Venice in May 2026 – is it worth going? Weather and reviews, air temperature, how to dress, how many tourists there are, prices in hotels and excursions. What to see in Venice in early May and later, at the end of spring, where to go in Veneto and Italy? As well as practical tips to save money on vaporetto trips, visiting museums and palaces – in the Eurotraveler material.
If Paris at the beginning of May is considered the unconditionally “right” destination for a romantic trip, then with Venice everything is not so simple. Although, in theory, the “City of Canals,” mysteriously lost in the mists, and in the epilogue of spring looks like a tempting goal, the worm of doubt still torments the souls of well-read and cautious gentlemen.
Still: the sea, the lagoon, a lot of water. And because – what about the precipitation? Doesn’t May come to Venice on the “wings” of not only warmth, but also rains?
And won’t you regularly have to shell out money for disposable plastic boots? And then wander knee-deep in water, looking at the palazzo under the tight streams of vigorous spring rain?
The answer to this question interests many. And it is no coincidence – a considerable number of grandiosely conceived and much promised trips to La Serenissima were spoiled by her fickle, capricious climate.
Let’s not be harsh – sometimes it’s even nice to get caught in the rain. But what if it goes on for several days? And the channels literally push their contents not even onto the sidewalks, but into the premises of the first floors?
Now we will tell you everything in detail! For reassurance, let me note that at the end of spring in the “City on Water” everything is far from pessimistic.
Weather in Venice in May
Alas, we are unable to reassure travelers for sure – the end of spring here is a warm but damp period. According to long-term statistics, according to the abundance of precipitation, the beginning of May in Venice superior most other times of the year.
Definitely second only to the clear champion – November!
However, this is not a verdict. The May weather in Venice is considered capricious because it is not inclined to take into account the feelings, and even more so the expectations, of tourists. Who, of course, would like to wander around as part of a walking tour around the city in clear weather.
Are you expecting rain? Here’s to the sun and cloudless sky! By all indications will it be dry? This is another reason to stock up on a raincoat and rubber boots.
There is no change from year to year, and here is the proof – at one time we wrote about the weather in Venice in November. Which was amazingly dry and warm for several days in a row. And only then, as if apologizing for its optimism, the sky (a little!) waited.
Again, the air temperature in Venice at the beginning of May will not give rise to complaints.
From +17-20 degrees Celsius Outdoor thermometers typically show on Labor Day and beyond. And the atmosphere warms up to +24-28 °C towards the end of the month and spring in general.
Why aren’t you subtropical?
Failures happen, but what can we do without them? And then: it usually doesn’t go below +15 °C, except in the “dead of midnight.”
Moreover, at the end of May the water temperature in Venice allows swimming: the sea in the lagoon warms up to +20-21 °C. Moreover, swimming is not even in theory – there is somewhere.
After all, the other side of Lido Island, the one that “looks in the face” of the Adriatic Sea, has wide sandy beaches!
What to take with you
As it were, raincoats and umbrellas will definitely come in handy in Venice throughout May (maybe). Moreover, it is especially good if each member of the traveling company has a personal copy of at least an umbrella.
We will not persuade you to stock up on rubber boots. Not everyone will risk going to Venice by car and load a suitcase of things into the trunk for each person.
But we note that even plastic, that is, disposable boots, a distant relative of medical shoe covers, in the “City of Canals” cost 12-15 € per pair.
In addition to these items, be sure to bring extra sweatshirt, sweateras well as wool socks. Because in late spring, local hotels can be chilly due to pervasive dampness.
Well, if you have views of some seaside resorts in Italy in May, for example, nearby Lido di Jesolo, take your swimwear with you. And some other items that will come in handy when vacationing at sea.
Prices 2026
Those who decide to organize a trip on their own should focus on the following expenses.
Finding a room for two in a hotel in the Cannaregio area, adjacent to Santa Lucia station, in early May will cost 150 € + per day (for two people).
This is how much an overnight stay at Hotel San Geremia costs. Well, a very good hotel, located on the square, and not on the canal – that is, in a much drier place.
Tourists also love the San Polo area on the other side of the Grand Canal from the station. He reciprocates their feelings, but also asks for much more for an overnight stay.
It’s difficult to recommend something inexpensive but decent there, but we’ll try… Clean, bright and spacious rooms can be rented at La Dogaressa Guest House, from which the famous Rialto Bridge is literally a 3-4 minute walk. Accordingly, you can easily reach St. Mark’s Square.
To complete the picture, here is a link to the Hotel Delle Rose in Mestre. The rooms are, of course, cheaper – from 115 € per night. At the same time, getting to Venice by tram will take a maximum of 15 minutes!
Guided city tours cost widely varying amounts. Although in general you can expect to be able to take part in a guided walk around the most iconic places for 25-30 €.
But individual tours in the city are much more expensive!
- Here are prices for excursions in Venice and Veneto
Worth remembering
that Venice is experimenting with charging day-trippers entry fees into the city. And on certain dates (so far 60 days per year, from April to July), the traveler must pay 5 € for the right to walk around the city without staying in its hotels.
In May 2026 paid will be all Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in May. And also the entire period from May 29 to June 7.
Things to do
We wrote about possible walking routes around the “City of Canals” in a separate article. And we even developed convenient routes that will allow you to plan your day in the most logical way – what to see in Venice on your own in 4 days?
The cost of a single trip on the Vaporetto in 2026 has crossed the line of reasonableness – 9.5 € looks like too much to pay for such a pleasure. But buying a pass for 1, 3, 7 days allows save money a significant amount of money.
Citizens aged 6-29 years can receive an even greater discount. You just need to ask at the ticket office at the pier to issue a paper called Rolling Venice (you only need a foreign passport or ID card).
The city tourist card, Venezia Unica City Pass, will give you the opportunity to visit some museums (described in Russian: www.veneziaunica.it/ru/e-commerce/services) and churches. But you should know that the entrance to many churches in Venice is already free.
For example, the central Basilica of San Marco and the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore do not charge entrance fees.
In the first one, you only need to pay for climbing to the next tier. And in Palladio’s creation, which adorns a separate island in the lagoon, they charge only for climbing the bell tower. On the elevator, by the way!
The famous Frari in the San Polo area and Il Redentore on the Giudecca, however, will only allow tourists in for a fee of 3 €!
Venice’s Doge’s Palace does not advertise the discount on its website. But in fact, it allows families with at least 1 child to pay admission at child rates (13 € instead of 20).
By the way, tickets give you the opportunity to explore not only the famous palazzo, but also visit the Carrer Museum. Lodging in the building of a former royal palace, rebuilt, by the way, by Napoleon.
In the middle of the 19th century, the well-known Sissi, Empress of Austria, looked out at the Grand Canal from the windows of the palace, which has now become a museum.
Where to go
Not the most unambiguous May weather is not a reason to stay too long in Venice. Since there are a lot of cities around it that require visit in a “mandatory” manner.
At a minimum, it’s worth seeing Verona in 1 day. And while walking, you will understand that this city deserves a much longer visit.
Moreover, from it you can easily and quickly reach Lake Garda. Incredibly picturesque reservoir at the end of spring!
We also recommend that you visit Vicenza, a very beautiful city in the Veneto region, not spoiled by the attention of foreign travelers. And take an excursion to Treviso, located very close to Venice.
At least to understand why guidebooks unanimously call it a smaller copy of “The Most Serene”?!
© Eurotraveler
