Venice in the summer: 10 reasons why it's a great idea

For those who choose to visit Venice in the summer, there are countless opportunities to experience an extraordinary stay. 

Events unfold non-stop from June to September: some of international scope, others known only to the Venetians. The summer calendar is filled with countless opportunities to access museums and temporary exhibitions, not to mention the often overlooked possibility of spending pleasant hours on the sandy beaches outside the city.

Let's explore together what are the best opportunities to spend an extraordinary Venetian summer, and to discover a Serenissima that is always renewing and becoming more aware of its treasures.

The long, warm days of summer in Venice offer unique colors, atmospheres, and emotions to those fortunate enough to visit the city during the beautiful season. Nightlife becomes festive and vibrant, with spectacular fireworks illuminating the night sky during the Redeemer Festival.

Furthermore, Venice is a also a seaside city, and the means used to get around the city, from vaporetti to ferries, offer fresh and pleasant crossings in the lagoon, where we can discover beautiful islands including the famous Murano and Burano.

Obviously we cannot overlook the most important museums, palaces and gardens of the historic center, ideal places to uncover every secret of the city while escaping the summer heat.

Finally, Venice's summer invites us to spend relaxing afternoons on the beaches of the Lido or bike adventures through the lagoon's villages, before a romantic gondola ride at sunset or a cheerful evening in the bacari, savoring traditional Venetian cicchetti.

Ready to go?

Our ranking of things to do in Venice in the summer cannot be in order of importance. It would indeed be impossible not to start with the events that every year make Venice a magical city, where the past continues to live in the most triumphant manner, attracting both international visitors and the Venetians themselves, who are once again amazed by the beauty of their city.

The Redeemer Festival is probably the most anticipated event. On the Saturday before the third Sunday of July, Venice dresses up for the occasion and commemorates the victory over the plague of the 16th century.

A bridge of boats is set up on the water, connecting the small Church of the Redeemer to Punta della Dogana, while fireworks illuminate the San Marco Basin, so spectacular that they can be seen even from the mainland.

Perhaps this festival is the best known, but what if we mention the Venice International Film Festival? In the splendid Palazzo del Cinema, every year from late August to early September, a Hollywood-style event takes place in the beautiful setting of the Lido.

The event is organized by the Venice Biennale and involves filmmakers and international stars. A red carpet that makes dozens of enthusiasts and onlookers dream every year.

And then there’s the Regata Storica, the first Sunday of September: an event with the flavor of history (it is over 800 years old!) but also the excitement of sport. Every year, the Venetians crowd the banks of the Grand Canal watching re-enactors and athletes. Who will come out on top this year?

Venice is also home to popular and lesser-known events, such as the Feast of San Pietro di Casteo, also called the "Venice Festival”, which takes place at the end of June, and the Burano Regatta in September, so popular that it coincides with the Fish Festival.

Because here in the city, every occasion is perfect for celebrating!

What is Venice without its "minor" islands? Minor only in size, but certainly not in richness of attractions.

So, what better thing than a tour to discover the islands that, like a crown, surround the main part of the city? Getting around the islands of Venice will require only a vaporetto, or a ferry boat.

By checking the departure and return times (because not all islands are connected in the same way), you can organize an unforgettable day. Discover Murano from whose furnaces the greatest masterpieces of glass art come out every day, or the colorful Burano with its women embroidering their beautiful lace. Summer is the right time to discover Torcello and Lido, places that reveal a Venice quite different from what one expects.

Torcello, small, green and wild, hides traces of the oldest settlements on Venetian soil, while Lido is a strange but excellently successful concentrate of wild nature and refined luxury.

The muggy summer days here are cooler and breezier, and the opportunity to visit another face of the Serenissima is truly mouthwatering.

Hidden in the shadow of Venetian palaces are masterpieces that tell of other eras and other worlds. The richness of Venice's cultural offerings has few equals in the world, and here everyone can truly find what most reflects his or her interests.

First of all, the Biennale, one of the most prestigious art institutes in the world that hosts exhibitions and events related to a different theme every year. Not to mention that the pavilions are well hidden among the cool vegetation of the Napoleonic Gardens, also known as the Biennale Gardens.

Or the Guggenheim at the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni. Every year, exhibitions and events make the contemporary art on display in the halls of the palace interesting and stimulating for every age range.

And how can we not mention the Correr Museum, the Natural History Museum, or the Naval History Museum. Or the Glass Museum in Burano, or the Museum of Oriental Art. Choosing the right museum is surpassed only by the possibility of visiting the ancient palaces. Why not take a few hours out of the heat to explore the Doge's Palace, Cà Rezzonico or Cà d'Oro, only to mention the most high-sounding names.

And let's not forget that Venice has a very rich concentration of religious buildings. What better time to finally explore St. Mark's Basilica or the Basilica of Saints John and Paul? Away from the large crowds and, most importantly, away from the summer heat.

With Venice Pass, some of the entrances we mentioned are included!

We come this far to tell you that, despite appearances, Venice is a green city.

As soon as you arrive at the station, for example, a few meters beyond the Calatrava Bridge are the Papadopoli Gardens, on a site where a Clarisse Monastery once stood. There are other parks, however, right next to the best-known places. We have already mentioned the Napoleonic Gardens next to the Biennale, but a few minutes from the Doge's Palace you may not know that the Giardini Reali di San Marco (Royal Gardens of St. Mark's) are located. Among the most famous Venetian green areas, let's not forget the Giardini di San Francesco della Vigna, where the city's most luxuriant vineyards once grew.

We then mentioned the very green Island of Torcello, but the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore also deserves special mention. This island could be the perfect summer escape from Venice. Not only does the Church of San Giorgio and its bell tower provide priceless views of St. Mark's, but especially Borges' Labyrinth behind it is a truly unforgettable visit.

If you're looking for natural oases, don't forget the WWF Dune degli Alberoni Oasis at the southern end of Venice Lido and the Cà Roman Natural Area, connected to Pellestrina by the Murazzi Dam.

Those who do not often frequent Venice may not be accustomed to thinking of the city as a seaside place. Yet that thin tongue of land that divides the lagoon from the Adriatic, Lido di Venezia, is the perfect opportunity for summer vacations by the sea.

Not only is summer the opportunity for long days under the Lido's umbrellas, between free and private beaches, but also for engaging in a wide variety of activities. In fact, if you take your bicycle with you (arriving by ferry boat), or if you rent it locally, you can explore this area of Venice in perfect serenity.

One of the most beautiful itineraries is precisely the one that leads from Lido to Pellestrina. Starting from the Church of San Nicolò, the absolute protagonist on the day of the Feast of the Sensa, you leave for the Marconi Promenade, where every year the most glamorous events in Venice are staged during the Film Festival. From there you can continue to the Murazzi, paying some attention to the route, and decide to go to the small fishing village of Malamocco. If curiosity is on your side, the highlight of the day will be the ferry boat to Pellestrina. Of course, take your bike with you!

Summer is the season that perhaps more than any other brings out the most festive spirit of Venice. The seaside city displays all its refined elegance as well as its popular charm.

Explore Venice as the sun begins to set, when the osterias and bacari fill with cheerful patrons, in a unique atmosphere of unforgettable sounds, colors, and scents. 

An aperitif and a cicchetto against the backdrop of the reddish lagoon represent the perfect combination to fully experience the warm Venetian summers, and even just a short stroll along the Fondamenta delle Zattere, by the Giudecca Canal with the homonymous island in the background, will turn into a romantic and unforgettable experience.

Speaking of romantic experiences, a gondola ride to discover the city is another enchanting activity to try in Venice in the summer.

From the Grand Canal to the smaller canals, you can savor a unique and authentic atmosphere, exploring hidden corners, admiring the architecture of historic buildings, and enjoying breathtaking views.

And if you board a gondola in the late afternoon, you can take advantage of the cooler and more pleasant temperatures while experiencing all the magic of Venice in the enchanting and suggestive aura of the sunset, with the golden light reflecting on the water and the wonderful palaces, creating an indescribably charming display of colors.

The slow and steady glide of the gondola along the canals will accompany you as you take enviable photographs, capturing spectacular images and creating memories that will remain indelible.

A trip to Venice in summer is not complete without a tour of the bacari, the traditional Venetian taverns, to discover the local cuisine by tasting the classic cicchetti (small traditional dishes) accompanied by a glass of wine.

The bacari are often filled with a lively atmosphere, with locals and tourists gathering to socialize, creating a convivial and festive environment. These are the ideal places to try a wide range of cicchetti, from classics like Sarde in Saor and Baccalà Mantecato to more modern, original, and trendy creations.

Moving from one osteria to another, you will also have the opportunity to explore different parts of the city, discovering characteristic areas far from the paths most frequented by mass tourism. It's the ideal way to immerse yourself in the local culture, discovering the culinary traditions and the way of life of the Venetians.

In this sense, summer evenings are perfect for strolling through Venetian calli, enjoying the mild climate and experiencing a pleasant and relaxing time.

Summer, for those who can dedicate several days to visiting Venice, is the perfect season to explore other places in Veneto with a day trip to admire the region's historical and scenic beauties.

For example, traveling by train, you can easily and quickly reach the city of Verona and discover its beautiful historic center, from the extraordinary Arena to the sites linked to the story of Romeo and Juliet, not to mention the splendid squares, museums, Castelvecchio, and more.

Alternatively, by renting a car near Mestre station, you can reach the spectacular area of Lake Garda, traveling among charming villages and breathtaking landscapes.

Crossing the border that separates Veneto from Lombardy, you can also visit the fascinating peninsula of Sirmione and spend a special day immersed in an idyllic natural setting, before returning to Venice in the evening.

Let’s conclude our journey through the suggestions for unforgettable experiences in Venice during summer by recommending something that might seem obvious but should never be excluded from any itinerary in the Serenissima.

This place is perhaps the most iconic in the city, namely Piazza San Marco: despite Venice offering numerous activities and special places to discover during the beautiful season, our journey must certainly start from Piazza San Marco.

Here, in summer, besides the must-see monuments and attractions (from the Basilica to the Campanile, from Palazzo Ducale to the Columns of San Marco and San Teodoro), you can observe street artists, musicians, and performers who add a touch of liveliness and charm to the environment.

Moreover, the cafes and restaurants around the square offer the opportunity to enjoy Venetian delicacies outdoors, while summer evenings allow you to appreciate the square in a more relaxed (and less crowded!) atmosphere, fully immersing yourself in the magic of a square that the whole world envies and that is unique in every season.