Weather in Venice in January

How January compares

January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Venice and ranks 125th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Within Italy it is 14th of 16 (Italy in January). Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Venice is 0.3°C cooler by day and 0.7°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Venice peaks at 7.1°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 9.8°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 1.5°C; one night in ten drops to -1.6°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 13.3°C (1994-01-08) and the coldest night -6.2°C (2017-01-09).

Rain in January

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 8 days with 1 mm or more, 60 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2014 with 249 mm, the driest 1993 with 4 mm. Humidity averages 80%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 9.4°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 8.5°C to 10.3°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), 8.9 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:47 and sets about 16:52 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 60%.

Is January a good time to visit Venice?

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

Cold days and colder evenings

January is Venice’s coldest month, so pack for winter rather than hoping Italy will feel mild. Layers, a warm coat, gloves and comfortable closed shoes are sensible for spending time outside. The milder days can reach around 10°C, but that is still coat weather, particularly when you stop walking. At the colder end, nights can fall to -1.6°C or below, making evening plans less comfortable without warm clothing. Use the middle of the day for longer outdoor stretches and leave room for indoor breaks. This is a better fit for travellers who tolerate cold than anyone seeking outdoor warmth.

Make the most of the daylight

Rain is a consideration rather than a reason to rule January out: about 8 days have measurable rain, so bring a waterproof outer layer and shoes that can handle wet ground. Keep outdoor plans movable rather than relying on a particular day staying dry. The tighter limit is daylight, with about 8.9 hours available and only part of that sunny. Start outdoor time early enough to avoid leaving everything until late afternoon. Humidity averages 80%, so do not expect crisp, dry conditions throughout your stay. A flexible mix of outdoor time and indoor breaks makes more sense than a weather-dependent itinerary.