Looking for the best things to do in Venice in winter?
If you want to know what to do in Venice in winter, you’ve come to the right place. We listed some of the best things to do in winter in Venice, Italy, that will make your stay worthwhile.
But why should you visit Venice in winter?
Because there is less tourism in this fabulous city during this season, allowing you to enjoy the Venetian capital without the crazy crowds – and at a lower cost.
December is extraordinary because Venice is decked out in Christmas decorations and bustling with Christmas markets. The quietest month is January. Come February or sometimes March, Venice comes alive with the Carnivale.
Late winter is the best time to visit Venice. There’s nothing better than a sunny winter day in this city!
Winter in Venice is mild, with plenty of sunshine and few tourists in February and March.
Winter travel has challenges, but visiting Venice in the winter is well worth it.
We’ve listed the some of the top things to do in Venice in winter, with some of their brief history and attractions.
15 Best Things To Do in Venice in Winter
Here are the best winter activities in Venice, Italy.
1. Climb the Campanile di San Marco (St. Mark’s Bell Tower)
This 99-meter-tall bell tower is the tallest building in Venice. From the top, you can see all of the Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) and the rest of the city. Climbing the bell tower is a challenge and one of the best activities Venice in winter.
What’s the catch? There are no stairs to climb. But here’s a guide on how to climb the Campanile.
The first campanile fell in 1902, and the red brick tower was rebuilt with an elevator in the 20th century. Take note that St. Marc’s Bell Tower is closed when the weather is terrible.
2. Visit the St. Mark’s Basilica
On the site of two other churches, this Byzantine-style basilica dedicated to the city’s patron, Saint Mark, was completed in 1094. It is now an absolute must-see when visiting Venice.
From the outside, you can admire the numerous archways carved with intricate details that resemble lace. The round domes, columns, and blue accents pay homage to the building’s eastern influence.
The basilica’s interior is famous for its golden Byzantine mosaics and high altar Pala d’Oro.
As one of Venice’s most popular attractions, the line to enter the basilica can be pretty long, even in winter. Make sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time.
3. Cross the Bridge of Sighs
You’ll cross the Bridge of Sighs if you visit the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale). This Baroque-style bridge was built in the 1700s to access prisons.
Prisoners would sigh at their lost freedom as they caught a last glimpse of the outside world through the bridge windows. This melancholy gave the bridge’s name.
The bridge is best seen from Ponte della Paglia, Doge’s Palace, or the porticoes of the Prisons’ Palace. The view of a gondola before passing underneath this bridge is simply unbeatable.
After crossing the Bridge of Sighs, explore the Dungeons. You’ll see how cold and unwelcoming the cells were.
4. Visit the Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace is a Venetian architectural masterpiece and landmark. This palace was once the residence of the Doge of Venice (supreme ruler of the former Republic of Venice) and the seat of the Venetian government.
The palace, which blends Byzantine, Gothic, and Renaissance styles, was damaged in the fires of 1172 and 1178.
Its façade from Piazza San Marco is stunning, but stepping inside the Doge’s Palace will amaze you. This is one of the most popular Venice attractions, so expect long lines and book in advance.
The tour begins in the Courtyard and Loggias before ascending the Scala d’Oro, an intricate staircase corridor with golden arched ceilings. Doge’s Apartments, Institutional Chambers, High Council Hall, and the Armory are on the upper floors.
5. Get lost in historical corners of La Fenice Theatre
Teatro La Fenice, or Phoenix Theatre, is a landmark in both Italian and opera history. It burned twice and reopened in 1996, hence the name “Phoenix” rising up from the ashes.
The theater may look small from the outside, but inside it’s grand. The theater has golden detailing, frescoes, red velvet, and oversized chandeliers.
You can visit La Fenice during the day to admire its beauty or at night for an evening performance.
6. Reach the top of Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
This small palace is frequently overlooked and ignored in most Venice itineraries, which is a travesty.
The outside spiral staircase and beautiful white arches give this building a unique look.
The palace is the setting for many stories and legends. Still, my favorite feature is the breathtaking view from the top of the staircase.
Join this walking tour to discover Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo and other hidden gems.
7. Indulge in books and cats at Libreria Acqua Alta
Acqua Alta is the cutest bookstore we’ve ever seen. Wall-to-wall and ceiling-high book stacks. As a bookworm and cat person, visiting Liberia Acqua Alta is the ultimate best thing to do in Venice in winter!
However, the store is almost level with the canal (a fire escape), so it floods frequently. Books are stored in bathtubs, waterproof bins, and a full-size gondola.
Cats are our favorite part of the Instagrammable book staircase. Stray cats have found shelter from rising tides on top of the book stacks.
8. D.I.Y your Venetian mask
As you walk down Venice’s charming streets, you’ll see plenty of shops selling beautifully decorated Venetian masks. But why not design your own? That is going to be truly one of a kind!
You can take either a production or a decoration class – or you can take both! An expert artisan will guide you through creating your papier-mâché mask, and you’ll get to paint and decorate it in the decoration class.
9. Catch the Carnevale di Venezia
The incredible event called the Carnevale di Venezia (Venice Carnival) is one of the must-see attractions in Venice in winter. It lasts 10 days before Ash Wednesday. The exact dates change from year to year.
On the first Sunday of the Carnevale, an acrobat leaps from the San Marco Bell Tower and ziplines down the street to Saint Mark’s Square.
Parades, balls, competitions, and historical traditions fill the carnival. During the Carnevale, Venice is dressed in 17th-century costumes.
If you visit during the carnival, be prepared for crowds and book your accommodations and tickets in advance.
10. Admire the view from T Fondaco de’ Tedeschi rooftop
T Fondaco dei Tedeschi is a 500-year-old palace near the Rialto Bridge. It was once a warehouse and is now a luxury shopping mall with a rich history.
Some come for the shopping, others for the beautiful architecture, and still others for the history. However, the sweeping views from its rooftop terrace are its most appealing feature.
The T Fondaco de’ Tedeschi rooftop is free to visit and offers panoramic views of the Canal Grande and Venice’s red roofs. You simply need to schedule your visit ahead of time.
11. Shop at a Christmas market in Venice
Spending Christmas in Venice won’t be exceptional if you skip shopping at Campo Santo Stefano. It is transformed into a Christmas fairy tale for the majority of December, with a beautiful backdrop of decorated Venetian palaces accompanied by Christmas music and live performances.
The market is filled with small wooden cabins where artisans sell their wares. You can buy Murano glass ornaments and decorations, classic carnival masks, jewelry, ceramics, and other traditional Venetian crafts here.
If you want to give gifts that can be eaten, you can choose from traditional cakes and sweets, refined olive oils, specialty wines, and other gourmet products made in the area.
12. Be inspired at one of Venice’s museums and galleries
With its wonderful architecture and rich history, Venice can feel like a living museum. The city is also home to some fantastic and internationally renowned museums and galleries. Here are some of the best you should visit when in Venice:
Marciana National Library is one of Europe’s most prestigious historical libraries. Veronese, Titian, and Tintoretto decorated its main hall.
Museo Correr is Venice’s most famous museum, dedicated to Venetian culture, history, and art. The Museo Correr admission ticket is also acceptable for Marciana National Library and the National Archaeological Museum.
Ca’ Rezzonico, one of Venice’s most intriguing palaces, houses the Museo del Settecento Veneziano (Museum of Eighteenth-Century Venice).
Ca’ Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art houses an extensive collection of 19th- and 20th-century works of art, including masterpieces by artists such as Klimt, Chagall, Kandinsky, Klee, and Moore.
Museo Correr is Venice’s most famous museum, dedicated to Venetian culture, history, and art. Admission tickets to Museo Correr are also acceptable for Marciana National Library and the National Archaeological Museum.
Museo Storico Navale di Venezia is dedicated to the maritime history of Venice. This naval history museum displays many ships and weapons.
Salvador Dali, Georges Braque, Robert Delaunay, Piet Mondrian, and Francis Picabia are among the artists represented in the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Tintoretto decorated the walls and ceilings of Scuola Grande di San Rocco, which took 24 years to complete.
13. Tour Burano and Murano Islands
The Venetian islands are among the best islands you should visit in Italy. Touring the islands of Murano and Burano are one of the best activities in Venice in winter. Both islands are incredibly colorful and beautiful, so there should be no skipping either.
Burano is known for its colorful and bright houses and lace work. In contrast, Murano is known for its colorful glasswork, so visiting a glass factory is a must.
If you’re feeling crafty, take the glassworking class and make your own Murano glass souvenir. It is definitely one of the best activities in Venice in winter.
14. Enjoy the famous Bellini cocktail at Harry’s Bar
The famous Bellini cocktail was invented in 1948 by head bartender Giuseppe Cipriani Senior at Harry’s Bar.
One of the best places to visit in Venice in winter, Harry’s Bar during the postwar era was frequented by celebrities such as Peggy Guggenheim, Katherine Hepburn, Ernest Hemingway, and Charlie Chaplin.
This delicious cocktail is made with two parts Prosecco, one part white peach purée, and a dash of raspberry or cherry juice. However, the secret to a perfect Bellini is the peach, which is in season during the summer rather than the winter. It’s still delightful when taken in the cold winter.
15. Enjoy New Year’s Eve fireworks in St. Mark’s Square
Of course, you can’t miss the main event for New Year’s Eve, which is held in the Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square). During this time, a large stage is set up in the piazza and you can enjoy live music and performances.
Watching fireworks on a New Year’s Day is one of the top things to do in Venice in winter. After dinner on New Year’s Eve, residents and tourists visit the iconic piazza to watch the fireworks display.
The Venetian capital is one of best Italian cities to visit during the cold season. If you’re looking for places to stay in Venice in winter, click HERE for the best options!