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Venice in July

I'm possibly going to be in Venice July 24-27. I've read that in July and especially August, the locals go away and all the stores and restaurants that cater to them close, leaving only tourist options. I don't want to go there if that's the case. Has anyone been there in late July?

Posted by
3696 posts

I have and all I can say is that it did not appear closed down to me.... It was hot and jam packed, so often we would get away from the heavily touristed area and had no problem finding places to eat. But maybe others have noticed something that I didn't.

Posted by
5301 posts

Robert,

I've not traveled to Venice in late July, but I doubt all the restaurant/store owners close their businesses.

Edit: Is it possible for you to change your travel plans to late September?
The weather is so much nicer & the crowds have dissipated by then.

Posted by
16243 posts

There are restaurants and stores that cater to locals in Venice?
You have to go to Mestre to find those.

I don't think you'll find anything closed in July. And most locals have left Venice for the mainland long time ago. There used to be over 170,000 residents in the historical center of Venice 60 years ago. I think the latest count is around 50,000 (mostly elderly retirees).

In the meanwhile Mestre doubled its population between 1950 and 1980, from 100k to 200k residents, although since the 1990's the population has decreased a bit in Mestre as well (Italians don't make children anymore).

Posted by
16895 posts

I have not visited Venice in July, but also have not considered late September to be uncrowded.

Posted by
14 posts

It is always a great time to visit Venice, regardless the weather. Maybe I'm weird, but for me, harsh weather just gives me more to write about in my journal and certainly makes for more entertaining stories. Blue skies and 22c is just, well, boring. But, then I pack very light and carry a very small digital camera; the kind with a red dot.

Venice has always seemed busy to me...except at night when the tourists leave.

Posted by
10344 posts

Double check that your room has AC. It's not universal there.

Posted by
146 posts

I visited Venice in late July several years ago and I'm headed there again in mid July. It was warm and crowded when I visited in late July in 2011 but completely manageable. Everything was open as far as I could tell. I'm actually staying near the train station as I don't want to fight crowds when I first arrive from the US (I enjoyed my stay in that area the last time). My only free time is July and I really wanted to visit Italy so I'm prepared for the crowds. :-)

Posted by
484 posts

I have been in Venice in late July 3 times during the past 5 years. Everything is open and it is crowded as stated above. If you are staying in Venice overnight, you will find it much less crowded in the evening after the daytrippers have left. However, if there is a major event such as an evening concert in Piazza San Marco, it will be crowded in that area. Not to worry: just walk 5 minutes away from Piazza San Marco and you will find it a lot more peaceful...and less expensive! I have stayed in a hotel with no air conditioning in late July three summers ago and was not bothered by it, however, I am used to that after having stayed in Italy several times during the summer. But during breakfast I chatted with an American family who found it very uncomfortable sleeping without air cond.

Posted by
34355 posts

Don't believe everything you read (except here of course)

Posted by
484 posts

Further to my previous reply, it is easy to find uncrowded areas in late July even in the middle of the day (not just in the evening), if you wander a few minutes away from major tourist attractions. If you get out early in the morning (around 6:30 to 7:00 a.m.) you will have St. Mark's square virtually to yourself. Another bonus if you are into shopping: summer sales. Sales actually start in early July, but the prices get lower as the month goes on. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

Posted by
1075 posts

I'm in Venice usually the last week or more of July every year. Warm? Yes. Closed? Never saw one closed store or restaurant. AC in your hotel is a must. Avoid the main sites while the cruise ship people are rushing to see way too much in way too little time. Eat as late as you can so you can enjoy the cooler evenings. And wonder where the smell is that so many people write about! Bet their deodorant failed them. :)