Venice Weather in March

March weather on the canals

March feels cool and changeable in Venice. Days reach 13°C, but evenings can feel chilly, especially beside the water. Rain comes on about eight days, so you may get a grey spell between brighter hours.

It's a good month for wandering San Marco, ducking into the Doge's Palace and warming up in a bacaro, a small bar serving snacks. The covered arcades around Piazza San Marco help when showers pass. Long, exposed walks along the Lido are less appealing on a cold, windy day.

Events and crowds

March 8 is International Women's Day, when mimosa flowers are a familiar sight in Italy. Easter sometimes falls in March, bringing church services and more visitors; its date changes each year. Carnival can also run into March, but most years its main celebrations happen in February.

If you hate crowds, March is generally calmer than Venice's busy summer and early autumn, though San Marco and Rialto still draw visitors. It's spring shoulder season, so you'll usually find fewer people and lower accommodation prices than in the June-to-October high season. Don't expect the city to feel empty.

Make the most of your visit

With around five hours of sun a day, March suits a mix of outdoor walks and indoor sights. Take the vaporetto along the Grand Canal, then explore Dorsoduro's museums or the quieter lanes around Cannaregio. If rain sets in, spend more time inside the Doge's Palace rather than committing to a long walk between sights.

Travelling with kids? Keep a vaporetto ride in reserve for tired legs.

For a useful local stop, visit the Rialto Market in the morning, then warm up nearby with cicchetti and a small glass of wine. Check the market's opening days before you go; it isn't a daily attraction.