Welcome to this guide that looks at what to wear in Venice in every season and what else to pack for a short weekend in the city of water.
As the departure day gets closer to that much-awaited trip to Venice, you’re not 100% sure what to pack. You’ll be pleased to know you’re not the only one!
Summers in Venice are pretty hot and humid, winters are cold and during the shoulder seasons the weather is constantly changing.
Also know that from November to February, there’s a chance of finding ‘acqua alta’ (high tide) and if you visit churches, you’ll need to follow the dress code rules.
Before this all gets too overwhelming too quickly, let’s get into this step by step guide so you can begin to understand exactly what to pack for Venice.
What to wear in Venice?
Quick Answer: It depends! What you need to wear to be comfortable in Venice will depend on the time of the year that you travel and the activities you plan to do.
Get a rough idea on what to wear in Venice and when below:
- Venice in summer: summers are hot and humid so I recommend wearing breathable clothing that doesn’t make you sweat. Ideally 100 % cotton, cool summer dresses, comfortable sandals or sneakers, sunglasses and a hat to protect you from the sun.
- Venice in autumn and spring: during the shoulder seasons temperatures vary a lot depending on the month you’re travelling to Venice, but they usually go over 15 °C. For this reason, dress in layers, carry a rain jacket or light jacket and a small umbrella.
- Venice in winter: winters in Venice are cold. Wear woollen clothing, a heavy coat and warm sweaters or jumpers. Wear waterproof shoes or boots, a hat, scarf and gloves.
Keep reading below, not only to better understand what to wear while you’re here, but to learn what things to pack to ensure you have everything you need for your trip. That way, you can concentrate on seeing the best sights in Venice instead.
One question my readers ask is…
Does Venice have a dress code?
The quick answer is: No, it doesn’t. You can almost wear whatever you like (within reason, of course). The only ‘unspoken rule’ in Venice, but also all around Italy in general really, is to not wear beachwear while walking around the city centre.
So… just remember not to wear a bikini top or swimming trunks (with no-shirt on) around the streets of Venice, or other islands of the lagoon, if you do visit them.
If you’re planning to visit churches in Venice, respect the religious nature of the building and dress code rules normally displayed at the entrance.
In general, adults and teenagers shouldn’t wear:
- Sleeveless tops
- Short skirts
- No shorts
- See-through tops
Basically everything that’s too revealing should be avoided, even if some churches are less strict than others, where they check how you’re dressed at the entrance (like to access the St. Mark’s Basilica).
When it’s hot in Venice, you can wear linen trousers, t-shirts, below-knee or knee-length skirts and a pashmina to cover your shoulders. Although it may seem like a good idea, I don’t suggest wearing flip flops while in the historic centre.
They are also not suitable for walking around the city for hours. For the evenings in Venice, its fine to wear a pair of sneakers, even inside the restaurants and bars.
If you have the chance though, opt for smart casual style and only wear elegant clothes, shoes or heels if going to a very fancy location such as a rooftop bar at one of the many beautiful 5 star hotels in Venice (there are many across the city).
What do tourists wear in Venice?
Most tourists are aware of the amount of walking that gets done in Venice and dress accordingly. One thing you will see tourists wearing is usually comfortable shoes.
It could be a pair of trendy sneakers that are perfect all year round, women also tend to wear boots during winter and sandals during the summer months.
If you’re unsure of how comfy your shoes will be, I suggest you carry some blister plasters that you can quickly stick on your heel if you start to experience any pain.
In the summer, women wear long dresses or a top or t-shirt with skirts and shorts, and men normally wear long trousers or men’s shorts and a t-shirt.
For the cool summer evenings, a cardigan or denim jacket are the must-haves for when temperatures drop down. In the winter, you can see tourists and locals alike wearing warm coats and wool clothing to face the cold and humid days.
For spring and autumn, a light rain jacket like this one is a life saver in Venice as rainy days are expected. Wearing layers of cotton clothes is perfect to face the sudden change of temperatures from one day to the next or during the same day.
For good quality shoes (Made in Italy), jackets and coats, I normally buy from Geox which is by far one of the best brands for style without compromising comfort.
For the shoulder seasons, my recommended way to get dressed is with:
- Cotton vest
- T-shirt
- Cardigan
- Jacket
As temperatures increase, you can easily remove a piece of clothing and place it inside your backpack. To store all the daily essentials, this backpack is great to carry some snacks, a small umbrella, a refillable bottle, and other personal items.
💡 Smart travel tip: If you do buy a new pair of shoes to wear especially for your trip to Venice, I advise that you wear them a couple of times before you arrive. Test how much they can support your feet for long periods and get used to them.
Things to pack for Venice
Aside from knowing what to wear in Venice there will be some extra things that you will want to carry with you some of which may depend on the season you travel.
Here’s a checklist of essentials that I suggest you carry to Venice:
- Sunglasses
- Travel document wallet
- Travel pillow
- Reusable water bottle
- Anti-theft proof bag
- Comfortable shoes
- Mosquito repellant (This is the brand that I like to use.)
- Blister plasters
- Rubber boots (for late autumn/winter/spring when there’s a chance of encountering high water)
With the above you should be able to travel well. Not all of the items on this list are completely necessary (i.e mosquito repellant in winter) but you may want to invest in these items to make your trip to Venice (and future trips) much more comfortable.
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What to wear in Venice by season
It is useful to plan ahead of time and prepare for the weather ahead. That is why in this guide I thought it would be a good idea to look at the seasons in Venice.
Below I will give you tips on what to expect so that way you can understand what will be suitable for each particular month or season that you visit Venice.
What to wear in Venice in Spring?
In spring temperatures and weather conditions change considerably. In Venice in March, temperatures are milder than the previous month but still cold.
Temperatures range between 8°C and 14°C and you can expect some rainy days. The chance of high water is lower than the winter but possible. To prepare for travel in early spring carry: a warm jacket or a light coat and get dressed in layers.
I also recommend that you carry a compact travel umbrella along with you so you won’t be caught off guard by the rain and some comfortable sneakers or boots.
For a pair of stylish sneakers that are ideal for (very) long walks but also perfect to wear for your nights out in Venice, be sure to check out these Geox for men or these Geox for women which are both offer high standards when it comes to comfort.
For late spring (end of April, May and till mid June), as temperatures increase, you can leave at home warm woollen jumpers and hoodies, and just carry long dresses, t-shirts and tops, cardigans and light jackets.
Temperatures range between 15 °C and 25 °C, so again, get ready to remove (or replace) layers throughout the day. From April onwards, I suggest not wearing boots but just sneakers and comfortable sandals that can support your feet well.
Late spring is the perfect time to go on day trips from Venice, so carry with you your sunglasses and a hat to protect your eyes from the sun.
What to wear in Venice in Summer?
Summer in Venice is hot and temperatures go above 30 °C in July and August. That said, Venice is an elegant city and it hurts public morality seeing tourists wearing bras and bikinis or swim trunks.
Women can simply wear light cotton dresses with sandals or platform shoes, if you like wearing heels. I don’t recommend wearing heels during the day as you’ll walk a lot, but keep them for the evenings. Alternatively, you can wear breathable t-shirts and shorts or a top and shorts.
The shorts can’t be too short, and if you wear a sleeveless top, carry with you a pashmina so you can cover your shoulders whilst visiting churches.
The pashmina is also perfect to have when you go to museums, shops and restaurants where the air-con is on, so you can cover your shoulders and neck.
Men can wear shorts just above the knee and a t-shirt or polo. No tank tops, and don’t go around the streets without a shirt.
Don’t wear flip flops in Venice historic centre, instead wear sandals or canvas sneakers that way you will reduce the risk of having a fall or a toe injury.
If you plan to visit Lido, Jesolo or other beaches near Venice, I suggest that you carry a swimsuit, a good sunscreen and some UV sunglasses for eye protection.
What to wear in Venice in Winter?
In winter, temperatures in Venice rarely drop below zero but the cold can be intense, sometimes humid too. For many this can be a shock to the system.
To get you prepared to walk around the city, travel by gondola or vaporetto (even on the coldest days), below I will recommend exactly what to wear in Venice in winter.
Women can either wear normal trousers and under them some thick tights or thermal leggings. Your coat should be puffy, warm and comfortable, so you can layer up on woollen sweaters, warm cotton pullovers, and scarves.
Make sure to wear comfortable waterproof shoes or boots as it can rain and eventually as you walk for hours around, if you’re not protected enough get all your feet wet (which is always quite annoying when it happens).
In winter there’s a chance of finding the famous ‘acqua alta’ (high tide), so remember to carry some rubber boots or fully waterproof boots with you! Or, you even get some while you are in Venice since many shops sell the disposable kind.
You can check the forecast in Venice by looking at the Centro Previsioni e Segnalazioni Maree website on the days leading up to your trip. Finally, don’t forget to carry some woollen gloves, a scarf and a hat for those most rigid winter days.
What to wear in Venice in Autumn?
Temperatures in Venice in autumn are fluctuating and range between 10 °C and 24 °C. In your luggage, you can put some warm cotton clothes, mid-season cardigans and jumpers.
As for the spring, get dressed in layers so you can easily take some clothes off and wear them back as the cold is felt. From October, high water returns in Venice, and that’s because of the tidal cycle of the Adriatic Sea.
Carry with you some rubber boots if high tide is expected for the days of your visit. Early autumn, temperatures are pleasant and for example, Venice in September is one of the best months to be around as there’s an average temperature of 21 °C.
You can still wear t-shirts and dresses like in the summer, but it might get a bit cooler so long trousers instead of shorts are better. Carry with you a jumper or cardigan and jacket for when it’s cooler in the morning and at night time.
As rainy days get more frequent, you can have your rain jacket (or jacket for the evenings) and a travel umbrella. From mid October and November, temperatures can drop below 10 °C, so warm cotton and woollen sweaters are must haves.
What to wear in Venice FAQs
Here are questions people ask when to comes to knowing what to wear in Venice:
What to wear in Venice?
Now you should have a better idea of what to wear in Venice for every season.
In this travel planning guide I have also included some information about temperatures too, so you know what to expect and how to get ready.
Late spring and late autumn are ideal season to explore but the city is beautiful all year round and by packing the right type of clothes and accessories, you can only have a fantastic time in this city.
If you are still curious about the weather and what time of the year to book your trip, why not read my guide on the best time to visit Venice for more precise information?
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