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Original poster

Venice in august

26 replies

EloiseBridgerton · 08/05/2022 09:37

Looking at a holiday in Italy and it would be logical based on what we’re doing to have a couple of nights in Venice in mid august. Have a vague impression this is considered the worst time to go! Anyone been and is it doable with children? Or is it unbearably hot and overcrowded. We would Airbnb, explore in the morning and evenings and probably chill through the day. We wouldn’t try to cram everything in either, but amble around exploring the backstreets - much more out thing that hitting the famous square for a meal. Thank you

OP posts:
massistar · 09/05/2022 11:31

It's super hot and super crowded and a lot of places will be closed mid August for Ferragosto. In saying that it's a magical place and we tend to do a day trip there most summers as my in-laws live nearby. So it is doable and if it's your only chance to go there then do it.

loopylindi · 09/05/2022 11:36

I've been to Venice in the summer and it was incredibly busy and very, very smelly. Things might have changed now but I would check it out. Not too sure about how young children would like it either

tuliplover · 09/05/2022 11:40

Hot hot hot. Made the mistake of going to Rome in July and it was over 36 degrees every day. Walking around in that heat almost killed me (tried to climb Mt Vesuvius too - kids made it but not me).

artisanbread · 09/05/2022 11:50

I've been in August and September. September was busier than August, mainly with coach tours. There didn't seem too many of those in August. Weather was not unbearably hot in August but I think we experienced a fairly cool week in general. I was expecting it to be smelly and it wasn't at all. The central areas like Piazza San Marco were busy in both trips but the great thing about Venice is you can wander off to a quiet side street pretty much anywhere.

fussychica · 09/05/2022 17:27

Well I wouldn't. Left Venice a couple of days ago. The weather was rubbish but despite that it was heaving though I know it can be a lot worse when tourists from China etc return to travelling.
I last went years ago and it's changed quite a bit, as I expected, but unfortunately not for the better. It's also full of tat shops and stalls now. I won't be returning.

MissSmiley · 09/05/2022 17:30

Venice in November is much more atmospheric! Easter is ok but still lots of tourists, August don't bother it's hideous.

It's a great place to visit and has some great art galleries, I wouldn't have thought your kids would appreciate it though.

Fleur405 · 09/05/2022 17:37

It will be rammed, incredibly hot and the canal will smell pretty bad! Love Venice but would never go back in the height of summer!

CornishGem1975 · 09/05/2022 19:12

I've been in August. It was busy but not ridiculously so, Florence was busier. It was hot, but I like hot and we had some wicked thunderstorms. Everyone says about the smell but can't say I noticed a thing, to be honest. Lots of quieter places to wander and get lost in Venice, it's fantastic for that. I also pre-booked my gondola tour before leaving the Uk and it was a great experience, out in the Jewish ghetto, didn't even pass another one.

AnnaMagnani · 09/05/2022 19:19

Just don't. Really don't.

I insisted we did it on our mad crazy August in Italy honeymoon - which I would recommend to no-one. DH told me it would be vile and he was correct.

We went for a day. He has a great photo of me passing out from the heat on a vaporetto. We carved out 1 ft of space in San Marco before I admitted defeat and we headed out to Burano. Less crowded (still crowded but not insane), lovely photos of the buildings but a long trip for not much.

Also Venice generally a bit crap for children in general. There's art, prettiness and canals. Florence is even worse.

Signoramarella · 09/05/2022 19:24

Er, dont. Oppressive heat, sweaty, feeling sick like passing out heat. I went in July with my 2 year old. Fucking twat of an idea! He almost fell in several canals, the crowds start at 8am and everyone will try to rip you off. Having said that, the winter is much better, and in Aug there's alot nicer places I'd recommend, lido di jesolo per esempio. . . Or the area around lake garda. 😚

Qwill · 09/05/2022 19:26

Do they have air b&b in Venice? I thought it was outlawed. There are so many better places to go in august, and I say this as someone who loves Venice (I go nearly every year!). Venice is much better in November, it’s my favourite time to go, so atmospheric.

winesolveseverything · 09/05/2022 19:28

We've been in August- my children were 6 and 10 at the time. We didn't stay in Venice- we were on a campsite about an hour away, complete with swimming pools, waterslides, beach, parks and entertainment.
We only visited Venice late afternoon- arriving at about 4:30/5pm when the crowds were disappearing and it was cooling down. Had tea at a nice restaurant we know in the back streets (and where you can see the bridge of sighs from the other side) and a walk through San Marco to the Rialto bridge and a ride on the water bus up the grand canal. There is no way I'd do anything else with young children in August!
I've been a few times and have done all the museums and churches- I would also suggest that these are not suitable for little ones.
It is a beautiful place and we love it, but a few hours in the evening is more than enough at that time of year.

CottonSock · 09/05/2022 19:29

If you insist then make sure you have air conditioning!

axolotlfloof · 09/05/2022 19:38

We are going in July but I have booked some accommodation on one of the islands.
I have been in August without kids and it was fine.
We are also going to stay near Garda and maybe Gardaland (although the trip advisor reviews are horrendous).

incywincyspider1 · 09/05/2022 19:39

Don't do it!
I've been to Venice loads of times (one of my parents is Venetian).
August is soooo unbearably hot. That is why a lot of Venetian's actually go away for the month and stay in the countryside or in the mountains -it is too hot for them and they are used to it.
With children as well it will be hell. In Venice you walk a lot - up and down bridges etc. Your kids will be moaning (I know I did as a kid), you will be boiling, there is hardly any public toilets and the cafe's will be really busy.
Best time to go is October/November when it is cooler.

axolotlfloof · 09/05/2022 19:42

We are staying on Sant Erasmo, for a more peaceful trip.

ErrolTheDragon · 09/05/2022 19:42

DH and I went one February half term while DD was doing a school ski trip. That was excellent, not too busy, weather not bad.

willstarttomorrow · 09/05/2022 19:43

We did but it was it was tagged onto the end of 10 days at eurocamp type place before heading home, and was in 2020! De decided we would take the option of seeing Venice again as there were very few tourists and unlikely to have this chance again. We stayed in an airbnb on a canal so it was lovely to wander around early morning/in the evening when things are quieter. This probably does not help you much but- I do not think I would go in August under other circumstances. Far better a weekend during shoulder season (avoiding the floods of course).

incywincyspider1 · 09/05/2022 19:43

Signoramarella · 09/05/2022 19:24

Er, dont. Oppressive heat, sweaty, feeling sick like passing out heat. I went in July with my 2 year old. Fucking twat of an idea! He almost fell in several canals, the crowds start at 8am and everyone will try to rip you off. Having said that, the winter is much better, and in Aug there's alot nicer places I'd recommend, lido di jesolo per esempio. . . Or the area around lake garda. 😚

I think you've summed it up perfectly.

willstarttomorrow · 09/05/2022 19:46

Just to add, I had a teenage with me who had expressed wanting to go (not sure she would be bothered about going back now she has seen it)! I think for lots of younger kids if would be boring, hot, crowded and tiring. Apart from vaparettos and gondalos, the novelty if which will quickly pass- I do not think there is much of interest for most children.

incywincyspider1 · 09/05/2022 19:51

willstarttomorrow · 09/05/2022 19:46

Just to add, I had a teenage with me who had expressed wanting to go (not sure she would be bothered about going back now she has seen it)! I think for lots of younger kids if would be boring, hot, crowded and tiring. Apart from vaparettos and gondalos, the novelty if which will quickly pass- I do not think there is much of interest for most children.

It is very boring for children. Unless you go over to the Lido where there is a beach. But again it is so hot you don't really want to be out in the sun.

ScottishBeeswax · 09/05/2022 19:53

Went once in august. Never again!
Stifling hot and so crowded

NotYourOscarSpeech · 09/05/2022 19:59

Personally I would stay somewhere like Lake Garda and hire a car and day trip to Venice (2 hours drive or so). Also close to Verona.

Original poster
EloiseBridgerton · 09/05/2022 20:40

Thank you all. This is tagging onto 10 days around lake garda, that’s the current thinking. I think we would Airbnb and explore a little first and last thing. But I’m not sold by all the comments so we might rethink!

OP posts:
jocktamsonsbairn · 09/05/2022 21:30

We went twice in August and really enjoyed it! We were staying just up the coast both times and Venice was amazing!