What To Wear In Venice (+ Packing List!)

Venice is one of the most beautiful city’s in the world, visited by millions of tourists annually who flock to see its winding canals, historic architecture, and cultural attractions.

As you begin to plan your trip to Venice it’s important to consider what you’re going to pack and subsequently wear to ensure that you’re both comfortable and stylish.

The city’s Mediterranean climate means that the weather can be warm and humid in the summer, and mild and damp in the winter, so it’s important to pack clothes that are suitable for a range of temperatures and conditions.

Thankfully, we’ve experienced all of these seasons first-hand. As such we’re able to advise as to what to pack based on when you’re travelling.

Shorts & Skirts

☀️ When To Pack: Summer (and perhaps Spring and Fall)

If you’re visiting Venice in the summer then we highly recommend packing a pair of shorts or a skirt.

We look for a pair that’s got good pockets (ideally with zips) so we can store a bank card and our mobile phone in them safely and access them quickly as and when required.

While denim shorts are an option, they aren’t ideal if you get caught in the rain (which can happen in the Spring and Fall months) since they take a long time to dry.

Instead, we look for a pair made of cotton, ideally with some stretch in the waist.

🧍‍♂️Best choice for men: These Wrangler Classic Cargo Shorts (buy it on Amazon) are ideal for men and come in a range of colours.

🧍‍♀️Best choice for women: These leightweight casual drawstring shorts (buy it on Amazon) are perfect for women.

Trousers & Leggings

☀️ When To Pack: All Seasons

Regardless of when you’re visiting Venice, we always recommend packing a pair of trousers, leggings, or both.

However, what type of trousers you choose will be more dependent on the weather and the activities you plan to participate in during your trip.

For example, if you’re visiting during the summertime then you’ll likely want to look for breathable and durable trousers that have ample pocket space.

However, if you’re planning on spending time in a more formal setting, such as restaurants or at the theatre, then you’ll want to go for more fitted options such as skinny jeans or smart trousers.

🧍‍♂️Best choice for men: These affordable athletic fit pants (buy it on Amazon) are ideal for men and come in a range of colours.

🧍‍♀️Best choice for women: These high wasited leggings with pockets (buy it on Amazon) are perfect for exploring the city streets.

T-Shirts

☀️ When To Pack: All Seasons

T-shirts are a great base layer to pack for your trip to Venice, however, the type of t-shirt may vary depending on the weather and the activities you will be participating in.

For summer trips, we recommend short-sleeved tops. These can be worn on their own or layered under a light cardigan for added warmth when required.

Meanwhile, for winter trips, we recommend packing a mix of long-sleeved and short-sleeved tops since the weather will likely be significantly milder.

🧍‍♂️Best choice for men: These t-shirts (buy it on Amazon) are affordable and available in a variety of colours and necklines depening on your needs.

🧍‍♀️Best choice for women: This casual loose fit v-neck top (buy it on Amazon) is available in a wide range of colours.

Button Up Shirt / Blouse

☀️ When To Pack: All Seasons

Alongside a t-shirt, we also recommend packing at least one more formal shirt.

In most cases, this will come in the form of a button-up which can be paired with a skirt or a pair of trousers for more formal evenings.

Of course, button-up shirts are also a great choice for higher daytime temperatures since they are frequently made of breathable, light materials.

🧍‍♂️Best choice for men: This casual linen short-sleeve shirt (buy it on Amazon) is simple, stylish and comes in a range of colours.

🧍‍♀️Best choice for women: This white classic-fit shirt (buy it on Amazon) is perfect for pairing with either a pair of jeans or a skirt.

Dresses, Jumpsuits & Playsuits

☀️ When To Pack: All Seasons (but especially in Summer)

Dresses, jumpsuits, and playsuits are all great choices when visiting Venice for both daytime and evening wear, especially if you’re visiting during the warmer months.

These types of garments are versatile, comfortable, and stylish, and they can be easily dressed up or down to suit the occasion making them perfect for those travelling with hand luggage only.

During the daytime jumpsuits or playsuits are often practical and stylish choices for sightseeing, shopping, or heading to the beach.

However, we wouldn’t recommend them if you’re going to be taking part in any outdoor activities such as hiking.

These casual one-pieces are comfortable to wear in warm weather and can be easily paired with sandals or sneakers for a relaxed yet stylish look.

If you’re looking to wear these items in the daytime then we recommend looking for a lightweight and breathable fabric, such as linen or cotton, to help keep you cool and comfortable.

If you’re planning on dining out at a nice restaurant, attending a theatre performance, or going out for a night on the town, then dresses especially can be made more formal with the addition of heels and accessories to create a sophisticated, yet stylish look.

🧍‍♀️Best choice for women: This striped jumpsuit (buy it on Amazon) is perfect for a more casual look. Meanwhile this dress (buy it on Amazon) is perfect for a more formal evening out.

Jackets & Cardigans

☀️ When To Pack: All Seasons

Regardless of when you’re visiting Venice, it can often be a good idea to pack a light jacket or cardigan.

The exact density and style of such will, however, likely depend on when you’re visiting the city and what you plan to experience while you’re there.

Venice can get quite chilly during the winter, so having a warm coat or jacket to layer is essential to stay cosy and warm.

We recommend looking for a jacket that is made from a thick and insulating fabric, such as wool or down, and that has a hood or other features that can help to protect you from any wind and / or rain.

Meanwhile, if you’re visiting Venice during the spring or fall, a light jacket or cardigan can be a good choice to keep you comfortable during the cooler evenings or when the weather is more variable.

These seasons can be a great time to visit Venice, as the daytime temperatures are often mild and there are fewer crowds when compared to the peak summer season.

A lightweight jacket or cardigan can be easily packed in your luggage and can provide just the right amount of warmth as and when you need it.

Even if you’re visiting Venice during the summer months, you may still want to pack a light jacket or cardigan.

Even though the weather is generally warm and sunny in Venice during the summer, the temperatures can drop significantly in the evening so it’s a good idea to be prepared.

🧍‍♂️Best choice for men: This affordable Hanes pullover (buy it on Amazon) is simple, stylish and comes in a range of colours.

🧍‍♀️Best choice for women: This thin zip up jacket (buy it on Amazon) is ideal for throwing on over your outfit if it gets a little cold.

Footwear

☀️ When To Pack: All Seasons

It’s highly likely that during your trip to Venice you’ll be doing a lot of walking.

As such we recommend looking for shoes with a sturdy and supportive sole, and that have ample cushioning to help reduce fatigue and keep your feet comfortable.

Sneakers, loafers, and oxfords are all good options for city walking.

🧍‍♂️Best choice for men: These Sketchers classic fit sneakers (buy it on Amazon) are both incredibly comfortable and stylish.

🧍‍♀️Best choice for women: These low-rise Converse (buy it on Amazon) are super comfortable and come in a range of colours.

Coat

☀️ When To Pack: Winter

If you’re visiting Venice during the winter months then we recommend packing a coat.

Venice can get rather chilly in the winter months, especially at night so it’s a good idea to consider a style that will keep you both warm and dry.

If you’re visiting in the shoulder months then you may also want to bring a small rain jacket that’s made from waterproof materials and packs away easily.

That way if you do experience any cold or wet conditions you’re not caught off-guard.

🧍‍♂️Best choice for men: This puffer coat (buy it on Amazon) is ideal for keeping warm.

🧍‍♀️Best choice for women: This coat (buy it on Amazon) is a great option if you're visiting Venice in winter. 

Hat

☀️ When To Pack: All Seasons

If you’re visiting Venice during the summer months then it’s a good idea to pack a sunhat to protect your head and face from the strong UV rays.

However, if you’re visiting Venice during the winter months then you may want to pack a woolly hat instead.

A woolly hat will help to keep your head and ears warm as you continue to explore all that the city has to offer.

We recommend looking for a hat that is made from a thick and insulating fabric, such as wool or fleece, and that covers your ears to provide maximum warmth.

🧍‍♂️Best choice for men: This sun hat (buy it on Amazon) is a fantastic choice for the summer. Meanwhile, this wooly hat (buy it on Amazon) is a great choice if you're visiting Venice during the colder months.

🧍‍♀️Best choice for women: This sun hat (buy it on Amazon) is a fantastic choice for the summer. Meanwhile, this wooly hat (buy it on Amazon) is a great choice if you're visiting Venice during the colder months.

Sunglasses

☀️ When To Pack: Summer

If you’re planning on visiting Venice during the warmer months when sunny days are more common then we highly recommend packing a pair of sunglasses.

Having a pair of sunglasses can be a practical and stylish way to protect your eyes from the sun’s rays and keep you comfortable during your trip.

🧍‍♂️Best choice for men: These polarized sunglasses (buy it on Amazon) have a stylish semi-rimless frame.

🧍‍♀️Best choice for women: These Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses (buy it on Amazon) have long been a statement piece and are available in three different colours.

Gloves

☀️ When To Pack: Winter

If you are visiting mainland Venice in the winter months, it’s also a good idea to pack a pair of gloves to keep your hands warm and protected against the cold.

There are many different types of gloves to choose from including; leather, wool, and synthetic materials.

Leather gloves are generally more expensive but are also very durable and can be treated to be water-resistant.

Meanwhile, gloves made from wool are naturally insulating and can be warm even when wet.

Finally, synthetic materials, such as polyester or nylon, can be a more affordable option and are often treated with moisture-wicking or quick-drying properties to help keep your hands dry.

🧍‍♂️Best choice for men: These thin winter gloves (buy it on Amazon) allow you to keep warm and use your smart phone screen without removing them.

🧍‍♀️Best choice for women: These stylish gloves (buy it on Amazon) is available in multiple different colours and styles.