Venice in October: weather and travel tips

Thinking of taking a trip to Venice in October? Read this Rough Guide to visiting Venice in October, with weather and travel tips to help you wise up, and enhance your experience. From what to expect of the weather in Venice in October, to what to pack, we’ve got you covered. As a bonus, we also share itinerary suggestions that’ll make your trip all the more rewarding — guaranteed!

Is October a good time to visit Venice?

In a word: yes, if you're OK with some rain (more on that later). While Venice doesn’t have a low season as such — the city attracts tonnes of visitors year-round — October does see fewer tourists than in the spring and summer months.  

What’s more, beyond the top tourist magnets of San Marco, it is possible to have some parts of the city to yourself (almost) in October. Also, fewer crowds mean you’ll have more choice when it comes to bagging the best places to stay for your budget. 

In addition, while temperatures soar during the peak summer months of July and August, October brings fresher vibes — all the better for strolling the city sans sweat! 

Thinking of visiting Venice in October? Browse our inspirational Italy itineraries to start planning your dream trip.

Air and sea temperatures in Venice in October 

We’re not gonna lie. When it comes to the weather in Venice in October, autumn is well underway. This means much cooler temperatures than you might enjoy if you visit Venice in September, for example.

That said, the weather in Venice in October is still agreeably mild. Temperatures remain in the high teens through the day. We’re talking an average of 18°C.

Come the evening, though, expect temperatures to drop to around 9°C.

In good news if you fancy swimming, the average sea temperature in Venice in October is a mild 20°C. 

Want more detail? Read up on the weather in Italy in October, and when to go to Italy.

Does it rain in Venice in October?

Put simply: yes! In actual fact, October is one of the rainiest months in Venice. In October, the city sees an average 63mm of rainfall.  

For context, February, the driest month, see an average of 22mm, while September averages 82mm. 

But don’t let that put you off. You’ll still get to enjoy up to 11 hours of sunshine each day. And, with such a richness of galleries and museums to explore, you certainly won’t be short of things to see and do when the rain does tumble down.  

Set on taking a trip in October? Discover more of the best places to visit in October.  

What to wear in Venice in October

Bearing in mind the chance of rain, when visiting Venice in October you’ll want to come armed with a raincoat and umbrella.  

Add to that the drop in evening temperatures and you’ll also want warm layers — think cardigans, light pull-overs and jackets, and a scarf to keep out the evening chill. That way, you can still indulge in romantic, al fresco, canal-side dining. 

Given that you’ll enjoy warm days in the high teens when visiting Venice in October, you should also pack light clothing of the kind you usually wear through the summer months – sun dresses, shorts, and t-shirts. The key is to come armed with layers, and don’t forget that raincoat!

Unforgettable, fully customisable Venice itineraries  

Looking for an unforgettably immersive experience of Venice? Many of our customisable Italy itineraries include this endlessly enchanting city. As with all Rough Guides trips, they can be 100% tailored to your needs, in conjunction with a local Italy travel expert who knows the City of Canals inside out.

• Romantic Venice: dreaming of magical weekend getaway in the most romantic of cities? Our Romantic Venice trip is on hand to help you realise that fantasy! Including a gondola ride, and an immersive walking tour that provides unique insights into Venice’s history, art and architecture, this trip also includes free time to explore this labyrinthine city with your loved one. 
• Treasures of Italy: Venice, Florence and Rome: to experience some of Italy’s top attractions in around a week, take a look at our Treasures of Italy trip. Focussing on three top Italian cities, it can be customised to allow you to split your time between Venice, Florence and Rome exactly as you wish.
• Grand Tour of Northern Italy: if you’re looking for a 2-week trip to tick a whole lot of Italy’s best boxes, you might just fall for our Grand Tour of Northern Italy. From Venice’s vibrant canals, to Milan’s medieval heritage and modern boutiques, and Florence’s Renaissance grandeur, this allows to you experience the best of Northern Italy in style.

What to do in Venice in October 

While you won’t be short of things to do and see in Venice at any time of the year, a couple of special events might be of interest to travellers thinking of visiting in October.  

Feast of the Wort of Saint Erasmus

A 30-minute vaporetta ride from Venice, the island of Sant'Erasmo celebrates “festa de mosto” (festival of must i.e. freshly pressed grape juice) on the first Sunday of October.

The action kicks off in the morning with the blessing of brightly decorated agricultural wagons. Through the day, expect music and a fabulous market showcasing the best must and other local produce. Our tip — try Sant'Erasmo’s violet artichoke. 

There’s also a pressing demonstration, child-pleasing entertainment, and a regatta that, unusually, includes teams comprising male and female rowers.

Venice marathon

Every October, Venice is the scenic stage for one of the world’s most famous running events. Namely, the Venice marathon, during which some 8000 runners do their thing. 

Athletes set off from Villa Pisani, 25 km west of Venice. From here, the fast, flat course follows the picturesque Riviera del Brenta area. It then winds through Mestre’s San Giuliano Park before winding up in Venice. In 2023, this will take place on Sunday 22nd October.

Ready to voyage to Venice? Read The Rough Guide to Venice and the Veneto. Or, if you'd prefer to forgoe the hassle of planinng and booking, contact our local Italy travel experts to create your dream trip.

Visit Venice in other months:

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• November
• December