General Style Tips
- Venetians like to dress up and you will feel more comfortable in smart casual dress.
- This is definitely a location to show off your designer labels if you wish. You will see plenty of designer handbags on show.
- Make sure you take comfy footwear for daytime as you will do a lot of walking. In fact unless you are on a vaporetti (water bus) you will be walking everywhere as there are no cars, bicycles or taxis. Try Hotter shoes, they provide total comfort and look great too.
- Leave your swimsuit at home it's very unlikely that you will use it, unless your hotel has facilities.
- For upscale restaurants, of which there are many, you will feel more comfortable in smart casual wear.
- Remember that however you arrive at Venice you will be wheeling your baggage along alleys at some point, so keep it lightweight. Remember that the water buses will often charge for more than one piece of luggage – travel light!
- St Mark's Basilica has a strictly enforced dress code – everyone must cover bare legs and shoulders, not a problem when you visit in the winter but at other times be aware.Or you will find yourself buying paper pants!
- Also see What to Wear in Italy
Clothing Tips for Women
- Feel free to be glamorous and stylish. Especially if you plan to visit the Opera House.
- A pashmina is a versatile piece that will dress up any outfit. If you forget yours there are some gorgeous cashmere shops in the city.
- And a few well-chosen pieces of costume jewelry will also transform any outfit.
- Save your heels for the evenings, however bear in mind you will be walking – a lot – and wedge heels may be more comfortable. The streets are paved though, not cobbled, so you can get away with small stiletto heels if you prefer.
- When visiting restaurants our advice would be no sneakers; this is a time to get those glamorous sandals or shoes on.
- If you are planning on visiting any religious sites then be sure to dress conservatively and take a pashmina to cover your shoulders and bare legs. It can also be very chilly inside the churches, even when it's hot outside.
Clothing Tips for Men
- Feel free to be stylish.
- When eating out or visiting the opera etc, opt for smart shoes.
- If visiting churches it can be cold inside, even in the hot summer months – you may like to carry a light sweater or jacket to put round you.
- For great versatile travel jackets with multiple pockets including RFID security options, we love the SCOTTeVEST range.
Pack for the Weather
- It can rain at any time and our advice would be to pack a lightweight raincoat and travel umbrella even in the summer.
- Clever layering is the key to dressing for changeable weather.
- During May, June, July, August and September the sun is fierce, so be sure to pack sunscreen (we love the Riemann P20 range for 10 hour protection), sunhat and sunglasses.
- In winter (December, January, February) dress up warmly, with layers and take a warm smart coat and warm scarf but still take your sunglasses.
- In October, November and December high tides mean that some places of interest (such as St Mark's Square) maybe under inches of water but don’t worry. They are so well prepared for this that there are walkways everywhere, and usually by mid-afternoon the water has subsided. If you find it limiting you can always buy over-boots from most shops to cover your shoes or boots.
- At these times loud sirens sound to warn the locals of particularly high tides – at night this can make sleeping difficult, so you may want to take some earplugs!
- If you are heading to Venice in winter check out: Top tips for visiting Venice in Winter
- We love the Weather+ app – it gives an accurate 6 day forecast for day and night, which when you're planning from home is really helpful. You can keep all the places you've been to too – a nice way to remember your trip 🙂 Download for iPad/iPhone or Android
Other Things To Pack
- Be sure to pack your deodorant, as this can be hard to buy.
- In the warmer months take good insect/mosquito repellent to protect against mosquitoes by the sea.
- Remember it is a legal requirement in Italy to carry some form of photo ID at all times. If taking your passport with you, a passport bunjee will help to keep it safe from pickpockets or loss.
- Keep your mobile phone safe too with a phone bunjee.
- To use electrical gadgets you may need a travel adapter plug, and also a step down voltage converter if your devices are not designed for European voltage (230V).
- If you're aiming to travel with just carry-on baggage, try the CabinMax soft-sided rucksack – it's light, roomy and has plenty of pockets to keep your stuff organized. You can use packing cubes to compress the volume too.
- And a lightweight shoulder bag or day sack will come in handy to carry your sightseeing essentials. Note that some museums and galleries do not permit entry with large bags or backpacks, and there is not always a cloakroom facility. This is true of St Mark’s Basilica.
- If you tend to buy bottled water, consider carrying a LifeStraw Filtration Water Bottle – fill up from any source and get clean, safe drinking water without wasting plastic bottles.
- Avoid paying unexpected baggage fees – use an accurate luggage scale to ensure you keep within the weight allowance. Don't forget to leave room for souvenirs on the way home! Masks and glassware are popular buys.
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1 Comment
Nora B.
September 2, 2019 at 6:47 pmIf you are heading to Venice in Summer, the sun is scorching HOT! Bring lightweight loose shirts and dresses. Bring your own good quality sunscreen too.