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What to wear to Venice in Summer

What to wear to Venice in Summer

Are you wondering what to wear in Venice in Summer? Summer in Venice is hot and for people who are traveling to this beautiful city in June, July or August, this guide will over exactly what to pack to cope with the heat but still look stylish!

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Weather in Venice in Summer

When people ask us what to expect from the weather in Venice in Summer, I give a one word answer – HOT!

Woman in Burano - What to wear in Venice in Summer (June, July August)
What to wear in Venice in Summer (June, July August)

All of Italy tends to be hot in Summer but being next to the water you will feel hot and humid.

It really doesn’t matter whether you visit Venice in June, July or August the weather will be hot. However some months of hotter than others so we have summarised expected temperatures below.

Venice Weather in June

If you are wondering what the temperatures are like and how to dress for the Venice weather in June yo can expect hot temperatures ranging from 28-17C and 81 – 70F depending on the year you travel.

How hot is Venice in July

Venice in July is slightly hotter than June with average temperatures ranging from 31-19C and 93-74F. It is therefore really important to dress for the heat in July as this is the hottest month in Venice.

Temperatures in Venice In August

Although July holds the title of hottest month, the temperatures in August are very similar to July. The average temps for August are 31-19C and 93-74F so it is really important to get your Venice attire right for the weather.

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

Is it rainy in Venice in Summer?

Venice in summer is not the rainiest season to visit Venice however it is not unheard of to experience rain. However the rain you experience in summer is more likely to be seen in the form of showers and an occasional thunderstorm rather than sustained rain.

Does Venice flood in Summer?

Flood season in Venice is known locally as acqua alta. However this usually occurs from October to January. Having said that there is always a chance of flooding though admittedly chances are low in Summer.

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 Summer?

When thinking about how locals dress the main consideration has to be the heat in Venice in summer. You are unlikely to find locals wearing short skirts and short shorts however. Instead you will find that locals tend to wear loose, flowing clothing and natural fabric.

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

Venice Dress Codes to be Aware of

view of Venice across water - May Venice Packing List

Although there aren’t lots of places in Venice with dress codes, there is one that you should be aware of. That is the Italian Church Dress Code.

Churches are obviously religious sites and require modest outfit. Men and women should always keep their shoulders and knees covered when entering an Italian Church. If your outfit does not meet this minimum standard there is always a chance that you may be turned away.

Considerations for Venice Summer Packing List

Gondola scene - what to wear in Venice in May

Before we get onto the exact items to include in your Venice Summer outfits, we thought is would be worth outlining some considerations for your packing list.

Natural Fabrics

Venice in summer is hot hot hot! Therefore you want to make outfit choices that will help keep you cool. Therefore we recommend packing natural fabrics as opposed to man made.

Natural fabrics such as cotton, linen and silks are more breathable and reduce sweat. We recommend sticking to this type of fabrics where possible.

Mosquitos

Everyone knows that Venice is famed for its canals. But the downside of these canals in summer are the mosquitos. Be sure to pack some insect repellant but consider packing some light clothing with longer sleeves for the evenings to reduce the liklihood of getting bitten.

Beaches

There are many beaches nearby to Venice. If you plan to visit one of these you will need some beachwear with you.

What to wear in Venice in Summer

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

What to wear in Venice in Summer for women

Woman with gondolas - What to wear in Venice in Summer (June, July August)
What to wear in Venice in Summer (June, July August)

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 if you are visiting Venice in summer you will want some skirts and dresses on your packing list.

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 and remember to check for any slits that may make your outfit less modest for visiting Italian churches.

Top Tip: don’t pack items that trail along the floor. Firstly Venice is very busy in summer so it can get trodden on in crowded places but also can get wet when near canals on riding on the vaporetti.

Trousers

Trousers are great for visiting churches as they ensure knees are covered. I would advise picking loose trousers to keep cool and sticking to fabrics such as linen and cotton.

Blouse

Loose blouses are perfect in the summer. They are great for meeting church dress codes but also if you have a longer sleeve, you can protect your arms from mosquito bites when dining alfresco.

Click here to shop blouses

T Shirt

I always pack a few t shirts when visiting Venice no matter the season. I pack a mix of long and short sleeves.

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.

Pashmina

A pashmina should be on your Venice summer packing list as it 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.

Shorts

Shorts are good for sightseeing and on the beach but arenn’t suitable for days in churches.

Personally I would select shorts that are made of natural fabrics and avoid denim just because of the hat.

PJs or Nightie

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

Sunglasses

The sun in bright in Venice whatever month you visit but I definitely wouldn’t go to Venice in Summer without a pair of shades to protect your eyes from the sun.

Sunhat

AS I said Above Venice is hot and sunny in summer so you will want a sun hat for sun protection.

Underwear and Socks

Goes without saying

Swimwear and beach cover

If you plan to go to a Venetian beach you will want swimwear and a beach cover with you.

What to Wear in Venice in Summer Packing List for Men

Couple in St Marks Square - What to wear in Venice in Summer (June, July August)
What to wear in Venice in Summer (June, July August)

What to wear in Venice for men in Summer is actually very similar to the women’s list. We recommend packing

  • Trousers – recommend selecting natural fabrics such as cottons and linen
  • Mixture of long and short sleeve t shirts for day time and night
  • Shirts – mix of long and short sleeve
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Sneakers
  • Smarter Pair of Shoes for dinner
  • Pjs
  • Underwear
  • Swimwear

Best Shoes for Venice

Any trip to Venice is going to require a fair bit of walking. And really it is a city that is best seen on foot.

For this reason we recommend packing a pair of fashion sneakers for walking. We like wearing Allbirds as they have light weight summer sneakers but this is a personal choice.

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.

If you want some nicer sandals for eating out in Venice then we recommend wearing wedges as opposed to thin heels as there are lots of cobbles in Venice and thin heels are not safe.

Also if you plan to visit the beaches in Venice you may want to add some flip flops to your list. However we wouldn’t recommend these for walking around the city.

What to Pack for Venice in Summer (Non Clothing)

  • Toiletries
  • Insect Repellant – repellant for mosquitos
  • Camera
  • Charging Equipment
  • Battery Pack
  • Travel Adaptor for electronics
  • Crossbody Bag – anti theft type.
  • Towel for use on the beach

FAQs about Venice Summer Packing list

What can you not wear in Venice in the summer?

Shorts are perhaps the least versatile option in Summer as you won’t be able to wear these in summer. 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.

Can you wear jeans in Venice in Summer?

There is nothing to stop you wearing jeans in Venice in the summer in terms of dress code. However given the heat I would personally try and avoid denim as it can be too hot in summer in Venice.