10 Things to Do in Venice in February

If you're planning what to see and do on your trip to Venice in February, you've probably noticed that there are a lot of plans and events related to the Carnival, which is not surprising considering it's one of the most important in the world. However, during this month there are many other activities that await you in Venice, such as romantic gondola rides to celebrate Valentine's Day or craft workshops that will bring out your creative and cultural side.

February is a month that has weeks with more tourists than others, so you will have to take this into account when you start booking and planning your trip to Venice. To that end, I've put together a few things you should include in your diary.

Every February 14th the whole world is filled with love for Valentine's Day, but Venice certainly does it even more. A perfect plan to celebrate this day is a gondola ride with a serenade. The gondoliers are always up for singing, but on Valentine's Day it's even more common for the canals to be filled with their voices singing romantic songs.

I recommend organising a romantic plan that includes an idyllic gondola ride. Not only will you enjoy an unmissable experience that will take you over and under the city's iconic bridges, but you'll also do it on a special day. Just book the gondola in advance and also consider whether you want to extend the experience with dinner.

On your trip to Venice in February there's one thing you won't have in your suitcase but you can't leave without in your day-to-day life in the Italian city: a Carnival mask. During the second month of the year, when this festival takes place, it's normal to come across masked and costumed people who will make you feel like you're in a period film. Why not immerse yourself in that same atmosphere? To do so, not only do I propose you to enjoy the many carnival events, but I encourage you to create your own mask.

The art of mask making is highly appreciated in Venice, so learning from a Master Artisan is a privilege. In a one-hour workshop you will learn all the secrets of this craft and the history of Venice's most traditional accessory. In addition to a lot of knowledge, you will leave this class with a beautiful souvenir to show off in the streets of Venice during Carnival.

Isn't it a great plan? If you're travelling with children to Venice, it's even more so, as they'll enjoy decorating, painting and bringing their masks to life just as much as you will.

The Flight of the Angel is not only one of the first events of the Venice Carnival, which takes place in February, but it has a symbolism and history behind it that is worth knowing about. When you join many other tourists and Venetians in Piazza San Marco to admire the descent of the angel, you may be surprised to see that even television cameras are recording the spectacle.

The tradition behind the Flight of the Angel

That angel coming down to St. Mark's Square from the skies is none other than last year's "Maria". Don't you know this legend? Years ago the Doge of Venice gathered twelve of the poorest and most beautiful maidens of the city to give them jewels, money and dresses. Today, this tradition continues, but it is like a great beauty contest. Thus, the most attractive woman is crowned as that year's Mary and, in the following Carnival, has the honour of being the angel that flies over the Piazza.

Beyond the angel's leap, on that day Venice is once again filled with medieval dances and music, alluding to the origin of the tradition. It is a very special thing to experience, as music plays a very important role in Venetian culture.

Although Carnival brings a lot of tourism to Venice for a couple of weeks in February, the rest of the month is fairly quiet and the atmosphere in the city is more relaxed and uncrowded. My recommendation is to take advantage of this time to visit museums, which are also a warm refuge for those days of your trip when the Venetian rain doesn't let up.

Venice could be considered a city of museums, as its galleries and historic buildings are home to some of the most renowned pieces of art in history.

Renaissance art in Venice

The artistic period of the Renaissance, with such famous painters as Titian, plays a big role in Venetian museums, so don't hesitate to visit the Galleria dell'Accademia, where you will find many paintings by this painter and his contemporaries.

A journey through the history of Venice

If you want to learn about the history of the city through centuries-old objects, don't forget the Correr Museum, where you will also find the Archaeological Museum.

A museum for modern artists

If you are an admirer of contemporary art, don't let the Venetian buildings fool you. Inside one of them is the International Gallery of Modern Art, with magnificent collections by Picasso and Kandisnky.

Discover the ingenuity of Leonardo da Vinci

If you want to complete a cultural day out in Venice, don't miss the Leonardo da Vinci Museum. Throughout its different rooms you can discover the legacy of this painter, sculptor, inventor and scientist, among other professions. Discover everything from flying machines to the design of his "Ideal City" and his anatomical sketches.

I'm sure that, like me, when you think of any Italian city, pizza comes to mind. Well, I am pleased to inform you that, if you are in Venice on February 9th, you will have even more reasons to eat it, because on that date is celebrated the World Pizza Day. This day commemorates the fact that UNESCO declared this food a World Heritage Site in 2017, so take this occasion to honour the social and culinary role of pizza in its birthplace, Italy.

While it's true that food in Venice can be expensive, the pizzas in particular are usually very good value and, as you'd expect, very tasty. Still, I know it's hard to find good restaurants with so much on offer, so I've put together a list of my favourite restaurants in Venice. Celebrating Pizza Day doesn't have to be expensive, but it does have to be tasty.

If you're one of those people who get overwhelmed by the crowds, Venice in February is a great place to visit but you should also bear in mind that it has a huge influx of tourists attracted by the famous Carnival. If you feel like escaping the hustle and bustle for a day, I recommend taking one of the excursions to the beautiful islands of Murano and Burano.

You'll reach them by boat and you'll find there a special charm with their colourful little houses around the canal, as well as being able to see the oldest cathedral in Venice, which is located on Torcello, another small island 5 minutes by vaporetto from Burano.

But you can't leave the picturesque islands without visiting the glass-blowing factory on Murano. This is a very old practice in the area that you will learn about on the guided tour included in this type of excursion.

If you're going to Venice in February, you'll be lucky enough to experience the Carnival. This event starts in mid-February and lasts until the end of the month, covering the city with colour, masks, music and lots of costumes. Yes, just as you have always imagined the Venetian Carnival. One of the most important moments of the festival is undoubtedly its opening, known as La Festa Veneziana sull'acqua.

The Venetian Water Festival marks the beginning of the Carnival, and it does so in the way that has been traditional for centuries. Floats parade along the canals and all the Venetians take to the streets to celebrate the start of masks, period costumes and carnival merriment.

My recommendation? Go to the Cannaregio canal, where you'll see the parade best, and do it in good time, as it tends to get crowded.

Will you be able to choose the most beautiful mask? Because that's what the Most Beautiful Mask Contest is all about. This event takes place during the Venice Carnival in February and ends on the last day, so you can go to Piazza San Marco during your trip to Venice and, every evening, see the people and groups that participate. Many of the costumes will surprise you, as they are often authentic period costumes of incalculable value.

Participation is open to the general public, so you too can present your proposal on the large catwalk set up in the Piazza, as long as you fill in the registration form. Or if you prefer, you can cast your vote and take part in the final decision. Just make sure you grab a spot on the last day of the Carnival to find out which costumes and masks are the winners.

I won't kid you, February is a cold month in Venice. With temperatures hovering around 6 degrees Celsius, there may be times during your visit when all you want to do is sit in a typical Italian café and warm up with a hot chocolate. Well, you're in luck because Venice is home to some of the finest chocolate in the world. And don't think there's only one type, because there are many varieties of hot chocolate you can order and taste.

If you've got the sweet tooth and the craving for something hot during your walk around Venice, don't worry because there are plenty of chocolate shops around you, especially if you're in St Mark's Square.

If I may give you one last tip, now that we're talking about sweets, you have to try the traditional Venetian biscuits with your hot chocolate. They are made with flour and butter and flavoured with vanilla. I'm sure you've seen them before: they're S-shaped and addictive.

Do you like taking pictures? Then remember to take your camera with you, with plenty of space in your memory, because in Venice you will take a lot of pictures. Its historic centre full of monuments, its canals crossed by beautiful bridges and its intricate streets are certainly sceneries that deserve a photo, but if there is something that makes them even more magical is the fog. February can be a chilly month in Venice (highs of 4ºC), but if there's one positive thing to take away from it, it's that every surface of the city is covered in a blanket of mist that gives it a special look and light.

The Venetians call this mist "caigò" and on the coldest days of winter it delicately covers the surfaces of Venice's lagoons and large squares. This misty blanket gives a different nuance to the city and, if you have a good eye, you will certainly be able to capture it with your camera.

The Venetian winter is harsh and temperatures can drop to as low as 0 degrees Celsius, with highs only rising to 9 degrees Celsius. Regardless of the number on the thermometer, Venice is a cold city that can be difficult to visit when the icy wind blows through the streets.

To avoid being caught by surprise, remember to bring warm clothes and thermal T-shirts, as well as a mackintosh, as it can rain quite a lot and umbrellas are useless in the wind.

Although tourism in Venice decreases in winter, February is the month of Carnival and many visitors travel to the city of gondolas to celebrate Carnival with masks, costumes and dancing. This undoubtedly makes the prices of accommodation and flights go up, so I recommend you book your trip in advance.

Outside the days of Carnival or Valentine's Day, February can be a quiet month with little tourism, so it's a good time to enjoy the city and its museums with fewer people.

Venice is waiting for you in February with plans full of Carnival, love and culture, how many are you going to sign up for? I can't wait to hear about them when you get back.