We may be going, so my question is: Anyone been in Venice in December (beginning of the month)?

Wondering - How's the weather? Things open or closed? Activity? Tourists (thinner crowds, I'd imagine than at other times)?

Sorry - will put this in the Europe forum.

Oy - This IS the Euorpe forum. Help me even though I'm confusing everyone (including myself)!

Hi kenav, you certainly won't have the blistering and humid heat. I would go to Venice in December. Last year did not have the rainy winter as is normal. Weather changes throughout the world it appears. I have not been to Venice in December but I have been there late October when there was horrific rainstorms including violent lightening storms. I still had a wonderful time. Actually I have been in Venice in May when there was lots of rain also. But I enjoy the rain and I know some people do not.

Don't worry about being confused, lol, sometimes I think I am confused half of the time!

Have fun planning your trip.

I was there for about 5 days in late December 2004. It was drizzly raining off and on during our stay. The weather was in the 40's and we had high-water 2 mornings in a row.
We were able to quickly get into San Marco without the crazy crowds though.

High water wouldn't have been so bad but we were needing to get to the train station one of those mornings. The bad thing is that the canal rises so much that the vaporetta's can't go under the bridges, so they stop running for a few hours till it recedes. We had to go several hours early in order to make our train.

Thanks for your answers.

We will be in Paris at the very end of Nov to beginning of Dec and would want to go to another city or place while in Europe. That's why I asked about Venice (cheap air flight there from Paris.) What about Prague?

Any suggestions about another area to go to at that time of year? (We've been to Vienna, Budapest and Krakow and would want to go somewhere else.)

We went to Munich, Rothenburg, and Nuremburg at the same time last year. Got to visit the Christmas markets and other sights. It was chilly, but not snowing. All in all, it was a good trip with good weather that got us into the Christmas spirit.

I love Venice, but even gondola "drivers" have said that December can be cold and wet there. The "iffy" weather might make going there unpleasant.

late autumn is one of the times Venice is most prone to flooding where they bring out catwalks but visiting town is a pain. Not likely to happen when you are there but not really unlikely either as it's flooding more and more - especially around full moons i guess.

We were in Venice in early-January last year (2006) and had a great time. It was actually snowing when we arrived which was beautiful (and we got there right at the moment the Olympic torch was being run up the Rialto Bridge which was a bonus). It was definitely cold but we just bundled up and were fine walking around. Makes stopping at a cafe for pastries and hot cioccolato that much more enjoyable! Plus, it seemed like we were the only tourists there at that time.

We've been to Venice twice through December and both times had glorious weather - cold but clear. Only a few mornings with aqua alta, so nothing to stop you explroring. It is much quieter than usual and yes - everthing is open. It does get busy between Christmas and New Year.