In a strategic move aimed at controlling tourist influx and preserving the cultural integrity of the iconic canal city, Venice has commenced the sale of tickets for day visitors. This long-anticipated initiative is designed to manage the flow of day travelers and address the challenges associated with excessive tourism.
The newly introduced tickets, available for online purchase, will be mandatory for individuals aged 14 and above who plan to visit the city without an overnight stay during specified peak days in the spring and summer seasons. Priced at €5 ($5.43), the fee will be applicable from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the following dates:
April 25-30
May 1-5
May 11-12
May 18-19
May 25-26
June 8-9
June 15-16
June 22-23
June 29-30
July 6-7
July 13-14
Described as a groundbreaking experiment, the fee aims to enhance the management of visitor traffic and safeguard the city’s distinct heritage while discouraging transient tourism.
Day visitors who opt to pay the fee in advance will receive a QR code, which they must present to officials at Venice’s main access points. Those who fail to comply will face a fine ranging from €50 ($54.29) to €300 ($325.72), in addition to a €10 ($10.86) entry fee.
Overnight tourists will be exempt from the day fee but are required to apply for an exemption online. Visitors with hotel bookings are already subject to a separate tax.
It’s noteworthy that the day fee does not extend to travelers exploring smaller islands like Murano or Burano.
The decision to implement such a fee, initially proposed in 2019 and subject to multiple postponements, follows UNESCO’s recent decision to exclude Venice from its list of world heritage sites in danger. Despite recommendations to the contrary, the city has managed to retain its status. Venice has been under UNESCO scrutiny for several years and successfully averted similar concerns in 2021.
In recent years, Venice has undertaken significant preservation initiatives, designating the waterways surrounding the city as a “national monument” and imposing restrictions on the passage of large cruise ships through its canals.