Yes, with caveats
Venice in February 2027: Carnival Weather and Gondola Rides
Updated October 27, 2026
Quick answer
Venice in February is cold but brightening: the average high is 8.6°C, the low 2.4°C, and the sun sets around 17:36 by mid-month. The Carnival of Venice runs until Shrove Tuesday, 9 February 2027, so the first nine days are the busiest of the month. A gondola ride costs the day fare of €90 for 30 minutes until 19:00, which still gives you about 85 minutes of after-dark riding before the €110 evening fare begins. Rain is light, about 62 mm over 6 days.
February at a glance
Crowds: high- High
- 8.6°C
- Low
- 2.4°C
- Rain
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
Sunrise 07:13, sunset 17:36 on 15 February (10.4 hours of daylight). The €90 day fare runs to 19:00, so riding after sunset still costs the day fare for about 1 hour 25 minutes.
Climate data: Open-Meteo climate normals 1991-2020 (MRI_AGCM3_2_S) for the Grand Canal, via src/data/entity-context.json; daylight computed for 15 February
What is the weather like in Venice in February?
February is a little milder than January. The climate normals give an average high of 8.6°C and an average low of 2.4°C. It is also the driest month by rainfall: about 62 mm over roughly 6 wet days. Wikipedia describes Venice's winters as cool and damp and notes that snow is not uncommon between late November and early March, so a cold snap is possible. Plan for cold air on the water rather than for rain.
Venice Carnival 2027: what it means for a gondola ride
The official Carnival website lists the 2027 edition from 23 January to 9 February 2027. Carnival ends on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent, and Wikipedia puts attendance at up to 3 million visitors a year. A ride during Carnival costs the same official fare as any other day, because the City of Venice sets the tariff, not the gondoliers. What changes is demand around the busiest areas. If you want a seat at a set time, a shared gondola ride or a private gondola booked ahead fixes the slot. More on masks and events is in the Venice Carnival guide.
How much daylight is there for a gondola ride in February?
On 15 February the sun rises at 07:13 and sets at 17:36: about 10.4 hours of daylight, more than an hour more than in January. The day fare of €90 for a 30-minute ride applies from 09:00 to 19:00. That gives about eight and a half hours of daylight riding at the day fare, then roughly 85 minutes of darkness at the same price. From 19:00 the evening fare is €110 for 35 minutes. See gondola hours for how the two fares split the day.
Is there acqua alta in Venice in February?
Less often than in late autumn. The city's tide centre records the most high tides in November, then December and October, with about 70% of events of +110 cm or more in those three months. February is outside that peak but still in the cold-season window. Acqua alta starts at +80 cm, when the lowest point, Piazza San Marco, begins to flood, and events happen mostly in the morning. The tide centre has never recorded a +110 cm event in the early afternoon, so an early-afternoon ride is the safest slot on a high-water day.
Is a gondola ride worth it in Venice in February?
Yes, if you dress for the cold and plan around Carnival. After 9 February 2027 the city returns to a normal winter week, with the same €90 day fare and longer evenings than in January. The fare is per boat, so a group of four or five shares one fare; see the gondola ride price for how that compares with a shared seat.
What to bring in February
- ✓ A warm coat, hat and gloves for 30 minutes sitting still on the water
- ✓ Waterproof shoes for wet pavements and possible morning high water
- ✓ A mask if you want to join the Carnival mood before 9 February 2027
- ✓ A spare battery: cold drains phone batteries faster
Daylight and public holidays, month by month
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight | Public holidays 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:46 | 16:52 | 9.1 h | New Year's Day (1), Epiphany (6) |
| February | 07:13 | 17:36 | 10.4 h | — |
| March | 06:24 | 18:15 | 11.9 h | — |
| April | 06:25 | 19:55 | 13.5 h | Easter Sunday (5), Easter Monday (6), Liberation Day (25) |
| May | 05:40 | 20:33 | 14.9 h | International Workers Day (1) |
| June | 05:21 | 21:00 | 15.7 h | Republic Day (2) |
| July | 05:36 | 20:56 | 15.3 h | — |
| August | 06:11 | 20:19 | 14.1 h | Assumption Day (15) |
| September | 06:48 | 19:23 | 12.6 h | — |
| October | 07:26 | 18:26 | 11 h | St. Francis of Assisi's Day (4) |
| November | 07:09 | 16:41 | 9.5 h | All Saints Day (1) |
| December | 07:43 | 16:27 | 8.7 h | Immaculate Conception (8), Christmas Day (25), St. Stephen's Day (26) |
Sunrise and sunset on the 15th of each month at 45.442, 12.326 (Europe/Rome), sea-level horizon. Computed, not observed; within a few minutes. Holidays: national public holidays (IT) from Nager.Date; banks and some attractions may close or run holiday hours.
Venice Gondola in February
Crowds: high- High
- 8.6°C
- Low
- 2.4°C
- Rain
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
Busy: book ahead and go early.
Climate: Open-Meteo climate normals 1991–2020 (MRI_AGCM3_2_S)
Frequently asked questions
When does Venice Carnival end in 2027?
On Shrove Tuesday, 9 February 2027. The official Carnival website lists the edition from 23 January to 9 February 2027.
Do gondola prices go up during Carnival?
The official fare does not change: €90 for 30 minutes from 09:00 to 19:00 and €110 for 35 minutes from 19:00. The City of Venice sets it, per boat, all year.
How cold is Venice in February?
The average high is 8.6°C and the average low 2.4°C, a degree or two milder than January.
What time is sunset in Venice in February?
Around 17:36 in mid-February, with sunrise at about 07:13.
Is February a rainy month in Venice?
No. It is the driest month by rainfall in the 1991-2020 normals, about 62 mm over roughly 6 wet days.
Sources