Planning a winter escape to Venice? Here’s your complete Venice packing list for December, so you can enjoy the canals, fog, and festive lights in total comfort.
Venice in December is a misty dream — fewer tourists, festive lights, and peaceful canals. It’s the perfect time to explore La Serenissima without the crowds, but the cold, damp air means your packing list should be practical and elegant.
Expect foggy mornings, chilly evenings, and cobblestone streets that get slick with rain. Whether you’re gliding down a canal, strolling through Christmas markets, or sipping espresso in a piazza, layering is key. Think cozy, water-resistant, and always Venetian-chic.
📝Note: This article is all about what to pack for Venice in December. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
- Average high: 7°C / 45°F
- Average low: 1°C / 34°F
- Rain: 7–9 days with drizzle or fog
- Flooding (Acqua Alta): Possible in December — bring waterproof shoes
- Festivities: Christmas markets, church concerts, quieter gondola rides
What to Pack for Venice in December
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Water-resistant suitcase – For misty cobblestone streets 🧳
- Compact carry-on – Easy to lift onto water taxis 🎒
- Duffel bag – Flexible and easy to stow in small hotels 👜
- Daypack – Light enough for walking but fits essentials 🛍️
- Packing cubes – Organize layers, winter gear, and accessories 📦
- Shoe bags – Protect your clothes from damp soles 👞
- Toiletry bag – Leak-proof for your skincare and liquids 🧴
- Document organizer – Keep tickets, insurance, and ID safe 📁
- Foldable shopping tote – For souvenirs or groceries 🛒
- Laundry bag – Keep muddy socks and used clothes separate 🧺
- Luggage scale – Especially handy after Venice shopping ⚖️
- Combination lock – For added luggage safety 🔒
- Money belt or neck pouch – For safe carry in tourist spots 🎟️
- Travel towel – If staying in hostels or budget places 🧼
- Neck pillow – Useful for overnight trains or flights 🛏️
- Sleep mask – Short winter days, but hostels may be bright 😴
👗 Clothes
- Thermal tops (2–3) – Your secret weapon under layers 🔥
- Long-sleeve shirts/blouses (3–4) – Great base pieces 👚
- Wool sweaters (2–3) – Keep it cozy and Italian-chic 🧶
- Structured blazer or warm cardigan – For indoor style 🧥
- Jeans or wool trousers (2–3) – Warm and walkable 👖
- Skirt with tights – Great for dinners or churches 👗
- Fleece-lined leggings – Layer under dresses or jeans 🧘
- Knit or sweater dress – Soft and warm 👗
- Insulated winter coat – Waterproof and windproof is ideal 🧥
- Packable down jacket – Good for layering or dry days 🪶
- Activewear – For morning strolls or stretching 🏃
- Warm pajamas – Hotel heating varies 💤
- Swimsuit – Just in case your hotel has a spa 👙
- Underwear (7+) – Breathable and quick-dry 👙
- Bras (2–3) – Include at least one sports bra 👚
- Wool socks (5–7) – Dry, warm, and comfy 🧦
- Thermal tights – Great under skirts or pants 🧤
💆 Skincare
- Hydrating cleanser – Gentle on cold-weather skin 🧴
- Moisturizing toner – Preps your skin for hydration 💧
- Rich face cream – Combat the Venetian chill 🧴
- SPF – Even in fog, UV rays get through ☁️
- Makeup remover – For waterproof and longwear 🧻
- Exfoliator – Once or twice a week 🧽
- Eye cream – Target puffiness from wind 👁️
- Facial mist – Refresh your face mid-day 💦
- Sheet masks – Spa moments in your hotel 🧖
- SPF lip balm – Cold air dries lips fast 💋
- Spot treatment – Travel stress can show 🩹
💄 Makeup
- Hydrating foundation or BB cream – Glowy skin in cold air 💁
- Concealer – Brighten under eyes and blemishes 👁️
- Setting powder – Light touch to avoid shine 💨
- Blush – Bring life to winter skin 🌺
- Highlighter – Subtle sparkle under market lights ✨
- Bronzer – Warm up your December glow 🌞
- Neutral eyeshadow – Classic Italian beauty 🎨
- Waterproof eyeliner – Just in case of drizzle 🖊️
- Volumizing mascara – For gondola glam 💧
- Brow gel – Wind-resistant brows 👁️
- Lipstick – Berry or classic red 💄
- Setting spray – Keep your look lasting 🌬️
- Travel brushes – Compact and efficient 🖌️
💇 Hair Care
- Brush or comb – Detangle post-scarf hair 💇
- Hair ties & clips – For windy walks 🌬️
- Shampoo & conditioner – Travel size or bar 🧴
- Dry shampoo – Adds volume and refresh 💁
- Heat protectant – If using tools 🔥
- Styling cream or serum – Tame frizz from fog 💧
- Mini dryer – Check if your hotel has one 💨
- Flat iron or curler – For fancier nights 🌀
- Hair accessories – Scarf, clips, barrettes 🎀
- Wool hat – Stay warm and stylish 🧢
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Waterproof boots – Essential for puddles & flooding 👢
- Chic sneakers – For sunny, dry days 👟
- Dress shoes – Closed-toe for dinners 👠
- Rain boots – Optional but handy for Acqua Alta 🌧️
- Wool scarf – Layer up with style 🧣
- Leather gloves – Warm hands, polished look 🧤
- Wool hat or beanie – Cover up on cold days 🧢
- Compact umbrella – Windproof and waterproof ☔
- Sunglasses – Winter sun can still glare 😎
- Jewelry – Go subtle or bold 💍
- Watch – Keep your phone tucked away ⌚
- Crossbody bag – Secure and rain-safe 👜
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport + copies – Always keep a backup 🛂
- Visa (if needed) – Schengen rules apply 📝
- ID – Some museums or galleries require it 🪪
- Travel insurance – For health, delays, or theft 📄
- Hotel/train/tour confirmations – Print & digital 🧾
- Cash + cards – Venice uses euros 💶
- Emergency contact info – On paper & phone 📇
- Offline maps – Venice alleys can be confusing 🗺️
- Receipts – Especially for VAT refunds 🧾
- Notebook & pen – Journal, sketch, or plan 🖊️
- Wallet – Slim, waterproof preferred 👛
- Secure pouch – For hotel safes 🔐
🚑 First Aid
- Band-aids – For long walks on stone paths 🩹
- Antiseptic wipes – For small cuts or hands 🧼
- Gauze & tape – Mini first aid kit 🩺
- Tweezers – Multipurpose ✂️
- Mini scissors – TSA-compliant ✂️
- Thermometer – Watch for colds or fever 🌡️
- Cotton pads & Q-tips – Versatile travel items ☁️
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Prescriptions – Enough for your whole stay 💊
- Pain relievers – For cold or fatigue 🤕
- Cold meds – Useful for the damp Venice air 🤧
- Allergy pills – For dust or food sensitivities 🌾
- Motion sickness tabs – Gondolas and ferries 🚤
- Vitamins – Boost immunity 💊
- Feminine products – Bring what you prefer 🩸
- Hand sanitizer – Must-have for public transport 👐
- Disinfectant wipes – For café tables or hotel remotes 🧽
- Bug spray – Rarely needed, but pack small 🦟
- Contraceptives – Be prepared ❤️
- Eye drops – Dry air or wind relief 👁️
- Contacts + solution – Or backup glasses 👓
- Travel mirror – Compact and helpful 🪞
- Toothbrush & paste – Travel size 🪥
- Floss – Dental care matters 🦷
- Deodorant – Solid or roll-on 🧼
- Razor – Manual or electric 🪒
- Nail kit – Clippers and file 💅
- Perfume – Rollerball or small spray 🌸
- Tissues – Cold weather must 🧻
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Smartphone – For GPS, camera, and tickets 📱
- Tablet/laptop – Optional for work or media 💻
- Camera – Canal shots need quality 📸
- Chargers – For every device 🔌
- Power bank – For all-day exploring 🔋
- Adapter – Italy uses Type C/F ⚡
- Storage backup – Cloud or drive 💾
- Offline apps – Maps, transit, translation 🗺️
- eSIM or local SIM – Save on roaming 🌐
- E-reader – Lightweight and travel-friendly 📖
- Noise-canceling headphones – For trains or flights 🎧
- Waterproof phone pouch – Fog and rain protection 📱
🎧 Entertainment
- Books – Venice mysteries or travel fiction 📚
- Movies/shows – Download for flights or evenings 🎬
- Music/podcasts – Set the Venetian vibe 🎶
- Travel journal – Record your foggy gondola moments 📓
- Card games – Rainy day fun 🃏
- Magazines – Espresso break reads ☕
🎁 Extras
- Snacks – For long walks or late-night cravings 🍫
- Reusable water bottle – Stay hydrated 💧
- Foldable shopping bag – For markets and Murano glass 🛍️
- Detergent – Hand-wash essentials 🧼
- Sewing kit – Fix fashion emergencies 🧵
- Whistle – Solo travel peace of mind 🔊
- Lint roller – Maintain a polished look 👕
- Footrest – Long travel comfort ✈️
- Shoe deodorizer – Combat damp shoe smell 👃
- Melatonin – For jet lag or busy nights 😴
🌍 Travel Tips
- Check Acqua Alta forecasts – High tide alerts 🌊
- Pre-book popular sites – Like Doge’s Palace 🎟️
- Use ACTV transport pass – Vaporetto access 🚤
- Layer daily – Mornings colder than afternoons 🧥
- Keep valuables in carry-on 🎒
- Label luggage clearly – For easy spotting 📛
- Notify your bank – Avoid card issues 💳
🛂 Visa Tips
- Schengen visa – Required for non-EU travelers 🛂
- Apply early – Allow 2–3 weeks minimum 🗓️
- Bring extra ID photos – For emergencies 📷
- Print proof of stay & return – Required at entry 🖨️
- Review customs rules – For wine, cheese, liquids 🍷
⭐ Must-Haves
- Passport – With digital backup 🌍
- Travel insurance – For health & weather delays 🛡️
- Euros + credit cards – Cash needed in some spots 💶
- Phone + adapter – Daily essential 📱
- Health kit – Cold meds, sanitizer, wipes 🧼
- Offline maps – Venice is a maze 🗺️
- Printed reservations – Hotels, trains, museums 🧾
- Day bag – Hands-free exploring 👜
- Water bottle – Refill at public fountains 💧
👍 Good-to-Have
- Travel steamer – For wrinkle-free layering 🧺
- Blanket scarf – Warmth and style 🧣
- Extra mask or sanitizer – For transport or busy sites 😷
- Back-up charging cable – Just in case 🔌
- Luggage tags – Custom and visible 📛
- Compact umbrella – Always useful ☔
- eSIM – Affordable roaming 🌐
- Extra tote – For gifts or market buys 🎁
