When to Go

Venice is one of the most highly-recognized tourist spots in the world. Situated on a lagoon on Italy’s north-eastern Adriatic Coast, this one-of-a-kind destination is usually featured on cruises to the Eastern Mediterranean, the Greek Islands and from time-to-time in the Middle East.

Although Venice is considered a year-round destination, most cruise visitors choose to visit during the summer months. The main cruise season runs from April through October, when the Mediterranean cruise season is also in full swing. A few ships will stop in Venice other times of the year, especially in the fall and spring when the weather is more pleasant.

As temperatures spike in the region during the summer months, tourist traffic also increases. Visitors can avoid some of the heat and crowds by traveling during the shoulder seasons in the spring (April and May) or fall (September and October). The temperatures are still comfortable during these months – average temperatures are in the 60’s and 70’s -- but the number of people visiting the sites will be greatly reduced.

Keep in mind that during the winter months, typically November to March, the lagoon overflows into the city, flooding low-lying streets by 5-6 ft. for a few hours. Called Acqua Alta, or high water floods, this happens as many as 50 times a year, so it’s possible you may encounter this phenomenon if you visit during cooler months. Makeshift walkways are set up around town, but you can almost always guarantee that your feet may get a little wet.