With temperatures climbing to 4–13°C (39–55°F) and daylight reaching 12 hours, Venice begins to thaw. The city marks Capodanno Veneto (Venetian New Year) and hosts rowing regattas for International Women’s Day. Art lovers flock to new exhibitions at the Doge’s Palace and Ca’ Rezzonico. Vivaldi concerts fill historic churches, and the first hints of spring appear in the Giardini. Occasional rain and chilly evenings persist, but crowds are manageable and hotel rates remain lower than in peak months.
Pro tips for visiting Venice in March
• Book tickets for the Etruscans and Venetians exhibition at the Doge’s Palace in advance, as opening weeks draw art crowds. • Head to Chiesa di San Vidal for Vivaldi concerts—buy tickets online to avoid last-minute queues. • Go early to the Rialto Market for the freshest spring produce and fewer shoppers. • Reserve tables at trattorias near Ca’ Rezzonico during exhibition openings, as art events boost demand. • Avoid Piazza San Marco during Palm Sunday processions if you want to skip crowds; try Campo Santa Maria Formosa instead. • Choose a hotel in Dorsoduro for easy access to museums and a quieter atmosphere. • Bring waterproof shoes, as rain showers are common and some calli can be slippery. • Skip the main vaporetto lines during regatta days; opt for walking routes to avoid delays.
What to eat in Venice in March: Seasonal delicacies
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Scampi alla Veneziana [shrimp with lemon]
Shrimp with olive oil and lemon; March starts peak flavour season. Eat at dinner, pair with Prosecco.
Female crews race traditional six-oared boats along Venice’s waterways for Women’s Day, with spectators lining canal edges. It’s free to watch, arrive early for bridges.
Doge’s Palace opens a 700+ artefact exhibition on water, cults, and sanctuaries linking Etruscan and Veneto worlds. Buy timed tickets to manage queues in San Marco.
La Fenice stages Vivaldi’s early opera in the city’s flagship theatre as part of the spring season. Seats go quickly, especially weekends, book in advance.
Ca’ Rezzonico shows Francesco Guardi paintings from the Gulbenkian collection inside an 18th-century palazzo museum. Go weekdays, Dorsoduro stays calmer than San Marco.
Candlelit concerts place classical and contemporary programmes in Venetian churches and palazzi. Venues vary, so buy tickets once you pick a location, seats are often limited.
Le Stanze della Fotografia presents a 200+ work Mapplethorpe retrospective on San Giorgio Maggiore. Take vaporetto Line 2, then add time for the island walk to Fondazione Cini.
Ca’ Pesaro hosts Jenny Saville’s first Venice exhibition, tracing her work from the 1990s onward inside a Grand Canal palazzo. Go early afternoon, the galleries stay quieter than San Marco.
Venice in March at a glance
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Weather
Maximum temperature: 13°C
Minimum temperature: 4°C
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Daylight
Around 11 hours 45 minutes of daylight
Sunrise: 6:30am
Sunset: 6:15pm
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Key events
Murano Illumina il Mondo, Capodanno Veneto / Cao de Ano, International Women's Day Rowing Regatta, Etruscans and Venetians Exhibition
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Crowds
Balanced crowds, with manageable queues and a mix of tourists and local visitors in the city.
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What to pack
Waterproof jacket, layers for changing temperatures, closed shoes, compact umbrella, scarf, and a small daypack for exhibitions.
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Seasonal treats
Fresh peas, artichokes, risi e bisi, scampi alla veneziana, fritole (late Carnival), spritz, ombra (local wine).
Plan ahead: must-visit experiences for Venice in March
