Venice in August

The worst thing in Venice in August is the large number of mosquitoes.
Get a room with AC and good screens on the windows.

FWIW, we've been to Italy four times and I have yet to see screens on any windows.

I've been to Venice about five times, the last time about five years ago--don't remember the names of the various hotels, but there were screens on the windows in all but one hotel at which I stayed,

It will be VERY hot and humid in Venice. We have been there several times during this month and it's always the same. There are always crowds of tourists there but somehow the heat makes it seems more crowded. All of Italy is very hot in August so just be prepared. That's why all the Italians flee the cities and head to the seaside for the month of August!

I have been to Italy in the heat and the cities definitely are a little harder to take. I would spend as much time in villages or near the sea and visit cities early in the day or in the evening. I don't know if I would pass on Venice just because of the heat, but the more prepared you are the better. I found Florence to be miserably hot during the summer and just as crowded. But, I certainly would not pass on any location... just arrange it so you minimize being out during the hottest part of the day.

Stay hydrated and don't be shy about wearing a hat with a brim.

I love Venice but I would not go there in August. Even Sept was too hot. I like it in winter.

Three nights would be better, but maybe a stay in the Val Gardena. You can take a train to Bolzano then a bus to Ortisei, which is an adorable little village nestled in the mountains. If it gets to 75 degrees (Fah) the locals think they are going to die of the heat. :-) You can take cablecars/lifts to various mountain venues for hiking or just to eat at a rifugio. I've written about a couple of trips here. Your boys will love the lifts!

We were in Venice for 5 days in the last week of August last year. My opinion is a bit different from the others. Hot is relative and everyone has a different idea of what "hot" is. I live in Southern CA where it is often 90-100 degrees many days during the summer so I can handle heat. We don't have much humidity where I live but the humidity in Venice didn't bother me or my husband. I did not find it to be oppressively hot in Venice. Don't get me wrong, it was definitely hot but it didn't interfere with our activities; we just drank more water and ate more gelato! As for mosquitos, we didn't have any issues with mosquitos while in Venice and mosquitos are very attracted to me! I got eaten up alive by mosquitos in the Cinque Terre but not in Venice at all. We stayed in a hotel that did not have window screens but did have good A/C which we definitely used. I would not hesitate to include Venice in your travel plans; as others have said, most places in Italy in August will be hot and I would not pass up an opportunity to see Venice, especially if you haven't visited previously. Have a great trip.

Goodness - we were in Florence the 3rd week of Sept in 2012 and the day we were there, I was wearing a skirt and tank top and a light cardigan (to cover my shoulders in the cathedrals) and I was very warm...I can't imagine what August would be like. Just expect heat - and as the others say, you'll want AC in your room (or at least a room that isn't directly facing the sun, or is shaded by trees. And carry water and eat lots of gelato!

Our first time to Venice in late Sept 08, we were overwhelmed by the amount of people on Rialto and St Marks. One of the store owners on the Rialto told us we should see it in August, as this was nothing (I couldn't imagine - I know what sheep feel like when they are being herded). But we have been to Venice 3 times and I'd go see it at any time of the year. Take a 5 min walk and you can get away from the crowds. If it's really hot, jump on the vaporetto and head for Murano or Burano and get refreshed by the wind over the water. And...get up early and stay out late. Hit Rialto and St Marks at 7 or 8am for crowd free viewing (well, the shops aren't open either, but...). Get away from the crowds in the afternoon...stay out in the evening and just wander and enjoy the lights on the canal (and maybe fight off mosquitos - we didn't have any issue in Venice in mid-Sept, tho we did in Florence...well, in Fiesole)

If this is your one chance to go to Venice then go. Venice is like no other city in the world. Yes, it can be hot and humid in the summer - just like Tennessee. So choose a hotel with Air Condition and enjoy yourselves.