Karl WP Beyer January 24, 2024 – Those responsible for the lagoon city of Venice have been discussing overtourism and measures to curb the flow of tourists for years. Now it appears that a solution has been found. This year, a test phase will start in the old town area of the Serenissima over 29 days. The attempt requires online registration and a 5 euro ticket.
Every year it attracts between 20 and 30 million visitors Venice. These include a large number of day guests and more than a million cruise ship passengers. They all put a strain on the historic old town area, the Centro Storico. The day visitors are definitely a burden for the residents of Venice, especially since – to make matters worse – they consume little.
Venice is starting a 29-day test phase this year. Visits to the historic old town require online registration and an entry fee of five euros. The test period is valid on the following days: from April 25th to May 5th; on May 11th and 12th as well as on May 18th and 19th and on May 25th and 26th. In June the measure applies on all Saturdays and Sundays from the 8th of the month and in July only on the first two weekends. From 2025 onwards there will be a general restriction of access for tourists.
Venice - view from the Rialto Bridge
Exceptions
The regulation begins at 8:30am daily; previous visits do not debit the account. Guests traveling to the inner-city cruise terminal are also excluded from registration and entry. Day guests who visit the old town after 4:00pm are also not subject to the regulations. – Children under 14 years of age, hotel guests who have booked a minimum of one night's stay and people with disabilities are also exempt from registration and tax.
Further editions
From June 1st, the upper limit of 25 people will apply to tourist groups, and - importantly - loudspeakers will be prohibited on tours in the future. In addition, groups are no longer allowed to stop at bottlenecks or on bridges.