Carnival of Venice: masks, palaces and fritters

The Carnival of Venice is one of the world's most famous carnivals, filling the canals and squares with elaborate masks and costumes. Parades, masked balls and performances take place across the city, from St Mark's Square to the quieter campi of Cannaregio.

Fun facts

• Venice's carnival is recorded from the Middle Ages and flourished in the 18th century.
• After the fall of the Republic in 1797 it faded for almost two centuries and was revived in 1979.
• Masks let Venetians of every class mix freely and anonymously.

What to see

• The Flight of the Angel, when a performer descends from St Mark's bell tower.
• The Festa delle Marie, a historic parade recalling a medieval legend.
• The water parade of decorated boats on the Cannaregio canal.

What to taste

• Frittelle, carnival fritters filled with cream or zabaione.
• Galani, thin crispy fried pastry dusted with sugar.
• Spritz, the classic Venetian aperitivo, with cicchetti snacks.

What to do

• Buy a handmade papier-mâché mask in a traditional workshop.
• Have a hot chocolate in one of the historic cafés on St Mark's Square.
• Explore Castello and Cannaregio, where locals celebrate away from the crowds.

💡 Tip: Stay in Mestre or on the mainland to save money. Buses from Marco Polo airport reach Piazzale Roma in about 20 minutes; Treviso airport has coaches too.