets quieter as the month goes on.

With temperatures still comfortable, it’s an ideal time to spend hours exploring Venice’s neighbourhoods, visiting the islands and enjoying outdoor dining and evening walks by the canals.

The first half of the month is genuinely busy: the Venice Film Festival keeps accommodation prices high and availability limited, especially over the festival’s final weekend, so book well in advance if those are your dates. From the second half of September prices start to ease and the city feels noticeably calmer.

It’s also one of the best months for day trips to Murano, Burano and other parts of the Veneto region thanks to the stable weather and the fact that the lagoon is at its most pleasant.

With its combination of world-class events, outdoor experiences and shoulder-season calm, Venice in September offers more than one way to experience the city at its best.

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