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Venice, that beautiful and mighty feat of engineering and determination, gets its annual transformation during autumn. Flooded streets caused by frequent rains, raised platforms for dry walking scattered everywhere, and people in makeshift plastic boots waddling in water are normal sights in Venice in autumn.
It can be a bit of a nightmare if you’re expecting some nice, dry and leisurely walk along its centuries-old piazza and labyrinth-like, narrow back streets. Oh, okay, “nightmare” is probably too strong a word, so I’ll settle with “hassle” instead. Still, a hassle that can put a damper on one’s sightseeing plans. Well, actually, ONLY if you come unprepared and with the wrong mindset, that is.
Venice, no matter what the season, is always beautiful and worth the visit. It may be wet with an occasional rising of the tides during those cold weather months (and with all those other tidbits mentioned above), but these tiny little facts only add to its charm and uniqueness.
Advantages of Visiting Venice in Autumn
There are a lot of advantages to visiting Venice in the autumn.
For one, prices are cheap, including hotel rates and airfares.
Second, there are fewer tourist crowds, so sightseeing is easier.
Third, the heat that summer usually brings is gloriously absent. Consider the occasional frolic in the water (with boots, of course) a one-of-a-kind experience that cannot be experienced in other destinations.
Also, it makes for a good travel story afterward (like how we were almost talked into buying those pricey boots). Besides, high tides occur only until mid-morning and late at night.
The secrets to making your cold-weather travel to Venice as fun and memorable as possible are simply a little bit of prior preparation and having the right attitude. Here’s how to do that:
Venice in Autumn: How to Prepare
1. Wear boots
Pack those sturdy rain boots for an easier trek along wet streets. While makeshift plastic boots (worn over your shoes for protection) are available for purchase, they cost a whopping €15, which is quite pricey for something so temporary.
2. Bring an umbrella
Venice gets its fair share of rainfall during autumn, so be sure to pack a heavy-duty umbrella like the windproof variety. It allows you to continue your sightseeing without waiting for the rain to stop.
3. Arrive before nightfall
The tides in Venice start getting high during sunset, so arriving before that enables you to get to your hotel before the streets get flooded. Note that carrying luggage on flooded streets is not fun at all. Also, arriving early ensures you’d be dropped off at your intended Vaporetto station as later in the day some of these water taxis skip stations that are flooded.
4. Travel light
Don’t bring too much. I’ve seen countless travelers having a hard time navigating Venice in autumn’s narrow, crowded, wet, and slippery streets with large, heavy suitcases. It’s not the most attractive thing to see. Nor the most comfortable, I reckon.
5. Be prepared for Venice in the Autumn
Prepare for any change of schedule that’s out of your control, like bringing food along the way. The last time we arrived in Venice, our water taxi was running late so we didn’t make it to dinner at a nice Venetian restaurant (and boy, was I looking forward so much to that). Good thing we brought sandwiches with us or we would have starved.
6. Keep the contact information of your hotel
This is especially important if you’re arriving late at night. Some hotels have their own water taxis that can fetch you from your Vaporetto stop. Our hotel had one that transports guests when the tides get high, but unfortunately, we learned about that only much later. We were able to call them, though, after we were dropped off at our station and were thus given directions to the hotel.
5. Enjoy the Uniqueness
We travel not only because we want to see sights, but also because we want to experience new things. Embrace this unique side of Venice. The waters make Venice different from other travel destinations and are also what set it apart. They’re something you won’t experience in other places.
Relish the chance to wade in the water, play with the birds, or just immerse yourself in this majestic fusion of charming architecture and beautiful vista that is Venice alone. Experiencing something new and unique is one of the beauties of traveling.
Activities in Venice
Klook.comWhere to Stay
Hotel Al Vagon near the Rialto Bridge is a nice place to stay. It has lovely rooms (some have great canal views), friendly hotel staff, and good service. It is also near restaurants and shops—the famous Rialto Bridge is a mere 5-minute walk away. You can read more about Hotel Al Vagon here.
Wrap Up
We hope you’re well prepared to visit Venice in the autumn with this article. We hope, too, that you’ll have a lovely and enjoyable time there.
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