Venice enchants visitors with its twisting canals, old buildings, and beautiful squares. People often picture it on sunny days with gondolas floating on sparkling water.
But what happens when rain shows up during your Venice trip? Don’t panic – Venice keeps its magic even when the sky turns grey.
If you’re looking for things to do in Venice on a rainy day, in this guide I’ll share some tips on how to make your visit special, no matter what the weathers like.
What to do in Venice when it rains
In this guide, I’ll show you some different ways that you can spend your time and enjoy a visit to the city of Venice whenever the weather decides to take a turn.
Firstly, it’s not all doom and gloom here! If you love art, history, or food, you’ll be pleased to know that there are many indoor activities to experience!
From discovering indoor art treasures, food spots, charming cafes and a ride on the water bus, there are a lot of ways to have fun while staying dry in Venice.
I’ll also mention how to get ready for the rain, explain how to deal with Acqua Alta, and share a list of 10 things to do inside on a rainy day in Venice.
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How to prepare for the rain in Venice
Will this be your first time in Venice by any chance? If so, be ready as rain can catch you off guard here. Pack an umbrella and a waterproof jacket as your first step.
I find the app Meteo.it and AccuWeather (for iPhone users) as 2 of the most reliable to consult to monitor the weather throughout the day.
The narrow alleys in Venice might protect you from heavy rain, but open squares and bridges won’t. You need comfortable and sturdy waterproof shoes too—keep in mind, Venice is a city you explore on foot, and wet stone paths can be slippery.
Here are some essential items to carry in your bag when rain is expected:
I highly recommend that you carry these, or any best alternative you can find. I must say, though, good quality is a must so you can reuse them for future trips.
If you travel with a small backpack, make sure it’s waterproof or just get a specific cover like this one. Try to plan your time according to the forecast and include regular stops in indoor places.
Whether it’s a museum, art gallery or a bar and restaurant. Include stops for some of the city’s best cicchetti and for a traditional style coffee. Even if rain might change your plans, it often helps you find spots you might have missed otherwise.
A word about Acqua Alta in Venice
When you visit Venice in autumn or winter (sometimes in spring), you might run into Acqua Alta, the high tide that occasionally floods the city’s streets and squares.
At first, this may worry you, but Venetians know how to handle it and it sounds more disruptive than what it actually is.
Temporary raised walkways are put in place in the most affected areas, so you can still get around the city. To keep your feet dry, you could buy some rubber boots like these ones which are guaranteed to keep your feet dry (while always looking stylish).
Or better yet, check the Acqua Alta forecasts to plan your day around the high tide. Use the app Hi!Tide Venice to keep track of it directly from your phone!
My top accommodation picks if you travel during Rain Season
If you’re travelling in autumn and spring, you want to make sure that in case of rain, your hotel is close to a water bus stop.
These are my favourite hotels where you can also spend a couple of hours sipping a cocktail at the bar or enjoying their spot-on facilities.
- Ca’ Bonfadini Historic Experience – near the water bus stop Guglie, in the Cannaregio district. It’s a 5 star hotel, with an on site bar and restaurant.
- Palazzo Veneziano – near the water bus stop San Basilio or Zattere, in Dorsoduro. It’s a 4 star hotel and some rooms have the jacuzzi. It also has an on site bar.
- Hotel Bucintoro – near the water bus stop Arsenale, in the Castello neighbourhood. It’s a 4 star hotel with beautiful lagoon views, not far from the Biennale.
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10 Things to do in Venice when it rains
Now, let’s take a look at some things to do on a rainy day in Venice that will really surprise you and lift your spirits up even on the greyest day of the year!
In this list you’ll find a mix of cultural activities, local cuisine, or unique city experiences. Rest assured that these 10 ideas will keep you entertained and dry.
Get a museum pass
Venice has many museums and art galleries but also palaces and Scuole that jealously keep art treasures of immense value. Rainy days give you a chance to check them out.
You can buy a Venice city pass to get into several top museums in the city, starting from Doge’s Palace, Museo Correr, Ca’ Pesaro and Ca’ Rezzonico, to name a few.
If you’re visiting Venice for the first time, then be sure to include the Doge’s Palace in your itinerary – after visiting it, you’ll know a lot more about Venice and its glorious past as La Serenissima.
With the Doges Palace, Prison, and Secret Passageways Tour you can also learn the secrets of the darkest hidden places of the palace.
It’s worth knowing that when you book on these tours, you automatically get access to the other museums in St. Mark’s Square like the Museo Correr, a wonderful collection of Venetian painting until the early 16th century.
If you have children, with the museum pass you can also include a visit to the Natural History Museum which is not far from Palazzo Mocenigo, the museum of 18th century Venetian fabrics and costumes.
These museums don’t just keep you dry when it’s raining – they also let you dive deep into Venice’s intriguing past.
Basilica San Marco
When it rains St. Mark’s Square is flooded, the grand Basilica San Marco offers the perfect shelter.
On rainy days, it gives you an extra feeling of calm as you walk admiring the beautiful golden mosaics covering the walls of its majestic domes, and other treasures protected inside the church.
The golden light from the mosaics seems to shine even brighter against the grey sky outside. On a rainy day, there’s no reason to rush outside, so take your time to look at the details of this famous basilica. The best way to enjoy a visit to the Basilica is to hire a private guide or join a small group.
Here’s some popular tours you can book right now:
- St Mark’s Basilica Small-Group Tour with Terrace
- St. Mark’s Basilica with Terrace Ticket & Audioguide
- St. Mark’s & Doge’s Palace VIP Skip-the-Line Tour
If plans change, you can cancel up until 24 hours before your visit. Avoid the central hours of the day and visit the Basilica as soon as it opens or near closing time.
Do a mask painting workshop
Venetian masks are symbols of Venice and have a deep connection with the city’s history and custom. They are also symbols of the Venetian Carnival.
Why not use a rainy afternoon to get creative and make your own mask?
I joined this Carnival mask workshop near St. Mark’s Square, and I can definitely recommend it! I spent a good hour learning about the Venetian masks and getting my hands dirty with a mask I brought home.
You’ll find several workshops in Venice that let you paint and decorate your own Carnival mask teaching you about the craft and backstory behind them.
Another workshop you can visit is Ca’ Macana both in San Marco and Dorsoduro. This hands-on activity is not just fun and relaxing but gives you a personal and one-of-a-kind keepsake to take home.
Have a long meal in an Osteria
One of the best things about Italy is the food, and Venice doesn’t disappoint. A rainy day gives you more reason to hide in a cosy osteria and have a long relaxed meal.
Take your time enjoying Venetian favourites like:
- Sarde in saor (sweet-and-sour sardines)
- Bigoli in salsa (thick spaghetti with a rich anchovy sauce)
- Fritto misto (fried seafood)
I mentioned some great osterie and trattorie in my food guide handbook. To accompany your meal, you can order a glass of ‘house wine’, but also a glass of Prosecco or Spritz.
Some of my favourite Osterias are hidden in the quieter areas, like Cannaregio near the Jewish Ghetto and in hidden alleyways of the San Polo neighbourhood, near the Rialto market.
Wine tasting experience
Venice sits near the renowned Veneto wine regions: Prosecco and Valpolicella. But there are other incredible wines worth a try like the Raboso and Soave.
This makes Venice an ideal spot to enjoy some wine tasting. Many wine bars called enotecas, provide tastings where you can try different regional wines matched with local cicchetti (small snacks).
One of the most loved by locals is Cantine del Vino già Shiavi. On a rainy day, you can join a wine tasting experience like this one during which you can relax and dive into Venetian food and drinking culture while learning about the area’s wines.
To get an even deeper experience, you might want to find a guided wine-tasting tour that takes you to various wine bars across the city’s neighbourhoods like this local secrets of Venice tapas wine walking tour.
Go souvenir shopping
Venice has tons of shops and if you know where to go, you can really find wonderful souvenirs for family and friends! From classic Venetian masks to Murano glass and hand-woven fabrics.
Use the rainy weather as a chance to duck into the many craft shops around the city. You’ll stay dry and might find some one-of-a-kind gems.
Go to the Antica Legatoria Ofer in Campo Santo Stefano, a paper shop that produces Venetian hand-pressed paper goods and marbled stationery.
They make great gifts or personal mementos that can easily carry in your luggage! Also, check out the little stores near the Rialto Market and Bridge, for crafty finds.
If you need a bit more help, check out my guide on Venice souvenirs to learn what else to buy in Venice and download my free checklist that helps you finding authentic Venetian souvenirs.
Get a Vaporetto pass
Rain doesn’t have to stop you from exploring the city. One of the best ways to experience Venice is from the water, and the Vaporetto (water bus) is an ideal way to do that, even on a rainy day.
It’s also the ideal way to get from one attraction to the other without getting too wet! Grab a Vaporetto day pass and spend some time navigating the Floating city’s canals.
On a rainy day, you might not necessarily find fewer crowds on the Vaporetto (unless it’s winter and there are no events happening in the city!), but if you get less popular water bus lines you should be able to find a seat.
For example, if you’re getting the water bus from the train station (which it’s one of the most crowded water bus stops!) to go to San Marco, consider getting the line 4.1 or 5.1 instead of the crowded lines 1 and 2. They’re less scenic but more enjoyable.
Do a cooking class
Another great way to dodge the rain and get a taste of Venetian culture is to join a cooking class. You’ll find plenty of options to learn how to whip up classic Venetian dishes, from homemade pasta to seafood favourites.
These hands-on sessions in a local’s kitchen, not only keep you busy but also teach you new kitchen tricks to use back home.
Most classes wrap up with a meal where you can taste what you’ve cooked alongside a glass of local wine. It’s a cosy and unforgettable way to experience the city when it’s not so nice outside.
Have Coffee at Caffè La Serra
One of the most charming places to while away a rainy afternoon is Caffè La Serra, a greenhouse-turned-café located in the Castello district.
The café’s cosy atmosphere makes it the perfect place to escape the rain with a cup of coffee or tea and a book. I also saw people playing card or board games!
Surrounded by greenery, it offers a peaceful retreat from the bustle of Venice, and the rain adds to the warm atmosphere. The café is housed in a 19th-century greenhouse with a very interesting architecture.
You can order homemade quiche slices, cakes, and other treats to accompany your cup of coffee and herbal tea to warm you up after being caught in the rain.
To drink more coffee on a rainy day in Venice, you can take a look at my coffee guide that looks at some of best coffee in Venice for more ideas on where to go.
Glass Blowing Experience at Gino Mazzuccato Factory
Are you into Venice’s well-known Murano glass? A trip to the Gino Mazzuccato Factory is a great way to spend a rainy day.
Murano is an island in the Venetian lagoon that you can reach by a quick boat ride from Venice. See my popular guide on how to get from Venice to Murano for tips.
It is here where all glass furnaces were moved from Venice historic centre after several fire episodes.
It’s now famous worldwide for its glassmaking tradition and family generations work for this business. At the factory, you can see craftsmen work their magic turning melted glass into beautiful vases, chandeliers, and detailed sculptures.
You can also go on a guided tour to understand the glassmaking process, which goes back hundreds of years. It’s a memorable experience that shows off the skill and craftsmanship that has made Venetian glass so popular.
What to do in Venice when it rains
I’m not going to tell you that visiting Venice with rain is the best experience, but with a bit of planning and the right gear, you can turn it into a fun adventure.
With plenty of indoor places to explore, from famous churches to old palaces, all the local food to taste, and unique activities like painting masks and cooking, Venice is your oyster!
And yes, a rainy day in Venice can be just as special as a sunny one. For more ideas on what to do and see, check out my guide on the best things to do in Venice.
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