Are you departing to one of the world’s biggest parties this February? Obviously, I am writing about Venice Carnival 2020- Carnevale de Venezia.  It’s the beginning of tourist season In Venice these days, the place is crowded with people and there is flood of tourist to visit the most ancient cultural festival. There are lot of free things happening that makes attending the Carnival of Venice not to miss event, it’s an experience worth doing once in your lifetime.This year the carnival will begin on 8 February and last for 2 weeks until 25 February.



Are you worried about how to dress like a local and experience the carnival without breaking your bank? I have put together 10 tips for you to make sure that you enjoy the Venice carnival with feelings like a local on a planned budget.

  • Where to Stay?

Venice is always crowded with tourist and Carnival is the busiest time of the year flooded with people. Therefore you should look for travel plans in advance to have an early booking at the right place and save some money. Often the hotels are full booked, so it is better to have an option earlier.

Here are some cheap Hotels:

You can book this Yacht too. Check down earlier because it gets full immediately. 

All rates apply per night

  • Dress Yourself in Costume:

When you are in Venice, you will see people dressed in costumes. Some people wear traditional fancy costumes and other just wear casual dresses with a Venetian masks. Local’s usually wear a gown and takes an eye mask. Dress yourself in whatever makes you comfortable and easy to move around. But I suggest you to essentially wear a mask or face-paint, this will make you feel like a local and the part of festival.
A Venetian costume makes you feel beautiful, but unless you have the budget of one, because it is very costly more than your trip to Venice cost. It makes no sense to buy a costly costume for a single night. But if you want to experience wearing a Venetian costume, I suggest you to rent costume for yourself. I have mentioned some companies below making high-quality costumes available to rent for a day or longer, so you can feel like local in the festival without breaking the bank.

  • Carnival Makeup and Face Mask:

Venetian Carnival have so much to offer instead of fancy dresses. You can also avail the opportunity for a last minute makeup. While wandering on Venice streets you will find makeup Artist that offer less costly face painting services in 10$-15$. If you haven’t bought a mask, you can design it for yourself this will be budget friendly and you will have chance to participate in Best Masked face Contest. 
A daily contest takes place in Piazza San Marco and it’s completely free to enter, you just need to fill the contest form, download it at Carnevale di Venezia official Website. The masks and costumes hides your masquerader’s identity, making it impossible to identify social class so you can’t feel foolish.


  • Walk Around the Streets:

 In days of carnival, the city is showered in colors, walk around the streets to see contests and happenings of the carnivals it is cost friendly. Venice is a small city and everything is at walk distance, taking a boat may be expensive in carnival days.
 There are many free events taking place in the city, you do not need to spend money for celebrations at a ball, which costs 500-600 euros per dinner. Check the full list of free events here https://www.carnevale.venezia.it/en/complete-program/


  • Weather:

Its late February and the weather is almost sunny these days at Venice, but take an umbrella with you as it is likely to rain any time in Venice!

  • Avoid Using Public Washrooms:

If you want to save your money, avoid using public washrooms at Venice because it cost you money approximately 2 euro per visit. Try to use washrooms at the place where you stay. If you are outside your hotel, buy some snack from any café and use washroom there, its free!


  • Where and What To Eat:

Search for an out of the way restaurant where the locals are eating and it is cheaper to eat a main meal at lunchtime, rather than in the evening. Eat like a local, touring back street bars to enjoy the unique snacks of Venice. Obviously No visit to Venice is complete without eating a fish, seafood in Venice is exceptional.

Do not forget to take a water bottle with you or buy it at some corner shop of the street. The drinks are expensive, so if you ran out of water in your bottle you can refill it at the clean water fountains for free. The water in the fountains are purified at Venice.

Avoid restaurants where staff member are persuading you to eat there. These restaurants are tourist traps and you will have to pay an great amount of money for your meal.
  • Ca’macana:
Head over to Ca’macana, it is very rare place in Venice. Not only are you allowed to try on artisan masks, you can also take as many pictures as you would like.