How To Spend An Enchanting Winter in Venice Italy

Visiting Venice in December? Get into the holiday spirit by viewing the city’s annual Christmas Tree in Piazza San Marco. Luckily, this sight’s location next to Doge’s Palace and near the entrance of St. Mark’s Basilica make it a difficult to miss and stunning attraction.

Cost: Free*

In the heart of winter, a concert at Teatro La Fenice is nothing short of enchanting! The historic theater, originally built in the 1790s and then twice reconstructed in 1836 and again 1996 following two fires, is full of its lavish interiors.

On cold winter nights, it becomes a haven for music enthusiasts seeking to escape the chill and enjoy a regal night amongst soul-stirring melodies and elegant surroundings.

Cost: Varies by Show and Seating Choice.*

Venice’s Campo Santo Stefano transforms into a festive Christmas Village for three weeks leading up to December 24th, making it a perfect place to visit for anyone traveling to the city in early winter. The square is adorned with around 30 wooden cabins displaying a variety of crafts and foods, a charming sight to see against the square’s grand Venetian palace backdrop.

This particular market showcases Murano glass Christmas ornaments, traditional carnival masks and other Veneto local specialties. Explore booths filled with almond-studded nougat, fruit-filled panetone from Verona, specialty pastas, tiny biscotti, dried porcini mushrooms, candied chestnuts, and delicacies featuring precious, in-season white truffles from Alba.

Cost: Free To Enter. Prices for Goods + Foods Vary.*

With its labyrinthine waterways and winding alleys, Venice is one of those cities that’s absolutely magical to get lost in. Each meandering canal and cobblestone path unveils a new set of architectural wonders and secret corners just waiting to be discovered.

Now add to that the glimmer of festive tinsel along shop windows and the twinkling of Christmas lights overhead. Not only will you discover The Floating City’s hidden gems, but you’ll also find yourself wandering into a world of holiday enchantment.

Cost: Free

In the midst of Venice’s winter, a unique and enchanting phenomenon graces the city—acqua alta, where high tides from the canals flood the Floating City’s narrow streets.

While it can be a hinderance – especially during more intense spells, acqua alta can also act as a playful nudge to be in the present moment. During the holidays in particular, the high-tide’s reflections of festive lights within Piazza San Marco take on a poignant beauty, embodying the resilience of a city that has learned to harmonize with the ebb and flow of its aquatic surroundings.

Cost: Free

Aperitivo is a beloved Italian tradition where you enjoy a drink and a light meal at the end of the workday – or after a long day of adventuring! – and before dinner.

And there’s truly nothing better than popping out of the cold winter air and into a cozy, warm Venetian wine or cicchetti bar. Warm your belly with a glass of red wine, cheeses, cured meats and more. Aperitivo selections vary greatly so don’t be afraid to shop around before settling into a bar that works for your tastes.

Cost: Varies By Shop and Available Offerings, but generally, prices are around €10 per item*

Being the off-season, Winter in Venice is the time to enjoy Venice’s most popular attractions like Doge’s Palace without the crowds. During my own winter visit, I had Doge’s Palace all to myself for a good 30 minutes by showing up right at opening on a weekday! If you want to experience the architecture and sights in a way that only Venetian royalty and nobility have, the winter months are undoubtedly the best time to do so.

General Admission: €30*, but save €5 by booking their ticket at least 30 days prior to visiting* (Combined with Museo Correr)**

Seniors/Students/Children Discount?: Yes

As a major city in a country renown for its master painters and sculptors, it should come as no surprise that Venice is home to some amazing art museums. And during the city’s coldest months of the year, its the easiest time to pry your eyes away from the beautiful canals outside and toward the wondrous works within.

For modern art fans, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection showcases works accumulated by Peggy Guggenheim, the avid art collector and American heiress who lived in Venice for three decades. Stroll through the heiress’s old dining room, study and salons to admire work that spans from cubism to abstract expressionism. Likewise, Ca’ Pesaro is another modern art museum in Venice. Housed in a former baroque palace, the museum has works from Gustav Klimt and Auguste Rodin.

For more historic pieces, the Gallerie dell’Accademia is a museum focusing on 13th – 17th century Venetian painters like Titian, Canaletto, and Bosch. Similarly, Museo Correr is focusing on art and artifacts from throughout Venice’s long history. With multiple works from Carpaccio and Bellini, there’s plenty of masterful pieces to see in this former royal-palace-turned-museum.

General Admission Costs:

• Peggy Guggenheim Collection: €16*
• Ca’ Pesaro: €14*
• Gallerie dell’Accademia: €15*
• Museo Correr: €30*, but save €5 by booking their ticket at least 30 days prior to visiting* (Combined with Doge’s Palace)

Buying tickets/timed reservation online in advance is highly recommended.

Senior, Student and/or Children Discounts may be available and vary per museum. Check each website for information before booking.

On a wintery day in Venice, a visit along the ferry to the vibrant island of Burano promises a burst of color amid the usually pale winter landscape. Originally painted to help the island’s fisherman navigate home through dense fog, the charming, pastel-hued houses lining the canals create a picturesque scene that stands out even under a grayest sky. And after getting lost in the rainbow of colors throughout Burano, take refuge in the warmth of the island’s local trattorias or the Burano Lace Museum.

One ferry, or vaporetto, line runs from Venice to the island Burano: the 12. From Venice’s Fondamente Nove station, the journey along the 12 stops at Murano, Mazzorbo, Torcello, Burano and Treporti. Time tables can be found on Venice’s ACTV website.

Two-Way Ferry Ticket Cost: €15*

Travelers who are also interested in exploring the islands of Murano and Torcello can purchase a Line 12 day pass for €20*.

Burano Lace Museum General Admission: €5*

Discounts for Seniors, Students and Children Available.

Step inside and away from the rain at Libreria Acqua Alta, a snug and quirky bookstore selling both new and used books. The wares here are adorably tucked inside bathtubs and gondolas, while one patio out back includes a photogenic staircase made up of old, damaged books that leads to a beautiful view of the neighboring canal.

If you’re lucky, you may even spot one of the bookstore’s resident cats who like to lounge around various places inside the shop.

Cost: Free To Enter. Prices for Books Vary.*

Address: C. Longa Santa Maria Formosa, 5176b, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

Exploring Venice in late winter? While the Christmas decorations have come and gone, city’s annual Carnival festival is in full swing from late January to mid February. Originating in 1162 to celebrate a Venice military victory, the Carnival now famous for its pre-Lenten festivities and for its patrons’ elaborate costumes and masks. To take part, visit a mask-maker and costume store (Ca’ Del Sol is fantastic!) and then enjoy the events throughout the city.

Cost: Varies by Event and Show as well as by Masks an Costumes purchased*

A full list of events can be found on the Venice Carnival website leading up to the dates of the festivities.