Venice is a city famous for its canals, bridges, and timeless allure, and it’s a miraculous place to visit throughout the year, even when the rain comes. Rain in Venice is often accompanied by the seasonal occurrence of acqua alta, when high tides temporarily inundate the low-lying areas, thus giving a unique visual experience as raised walkways become visible and lights flicker across St. Mark’s Square. This article is all about that; we’ll show you a complete guide to things to do in Venice in the rain.
But first, let’s cover some basics…
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A Few Words About Acqua Alta
Water was always the main factor that identified Venice, and acqua alta—seasonal high tides—are an important part of it. Water usually gets into the city in the fall and winter, when high tides that are out of the ordinary combine with strong winds of the Scirocco. Even more interesting, a day of rain is not to be blamed for acqua alta, which is actually a tidal phenomenon, but the two usually come together.
Every neighborhood has its own way of going through the phenomenon, but as San Marco Square is one of the lowest spots in the city, it usually gets flooded first. The spectacle of water glinting over the square and thus bouncing back the Basilica’s façade is quite eye-catching. If you’re not scared of getting wet, that is…
Discover Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace)
We’re starting this guide of things to do in Venice in the rain with Doge’s Palace, or Palazzo Ducale, is perhaps Venice’s most iconic landmark, and definitely the place to go when the weather is not so good. Located in Piazza San Marco, this architectural Gothic gem was the residence of the rulers of Venice for ages, and exploring its interior is like a stroll through the history of Venetian influence and arts.
Visitors have access to the old council chambers, the Doge’s private apartments, the Bridge of Sighs which connects the prison cells , and of course, some of the palace’s most prominent artwork, including pieces by Titian, Veronese, and Tintoretto, among others.
You can get an in-depth understanding of its history via an audio tour or a guided skip-the-line tour (which is probably a good idea since there will be a lot of people in the palace when it rains). If you’re looking for a place to stay near the palace and see the unique Acqua Alta from your window, Baglioni Hotel Luna is only a few steps away and offers a stylish five-star Venice vacation with beautiful Venetian-style rooms and fantastic views of the canal.
Enjoy a Long Meal in an Osteria
Rainy weather is the ideal justification for easing up and feasting on local Venetian dishes in one of the city’s traditional osteries. These small restaurants often have old wooden decor, soft light, and menus abundant with local fish specialties, such as baccalà mantecato (creamed cod), sarde in saor (sweet-and-sour sardines), and seasonal risottos. A lot of them are family-run, offering recipes that have been handed down through the years.
Eating by the canal is romantic, and the rain beating on the windows as you take a sip of a spritz or a glass of local Prosecco makes it even better. Osteria Enoteca San Marco, a lovely choice, is only a few steps from Piazza San Marco.
Saturnia & International is a great option if you are looking for accommodation nearby. It’s a historic, family-owned hotel that makes a lovely combination with this snug dining experience.
See an Opera at Teatro La Fenice
If your trip to Venice coincides with a rainy evening, then Teatro La Fenice, one of the most celebrated opera houses in the world, would be the ideal place to indulge in high culture. La Fenice (which translates to “The Phoenix”) was rebuilt after being burned down three times, and hence it has always been a symbol of Venetian strength and bravery since its first opening in 1792.
Its gilded boxes, decorated ceilings, and sparkling crystal lights give a very charming atmosphere for the performance to take place. But if opera is not your thing, then you can join a guided tour that offers a deep insight into the theater’s historical and architectural beauty.
Located in the San Marco district, La Fenice is only a short walk from places such as Santa Maria del Giglio, where you can catch a Vaporetto. If you’re looking for a place to stay nearby, The Gritti Palace is a gorgeous palatial heritage hotel that reflects La Fenice’s style and is just a step away from the opera house.
Enjoying this post? Then you may also like our list of hidden gems in Northern Italy.
Join a Venetian Cooking Class
When talking about things to do in Venice in the rain, a new gourmet adventure is always a great option. A Venetian cooking class is a fantastic way to learn how to prepare the local delicacies like hand-made pasta, seafood risotto, or Venetian sweets, all the while receiving the usual warm hospitality and enjoying the beautiful results of your work. Often, the classes are held in the historic palazzos or in private homes, which really makes for an interesting cultural exchange.
One of the best options include Cook in Venice, which is run by the local chefs, this pasta and tiramisu cooking class, or this traditional home cooking experience.
See The Gorgeous Paintings Of Scuola Grande di San Rocco
When rain drives you inside, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco is a great place to learn more about Venice’s Renaissance-period art. This ex-confraternity building from the 16th century is known for its stunning Tintoretto paintings that practically cover its walls and ceilings. The wood interiors and the dramatic lighting bring out the most out of the paintings and emphasize them, and on a gloomy day, even more.
It’s situated near the San Toma Vaporetto and, therefore, easy to get there while staying dry. For a pleasant stay, Hotel Antiche Figure, with its stylish rooms overlooking the canal and located close to Venice’s major attractions, is always a great choice.
Visit Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
The iconic white-domed Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute is one of Venice’s most iconic sights. It’s situated at the gateway to the Grand Canal and was commissioned as a Votive Offering to commemorate the end of the plague in the 17th century. Its triumph interior is a fascinating Baroque sample, replete with marble, frescoes, and paintings of Titian.
So, taking a walk around here on a rainy day is almost a mystical experience, as the candlelight and the sound of the rain outside add to the basil’s spiritual atmosphere. Vaporetto Line 1 is the best way to get there, with the stop at Salute. And if you want to stay nearby, Sina Centurion Palace is a nice luxury hotel that marries contemporary design with period charm.
Go Inside Basilica di San Marco
It is really hard to find a place that is more amazing than St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, so this could be an ideal stop when the rain is pouring. The basilica, built in 1094, is the zenith of Byzantine architecture, with over 8,000 square meters of golden mosaics that seem to be even more shining when the day is dark and gloomy. It’s located in Piazza San Marco, only a few minutes’ walk from the Vaporetto.
People can see the beautiful gold and jewelry altarpiece called Pala d’Oro and also ascend to the Loggia dei Cavalli to have a glimpse of the square (though these are most suitable for sunny days). To fully enjoy the museum and crypt, consider getting the all-access ticket or a guided tour.
Looking for a place to stay nearby? Hotel Danieli, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is a Venetian icon that exudes the romantic past and perfect service, just a few steps away from the basilica.
Explore The Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo
Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo, or San Zanipolo in Venetian, is one of the biggest churches of Venice and of the city’s most essential landmarks, often called Venice’s “Pantheon”. This building has been the tomb of the doges and the military leaders elected in Venice for hundreds of years. Besides the impressive architecture of the soaring vaulted ceilings and delicate stained glass windows, visitors trying to escape the rain will find a great activity in this gorgeous basilica.
One can also view works of artists such as Veronese and Bellini, besides the creation of an impressive pipe organ. After your sightseeing day, you can restore your energy at the nearest ai Reali di Venezia Hotel, a luxurious hotel that provides comfortable interiors and the pleasure of dining on the water.
See Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Frari, a massive and impressive Franciscan church in the San Polo district, is another excellent alternative to a rainy day in Venice. The church is famous for hosting a myriad of Renaissance masterpieces, including Titian’s “Assumption of the Virgin,” Bellini’s triptych, and Donatello’s carved wooden “St. John the Baptist”. The basilica has an eye-popping Gothic facade with numerous risen columns, white marble altars of the past, and it’s home to a few historic tombs, including Titian’s. Frari is perfect for those who love art and are looking for a calm way out of the crowded streets.
If you’re looking for a place to stay nearby, you can go to Hotel Palazzo Barbarigo Sul Canal Grande with its beautiful views of the canal and elegant interiors.
See Art In Gallerie dell’Accademia
The Gallerie dell’Accademia is Venice’s leading museum of fine art, offering an extensive exhibition of Venetian painting from the 14th to the 18th centuries. Located in Dorsoduro, not far from the Accademia vaporetto stop, the museum’s large galleries house paintings by Bellini, Titian, Veronese, Tintoretto, and Canaletto. It’s, therefore, the ideal thing to do on a rainy day in Venice, being able to spend your time fully absorbed in the practice and technique of Venetian art. Because the galleries are quite sizeable and fully enlightened, they are suitable for the less hurried visitor who wants to really take in the tiny details.
Go Shopping At Rialto Market
Despite being located close to the famous Rialto Bridge, Venice’s lively Rialto Market might not be your first choice on a rainy day; however, since a great part of it is covered, you can still go there and have a wonderful time while it’s raining outside. For centuries, this market has been the city’s commercial hub, and today, it attracts visitors with a sensory feast of colorful fruits and vegetables, fragrant spices, and an exceptional variety of seafood that comes from the lagoon straight to the market. The rain usually keeps away the crowds, thus giving you a more peaceful shopping experience as you talk with the vendors and appreciate the culinary traditions of Venice.
After spending time wandering through the market, go to one of the bacari nearby (wine bars) for cicchetti, Venice’s famous tapas-style snacks, which go perfectly with a glass of prosecco. One can arrive at the market by Vaporetto at the Rialto stop, and it is not far from great places to stay like H10 Palazzo Canova, a trendy hotel with a rooftop terrace that offers stunning canal views even during the rain.
Explore The Peggy Guggenheim Collection
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, on the Grand Canal in Dorsoduro, is one of Venice’s true cultural treasures and a perfect escape when the weather is not cooperating. The museum in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni is the former residence of Peggy Guggenheim, the American heiress who lived here for 30 years. The short, albeit intimate, 18th-century palace gives you the feeling of being in her private salon, so to speak. The exhibits inside are the masterpieces of modern art from Picasso, Mondrian, Kandinsky, Dalí, Duchamp, and so on.
The rain sounds outside somehow make the event longer, as the bright colors and crazy shapes are brought to your mind even more. It’s a very inspiring visit and surprisingly, less crowded than Venice’s biggest museums. Besides that, you can also relax at the covered terrace overlooking the canal, where the gray reflection of the water matches the art illuminated inside. And if you’re looking for a place to stay, the Hotel American Dinesen, a family-run hotel known for its canal views and friendly atmosphere.
Have A Drink At Enoiteca Mascerata
The Enoiteca Mascerata is a beautiful wine bar with all the charm and warmth you might need during a heavy downpour in Venice. Located in the Cannaregio district, this little place with its rustic charm and peaceful atmosphere. Here you have low, warm lights, used and characterful wooden tables, and shelves for well-kept bottles of local wine as well as international spirits. Though the rain beats on the street outside, you are nicely wrapped with the murmuring of the locals and the smell of food coming from the kitchen. It is rich and yet very Venetian and casual at the same time.
When you are done, the Carnival Palace Hotel is only a short distance away, making it a great option with its striking contemporary look, the calming view of the canal, and the spacious rooms that provide a perfect contrast to an evening of rustic charm.
Do Not Go to Libreria Acqua Alta
Libreria Acqua Alta, located in the Castello district, is one of the most outside the box and visually appealing bookstores in Venice. The name of the place means ‘high water,’ which directly implies that the store is basically the water. One can see towering piles of books in gondolas, bathtubs, and even plastic bins at every nook and corner of the shop to protect them from the water that is flooding. On a sunny day, it is a quirky delight – a mix of a bookshop, part installation art, and part Instagram backdrop.
But if there is heavy rain, particularly when water levels are rising, then it is one of the worst places where you can be. The narrow interior turns damp and slippery, and in the event that acqua alta comes, water gets into the shop straight from the street. Unless the rain is light and you are sure that the tides are calm, it’s better to keep this place for a sunny day. In case you do decide to visit while it rains, at least make sure to find a place to stay nearby so you can quickly change your wet clothes. Hotel Scandinavia – Relais (Booking link) is a great choice, just a few minutes’ walking distance.
Do Not Climb the Campanile San Marco in the Rain
Last but not least, we conclude this guide to things to do in Venice in the rain with the San Marco Campanile, the highest building in Venice, towering in Piazza San Marco with stunning and breathtaking views over the lagoon. When it’s sunny and clear, the elevator up is really worth every cent, giving you scenic vistas that go from the Dolomites to the Adriatic Sea. Nevertheless, the rain very often kills the charm. In fact, low clouds, mist, and light rain frequently enfold the town, totally closing the views. In this case, instead of beautiful views, you will be able to see a cloud of fog.
If you are staying close to the square, you can go to Hotel Cavalletto & Doge Orseolo, which is next to the piazza. From there, you can easily turn to indoor attractions such as the Basilica or the Correr Museum, which are both a lot more fantastic when the weather is gray in Venice.
How did you like this list of things to do in Venice in the rain? Did you ever try any of them? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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