Any trip to Venice is a treasure trove of memories, but a trip during Carnival is truly amazing. This Italian city is one of our favorites, but to tell the truth, sometimes it is a bit, well, drab; however, every February this city comes alive in a splash of colors. No, let’s say a full kaleidoscope of radiant colors—everywhere. Elaborate costumes, festivities in the Piazza San Marco, balls, masks and fun! If you’ve been to Venice before, but not during Carnival, you haven’t really been there.
If you decide to go, this normally crowded city is even more crowded. This requires some advance planning to maximize your experience. Consider these tips:
Book Your Hotel as Close as Possible to the Piazza San Marco
The majority of the public festivities in Venice during Carnival (as well as many other things to do) happen in the central Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square). Because travel in the city is primarily by foot, this is a great location for a hotel. Having a hotel near the square will save you a lot of time. When booking, it is important to keep in mind that not all hotels have elevators, air conditioning or breakfast included in the price, so be sure to ask before making your reservation. Also, if mobility is an issue for you, you may also want to ask if the hotel has canal access where you can pick up a water taxi, or if it is in close proximity to a water bus stop because there is no wheeled ground transport available.
Know What Else is Going On
Viewing the Carnival participants’ elaborate costumes is only a part-time thing. Check out what other activities are going on and build them into your schedule. In addition to the many free festivities, there are activities you can pay for. Know your options and personalize your carnival experience. You can pay for period dance classes, dinner shows, cooking classes, pub crawls or formal balls. You can find some of these experiences here, but don’t limit your search – my friends and I found a mask-making class through AirBnB Experiences.
It Seems Obvious, but Take Appropriate Clothing
Walking the small canals is part of the Venice charm, so be sure to have comfy shoes—even in this small city, you’ll get your steps in! Check the dress requirements for any experience you may be attending. Some balls and shows require costumes or formal dress with masks. You may rent a costume in Venice, but I recommend doing so online well in advance. If you are caught up in the excitement, you can buy the basic elements of a costume; hats and masks are enough, but you can dress it up with a cape too. Buying an elaborate costume may be a bit more challenging, though and will certainly be expensive.
Take It All In
If you haven’t been there before, carve out some time to see the sites. Carnival is amazing, but Venice is also beautiful the rest of the year. If you don’t have much time, check out One Day in Venice for the must-sees.
Beat the Crowds
My number one tip for visiting Venice during Carnival is to get your photos in early. People come to Carnival to see the elaborate costumes, and that means taking pictures. If you want good pictures of the participants—without random elbows, drink cups and photo-bombers—then you need to get up really early! Trust me on this one. Spend the night in Venice then wake before dawn, grab your camera and be out shooting photos at first light. You may think this is extreme, but I assure you, this is how you get the very best photos without fighting the jostling crowds. Once you are up, immediately head to the Piazza San Marco and look for costumed participants who will be “striking a pose.” They will already be in the square, and the adjoining shoreline, often with their own photographers in this age of social media! They are all willing to pose and will probably hand you their business card so you can tag them in your social media posts. Don’t be offended if these revelers don’t talk to you; they rarely speak. (However, we were pleasantly surprised one time by a great group of American ladies in hand-made costumes who broke their silence when they heard parts of our conversation. Every year they traveled from their day job in Germany where they were schoolteachers for the children of American service members.) There is an infinite variety of backdrops in the main square including columns, elaborate lanterns, the beautiful Basilica. Just around the corner, you can see participants with the Bridge of Sighs in the backdrop. If you are staying multiple days, consider waking early each day to take photos, as the people in costumes will be different each day. If it is raining, they will be in the covered walkways that line the perimeter of the square. While it is still spectacular later in the day, it is well worth getting up early to avoid the crowds or allow you to use a tripod. Plus the participants just get tired of posing later in the day. Once you’ve gotten your fill of early-morning pictures, go back to the hotel for a breakfast and a nap (make sure you check the hours). Later in the day you can go back out, look at the people again, this time just taking it in without worrying about your pictures. Or, if you’ve gotten your fill of pictures and crowds, simply wander off into some of the sidewalks less traveled and enjoy the scenes of Venice.
BONUS
Venice really slows down in the nighttime. The workers mostly leave, and the sidewalks and canals turn into a dark and mysterious world. Dress in subdued clothing, put on a mask and a hat of your own and join the revelry!
Carnival is magical. I hope these tips help you have a magical experience of your own.
