Early Spring in Venice

Go off season when it's cheaper and less crowded AND cooler. Our best visit to Venice was in March all because of the things I just mentioned.

Wunderground.com provides actual historical day-by-day weather data going back many years. I'd look at that for as many years as I had time for, from the beginning of March till the end. I think there is a substantial risk of rain in combination with coldish temps in early March, and I wouldn't visit at that time of year if you gave me a free airline ticket, but what I think is "coldish" might be comfortable for you.

During a visit to Bologna a few years ago (in the snow) in early March, I ran up to Venice for a day. It was sunny, warm, light windbreaker weather, maybe 16 or 18 C. We had a lovely meal outdoors and walked all around, happy as Larry.

It probably wouldn't be like that every day, and I've had it quite cold, wet, and windy even later in the year, but it might be.

I went to Venice in mid-March 2014 and it was delightful, with temps in the high 50's and low 60's and abundant sunshine. Windbreaker weather. I remember being quite comfortable walking around at night. Also it was distinctly uncrowded. I think it's a great time of year to go.
Cynthia

We were in Venice in March a few years back and we had a snow storm. As Tom Lehrer says: "Be prepared".

Many thanks to each one of you for sharing your experiences and recommendations. Incredibly helpful. Going off-season in cool-cold weather sounds perfect for me. Can't wait til March!!!

Laurie

We were there right before Easter this year, the end of March. We needed jackets, but otherwise found it quite delightful. Of course there are no guarantees and rain is always a possibility.

Laurie,

This past March was right in your sweet spot until the very end of the month. Climatologically speaking, March is just what you're looking for if you don't mind a little light rain.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/it/venice/216711/month/216711?monyr=3/01/2016

However, fall-winter-early spring brings the possibility of an Acqua Alta (abnormally high tide) characterized by significant "street" flooding in Venice. While the autumn months are more at risk, under the right conditions, it can occur in March as well.

http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/acqua-alta.htm

For this reason, I would plan the trip to take place before the middle of the month as Venice will experience a full moon on the 12th. While a full moon may be romantic, it's also one of the factors in an Acqua Alta.

https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/italy/venice?month=3&year=2017

In the remote chance that an Acqua Alta does occur during your stay, Padua, Vicenza and Verona are all easily and quickly reached by train, as day trips, and offer a multitude of sight seeing options.

Happy travels.

If you get an Acqua Alta and hear the sirens (or check the app) just pop on the gum boots - your hotel will have them - and walk on the planks. Enjoy the difference, and when you walk through a campo with little water just splash in the puddles like a big kid!

Only certain areas flood regularly, the lowest lying ones like S Marco but other areas will be high and dry. And it doesn't last long.

we really enjoyed the acqua alta in january 2013, it happened 2 of our 4 days there but was gone by mid morning. It scared what tourists were there away, and the planks were fun