5 tips to avoid crowds in Venice during Carnival

Last March I booked a trip to Venice before heading to the Dolomites. When I booked the trip, I didn’t realize I would be in Venice during Carnival. Here are my tips to avoid the crowds in Venice during Carnival.

I was excited, knowing this would be an unforgettable experience but I was nervous, knowing there would be lots of tourists. And I must say, there were even more than I thought!

Don’t worry though, it was incredibly easy to avoid the center of Venice and escape the mayhem.

Learn to row a gondola

First, a Venitian gondola experience. Sure, a Venetian gondola ride is a bucket list experience, but is it really worth the hype? The crowds? We decided no. Instead of doling out €100 for a 40-minute ride down the Grand Canal in an imitation gondola, we decided to learn to row like a Venetian. Our hosts Damiano and Emiliano were beyond generous and welcoming.

We met them one afternoon in Cannaregio, a neighborhood on the outskirts of the center. They showed us their workshop, where they restore typical Venetian boats by hand. Then, we learned how to row ourselves during a one and a half hour ride. Much like Amsterdam, the city looks very different by boat. Plus, the guys gave us plenty of local recommendations afterwards.

This experience was one of my favorite and most unique moments in Venice. I’d highly recommend it!

Go to Burano

Burano is a small island off the coast of Venice that you can access by Vaporetto, the local name for ferry. Most of the Vaporettos stop at Torcello, Burano, Murano and Cemetery Island. We decided to stop at all four, but if you only have time for one, Burano is best. Sure, there are still crowds here but not nearly as many crowds as in Venice.

The colorful houses and canals are postcard perfect. Off the main streets you’ll find quiet spots to sit and enjoy the sunshine. On the day we were there, there were many people dressed in elaborate costumes with professional photographers. They were competitors in the daily costume competition. We made it a scavenger hunt. We wandered around for hours snapping photos around every corner.

Want to see more photos of the incredible and extravagant costumes? Check out all my favorites from Burano.

Take a glass blowing class

The most prestigious glass blowing destination in the world is Murano. It’s one of the islands we visited when we took the Vaporetto to Burano.

The streets in Murano are filled with glass making workshops. Many stores have a glass maker perched in the window hard at work. They make everything from trinkets to elaborate vases to ornate chandeliers.

We took a private glass making class in Venice with Massimiliano Caldarone. Massimiliano has 20 years experience and is truly passionate about what he does. His workshop is small, but he has everything you need to learn the basics. Plus we walked away with our own homemade pieces.

This was a much needed timeout from all the Carnival festivities.

I took another glass blowing class in my home state of Rhode Island that was also incredible.

Avoid the crowded San Marco square

San Marco is the most central neighborhood in Venice. At its heart is San Marco piazza, or square. The square is blocked by police officers each day for many events.You need to wait in line for hours sometimes just to enter. Talk about crowds! Even the streets nearby require you to walk in single file lines at a very slow pace.

If you want to avoid the crowds in Venice during Carnival, avoid San Marco no matter what. If you’re okay with a bit of crowding, visit in the evening for one of the many parties with live music and performances.

Wake up early to avoid crowds

It could’ve been the sea air, twinkling city lights or masks, I’m not sure. From the moment I arrived I was overwhelmed with joy. I went to sleep the first evening so excited to see Venice. The first morning we woke before sunrise and went out to explore.

There were a few elderly men walking their dogs and older women meandering to the few open news stands. Otherwise, we were completely alone. We were able to enjoy the city streets before they started to flood with tourists.

If you take one piece of advice to avoid crowds in Venice during Carnival, I highly recommend waking up early. The city is most charming in the early hours and you’re even able to explore San Marco without police barricades and tourists in single file lines.