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Venice is a feast for the eyes and worth visiting at any time of year, but there are certain seasons when tourists can get the most out of a visit to the splendid City of Canals. The capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, Venice comprises 100-plus small islands situated in a lagoon at the northernmost point of the Adriatic Sea. There are no roads, only canals, and so all transport is either on foot in the city center or by water taxi, public ferry, gondola, or private boat. Indeed, as many tourists will attest, a romantic gondola ride is one of the most unforgettable things to do in Venice.

The main thoroughfare is the famous Grand Canal, which is lined with colorful palaces and private homes, many of them sporting Renaissance and Gothic architecture. Historic bridges, quaint neighborhoods, and a slew of ancient buildings are ready to be explored, and spring is the ideal time to do it.

May Is The Best Month For A Venice Trip

The city of Venice starts coming back to life in April as it emerges from winter, and attractions, shops, and eateries prepare for the coming tourist season. By May, the temperature typically rises close to a balmy 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and sunny days make for perfect touring by boat or on foot.

The crowds won’t be as large as, say, July or August, and the hotel rates won’t be quite as steep either. By May, tourist services will have returned to normal, meaning historic buildings will be open, and water taxis will be running.

It likely won’t be hot enough for swimming at the beach just yet, but all other visitor activities will be available for the taking.

Grand Canal view, Venice
Via: Henrique Ferreira/Unsplash
Historic palaces and residences line the Grand Canal in Venice.

May also is a busy time for festivals in Venice.

The elaborate Feast of the Ascension, or Festa della Sensa, is set for May 20 and 21 and is considered one of the most important Venetian traditions. It celebrates the city’s history with regattas held in the Venetian Lagoon.

Related: 20 Alternate Things To Do In Venice (And Skip Overcrowded Tourist Spots)

Architecture buffs will want to attend the city’s International Architecture Exhibition, which begins May 20 and continues until November with multi-country displays on view at pavilions in various venues in the city center. The theme for 2023 is Africa as “The Laboratory of the Future.”

Vogalonga, an annual naval review, is set for May 28 and features hundreds of boats from around the world. It’s held on Pentecost Day each year.

Boats gather at St. Mark’s basin, cross the Venice Lagoon to Burano Island, then sail into the Grand Canal. The event was founded in the 1970s by local rowing clubs, and always draws a big crowd.

Don’t Miss These Top Attractions In Venice

With spring in the air, Venice is a delightful place to wander around. Here are a few of the city’s main attractions:

Dating from the 11th century, St. Mark’s Basilica is one of Europe’s most famous cathedrals and is a blend of Gothic, Byzantine, Romanesque, and Renaissance architectural styles.

With its domes and golden mosaics, the basilica is the most important religious building in the city. It’s located next to the Doge’s Palace in St. Mark’s Square, and guided tours are offered for about $45 per person.

Tourists stroll by the Doge's Palace in Venice
Via: Denys Barabanov/Unsplash
Doge's Palace in Venice is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

A masterpiece of Gothic architecture the Doge’s Palace is among the landmarks of Venice. The doges, or chief magistrates or judges, ruled the Venetian empire from the 8th century until 1797. Tickets are required to enter the palace.

An adult ticket costing about $30 also covers admission to two museums, the Museo Correr, and the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, and is undoubtedly worth the price.

St. Mark’s Square is one of the most famous public squares in Italy. It has St. Mark’s Basilica at one end and the Doge’s Palace at the other and is home to lots of cafés where visitors can have a drink and a bite to eat and watch Venice stroll by, definitely one of the most fun things to do in the city.

Rialto Bridge in Venice
Via: Damiano Baschiera
The Rialto Bridge crosses the Grand Canal in Venice.

The Rialto Bridge is the oldest bridge that crosses the Grand Canal and is a photographer’s favorite. Rebuilt in the 16th century, it’s a stone structure that attracts tourists who like to watch the gondolas and other boats pass underneath. It’s considered an engineering marvel of its time. The original wooden bridge was built in the 1100s.

Another famous bridge that’s a must-see is the Bridge of Sighs. It crosses the Rio de Palazzo canal and connects the Doge’s Palace with a prison on the other side of the canal.

It gets its name from, as legend has it, the sighs of prisoners who were sentenced to incarceration by a doge. The bridge is made of white limestone and was built in the 17th century.

Hotels Mostly In The Moderate To Expensive Range

As the spring tourist season reaches its height in May, visitors will be hard-pressed to find low-budget accommodations in Venice, although a few can be booked for under $200 per night.

Generally, prices in May will range in the $300 to $400 per night range. Here are some sample hotel rates for mid-May:

Santa Margherita Guest House

  • Cost: $
  • Address: Dorsoduro 2885, Venice
  • Amenities: Air conditioning, TVs, DVD player, tea kettle, communal kitchen
Boats line a colorful canal in Venice.
Via: Ricardo Gomez/Unsplash
A quiet canal scene in the city of Venice.

Hotel Il Moro di Venezia

  • Cost: $$
  • Address: Lista di Spagna 152, Cannaregio, Venice
  • Amenities: Satellite TV, free WiFi, private baths, near Venice Santa Lucia Station

Hotel Torino

  • Cost: $$
  • Address: Calle Delle Ostreghe 2356, San Marco, Venice
  • Amenities: Historic 16th century building near St. Mark’s Square, free WiFi, TV, air conditioning, private baths, 24-hour front desk

Related: Visiting The Bridge Of Sighs, Where Prisoners Once Glimpsed Their Last View of Venice

Hotel Serenissima

  • Cost: $$
  • Address: Calle Goldoni 4486, San Marco, Venice
  • Amenities: Free WiFi, traditional Venetian decor, air conditioning, TV, bar service, breakfast, close to St. Mark’s Square

Al Gazzettino

  • Cost: $$$
  • Address: San Marco 4971, San Marco, Venice
  • Amenities: Historic 17th-century building, Baroque furnishings, free WiFi, air conditioning, Italian breakfasts, restaurant/bar, close to Rialto Bridge and Doge’s Palace