Weather in Venice in December

How December compares

December is the 11th warmest month of the year in Venice and ranks 124th of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Within Italy it is 12th of 16 (Italy in December). Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Venice is 0.3°C warmer by day and 0.1°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Venice peaks at 8.0°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 10.9°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 2.6°C; one night in ten drops to -1.1°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 15.0°C (2020-12-05) and the coldest night -9.6°C (2009-12-20).

Rain in December

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 9 days with 1 mm or more, 79 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 2008 with 203 mm, the driest 2015 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 81%.

Sea temperature in December

The sea averages 11.8°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 11.0°C to 13.0°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (25.9°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 3.5 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 8.5 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:44 and sets about 16:28 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 60%.

Is December a good time to visit Venice?

December is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Venice on our scoring are July, August, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug.

Pack for cold days and colder evenings

A warm coat, layers, gloves and comfortable waterproof shoes make more sense than a light jacket. The average daytime high of 8°C is manageable for walking if you are dressed for it, but it is not weather for lingering outdoors without feeling cold. Even the warmer days only reach around 11°C, so do not plan around an unusually mild spell. At night, temperatures can fall below freezing, making warm evening clothing important rather than optional. December suits travellers who enjoy being outdoors in winter and are happy taking indoor breaks; it is less suitable if cold weather quickly limits how much you want to do.

Keep daylight plans flexible around rain

Expect about 8 rainy days, so waterproof outerwear is sensible even if you intend to spend much of your time indoors. That does not mean every day is a washout, but a rigid schedule of outdoor plans could be frustrating. With about 3.5 hours of sunshine within 8.5 hours of daylight, bright conditions are only part of the picture. Put the outdoor time you care about most into the daylight hours, and leave room to change plans when rain arrives. This is a month for accepting winter conditions rather than relying on clear skies; flexibility matters more than trying to pack every day.