Carnival in Venice - what to expect
If I go to Venice, Italy during carnival (somewhere between mid-January and end-February), should I expect anything special, like eg.
- herds of tourists? - OK, I know, that's Venice, so, more tourists that usual?
- any special "carnival" events?
- people wearing carnival masks around?
- higher prices than usual (rest of year)?
Best Answer
The Carnival is a huge thing in Venice with lots of related events in and outside the city.
The city is going to be very crowded and you may want to book in advance if you want to find accommodation inside the city. Prices are higher, too. Another option I usually consider when going to Venice is sleeping in Treviso or Padova (or other city nearby) which are very close and well connected to Venice. It's not ideal but it could be a good option if you can't find a place or can't afford one.
You will find a lot of people wearing masks but the Carnival is not as "static" as it seems from all the pictures you may have seen around. It's very lively with a lot of small concert around the city and, if you are lucky, you may even bump into some original "veneziani" singing and playing traditional songs.
Pictures about "Carnival in Venice - what to expect"
Quick Answer about "Carnival in Venice - what to expect"
- The Flight of the Angel officially opens the Carnival of Venice. ...
- The costumes are the best free sight at the Carnival of Venice. ...
- Costumes and masks are incredibly elaborate these days. ...
- Making new friends on the pub crawl. ...
- Musicians dress in period dress for Vivaldi's concert.
What happens during Carnival in Venice?
The celebration takes place over ten days in which people dress up and take part in organized parades or simple processions on the street. The costumes are seventeenth-century Venetian dresses, very much like if they were from a painting by Canaletto. Numerous events and balls are organized during this period.Is the Venice Carnival worth it?
If you're wondering if Venice Carnival is worth it or not, the answer is definitely YES. Venice Carnival is one of the most important and captivating events in the city, related to a tradition that counts hundreds of years, which you must experience at least once in your life.Is Venice crowded during Carnival?
Venice is crowded even in the off-season, and Carnival is arguably the city's busiest time of the year. Therefore, it's vital to book accommodation and travel plans well in advance to both have a wider choice and save some money.What do the people do at the Carnival of Venice festival?
The magic of carnival gives to Venice an enchanted atmosphere. Masked people fill the streets with smiles and laughter, and several events are organized all around the city. The carnival usually lasts a couple of weeks, but the most important days are those between the last Thursday and the very last day, Tuesday.Experiencing Carnival in Venice Italy | Hidden Gems and Travel Tips
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Answer 2
Here you can find lots of info about the Venice Carnival: carnevale.venezia.it
In the programme you can check the events. It is easy to find many masks in the city during those weekends.
In Carnival period Venice is more expensive than the rest of the year so I suggest you sleep in Mestre (the part of Venice on land) to save some money. You can easily arrive in Venice on many trains, or by bus in ten minutes.
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