We will be in Venice May 5-9. My only friend who has been there was there at Christmastime in 2010, and she could not emphasize the need for galoshes enough. When I checked the usual weather pattern, however, I saw that maybe there's light rain 7-8 times during May, and galoshes take a lot of packing space! I know the tides are also a big factor in whether your feet and shoes get soaked as well, however. I could use some advice on footwear in Venice in May! Are galoshes or some other type of seamless rain boot needed then?
Posted by
585 posts
Encountered rain once in Venice, I think in March. I luckily saw the dark clouds rolling in and made it back to my hotel as the rain began. It was a downpour and lasted most of the afternoon so relaxed with a book. By the time I went out for dinner it was dry again. The AquaAlta is highly unlikely in May so I think galoshes area waste of time and space. Personally I would stick with a pair of comfortable sneakers which will dry in the unlikely event they get wet.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11951 posts
No need to bring galoshes. Scroll down about 10-15% of the way in the NYT link ( provided by Scuddder) below and you will see folks with ponchos and galoshes. If they are needed you will have no trouble finding them; the vendors will find you
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/venice-and-its-new-seawall
Posted by
Calgary
1744 posts
I haven't been there in May, but I was there in November during a full moon, when the tides were supposed to be high. I saw the Aqua Alta. It amounted to a few puddles in St. Mark's Square. Of course, it can be higher, and there are walkways that are put into place when it is.
I wouldn't cart around galoshes. If you are worried, you can either get shoes with Gortex. That's what I had, and they served me well, even on rainy days, except for during one heavy downpour in Rome, when I had no choice but to splash through a deep puddle to cross a road. Or you can get a waterproofing spray to put on your shoes before you leave. I think galoshes would be overkill.
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
942 posts
I was in Venice for a week last May and it only rained the first day I was there. I mostly managed without an umbrella as it was just a light rain, and I had a jacket with a hood. For shoes, I have a pair of gortex running shoes from New Balance. A rainy day is a good time to make use of a museum pass, also.
Posted by
Bendigo, Australia
1297 posts
If it rains, street vendors appear very quickly selling cheap umbrellas.
If there is aqua alta, the same vendors sell cheap knee high plastic over boots.
You don’t need galoshes.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11800 posts
We have been to Venice a dozen times in winter, spring, and fall. Never, ever have we needed galoshes. When there was an acqua alta we either used the raised platforms put up for pedestrians or went to a part of the city that was not flooded.
Posted by
Used to be Steilacoom, now it’s Las Vegas
2305 posts
We were there last year during that time frame and had rain one day. I don’t even think our shoes got that wet. We do travel with waterproof rain jackets as opposed to water resistant after one trip where we realized water resistant wasn’t that comfortable or protective.
Posted by
Pleasant Hill, CA, USA
473 posts
Got caught in a thunderstorm 6 years ago in June. Only thing that got wet was my phone. Now the iPhone is mostly waterproof. Enjoy 😉. Heading back to Venice in 12 weeks 🥰