Nestled in Italy's Veneto region, Venice is a beautiful gem perched on over 100 small islands, giving it a fairytale charm. Forget roads; here, canals and waterways are the real stars! Dubbed the "City of Bridges" and "The Floating City," Venice is renowned for its spellbinding architecture, rich history, and captivating artwork. It consistently tops lists of the world's most beautiful cities, drawing travelers worldwide.
October is prime time to experience Venice when the weather's pleasant, the crowds thin, and the energy infectious. So, if you're seeking an overdue magical escape, Venice awaits, with the promise of an unforgettable adventure filled with romance, culture, and endless wonders.
What makes Venice in October special?
- The city is less busy in October as the tourist season comes to an end. This is great because as a result of the lesser crowds, the small city of Venice doesn't feel too packed and you won't have to rush through any experience or activity. Don't worry though, despite the lesser crowds, the city feels lively enough for you to have a good time!
- Venice is a mesmerizing city, what with its arched canals and bridges, ancient architecture and the breezy, old school vibe that surrounds everything. To experience all this beauty, you need to explore the city on foot and the weather in October is perfect for that. Since it's neither too hot nor too cold, you can explore the city by taking leisurely strolls through its streets without worrying about the weather.
- Another reason why October is a great time to visit Venice is that you don't have to wait in the queue in front of any attraction or museum. Since October is considered shoulder season, you don't have to worry about massive crowds at popular attractions around the city. All the time you end up saving not standing in line can be instead used to better explore the city!
- If money is an important factor, as it should be, you'll be pleased to know that the city is cheaper in October than in other months, again due to lack of tourists. From hotels and transport to food, things are generally easier on the pocket.
Venice in October: Weather
The weather in Venice in October is mildly cooler than the previous months since autumn season is well underway. The average temperature is mild with neither intense heat not biting cold making an appearance. The city experiences mild humidity throughout the month with average precipitation of around 73.5 mm. The average high temperature is around 18°C while the average low temperature is close to 9.5°C. The mild weather allows for plenty of outdoor adventures since you don't have to worry about it being too hot or too cold.
Venice in October: Things to do
1
St. Mark’s Basilica
St. Mark's Basilica, originally named the Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark, is an 11th-Century cathedral which attracts massive crowds all year long. Featuring a majestic blend of Byzantine styles and Venetian art, St. Mark's Basilica makes for a spellbinding sight. Given its popularity, you can expect massive crowds at the cathedral and one way to avoid the waiting line is by opting for skip-the-line tickets.
Opening Hours
Open daily from 9:30 AM - 5 PM
Merceria Orologio, 30124 Venezia VE,
Italy
Getting There ›
Recommended St. Mark's Basilica Tickets
2
Doge’s Palace
The original place of residence of the Doge of Venice, the Doge's Palace is a remarkable art and history museum that warrants a visit! With a Byzantine-style facade and looming Gothic architecture, Doge's Palace allows you to get an insightful peek at Venice's glorious past with Renaissance paintings, sculptures and more available on display. Make your visit special by opting for a guided tour or save your precious time by getting skip-the-line tickets.
Opening Hours
Sunday to Thursday: 9 AM - 7 PM
Friday & Saturday: 9 AM - 11 PM
Piazza San Marco, 1, 30124 Venezia VE,
Italy
Getting There ›
Recommended Doge's Palace Tickets
3
Jewish Museum
Get a truly remarkable look at the life and times of Venetian Jews with a trip to the Jewish Museum. Established in 1953, the museum has a wide range of manuscripts, textiles ancient books, vessels, furnishings, and other objects used by Venetian Jews. These objects date back to the 16th and 19th centuries and offer an incredible look at the past of the Venetian Jews.
Opening Hours
Saturday to Thursday: 10 AM - 6 PM
Closed on Mondays
Friday 9 AM - 6 PM
Campo di Ghetto Nuovo, 2902/b, 30121 Venezia,
Italy
Getting There ›
4
Gondola Venice
No trip to Venice is complete without a ride on the iconic Gondola boats that flock the city. A Gondola tour is a great way to explore Venice on water with strategic stops at places where you can admire the beautiful architecture. There are many options you can opt for, including a guided tour or a tour where a local musician serenades you during the cruise!
Hours
Throughout the day, timings differ based on the chosen tour.
30100 Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice,
Italy
Getting There ›
Recommended Venice Gondola Experiences
5
Teatro La Fenice
A theatre so beautiful and majestic that there are tours centered on it, the Teatro La Fenice is a must-visit when in Venice. The theatre, also called the Phoenix, is one of Venice's most famous opera houses and hosts some of the most famous opera singers in the world. Explore the theatre at your own pace with guided audio commentary and learn more about the building's creation and architecture.
Piazza San Marco, 1965
30124 Venezia VE
Italy
Getting There ›
Recommended Teatro La Fenice Experiences
6
Rialto Market Food Tour
One of the oldest, still functional fresh produce markets in Venice, Rialto is a must-visit for tourists. The market has been functioning the same way as it did years back and offers visitors a peak into simpler, uncomplicated times. Your tour will include an insightful walk around the market with a local food expert while you sample local delicacies. A Gondola ride is also a part of the experience!
Central fountain of Campo San Giacomo di Rialto, Venezia
Italy
Getting There ›
7
Leonardo da Vinci Museum
Leonardo DaVinci is arguably one of the most renowned artists in the world and often considered the mind behind the Renaissance. Discover his incredible work at the Leonardo DaVinci Museum which is themed around the elements of water, fire, air, and earth. To make your experience even more remarkable there's a virtual reality exhibition available as well where you learn about the creative genius in greater detail.
October Timings
Open daily from 10 AM – 6.45 PM
Scoletta – Complesso Monumentale, Campo San Rocco, 3052, 30125 Venezia VE,
Italy
Getting There ›
8
Venice Craftsmenship Tour
While most people associate Venice with canals, waterways, and beautiful architecture, the city has a thriving handicrafts market run by highly skilled craftsmen. Learn more about this hidden facet of the city with a specially curated craftsmanship tour. Discover the art behind the famous Venetian carnival masks, leather book bindings, marbelized paper, and gold and silver jewellery.
Vittorio Emanuele II Monument, Venice
Italy
Getting There ›
Venice in October: Events to look out for
Venice Marathon
October 22, 2023
If you're a running enthusiast, there's no better time than October to visit Venice. What started as a simple race in 1986 has become an annual tradition over time and is now one of the biggest marathons in the world. The marathon happens on the fourth Sunday of October and starts and ends at Saint Mark's Square. The marathon is a great way to discover the beauty and aura of Venice on foot.
Shows at Teatro La Fenice
October 1-31, 2023
Teatro La Fenice is one of the finest opera houses in Italy and even if you're not a fan of the art form, a visit to the opera house is definitely recommended. Attending an opera show at Teatro La Fenice is often considered a must-do in Venice and you'll come out feeling enriched after the experience. Remember to dress appropriately though, since this is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
Venice Art Biennale
May 20 - November 26, 2023
One of the most prestigious showcases of art in the world, the Venice Art Biennale brings together artists from around the world for a vibrant celebration of art. Various venues around the city are used to organise different events for the Biennale with separate festivals for each art form. Over half a million art enthusiasts attend the Venice Art Biennale and the 2023 edition will be in full swing in October.
Venice in October: Itineraries
Check out our Venice trip planners to plan your trip like a pro! For More Venice Itineraries:
3 days in Venice
1
Venice in October: Essentials
LanguageItalian
Time zoneGMT+2
Country Code+39
Socket Type C, F and L
CurrencyEuro (€)
Venice accommodation in October
Venice is one of the most popular cities in the world and attracts millions of visitors annually. While the city is small, there are still plenty of accommodation options available for travelers of different budget types. Here's our top picks of accommodation for different budgets:
- Luxury – Luna Hotel Baglioni, The Gritti Palace, Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel
- Mid-range – Hotel Campiello, Hotel Canal Grande, Arlecchino Hotel
- Budget – Hotel Martello, Generator Venice, Hotel Agli Artisti
What to pack for Venice in October?
Considering the generally moderate weather in Venice in October, you'll have to pack of clothes suited for both summer and winter season. Pack t-shirts, tops, shirts, jeans, pants for the days and bring a light jacket or sweater along for the night. While it doesn't rain as much in October, we would still recommend bringing an umbrella or raincoat for the trip to avoid a random shower. Also, pack good quality walking shoes since you'll be indulging in a good amount of walking within Venice.
Getting around Venice in October
Venice is a mostly pedestrian city and given its unique structure, don't expect any cars or other motorized vehicles on the island. Your options of getting around the city are either walking or utilising the city's well developed water transport system. You can opt for ACTV's ferry service Vaporettos to get around the city. These ferry boats are the cheapest mode of transport in Venice and operate on three lines that cover most of the important stops. When you reach the Marco Polo Airport, we would recommend using a water taxi to get to the city since that is the cheapest and most efficient option.
Venice in October: Seasonal delicacies
A dish made of stockfish, Baccala Mantecato is one of the most important traditional dishes in Venice. Stockfish is paired with salt, pepper, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and cooked until it achieves a creamy consistency.
Where to order: Poste Vecie
A dish made from sardines, onions, and balsamic vinegar, Sarde in Saor is a traditional antipasto. Although the dish is quite strong in flavor, it's sweetened by pine nuts, red wine and raisins.
Where to order: Paradiso Percuto
Risi e Bisi is a fairly simple dish prepared with rice and peas. More interesting than the dish itself is the story of its origin. Eaten specifically on St. Mark's Day, Risi e Bisi was promoted by the Doge of Venice himself!
Where to order: Dalla Marisa
Next on the list of must-try dishes in Venice is Polenta e Schie. Schie is a type of shrimp only available in the Venetian lagoon and is not quite cheap given the scarcity of schie. The shrimp is cooked and seasoned in lemon, salt, pepper, and garlic and served over polenta.
Where to order: Osteria Ai 40 Ladroni
End your tour of traditional Venetian food on a sweet note with Buranelli. A type of sweet Venetian biscuit, Buranelli was originally quite popular amongst seamen and is presently available in fun shapes, including the letter S, which makes it easier to dunk in mulled wine and coffee!
Where to order: Pasticceria Tonolo
Venice in October: Visiting tips
- You'll be walking around a lot in Venice and that's a great thing given how beautiful the city is. But while Venice is not a very big city, and you can pretty much walk from one end to the other, it can get pretty confusing if you're on your own and don't know the language. To avoid getting lost in the many narrow lanes and bridges that connect the city, either get a guide to accompany you or use maps to get around. Also, make a note of how the address is used since it's not the same as other cities.
- Venice doesn't allow cars which means you'll never be dropped right in front of your hotel. Your water taxi will drop you at a point and you'll have to carry your luggage across for at least a street or a bridge. To avoid any inconvenience, carry as little luggage as possible. Since you're visiting in October, you'll need a light jacket or sweater, but try and bring as little alternative clothes as possible.
- Venice is noticeably emptier in October as compared to the peak tourist months of June to September. Make good use of this quiet and peace and explore the glorious city at your own pace. Spend hours at the museums in Venice and art galleries without being pushed around by a crowd, visit the quaint streetside cafes without having to wait and have a generally amazing time.
- When using Venice's iconic water taxi, there are certain things you need to be aware of. For starters, get on the taxi as soon as possible because the meter starts running immediately. Also, if your hotel is located on a small canal, you'll be charged a "difficulty fee" since there's a possibility of the boat getting stuck. Book your hotel accordingly.
Explore Venice through the year
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