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What to wear in Venice in September

What to wear in Venice in September

Are you wondering what to wear in Venice in September?  Venice in September sees summer officially coming to an end and moving into Fall as you move into late September.  However, the weather is still warm. In this guide we tell you everything to pack for Venice in September for men, women, to cope with the heat, look like a local and more. 

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Weather in Venice in September

VEnice in September
Venice September Packing List

Although the temperatures at the start of the month in Venice still feels like Summer, as you move into late September the temperatures start to feel more like Autumn/Fall.

How hot is Venice in September?

Although July is the hottest month in Venice, September is still pretty warm with average highs of
25°C/77F and average lows of 14°C/57F.

Therefore if is important to pack natural fabrics and clothes that can cope with relatively high temperatures.

And if your visit covers two months be sure to check out our other Venice guides:

Is it rainy in Venice in September?

September is much rainier than August but not too rainy. There is a 57% chance of a beautiful sunny day in September and there is 35mm of rain in the month.

Does Venice flood in September?

Floods are not common in Venice in September. That is because flood season in Venice, known locally as acqua alta, runs from October to January.

However if you are traveling in late September you are more likely to see more flooding before the beginning go the month.

Note: 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 September?

Locals in Venice with San Marco in background
What to wear in Venice in September

If you want to be more in keeping with the locals you will need to know how locals Venetians dress. 

Locals in Venice tend to still be in their summer wardrobe in September, slowly transitioning to add more layers towards the end of September. 

And you will find that their Summer clothes are stylish opting more for maxi dresses and flowing skirts over short shorts particularly in the city

It is worth noting that you are unlikely to find locals wearing short skirts and short shorts as this isn’t something you often find in Italian wardrobes.

And you will find that no matter what month you visit Venice that the local Venetians are a fashionable bunch.

Smart casual tends to be the most commonly seen attire in Venice among the locals especially when dining out in Venice. For more information on what to wear to dinner in Italy check out this post

Dress Codes in Venice

view of Venice across water - May Venice Packing List

The main considerations for September in Venice are dressing for heat and mosquitos. This translates into your packing list in the following ways:

Mosquitos

Anywhere with water and warm temperatures are perfect breeding grounds for mosquitos and this includes Venice in September. For this reason we recommend packing insect repellant and some longer length blouses and trousers to reduce the likelihood of being bitten.

Although Venice mosquitos are not dangerous they are definitely an irritant.

Natural Fabrics

Natural fabrics such as cotton, linen and silks are more breathable and reduce sweat which are perfect for Venice in September.

If you do decide to pack linen be sure to check out our guide on how to pack linen to prevent wrinkles.

Beaches

There are many beaches nearby Venice and some of the more expensive hotels will also have pools.

If you plan to visit one of these you will need some beachwear with you i.e. swimwear and beach cover. If you Arne’t planning to visit a lido, beach or stay in a hotel with a pool you won’t need swimwear with you.

What to wear in Venice in September

So now you know what to expect from the weather, what should you wear in Venice in September?

What to wear in Venice in September for women

Woman in September in Venice with lagoon and gondolas in background
What to wear to Venice in September

Blouses

Loose blouses are perfect for Venice in September as they work brilliantly for smarter dinners as they protect your arms from mosquito bites and they are cool for the heat.

They are also the perfect choice for visiting the duomo and churches where modest attire is required.

Click here to shop blouses

T Shirts

Although summer is ending, short sleeve t shirts should still be a staple of your Venice packing list.

To help you not look like a tourist I would recommend sticking to plain t shirts instead of those that have a graphic or text or are in loud colors.

Longer length skirts and dresses

Short skirts and dresses are on my what not to wear in Venice list. That is because they are not appropriate in churches like St Marks.

Midi and maxi length skirts and dresses are a better choice for Venice as they are good for day to night transitions and are good for visiting churches.

Just be sure that whatever skirts you pack don’t reveal your knee and remember to check for any slits that may make your outfit less modest for visiting Italian churches.

If you do decide on a Maxi Dress though make sure it doesn’t drag along the floor as this can be a hazard on bridges and stairs. And if you do see any flooding at the end of September you won’t want items of clothes that drag in the water.

Shorts

Shorts are good for sightseeing and on the beach in Venice but are not appropriate attire for Churches.

But chances are at the end of September the weather will be cooling so shorts might not be needed.

Trousers

Trousers are a more versatile pick that shorts for Venice as they work in churches and for when the weather starts to cool.

I would advise picking loose trousers to keep cool and sticking to fabrics such as linen and cotton and leaving the jeans at home in September, particularly at the start of the month..

Layers

This is particularly important if you are visiting towards the end of September. We recommend packing at least one cardigan or sweater for evenings and cooler days as the weather turns more autumnal.

Pashmina

A pashmina should be on your Venice packing list no matter the month you are visiting.

Pashminas can act as a scarf or extra layer on cooler nights and can help make your outfit more modest for visits to churches in Italy.

Swimwear and beach cover (optional)

This will only be required if your hotel has a pool or ig you want to go on a day trip to a nearby beach or lido.

If none of these are on your itinerary you can probably leave swimwear at home.

PJs or Nightie

Lightweight pyjamas and nighties are essential for Venice in September as you will find that many Italian hotels lack air conditioning.

Sunhat

As I said above Venice is hot and sunny in September so you will want a sun hat for sun protection.

Baseball caps are not a common sight on locals so I would opt for a smarter style hat for wondering around the city.

Sunglasses

The sun is bright in Venice even in September so you definitely need sunglasses for Venice in September.

Underwear and Socks

Goes without saying.

Top Tip: We recommend packing sneaker socks and some odour eaters if you have room in your case just in case your feet do get sweaty when wearing sneakers to sightsee around the city.

What to Wear in Venice in September Packing List for Men

couple on bridge in venice in September with canal in background
What to wear to Venice in September

For men visiting Venice in Septmere we recommend adding the following items to your packing list:

  • Trousers – we recommend selecting natural fabrics such as cottons and linen. Again leave the jeans at home for if you are visiting at the beginning of the month in favour of chinos.
  • Short Sleeve T Shirts – a staple for any Venice packing list.
  • Shirts – long sleeves are better for dining al fresco at night as they deter mosquitos but there is no Venice Dress Code short sleeve shirts are against.
  • Shorts – just be sure not to wear them on days you plan on visiting churches.
  • Linen Jacket – A jacket is a great pick for dining in Italian restaurants. A t the start of September it is still too warm for blazers therefore a linen jacket is a better pick.
  • Layers – For the end of September you will want some light layers such as sweaters or cardigans with you as the weather starts to cool.
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Sneakers
  • Smarter Pair of Shoes for dinner
  • Pjs
  • Underwear
  • Swimwear

Best Shoes for Venice in September

Sneakers

Sneakers are a great shoe choice for Venice no matter the month. That is because any visit to Venice involves a lot of walking.

They cope well with cobbles, bridges and more. My go to sneakers for Venice in Summer are lightweight Allbirds but this is personal choice.

Just remember to wear them with sneaker socks as this will reduce swear and odor in your shoe.

Sandals

If you are worried about walking in sneakers in the heat you could select some walking sandals but just be sure that they are good for walking. And we definitely choose to wear sandals for dinner where there is a smart casual dress code.

If you want some sandals with height we recommend wearing wedges as opposed to thin heels as there are lots of cobbles in Venice and thin heels are not safe.

What to Pack for Venice in September (Non Clothing)

  • Towel – this is an essential for those planning on spending time on the beach. We recommend a quick dry one where possible. However if you aren’t heading to a pool or lido this can be left off your packing list.
  • Insect Repellant – repellant for mosquitos which are a problem in Venice in September.
  • Sun Screen
  • Aloe Vera / Aftersun
  • Camera
  • Charging Equipment
  • Battery Pack
  • Travel Adaptor for electronics
  • Crossbody Bag – anti theft type.

FAQs about Venice September Packing list

Do you need a jacket in September in Venice? 

In Early September you won’t need a jacket weather wise. However in late September you may want a jacket for evenings and for when dining al fresco. 

Can you wear jeans in Venice in September?

There are no reason why you can’t wear jeans in September in Venice. However I find it too warm for jeans in early September in Venice. 

However in late September it can feel like Fall, so jeans may be appropriate later in the month. 

Should I pack swimwear for Venice in September?

Whether of not you need swimwear for September depends on:

  • if you plan on visiting a beach
  • if your hotel has access to a pool
  • if you plan to travel to other beach regions of Italy
  • if you plan to go on a Med cruise as part of your Venice trip

If you answer yes to the above we definitely recommend bringing swimwear with you however if you answer no to all of the above the chances are you won’t need swimwear.

Can you wear shorts in Venice in September?

Shorts are perhaps the least versatile option for visiting Venice in September as you won’t be able to wear these in some places such as churches.

However if you have a day at the beach or an itinerary day without churches then shorts are fine.

We would however recommend not packing manmade fabrics as you will find these very hot and sweaty in Venice in summer.

But if you are visiting in Late September then it is probably starting to get too cold for Venice.

Have you been to Venice in September? What did you wear? We would love to hear in the comments.