Starting April 25th, Venice will implement a €5 entry fee for day visitors.
Summary:
- Venice authorities will enforce a €5 entrance fee for day trippers starting April 25, 2024.
- The aim is to regulate mass tourism and safeguard the historical city.
- Violators of the regulations will face fines ranging from €50 to €300, along with a €10 fee.
Day trippers intending to explore Venice's historic district will soon need to book in advance and pay a €5 entrance fee, as disclosed by city officials. Initially announced in September 2023, this initiative is aimed at addressing overtourism and encouraging visits during quieter periods. The entry fee will be implemented as part of a temporary pilot program, set to commence on April 25 and extend for an additional 29 days, primarily on holidays and weekends until mid-July, according to the New York Times.
On designated days, all visitors to Venice will be required to register their presence through an online form on the Venice Access Fee website. Authorities state that the collected data will aid in planning and regulating visitor numbers.
Michele Zuin, the Venice official overseeing budgeting and economics, emphasized that the objective is to effectively manage tourist influxes and deter mass tourism, which poses challenges to living in the city.
However, certain groups will be exempt from this fee, including overnight visitors for leisure or work, family visitors, students, Venice natives, and minors under 14 years old.
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro clarified that the goal is not profit-oriented, as operational costs surpass anticipated revenues.
Violators of the regulations face fines ranging from €50 to €300, in addition to a €10 fee.
Reportedly, visitors who register will receive a QR code, which must be presented at entry points such as the train station, Piazzale Roma, municipal parking areas, specific beach locations, and St. Mark’s Square. Random checks will be conducted throughout the city.
Individuals arriving in Venice without a QR code can purchase one on their smartphones or at designated kiosks near entry points.
Effective from June, Venice will prohibit large tourist groups and loudspeakers to better manage overtourism and protect the city's character, responding to challenges posed by climate change, rising sea levels, and mass tourism impacts.
Despite these challenges, UNESCO has decided against including Venice on the list of endangered World Heritage Sites.