Things to Do in Venice in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Venice
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means 30-40% lower hotel rates compared to peak summer months, with lagoon-view rooms in San Marco dropping from 400 euros to 250-280 euros per night
- Carnevale di Venezia typically wraps up in early March (dates shift yearly based on Easter), giving you either festival energy or post-carnival quiet depending when you visit, both excellent options
- Acqua alta season is winding down by March, with high water events dropping from 4-5 times monthly in November to maybe 1-2 times, and when it does happen the water recedes within 2-3 hours
- Daylight extends to about 6:30pm by late March after the spring equinox, giving you an extra hour of golden-hour photography compared to January and making evening aperitivo walks actually pleasant
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable in March, you might get three consecutive sunny days at 16°C (61°F) followed by two days of cold drizzle at 8°C (46°F), which makes packing frustrating
- The chill off the lagoon cuts deeper than the temperature suggests, especially on vaporetto rides where that damp 70% humidity combined with wind makes 10°C (50°F) feel closer to 5°C (41°F)
- Some smaller islands like Torcello and restaurants in Burano operate on reduced winter schedules through mid-March, with certain trattorie still closed until Easter week
Best Activities in March
Venetian Lagoon Island Tours
March is actually ideal for exploring Murano, Burano, and Torcello before the summer crush begins. The vaporetto rides are comfortable without being packed, and you can watch glass-blowing demonstrations in Murano without elbowing through crowds. The light in March has this soft quality that makes Burano's colored houses look incredible for photography. Water levels are generally stable by now, so boat schedules run reliably. Temperatures around 10-13°C (50-55°F) are perfect for walking these islands without overheating.
Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica Skip-the-Line Tours
March crowds are manageable but lines still form by 10am at these major sites. The cool weather actually makes standing in queue less miserable than summer, but you'll still want to book ahead. The Basilica's interior mosaics look stunning on overcast March days when diffused light comes through the windows, creating this ethereal glow you don't get in harsh summer sun. Secret Itineraries tours of the Doge's Palace prison cells and attic spaces are atmospheric in March's cooler temperatures.
Venetian Bacari Food Walking Tours
March is when locals reclaim their city after Carnevale, and the bacari wine bar scene is lively with Venetians doing their evening giro di ombre. You'll find seasonal dishes like seppie in nero with polenta and schie shrimp from the lagoon. The cool evenings make bar-hopping comfortable, and you won't be competing with summer cruise ship crowds for space at the bar. Tours typically hit 4-5 bacari in neighborhoods like Cannaregio or Dorsoduro where tourists are thinner on the ground.
Gondola Rides Through Quieter Canals
March gondola rides are substantially less crowded and more atmospheric than summer, when you're essentially in a floating traffic jam. The cool air means you'll want the blankets gondoliers provide, creating that romantic cocoon effect. Morning mist on the canals in March creates moody conditions perfect for photography. Rates are standardized at 80 euros for 30 minutes daytime, 100 euros evening, but you'll actually get your full time without being rushed like in peak season.
Venetian Mask-Making and Artisan Workshops
Post-Carnevale March is when mask ateliers are less frantic and artisans have time to actually teach technique properly. You'll learn traditional papier-mache methods and painting styles in workshops lasting 2-3 hours. The cool weather makes working with glue and paint more comfortable than summer humidity. Taking home a mask you decorated yourself beats buying a mass-produced one from a souvenir stand, and workshops are concentrated in areas like San Polo where you can explore artisan shops afterward.
Prosecco and Villa Tours in Veneto Countryside
March is pruning season in the Prosecco hills around Valdobbiadene and Conegliano, and while vines look bare, wineries are less crowded and tastings feel more personal. The drive through the Veneto countryside takes about 90 minutes from Venice, and you'll visit 2-3 producers for tastings. Palladian villas along the Brenta Canal also operate on quieter schedules in March, with better photo opportunities without summer crowds. Cool temperatures around 12-15°C (54-59°F) make walking vineyard rows comfortable.
March Events & Festivals
Carnevale di Venezia (Final Days)
If you're visiting the first week of March in 2026, you might catch the tail end of Carnevale, which runs for about two weeks leading up to Shrove Tuesday. The exact dates shift yearly based on Easter calculations. The final weekend features elaborate costume balls, street performances in Campo San Polo and Campo Santa Margherita, and the Flight of the Angel from the Campanile. Costumes range from traditional 18th-century Venetian nobles to contemporary fantasy creations. Hotels triple their rates during Carnevale week, so if you're budget-conscious, visit mid to late March instead.
Su e Zo per i Ponti
This non-competitive walking event typically happens mid-March, where thousands of Venetians and visitors follow routes that cross dozens of Venice's bridges, exploring neighborhoods most tourists never see. It's not a race, more like a citywide treasure hunt with multiple route options ranging from 5-12 km (3-7.5 miles). Registration costs around 10-15 euros and includes a route map and refreshment stops. It's genuinely the best way to see residential Venice and meet locals, though you'll want comfortable waterproof walking shoes since routes include less-maintained areas.