Are you wondering what to wear in Venice in May? In this guide we will look at what you can expect from the weather in May in Venice and how it affects what you should pack for Venice in Springtime.
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Weather in Venice in May
We love visiting Venice in May mainly due to its good weather for sightseeing. Only problem, is a lot of other people also enjoy visiting Venice at this time so do expect some crowds in the city.
May in Venice is typically warm and sunny and very pleasant for wandering around the city.
Is it cold in Venice in May?
No Venice is not cold in May. In fact it is very pleasant. In fact the temperatures during the day time usually hover between 17C (63F) to 23C to 73F.
Obviously the later in the month of May you travel the warmer it will be.
It is also worth noting that it can still get cool in the evening in Venice in May, especially when you are sat outside dining al fresco. Therefore you may want to have some layers for the evenings.
Is Venice rainy in May?
Rain is always possible in Venice and May is no exception. Usually Venice in May gets around 13 days of rain but this is usually likely to be showers or the occasional thunderstorm.
Therefore it is always worth bringing at least one pair of shoes that are good in the rain.
Is Venice flooded in May?
Venice can flood whatever time of year you visit. However typically speaking May is not a month when Venice is flooded.
Note: the weather between months changes quite dramatically and there are always special events in Venice in certain months. If your trip spans a couple of months then please be sure to check out our other monthly guides:
And if you are traveling to other cities and regions in Italy be sure to check out our other monthly guides:
How do local people dress in Venice?
In answer to how do people dress in Venice I have to say it varies. Like any of the European capitals there isn’t a hard and fast Venice dress code but some things are more commonplace than others. But it is worth noting that Venetians are definitely a fashionable bunch and you will often find people dress in a smart casual way instead of being overtly casual.
However you will still many locals in jeans and sneakers but they are likely to be in a fashion or slim fit style as opposed to sportswear. Similarly to what not to wear in Paris, I would say that sportswear is usually reserved for doing sports in Venice and you want see much athleisure wear on a day to day basis.
Evenings in Venice tend to be slightly smarter. Most restaurant goers will stick to being smart casual. For more information on what to wear to dinner in Italy check out this post.
What to wear in Venice in May
So now you know what to expect from the weather, what should you wear in Venice in May?
What to wear in Venice in May for women
Longer length skirts and dresses
I would put short skirts and dresses on the what not to wear in Venice list for the simple reason that they are no appropriate in lots of Venetian tourist attractions such as churches like St Marks.
However midi and maxi length skirts and dresses are great and are good for day to night transition outfits. Just be sure that whatever skirts you pack don’t reveal your knee. This is especially important if your skirt has a slit in it.
This is because when visiting Italian churches you need to dress modestly.
I would also check before you travel that any maxi skirts you plan on wearing don’t trail along the floor just in case there is any flooding or for when traveling on the vaporetti as your skirt is likely to get wet.
Jeans
Although towards the end of the month May is becoming warmer I still think it is worthwhile taking a pair of jeans with you to Venice, especially for the beginning of the month.
To look more like a local and less like a tourist in Venice I recommend selecting a pair of jeans that are more fitted and darker in color.
Trousers
Although I wouldn’t add linen trousers for your Venice Spring packing list especially if you are traveling at the beginning of the month I would add some trousers other than jeans to your list.
Chinos I think are the perfect weight trousers for traveling in May.
Blouse
A loose blouse works perfectly for warmer days and cooler nights in Venice.
Jacket
A jacket that is perfect for shoulder seasons are a great idea for Venice in May. For this time of year I usually travel with a denim jacket but blazers are very fashionable in Venice.
T Shirt
I always pack a few t shirts when visiting Italy. For those visiting Venice in May I would advise packing more shorter sleeve t shirts that long but a combination is never a bad idea.
To fit in with the locals more I recommend plain and dark t-shirts as opposed to loud or graphic tees.
Pashmina
I never travel to Venice or anywhere in Italy for that matter without a pashmina. But it is particularly essential for Italy Spring travelled.
Pashminas can act as a scarf or extra layer on cooler May days and can help make your outfit more modest for visits to churches in Italy.
PJs or Nightie
Lightweight pyjamas and nighties are perfect especially towards the end of the month.
Sunglasses
The sun in bright in Rome whatever month you visit but I definitely wouldn’t go to Rome in May without a pair
Sunhat (optional)
I always recommend taking a sun hat if you are visiting Venice in summer. I personally don’t find you need one in May so have put on here as an optional addition if you have room and want to have a hat as a stylish accessory.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying
What to Wear in Venice in Spring Packing List for Men
What to wear in Venice for men in May is actually very similar to the women’s list. We recommend packing
- Fitted smart jeans
- Pair of Trousers
- Mixture of long and short sleeve t shirts for day time
- Jacket – blazers are perfect for the May weather.
- Sunglasses
- Sneakers
- Smarter Pair of Shoes for dinner
- Pjs
- Underwear
Best Shoes for Venice
Venice is a city best seen on foot so you are going to need some comfy walking shoes with you. Shoes are probably the most important part of any Venice packing list.
We recommend packing a pair of sneakers. These will be most comfortable for doing lots of walking and will give you some grip on slippery or steep surfaces. Our preferred brand for summer walking is Allbirds but this is just personal choice.
Also as the weather has started to warm up you may want some sandals with you, especially for dining. We recommend wedges as the best type if you want some height as these cope better with cobbles etc. We would not pack any sandal with a thin heel.
Also we don’t recommend flip flops for Venice as they provide little arch support or grip on slippery surfaces. We therefore recommend leaving these off your Venice packing list.
What to Pack for Venice in April (Non Clothing)
- an umbrella
- Waterproof wear for rainy Aprils
- Toiletries
- Documentation
- Insect Repellant
- Camera
- Charging Equipment
- Battery Pack
- Travel Adaptor for electronics
- Crossbody bag – anti theft type.
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Blister plasters
How to Dress for Special Events in Venice in May
There are no special event dress codes in Venice in May however it is worth pointing out that the 1st May is a public holiday called Workers Day. Therefore you may find some tourist attractions will be shut. Be sure to check your itinerary plan to avoid disappointment.
Have you visited Venice in May? We would love to hear what you wore in the comments section below.