Ca' Foscari | TravelDojo

Ca’ Foscari is a 15th-century Venetian Gothic palace on the Grand Canal in Venice, notable today as the principal historic home of Ca’ Foscari University. The building combines a richly decorated canal-facing façade with university offices and teaching spaces.

The main attraction is the palace’s Gothic façade facing the Grand Canal, with its characteristic polifora windows and loggias; most public appreciation comes from the exterior and from views by vaporetto or from the canal. Because the palace houses university functions, public access to interiors is limited compared with other Venetian palaces.

The palace was built for the wealthy Foscari family in the 15th century and later passed into public ownership; in recent centuries it has served academic functions and now hosts university administrative offices and departments. Architectural modifications and restorations have been carried out periodically to preserve the Gothic façade.

Located in the Dorsoduro district, the palace sits directly on the Grand Canal between several of Venice’s main boat routes, within walking distance of San Marco and the Accademia area.

Access: Many parts of the building are used by Ca' Foscari University, so interior access can be restricted - check university opening hours before planning a visit.
Best view: The palace fronts directly onto the Grand Canal, making the exterior façade the primary attraction for most visitors.

How to Get to Ca' Foscari #

Ca’ Foscari sits on the Grand Canal in central Venice. Take the vaporetto (water bus) line 1 (Grand Canal route) - there is a stop named “Ca’ Foscari” - or line 2, then it’s a very short walk (a few minutes) from the quay to the palazzo. From Venezia Santa Lucia train station it’s an easy 8-12 minute walk along the canal (roughly 600-900 m).

Tips for Visiting Ca' Foscari #

Go early or late in the day to photograph the Gothic façade on the Grand Canal with far fewer tourist boats and harsh sunlight.
Use the vaporetto on the Grand Canal (lines 1 or 2) and get off near the Accademia area-Ca' Foscari sits right on the canal, so approach by boat for the best view and quickest access.
Check the university's opening hours and event calendar before you go: interior access and special exhibitions are often only available by reservation or at set times, and many visitors miss the courtyard and inside frescoes because they assume it's closed.

Best Time to Visit Ca' Foscari #

Visit in the shoulder months to avoid summer crowds at this historic Venetian building; be aware of acqua alta risks in late autumn and winter.

Peak tourist season (crowds)

June-August · 20-30°C

Very busy with tourists; expect queues and crowded interiors of central Venice buildings.

Shoulder seasons (best balance)

April-May, September-October · 10-20°C

Fewer visitors and pleasant conditions for visiting indoor historic sites like Ca' Foscari; generally the best time to avoid peak crowds.

Low season (fewer visitors, higher acqua alta risk)

November-March · 0-10°C

Lowest crowd levels indoors but increased chance of acqua alta (high water) in late autumn/winter and cooler weather.

Weather & Climate near Ca' Foscari #

Climate

Ca' Foscari's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (765 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 57 Moderate

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustSeptember

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

36°

Warmest Month

-5°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

3°

Feels Like Cold

3°C

Temperature

0° – 6°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

54 mm

Rainfall

1.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.1

UV Index

Low

9.0h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

5°

Feels Like Cold

5°C

Temperature

1° – 8°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

47 mm

Rainfall

2.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.3

UV Index

Low

10.2h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

5° – 12°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

49 mm

Rainfall

2.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.6

UV Index

Moderate

11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

8° – 16°

74%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

66 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.0

UV Index

Moderate

13.4h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

13° – 21°

73%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

65 mm

Rainfall

2.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.4

UV Index

High

14.7h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

17° – 25°

69%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

77 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

15.4h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

89 Excellent

Comfort

23°

Feels Like Mild

23°C

Temperature

19° – 28°

64%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

58 mm

Rainfall

2.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

15.1h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

87 Excellent

Comfort

23°

Feels Like Mild

23°C

Temperature

18° – 28°

64%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

67 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.5

UV Index

High

13.9h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

15° – 23°

68%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

71 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.9

UV Index

Moderate

12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 89 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

10° – 18°

75%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

89 mm

Rainfall

2.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.5

UV Index

Low

10.8h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

5° – 11°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

64 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.4h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

4°

Feels Like Cold

4°C

Temperature

1° – 7°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

58 mm

Rainfall

1.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.6h daylight

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