Venice is a scenic and picturesque city in Italy and if you planning on a trip to Venice in winter, you need to plan accordingly with what to wear in Venice in winter. It is a hub of culture, art, and architecture, and it attracts over fifty thousand tourists daily.
This European city is breathtakingly beautiful, and it is especially magical in Winter. You won’t regret going on a winter trip to Venice, as there’s so much to see and do. Below I will share tips on what to expect in terms of Venice winter weather temperatures, what to pack by way of a packing list for Venice in winter and how to fully prepared for your winter trip.
Also referred to as the City of Canals, Venice has a lot to offer you in the winter months (which lasts from December to February, although it might also extend to November and March). There are fewer crowds, and the prices aren’t as high as they would be in other months. It’s a really romantic location, even during winter as these Venice pictures clearly illustrate.
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Winter Weather In Venice
It’s rainy and very cold in Venice during the winter months. It does snow Venice, usually in January and February, so keep this in mind if you’ll be visiting during those months. The snow isn’t that heavy, as it doesn’t get higher than 2 inches. In the absence of snow, Venice experiences a lot of windiness and dampness.
Venice is one of the cities that observes Daylight Savings Time (DST), so the sunsets really early in winter, sometimes as early as 4.30pm. Don’t fret, because the city is gorgeous at night and this gives you even more time to explore nighttime attractions and participate in amazing activities that Venice has for you at night.
Weather in Venice can be super cold but with the proper clothes in your Venice winter wardrobe, you’ll have little cause to worry about the cold and winter weather. Average winter temperatures in Venice range from 3ºC to 5ºC.
How Do Venetian Women Dress?
Venetian style is revered and opulent. Fashion in Venice is no joke, regardless of the season. Seeing as Italy is one of the powerhouses of fashion in the world, women in Italy still keep it stylish even during winter months.
Adapting the Venetian style is a great way to blend in with local fashion as well as incorporate local and national fashion designers. Fashion in Venice, just like the rest of Italy, is tailored, fitted, and structured.
Italians, and by extension Venetian women, absolutely love layering when it’s winter. They layer with such grace and style that bring the entire outfit together. Venetian style is chic and sophisticated.
The women in Venice dress in neutral colors, wear jeans (or preferably colored pants), trenches and knee-length winter coats, sunglasses, suede winter boots, and they love to pile on the accessories. Their style described in three words – dark, fitted, and classic.
What to Wear in Venice
Pack items that are versatile, stylish, and functional. A stylish but rugged winter coat is a must-have when it comes to packing for a winter trip to Venice.
A well-tailored knee-length coat is perfect for nighttime wear, and a peacoat with some room for extra layering beneath it is great for daytime wear.
Stick to pants/jeans that are thick and in the absence of that, pack some thermal leggings to wear beneath your pants and skirts. I also advise buying thermal underwear because you can never be too protected from the cold.
Venice Packing List
Footwear- comfortable walking boots: One of the items I mentioned when talking about Venetian style is a pair of suede winter boots.
Venice is a beautiful city with lots of scenic attractions, and you’ll most likely walk a lot while sightseeing. Be kind to your feet by packing and wearing the most comfortable shoes.
When it comes to what shoes to wear in Venice, bear in mind the dampness, rain and chance of snow be sure to pack shoes for Venice that can cope with the weather like these Madison boots or these Sketchers boots.
Stylish tops and blouses: While in Venice, your tops/shirts/blouses will serve as the visible base layer for your outfits, and you have to make sure they are classy and fashionable enough to fit into Venetian style. Solid-color button-downs are great.
Thermal underwear: If you’ll be sticking with tops that are more stylish than functional (in terms of protection from the cold), thermal underwear should be at the top of your packing list so you’ll stay as warm as possible. Make sure you add these fleece-lined leggings to your Venice packing list for winter.
Winter coats: Monochromatic, minimalistic, and stylish winter coats are the order of the day in Venice, so be sure to pack two to four coats depending on the length of your stay.
Accessories: Accessorizing is a major part of Venetian style, and you should wear them while out and about in Venice, for a number of reasons.
Accessories like sunglasses, hats, gloves,and scarves offer you protection from the cold and the sun, and other accessories like bags and jewelry improve your style.
Other Items to Pack For Venice
Of course, to have a great and enjoyable vacation, you have to pack everything important so you don’t have to spend extra money at your destination.
You should also pack some items for capturing important moments, in case of emergencies, and so you don’t get turned back at the airport. These items include:
- Your electronics, their chargers, and an adapter;
- Cameras and a tripod if you plan to record a lot on your trip;
- Your medications and other items important to whatever health conditions you might have (for instance, an inhaler if you’re asthmatic);
- Your toiletries;
- Makeup;
- Passport and other important travel documents; and
- Licences and other permits you might need in Venice.
Styling Tips for Winter in Venice
Now that you know what to pack and wear, here’s a guide on how best to style them to look like a bona-fide Venetian fashionista:
- Try as much as you can to avoid dressing too casually.
- Be as glamorous and stylish as you can.
- Dress conservatively to religious sites.
- Accessorize generously.
- Ditch the backpack.
What to Wear in December
December is, most years, the first month of winter in Venice. It is one of the coldest months and as a result, the streets are not as crowded as usual.
There are about 3-4 hours of daylight in December and about 50 millimeters of rain. The average temperature is hardly ever higher than seven degrees (Celsius). Here’s what to wear in Venice in December:
- Thermal layers
- Fleece leggings
- Winter coats/jackets
- Sweaters/cardigans
- Waterproof boots
- A stylish handbag
- Gloves, hats, and scarves
New Year’s Eve, Saint Stephen’s Day, Christmas Day, Campo Santo Stefano Christmas Market, and Hanukkah are some of the holidays that are observed in Venice in December, so there will be a festive aura in the air.
What to Wear in January
January is a great time to visit Venice, if the cold is not too much of a bother. With the right layering skills, you’ll be good to go.
- Dark and heavyweight jackets and winter coats
- Dark denim trousers
- Insulated/thermal items
- Beanies, gloves, and eyewear.
What to Wear in February
In February, the average temperature ranges between minus four to minus five degrees (Celcius). February is a lively month in Venice, and it is relatively inexpensive.
February weather is damp and really cold. Be sure to pack thick winter jackets, warm sweaters, tons of scarves, thick gloves, and be ready to layer on the clothes.
While November might not be winter, the advice for what to wear in Venice in November is pretty much the same. Also, keep in mind that it rains a lot more in November with the risk of Acqua alta – the high waters thatt floods Venice.
So, have you been to Venice in the winter? What was your experience and more importantly clothing for Venice, what else did you pack? If you are visiting Venice in winter for the first time, feel free to post questions below if you need additional info.
Also See
- What To Pack For Paris In Winter
- What To Wear In Florence In Winter
- Winter Packing List For Stockholm
- How To Get To Venice From Verona
- How To Plan A Trip To Italy
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