What to do rainy day Venice, and what not to do?
Hey travelers, welcome to this guide by Venice Insider Guide. If you find yourself in Venice with rain pouring down on the streets, don’t let it get you down: the city can turn bad weather into an opportunity to live unforgettable experiences.
Find out what not to do and what to do in Venice when it rains.
Rainy day in Venice, Italy
Many ask what to do in Venice on rainy days. The answer is: so many things.
Venice with rain becomes a more intimate version of itself. The crowds thin out, the reflections on the canals get bigger and the sounds get muffled.
It’s the perfect time to explore indoor spaces, museums, churches and corners that are often overlooked on sunny days.
The city works as usual even with heavy rain, except for some adjustments due to the famous high water.
In the next lines we will see:
- what to do in Venice on rainy days;
- what not to do when it rains in Venice.
What to do rainy day Venice
What to do in Venice when it rains is one of the most popular questions of the moment. Yes because in autumn and winter the Serenissima gets full of rain and sometimes even the so called "acqua alta".
But this doesn’t stop anyone since you can do so many things in Venice when it rains. Like cooking classes, main attractions and a stroll around the local bars.
See below what to do in Venice on rainy days.
1. Cooking class
Among the things to do in Venice on rainy days is definitely a Venetian cooking class.
A Venetian cooking class is a great choice. You’ll hide from the rain, learn to prepare local recipes like squid ink risotto, cicchetti or traditional desserts. It’s a fun way to discover the culinary culture of the Lagoon and bring some culinary secrets back home.
2. Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
Among the things to do in Venice on rainy days can’t miss the visit to the Doge’s Palace.
The Doge’s Palace is a great shelter from the rain. The monumental halls, the history of the Serenissima Republic, the Bridge of Sighs and the internal paths will make you lose track of time. An iconic place that always deserves a deep visit.
3. La Fenice
Visiting the Teatro La Fenice is definitely among the things to do in Venice on rainy days.
Teatro La Fenice is one of the most charming places in Venice. Even without attending an opera, you can explore the foyer, the royal box, the theatre hall and the decorated spaces. It’s a refined experience, perfect for a grey day.
4. Shopping
And among the other things to do in Venice on rainy days? Shopping!
Venice is a paradise of covered workshops: masks, marbled paper, artistic glass, fabrics, Venetian style jewels. Don’t forget the modern shops hosted in historic palaces. Take advantage of the rain to discover artisans and authentic productions.
5. Museum
A visit to the Museums is among the things to do in Venice on rainy days.The city offers an exceptional density of museums for rainy days. You can choose between ancient art, modern art, Venetian history, thematic collections or historic palaces. Each visit will shelter you while you delve into different aspects of the Lagoon culture.
6. Eat typical Venetian food
Even eating typical Venetian food is on the list of things to do in Venice on rainy days.
Bacari are perfect when it rains outside: cicchetti, fish balls, baccalà mantecato, sarde in saor and a glass of wine. You can also stop in traditional restaurants, historic enoteche or iconic cafes to taste hot and typical dishes. It’s one of the most pleasant ways to live Venice with the rain.
7. Visit churches
Visit churches? Don’t miss among the things to do in Venice on rainy days.
Venetian churches are art treasures perfect for a rainy day. The Frari Basilica, Santi Giovanni e Paolo, San Zaccaria, Santa Maria dei Miracoli… each one tells a piece of Venetian history. Entering these places is also a good way to enjoy the quiet and atmosphere.
8. Local markets
And then there are the local markets among the things to do in Venice when it rains.
The Rialto Market has covered areas where you can walk and observe the daily life of the Venetians. Between fish markets, fruit stalls and intense scents, you’ll find the real Venice. Other city markets also have sheltered areas worth visiting.
9. Visit Ca’ Pesaro
A museum often less crowded on rainy days. Here you’ll find a powerful collection of modern and oriental art in a Baroque palace overlooking the Grand Canal. Perfect for those who love quieter museum spaces.
10. Visit the Gallerie dell’Accademia
Galleria dell’Accademia is among the things to do in Venice on rainy days.
One of the most important collections of Venetian art, ideal to take shelter. The large and bright rooms make the visit pleasant even with heavy rain.
11. Wine tasting
Wine tasting is among the things to do in Venice on rainy days.
Many enoteche organize mini wine tastings of Venetian wines: Raboso, Refosco, Prosecco, Malvasia, Fragolino (the real one), all accompanied by local cheeses and cold cuts. A perfect ritual to warm up.
12. Hidden palaces tour
Among the things to do in Venice on rainy days is definitely stopping to do a tour of the hidden palaces.
Palaces like Ca’ Mocenigo (museum of perfume) or Palazzo Grimani offer elegant and less crowded historic spaces. Perfect to spend a couple of hours immersed in Venetian aristocratic history.
13. Hot tea in historic cafes
A hot tea or coffee is among the things to do in Venice on rainy days.
A rainy day is the perfect time to treat yourself to a hot tea or a dense coffee in a historic cafe. The 19th century salons are a journey back in time.
14. Craft workshops
Many workshops offer short and useful activities to do in Venice when it rains:
– blown glass techniques (observation and demonstrations)
– Venetian calligraphy
– artistic printing
– papier-mâché masks
It’s a way to live the city inside.
What not to do in Venice when it rains
Not all activities are perfect on a rainy day. Here’s what not to do in Venice on rainy days:
Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Don’t go to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection on rainy days.
Although it’s an amazing museum, it can be less comfortable on the busiest rainy days. If you want a more quiet experience, other museums have larger and quieter spaces.
Do not Go to Libreria Acqua Alta
Don’t go to Libreria Acqua Alta when it rains.
The famous bookstore is already peculiar on its own, with bookshelves, staircases and narrow rooms. With rain, the humidity increases and often also the number of visitors, making the visit less enjoyable.
St. Mark’s Bell Tower – you won’t see much of Venice when it rains
Among the things not to do in Venice on rainy days is definitely the St. Mark’s Bell Tower.
The view is one of the main reasons to climb the St. Mark’s Bell Tower. With rain, fog or low clouds, the view is very limited. Better to postpone the visit to a clearer day.
Avoid taking the vaporetto during peak hours
Avoid taking the vaporetto during peak hours when it rains in Venice.
When it rains, everyone seeks shelter and the vaporetti become very crowded. If you can, avoid the main lines in the morning and late afternoon.
Don’t walk with too big umbrellas
Tip? Don’t walk with too big umbrellas in Venice when it rains.
The streets are narrow and big umbrellas become improper weapons. Better a raincoat or a compact umbrella to not block the way.
Avoid the water bridges if not necessary
If the water level is not too high, don’t walk on the water bridges: they become slippery and crowded and often slow down the traffic.
Don’t visit Murano, Burano or Torcello on stormy days
The problem is not the rain, but the strong wind and the rough sea. The trips become long, cold and less enjoyable.
Don’t underestimate the acqua alta
With heavy rain, some areas can flood quickly. Avoid the lowest parts of the city when there are significant tides, like St. Mark’s and some areas of Dorsoduro.
Ideal itinerary in Venice when it rains
Start slow, indoors.
Take a coffee or a hot chocolate in a historic cafe. The rain makes the atmosphere velvety, perfect to watch the city waking up.
Then head to Palazzo Ducale. The internal paths are wide, rich of frescoes, monumental staircases and historic rooms. You can stay there for two hours without realizing.
If you prefer art, alternative perfect: Gallerie dell’Accademia.
Reach an artisan workshop for an indoor experience. You can choose:
- a glass blowing demonstration,
- a mini mask workshop,
- a marbled paper workshop.
They are quick but intense activities, ideal to stay dry without giving up on local culture. Now it’s time for cicchetti.
Choose a classic bacaro, order baccalà mantecato, a hot polpetta and a glass of wine. The rain outside makes you feel like you’re in a refuge.
If you prefer to sit, opt for a Venetian trattoria that serves fish dishes, risottos and steaming soups.
Give it to a museum or a covered palace:
- Ca’ Rezzonico for a journey into 18th century Venice,
- Ca’ Pesaro for modern and oriental art,
- Museo Correr if you want to delve into the history of the Serenissima.
Venetian museums are perfect on rainy days: quiet, suggestive, well-lit.
Take a break in a cafe or an enoteca for a Venetian wine tasting.
Try a Raboso, a Refosco or a good Prosecco with local cheeses. The rain outside beats the rhythm, you enjoy Venice slow.
If the weather is still dancing, go back to the warmth of culture with a visit to Teatro La Fenice, or check if there are evening concerts in churches or historic salons.
Alternatively, a slow dinner in an osteria with the smell of seafood risotto or seppie in umido will close the day perfectly.
Short itinerary in Venice on rainy days
For those who are passing by but want to enjoy Venice in the rain:
- Teatro La Fenice (45 minutes)
- Covered walk among shops and arcades
- Cicchetti and wine in bacaro
- Museo Correr or Ca’ Pesaro
- Hot coffee in a historic place
FAQ
What to do in Venice on a rainy day?
Museums, theaters, churches, covered markets, artisan shops and bacari are the perfect allies to live Venice at its best in the rain.
Do Venice gondolas run in the rain?
Yes, gondolas run even with light rain. With heavy rain or strong wind the service may be suspended. The experience can be amazing but be aware you might get a bit wet.
What happens when it rains a lot in Venice?
When it rains heavily, there can be acqua alta in some areas of the city. Passerelles are installed to help you move around. Most indoor places are open and working.
Conclusion
Hey travelers, Venice in the rain can be a surprising experience. Instead of slowing you down, the bad weather invites you to discover museums, shops, theaters, churches and traditional flavors in a more intimate atmosphere without the crowds.
With a bit of curiosity, every what to do rainy day Venice becomes an opportunity to live the Serenissima like a true insider.