Venice - City of Canals, needs no introduction. The wide and narrow canals of the city are one of it's most prominent features. One of Europe's most visited cities, with a footfall of nearly 3.8 million/annum, Venice continues to remain an unassuming city with centuries-old cafes beneath stately porticoes.
So what is it about Venice that tourists can't get enough of? Plan a trip to Venice this November to find out!
What makes Venice in November special?
- The weather in November is a pleasant one. Though it is cooler than previous months, there is plenty of sunshine and temperatures are mild, ranging from 16°C to 21°C.
- November is shoulder season in Venice, which means less tourist crowds and more time to visit tourist hot spots. The rates of accomodations and tourist attractions also drop considerably.
- With the holiday season approaching, Venice begins bracing for festive celebrations. All Saints’ Day, Festa Della Salute, and La Biennale are some of the events that bring out the Venetian spirit. Be a part of these events and you are guaranteed to leave the city with a part of it in your heart.
Venice in November: Weather
November is the onset of autumn season in Venice, which means cooler days, with some sunshine and some rain! The temperature ranges between 12°C and 5°C, necessating layers but definitely worth it.
Venice in November: Things to do
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Doge’s Palace
A disntinguishing feature of Venice's skyline, The Doge's Palace is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Previously the government center for the Venetian Republic, now it is a landmark monument in Venice with an extensive history.
November Timings
9 AM - 7 PM [last entry at 5 PM]
Piazza San Marco, 1, 30124 Venezia VE,
Italy
Getting There ›
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Gondola Tour
As cliche as it sounds, a trip to Venice is incomplete without a gondola ride! Gondolas are flat-bottomed, wooden boats plying the busy Grand Canal and smaller waterways of Venice. They are a symbol of history, tradition, and romance in Venice.
November Timings
Daily, 11 AM - 7:30 PM
30100 Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice,
Italy
Getting There ›
3
St. Mark’s Basilica
Formally known as the Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark, this megastructure is truly the crown jewel of Venice. With a history that stretches way back to the 9th century A.D., it is a church veiled in rich biblical history and fascinating lores and legends. Book a guided tour of the cathedral and follow it up with a visit to the St. Mark's Museum.
November Timings
Weekdays: 9:30 AM – 5 PM [last entry at 4:45 PM]
Sunday and holidays: 2 PM – 5 PM [last entry at 4:15 PM]
St. Mark’s Museum: Every day: 9:30 AM – 5:10 PM
Sunday: 2 PM - 5:15 PM
Merceria Orologio, 30124 Venezia VE,
Italy
Getting There ›
4
Teatro La Fenice
Italian opera has a special place in the hearts of theater and art lovers. Teatro La Fenice, Venice's most important theater, is the cultural center of the city. The name of the theater has the word “phoenix” in it as it was reborn after two fires.
The theatre had once hosted the likes of Verdi, Donizetti, Abbado, Muti and Chung, Rossini, Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti, and Bellini.
November Timings
Daily, 9:30 AM – 6 PM
Check up-to-date timings here.
Piazza San Marco, 1965
30124 Venezia VE
Italy
Getting There ›
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Jewish Museum
The Jewish Museum in Venice is one of the best places to head to if you want to delve into the heritage of the city. The Jewish community has always been a big part of Venice’s population and this museum honours their legacy. The museum's collection includes a wide range of articrafts, including religious objects, textiles, furniture, and works of art.
November Timings
10 AM to 5:30 PM
Campo di Ghetto Nuovo, 2902/b, 30121 Venezia,
Italy
Getting There ›
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Venice craftsmenship tour
Traditional craftsmanship is popular in Venetian households. This tour takes you behind the scenes of some of the renowned workshops in the city where you will be able to experience the making of glass, gold and silver jewelry and mask-making workshops.
November Timings
Daily, 11 AM
Venice Tours Office, San Marco 1130 , Venezia
Italy
Getting There ›
7
Leonardo da Vinci Museum
Leonardo Da Vinci Museum delves deep into the workings of Leonardo Da Vinci, revealing the strata and substrata of his expertise. The museum exhibits his genius through art, machinery, anatomy, and science through interactive machines, multimedia videos, educational laboratories, infographics, anatomical studies and his most important paintings.
November Timings
Daily, 10 AM – 6:45 PM
Scoletta – Complesso Monumentale, Campo San Rocco, 3052, 30125 Venezia VE,
Italy
Getting There ›
Venice in November: Events to look out for
Festa Della Salute
November 21, 2023
Festa Della Salute commemorates the end of deadly 1630 plague that wiped out nearly 33% of Venice’s population in its wake. Venetians celebrate the occasion by taking a pilgrimage walk across the Grand Canal, over a bridge of boats and lighting a candle at the Church of Santa Maria Della Salute. It is a sombre occasion but one that teaches a lot about the culture of the city.
Biennale Architettura 2023
May 20 - November 26, 2023
Biennale Architettura is the world's biggest architectural festival, currently in its 18th edition and curated by Lesley Lokko. This year's theme, 'The Laboratory of the Future’, puts Africa in the spotlight.
Operas at Teatro La Fenice
All November
Experiencing a show or two at Teatro La Fenice is highly recommended. The theater is an architectural marvel with great acoustics. This November, watch Canadian pianist Louis Lortie conduct and play Grieg and Schumann at the Teatro La Fenice. Other must-watch shows include MaLes contes d'Hoffmann, Venezia in Danza: Vivaldiana, and Enrico Dindo & Pietro De Maria in recital.
Concerts at San Vidal
All November
San Vidal is a former church that has now been converted to a concert hall. It is located at the end of Campo Santo Stefano. The concert hall is known to host a number of concerts throughout the year. This November, lose yourself in the melody of The Four Seasons by Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi.
Venice in November: 3-day itinerary
3 days in Venice
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Venice in November: Essentials
Venice accommodations in November
Venice has plenty of vacant accommodations available in November. Since the city is well equipped to handle the tourist crowd, you will have no problem finding a hotel of your choice within your budget. Make sure you have your itinerary in hand before making the hotel bookings. Here are some of the best hotels sorted by budget:
- Luxury – Hotel Canal Grande, Ca’ Maria Adele, The Gritti Palace
- Mid-range – Al Ponte Antico Hotel, Charming House IQs, Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace
- Budget – Hotel Moresco, Hotel Palazzo Stern, Hotel Olimpia Venice
What to pack for Venice in November?
Venice has a distinguished weather in November. The days are mild and the nights may get freezing cold. Make sure to carry enough warm clothes to layer on, especially if you're planning any night outings. November can be a rainy month in Venice, so have your umbrellas, waterproof coats, and boots handy. Venice is a delight to walk around (when the weather permits) so pack a comfortable pair of walking shoes. If you’re going on a gondola tour on a clear day, you will need sunblock because the gondolas are not equipped with sun umbrellas or any shade.
Getting around Venice in November
It is common knowledge that moving around Venice is mostly water-based. There are over 150 types of water-based vehicles that ply through the canal network of the city. You can take a Vaporetto, motorboat, battelli foranei for most part of the day. A popular means of public transport is the expansive ACTV fleet which has been in operation for over a century in Venice. Alilaguna is a common choice as well considering the city is served by 5 Alilaguna routes. Seasonal transport lines are activated during the rush period but you won’t need them in November. ACTV and ATVO also operate a bus service in the city that connects Venice to the mainland and all the major airports and transport channels. however, amongst the locals. the favorite way of commute are the narrow pedestrian lanes.
Venice in November: Seasonal delicacies
Risotto al Nero di Seppia is a must-try when in Venice. It is squid ink risotto [the jet-black color of the dish is due to this], which has a briny taste. Interestingly, the briny taste is a scale to test the quality of the risotto. The dish also has plentiful wine, onions, and tomatoes. Vini da Gigio serves one of the best Risotto al Nero di Seppia in the city.
Bigoli in salsa is made of long, thick, whole wheat pasta called bigoli which resembles spaghetti in some ways. The dish is made with bigoli, onions, and salt-cured fish, made from scratch. bigoli in salsa was initially served on special occasions like Fridays or Christmas Eve but it is now a year-round delicacy. Try this dish at Cantina do Spade.
Offal enthusiasts, unite. The specialty of fegato alla veneziana is its balanced taste due to the carefully chosen ingredients utilized in it. The main ingredient is often calf liver, which is set against the sweetness of caramelized onions. If you haven’t tried offal yet, this might be a good way to begin. The best fegato alla veneziana can be had at Osteria Antico Calice.
This sweet and sour dish first made its way to Venice in the middle ages back when it wasn't food, but a method used to preserve food. Sarde in saor consists of sardine fillets cooked in vinegar, onions, raisins, and pine nuts. However, overtime, the method of preservation slowly lost its relevance, leaving behind the distinct taste that was lent by this method. Try sarde in saor from Trattoria da Gigio.
Buranelli are Venetian butter cookies said to have originated on the island of Burano, which lent it its name. Buranelli is a sweet treat that was packed by sailors as they left for long voyages. Like most biscuits, they were made 'round' but recently they are available as ‘S’ shaped biscuit, making them easier to dunk in beverages. Get the best Buranelli at Tonolo.
Venice in November: Visiting tips
- To avoid feet blisters, don't wear slippers on your walks. Instead, opt for a pair of comfortable walking shoes.
- November 1 is a public holiday in Venice for All Saints’ Day. Many services might be unavailable.
- Get hold of a Marco Polo travel ticket once you are in Venice which will give you access to all transport networks within the city.
- Do not book a hotel adjacent to a narrow canal as you will be charged an extra fee for the risky navigation of the gondola.
- Look for deals on hotels and flights as November is not a peak tourist season.
- Sip on some Venetian hot chocolate to keep you warm during the cold November days.
Explore Venice through the year