Things to Do in Venice in September

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September in Venice opens with the strongest cultural week on the city's calendar. The Venice International Film Festival, known locally as the Mostra, runs at the Palazzo del Cinema on the Lido through roughly the first 10 days of the month. The Regata Storica sends costumed rowers in 16th-century dress down the Grand Canal on the first Sunday. In most years, the two events fall within the same long weekend. Dorsoduro and the Lido fill with filmgoers and rowing fans at once.

The weather is a genuine relief after August. Daytime highs average 24.2°C (76°F), a full 5 degrees below July and August's 29°C, and the thick damp air that hangs on the canals in midsummer has thinned, though humidity still sits around 74%. That said, September brings 116mm of rain across roughly 9 days, nearly double June's 57mm. The storms tend to blow through fast, soaking the campo stones in 20 minutes before clearing. The air afterward carries that particular smell of wet stone and lagoon salt. Acqua alta, Venice's tidal flooding, remains rare this month. The first real episodes typically arrive in late October or November.

Once the Mostra wraps around September 10, crowds thin quickly. By mid-September, you can walk the calli of San Polo without shuffling behind tour groups, and there's space to stop on a bridge and hear the water slap against the fondamenta below. Hotel rates still run roughly 20-30% above the annual average, firmly high-season pricing, but they've come down from the July-August ceiling. For weather, crowd levels, and cultural events, September ranks comfortably in Venice's top 3 months.

Why visit in September

The Venice Film Festival and Regata Storica both fall in the first week, delivering 2 trip-defining events within days of each other.
Temperatures drop from August's 29°C to a comfortable 24.2°C, making multi-hour walking days through the city's 400-plus bridges tolerable again.
Summer tour-group density thins noticeably after the first week, especially in residential sestieri like Cannaregio and Castello.
September's sunset shifts from 19:45 to 19:00 across the month, placing golden-hour light on the Grand Canal during natural aperitivo time.
Hotel rates fall 10-15% from the July-August peak while weather remains warm enough for outdoor dining along the fondamente.

Worth knowing

Rainfall nearly doubles from June's 57mm to September's 116mm across 9 days. Sudden heavy downpours can disrupt outdoor plans with little warning.
The first week remains crowded and expensive due to the Film Festival. Hotel rates on the Lido and in Dorsoduro spike during the Mostra.
Some beach infrastructure on the Lido begins closing in the second half of September as summer concession leases expire.
Humidity at 74% still feels sticky in the narrow calli at midday, particularly in sheltered parts of San Polo and Santa Croce where air barely moves.

Best for

Think twice if

Weather measured 24° / 17°C 116mm rain · 9 rainy days · 74% humidity rains perceptibly ~1.4h/day · 90% of mornings dry

Crowds medium

Pack Dress in light layers for a 16-24°C range. A breathable rain jacket and compact umbrella are non-negotiable with 116mm of rain spread across 9 days. Mornings near the canals feel cool, so pack a light sweater or cotton cardigan. Sunglasses and SPF 30 sunscreen still matter through mid-month, especially on the water where glare reflects off the lagoon.

September eases Venice out of summer. Highs average 24.2°C (76°F), a clear step down from July and August's 29°C, and mornings start fresh at 16.5°C (62°F). Humidity sits at 74%, still noticeable in the narrow calli but lighter than the oppressive August air that makes even the shaded sottoporteghi feel damp. The month's main weather story is rain. September brings 116mm across roughly 9 rainy days, the second-heaviest reading after May's 149mm. The rain arrives in short, heavy bursts rather than all-day grey. A clear morning can become a 30-minute downpour by 15:00 and be sunny again by 16:00. Evenings cool pleasantly near the water, and by late September you'll likely want a light layer after dark.

Seasonal caution

Acqua alta season begins in earnest in October, but rare early episodes can occur in late September during strong sirocco winds. Low-lying areas like Piazza San Marco may flood by a few centimeters. Check the Centro Maree tide forecasts if visiting in the final week.

Year-round climate

Averages from the last 5 years.

Monthly climate averages for Venice
Month	Avg high (°C)	Avg low (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
Jan	8	1	73
Feb	10	3	49
Mar	13	5	77
Apr	16	8	85
May	21	14	149
Jun	27	19	57
Jul	29	21	84
Aug	29	20	74
Sep	24	17	116
Oct	19	12	104
Nov	13	6	85
Dec	9	3	57

Headline events

Citywide

Venice International Film Festival (Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica)

Late August through the first Saturday of September (typically ending around September 10)

The world's oldest film festival, founded in 1932, occupies the Lido for 11 days with premieres, competition screenings, and red-carpet arrivals at the Palazzo del Cinema. The Golden Lion for Best Film is awarded on the final Saturday. Public screening tickets are available but sell out fast for headline competition entries. The atmosphere on the Lido during the festival feels like a different city from the quiet beach island it is the rest of the year.

#VeniceFilmFestival

Citywide Free

Regata Storica

First Sunday of September

Venice's most spectacular rowing event has been held since 1489. A costumed historical water procession of boats in 16th-century regalia leads the parade down the Grand Canal, followed by competitive races between gondoliers and multi-oar crews representing the city's sestieri. The banks of the Grand Canal fill with spectators from early afternoon. The race itself takes roughly 40 minutes, but the procession and atmosphere stretch the event across several hours.

#RegataStorica

Best things to do in September

Attend public screenings at the Venice Film Festival

culture

The Mostra screens competition and out-of-competition films at the Palazzo del Cinema and the Sala Grande on the Lido. Public tickets are available for many screenings, giving non-industry visitors a chance to see films months before general release. The atmosphere around the Lido's main strip, the Lungomare Marconi, buzzes with actors, press, and cinephiles between screenings.

The Mostra runs only from late August through early September, making this the sole window for public festival screenings at the Palazzo del Cinema.

Booking tipRegister on the La Biennale di Venezia website for public screening tickets before the festival opens. Headline competition films sell out within hours of release.

Watch the Regata Storica from the Grand Canal

culture

The historical boat procession and competitive rowing races fill the Grand Canal for an afternoon. Costumed rowers in period dress recreate a 16th-century ceremony, followed by races between gondoliers and multi-oar crews. The Grand Canal banks become an open-air grandstand. The water churns with oar strokes and the stone-walled canal amplifies the crowd noise.

The Regata Storica takes place on the first Sunday of September only, a tradition since 1489 that happens once per year.

Booking tipArrive by early afternoon for a spot along the canal banks. The stretch near Ca' Foscari in Dorsoduro and the area around the Rialto Bridge offer the best sightlines.

Visit Murano glassblowing studios during Venice Glass Week

culture

Venice Glass Week (Settimana del Vetro) opens normally restricted furnaces on Murano for live glassblowing demonstrations, studio tours, and exhibitions. Master glassblowers who typically work behind closed doors perform for visiting audiences. The heat from the fornaci hits you as soon as you step through the door, even in September. Workshops, lectures, and exhibitions also run at venues across Venice proper.

Venice Glass Week is held annually in mid-September, opening Murano studios and furnaces that are closed to visitors the rest of the year.

Booking tipCheck the official Venice Glass Week website for the schedule of open furnaces. Some Murano studio visits require advance registration and fill early.

Day trip to Burano and Torcello

sightseeing

The 45-minute vaporetto ride from Fondamente Nove to Burano passes through the open lagoon, with views of the marshes and fish traps along the way. Burano's painted houses line canals narrow enough to lean across, and the lace shops along Via Galuppi are quieter than in summer. Torcello, one more stop further, holds the 7th-century Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta with its Byzantine mosaics, surrounded by near-silence.

September's 24°C highs make the open-air vaporetto ride across the lagoon comfortable rather than sweltering, and both islands see fewer day-trippers after European school holidays end.

Booking tipTake the Line 12 vaporetto from Fondamente Nove before 09:00 to arrive ahead of the midday crowds. A vaporetto day pass covers the round trip.

Explore the Biennale exhibitions at the Giardini and Arsenale

culture

When the Venice Biennale is running (it alternates between Art and Architecture each year, May through November), September offers a chance to see the national pavilions at the Giardini and the main exhibition in the Arsenale's vast brick warehouses with far fewer visitors than the opening weeks in May and June. The Arsenale's Corderie alone stretches over 300 meters.

September falls in the quieter second half of the Biennale's run. Queues at popular pavilions are a fraction of the May-June opening period, and the Giardini's gardens are green and shaded.

Booking tipBuy tickets online to skip the entrance queue. Allow a full day to see both the Giardini and Arsenale properly.

Day trip to the Prosecco hills for vendemmia

food and drink

September is grape harvest season in the Prosecco Superiore DOCG hills around Valdobbiadene and Conegliano, roughly 90 minutes north of Venice by car. The steep hillside vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019, are at their most active during the pick. Some producers offer tastings and harvest-day visits. The vine-covered slopes have a green-gold glow in September light.

Vendemmia, the annual grape harvest, runs through September in the Veneto hills. This is the only time of year to see active picking and taste juice from freshly pressed Glera grapes.

Booking tipBook a car hire or organized day tour at least a week ahead. Public transit from Venice to Valdobbiadene takes over 2 hours each way with transfers.

Evening passeggiata along the Zattere

walking

The Zattere waterfront runs along Dorsoduro's southern edge, facing the island of Giudecca across the wide Giudecca Canal. The promenade is lined with gelaterie and cafes, and the long southward exposure catches the last of the evening light. In September, the warmth lingers in the stone long after sunset, and the air coming off the water carries a faint salt and diesel note from the passing vaporetti.

September evenings hover around 18-20°C along the Dorsoduro waterfront, warm enough for an extended walk without summer's lingering heat. Sunset shifts to around 19:15 by month's end, placing golden hour at a natural pre-dinner time.

Booking tipNo booking needed. Start at the Zattere vaporetto stop and walk west toward San Basilio for the widest views and fewer people.

Sunset aperitivo near Punta della Dogana

food and drink

The triangular tip of Dorsoduro where the Grand Canal meets the Giudecca Canal is one of the best sunset viewpoints in Venice. The view takes in San Giorgio Maggiore, the Bacino di San Marco, and the lagoon beyond. September's earlier sunsets mean the sky turns orange at a reasonable hour for pre-dinner drinks. The stone quay along Fondamenta della Dogana alla Salute fills with locals sitting with their feet dangling above the water.

September's sunset moves from 19:45 to 19:00 across the month, placing the best light at a sociable pre-dinner hour rather than June's 21:00, when most people are already eating.

Booking tipNo booking needed for the quayside. Bring your own spritz from a nearby bar or grab one at a cafe along the Fondamenta della Salute.

What to eat in September

In season: fruit

Fichi (fresh figs)
Peak fig season in the Veneto. Both green (Dottato) and purple (Brogiotto) varieties appear at the Mercato di Rialto stalls, sweet enough to eat on their own or paired with a thin slice of prosciutto crudo at any bacaro. September figs are noticeably sweeter than the first June crop.
Uva fragola (strawberry grapes)
A Veneto specialty harvested from late September into October. These small, thick-skinned grapes have a distinctive sweet flavor that recalls Concord grapes. Street vendors and market stalls sell them in small bunches. The scent is strong enough to smell from a few meters away.

On menus now

Sarde in saor
Sweet-and-sour sardines layered with slow-cooked onions, pine nuts, raisins, and white wine vinegar. A cold dish served at bacari across Venice, traditionally linked to the Regata Storica. Every bacaro has its own version, and the balance between vinegar bite and onion sweetness varies widely. Best eaten at room temperature with a glass of Soave.
Risotto di zucca
Pumpkin risotto appears on trattoria menus as the first Veneto zucca comes into season in September. Typically finished with aged Monte Veronese cheese and a grating of nutmeg. The texture is creamy and slightly sweet, a signal that Venice's kitchen is shifting from summer to fall.

In markets

Funghi porcini
The first fall porcini arrive from the Veneto and Trentino hills in late September. They show up in risottos, tagliatelle, and grilled as contorni at trattorias across the city. Worth noting that early-season mushrooms tend to be smaller but carry an intense, earthy fragrance that fills the dining room.

Regular events in September

Venice Glass Week (Settimana del Vetro)Free

A week-long celebration of Venetian glassmaking, organized by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia. Murano furnaces open to visitors, and exhibitions, workshops, and demonstrations run at venues across Venice and the islands. Participating studios showcase everything from traditional Murano techniques to contemporary glass art.

Mid-September (typically the second or third week)

Giornate Europee del Patrimonio (European Heritage Days)Free

Italy's participation in the Council of Europe's heritage weekend. State museums, palazzi, and cultural sites across Venice offer free or reduced-price entry for one weekend, including properties normally closed to the public. In past years, sites like the Procuratie Vecchie in Piazza San Marco and private palace piano nobili have opened.

Last weekend of September (Saturday and Sunday)

Venice Biennale (ongoing, when running)

The Biennale's current exhibition, alternating between Arte and Architettura each year, remains open at the Giardini's national pavilions and the Arsenale's converted shipyard halls through late November. September is a quieter period between the opening rush and the closing-weeks surge.

Ongoing from May through late November (in Biennale years)

Teatro La Fenice season opening

Venice's opera house, Teatro La Fenice in San Marco, typically begins its fall performance season in September or early October after the summer break. The 2026-2027 program announces in advance, and opening-week performances in the gilded 800-seat theater carry a particular energy after the summer hiatus.

Late September or early October (varies by season)

Best places this September

Lido di Venezia
island
The Lido is two places in September. During the Film Festival's first week, the Lungomare Marconi strip near the Palazzo del Cinema fills with industry events, pop-up bars, and red-carpet energy. After the Mostra wraps, the island reverts to a quieter beach town where locals cycle along the Gran Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta. The public beach, Spiaggia Pubblica, at the southern end of the island is free and still warm enough for swimming through mid-September, with Adriatic water around 22-23°C.
Lido
Murano
island
Worth the 10-minute vaporetto ride from Fondamente Nove year-round, but September's Glass Week transforms the island. Furnaces that normally operate behind closed doors open for demonstrations. Outside the festival, the Museo del Vetro on Fondamenta Giustinian holds 4,000 years of glassmaking artifacts, and the smaller studios along Fondamenta dei Vetrai sell directly.
Murano
Campo Santa Margherita
piazza
Dorsoduro's largest open square functions as the neighborhood's living room. In September, the outdoor tables at the bars lining the campo's perimeter are comfortable for evening drinking without August's sweat. Ca' Foscari university students return around mid-September, and the campo shifts from tourist-dominated to a more mixed crowd. The campo hosts a small morning market with produce stalls several days a week.
Dorsoduro
Fondamenta della Misericordia
waterfront
This canal-side strip in northern Cannaregio is lined with bacari and small restaurants, and it's where locals go for cicchetti and ombre (small glasses of house wine) after work. September's warm evenings make the outdoor waterside seating comfortable, and the area sees relatively few tourists compared to the San Marco side of the city. The fondamenta runs parallel to the canal, with tables set right along the water's edge.
Cannaregio
Giardini della Biennale
park and exhibition
In a Biennale year, the Giardini's 30 permanent national pavilions (designed by architects from Alvar Aalto to Carlo Scarpa) host the current exhibition through November. Even outside Biennale years, the Giardini are one of the few green spaces in Venice's centro storico, and September's cooler temperatures make walking the shaded paths pleasant. The park sits at the eastern end of Castello, away from the tourist density of San Marco.
Castello
Mercato di Rialto
market
The fish market (Pescheria) and produce stalls near the Rialto Bridge are where Venice's restaurants source their ingredients. September brings seasonal figs, table grapes, the first zucca, and whatever the lagoon fishermen pulled that morning. The market runs from roughly 07:30 to 12:00, Tuesday through Saturday. The Pescheria's neo-Gothic loggia, built in 1907, faces the Grand Canal, and the wet marble counters smell of brine and cold stone at dawn.
San Polo
Punta della Dogana and Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
viewpoint and church
The triangular tip of Dorsoduro offers panoramic views across the Bacino di San Marco to San Giorgio Maggiore. The Fondamenta della Dogana alla Salute is public and free, and it's one of the best sunset spots in September when the light drops to the right angle. The Basilica della Salute, Longhena's 17th-century octagonal church, sits a few steps away and is free to enter. Inside, the marble floor reflects light from the dome above in a way that photographs well in September's lower sun angle.
Dorsoduro

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Compact travel umbrellaSeptember's 116mm of rain across 9 days arrives in sudden bursts. You'll want this in your bag every day, not back at the hotel. Choose one that fits in a daypack side pocket.Shop
Light waterproof jacketA breathable rain shell that packs small. September downpours pass in 20-30 minutes, so you need something quick to deploy, not a heavy coat. Gore-Tex or similar membrane keeps you dry without overheating at 24°C.Shop
Light sweater or cotton cardiganMornings start at 16.5°C and evenings near the canals drop quickly after sunset. On the open vaporetto between islands, the lagoon breeze adds a real chill. A mid-layer you can tie around your waist during the day is the move.Shop
Shoes with non-slip solesWet stone, marble bridges, and the wooden walkways (passerelle) that appear during acqua alta are slippery. Leather-soled dress shoes are a fall risk. Rubber-soled shoes with tread grip wet surfaces and handle Venice's 400-plus bridge steps.Shop
Scarf or shawl for church entryChurches in Venice, including the Basilica di San Marco, require covered shoulders and no bare knees. September is warm enough that you might be in a t-shirt, so carry a scarf to drape before entering. Without one, you'll be turned away at the door.Shop
SPF 30+ sunscreenSeptember sun still burns, especially on the water. The lagoon reflects UV from below, and the vaporetto ride to Burano or Murano gives you 45 minutes of open-air exposure with no shade. Re-apply after rain.Shop
Refillable water bottleVenice has public drinking fountains throughout the centro storico, most marked with a small brass spout. The water is clean and cold. Buying bottled water near San Marco costs 3-4 times what it costs at a supermarket in Cannaregio. The fountains save money and plastic.Shop
Small daypack (20-25L)You'll need both hands free for navigating narrow calli, climbing bridge steps, and holding vaporetto railings. A shoulder bag swings and catches on railings in tight passages. A compact backpack keeps your rain gear, water, and camera accessible without getting in the way.Shop

Insider tips

The Rialto fish market (Pescheria) closes by noon most days and is shut entirely on Sundays and Mondays. Arrive by 08:00 to see the full lagoon catch laid out on the wet marble slabs, from moeche to cuttlefish. The adjoining produce stalls (Erberia) carry seasonal figs and grapes at local prices, not tourist markups.
Skip the terrace cafes on Piazza San Marco, where a coffee can cost 5-8 times the standard bar price, partly because a live orchestra surcharge applies. Walk 5 minutes to Campo Santo Stefano or 10 to Campo Santa Margherita for the same espresso at normal Italian bar rates, with better people-watching.
Buy a multi-day vaporetto travel pass if you're staying more than a day. Single tickets are steep, but a 72-hour pass brings the per-trip cost down to a fraction. At 3 or more rides a day, the pass pays for itself within 48 hours. Buy it at an ACTV ticket office rather than the machines, which sometimes reject foreign cards.
The bacari along Fondamenta della Misericordia in Cannaregio serve cicchetti (small bites on bread or toothpicks) and ombre (small glasses of house wine) at a fraction of what tourist-facing bars near San Marco charge. Go around 18:00-19:00 for the widest selection before the dinner crowd arrives.
During the Film Festival's first week, the Lido's public beach (Spiaggia Pubblica) is free and sits about a 10-minute walk from the Palazzo del Cinema. It's a calmer alternative to the private beach clubs, and you'll likely see film industry people taking a break between screenings.

Avoid these mistakes

Packing only summer clothes and no rain gear. September's 116mm of rain is nearly double June's total, and it arrives without much warning. Visitors who packed for August weather end up buying overpriced emergency ponchos from the souvenir stalls on the Strada Nova in Cannaregio.
Spending the entire visit in the San Marco-to-Rialto corridor. That 500-meter stretch gives a distorted impression of September crowd levels. Walk 10 minutes into Castello, Cannaregio, or the quieter parts of Dorsoduro and you'll find a different city altogether, with room to breathe and locals going about their day.
Not registering for Film Festival public screening tickets before arriving. The Mostra releases tickets through the La Biennale di Venezia website, and popular competition films sell out within hours. Showing up on the Lido hoping to buy a ticket that day for a major screening rarely works.
Eating dinner at 18:00 near tourist sites and concluding that Venetian food is mediocre. The kitchens running at that hour in the San Marco zone are largely tourist-volume operations. Locals eat at 20:00 or later, at bacari and trattorias in Cannaregio, San Polo, and Castello, where the kitchen hits its stride around 20:30.

Practical tips for September

Book accommodation for the first week of September well in advance if visiting during the Film Festival. Lido hotels fill early, and Dorsoduro and San Marco properties raise rates for Mostra week. Mid-to-late September offers better availability and lower prices. Most churches close for midday between 12:00 and 15:00, including the Basilica di San Marco. Plan museum visits for the morning and church visits for late afternoon. Restaurants serve lunch from 12:00-14:30 and dinner from 19:00-22:00. Many kitchens close between these windows, and ordering outside them limits you to tourist-facing spots near San Marco. The ACTV vaporetto Line 1 runs the full length of the Grand Canal but is the slowest and most crowded route. Line 2 makes fewer stops and is often faster for getting between San Marco and Piazzale Roma. If visiting the Lido during the Film Festival, the Line 1 and Line 5.1 vaporetti both serve the Lido stop, but Line 5.1 runs via the northern lagoon and is less packed. For the Giornate Europee del Patrimonio on the last weekend of September, check the Ministry of Culture website for the participating Venice sites, as the list changes each year and includes properties normally closed to visitors. Venice has no cars, no bikes, and no motorized ground transport in the centro storico. Everything is on foot or by water. Expect to walk 15,000-20,000 steps on a typical sightseeing day.

FAQ

Is September a good time to visit Venice?

September is one of the top 3 months for visiting Venice. Temperatures average 24.2°C (76°F) during the day, down from the 29°C peaks of summer. The Venice Film Festival runs through the first week, and the Regata Storica takes place on the first Sunday. Crowds thin noticeably after the Mostra ends around September 10, and by mid-month the city feels calmer than it has since May. The main trade-off is rain. September brings 116mm across roughly 9 days, so pack accordingly.

What is the weather like in Venice in September?

Warm days and cool evenings. Average highs sit at 24.2°C (76°F) and lows at 16.5°C (62°F), with humidity around 74%. Expect roughly 9 rainy days totaling 116mm of rainfall. The rain arrives in short, heavy bursts rather than all-day drizzle, often clearing within 30 minutes. Early September still feels like late summer, while the last week starts to carry a hint of fall, especially in the mornings near the water.

Is Venice crowded in September?

Less than July-August, more than winter. The first week is still busy due to the Film Festival, particularly on the Lido and around Dorsoduro. After the Mostra ends around September 10, crowds drop to moderate levels. By mid-to-late September, with European school holidays over, you can walk most of the city comfortably. The San Marco-to-Rialto corridor stays busy year-round, but residential neighborhoods like Cannaregio and Castello are noticeably quieter than summer.

Does acqua alta flooding happen in Venice in September?

Rarely. The acqua alta season typically begins in October and peaks in November through January. September is early enough that significant tidal flooding is unlikely, though a minor episode is possible in late September if strong sirocco winds push water into the lagoon. You can check the Centro Maree forecast on the Comune di Venezia website for 48-hour tide predictions if visiting the final week.

Is September too late for swimming at the Lido?

Not in early-to-mid September. Adriatic water temperatures are still around 22-23°C in the first 2 weeks, warm enough for comfortable swimming at the Lido's beaches. The Spiaggia Pubblica (public beach) at the southern end of the island is free. By late September, water temperatures drop to around 20-21°C, which is still swimmable but noticeably cooler. Some private beach clubs begin closing in the second half of the month.