Starting from 25 April 2024, those wishing to visit Venice, Italy, on a one-day tour will have to pay €5 for admission to the historic centre. This is reported by The Guardian, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.
Venice became the first major city in the world to take such an initiative, and other cities struggling with the impact of mass tourism are watching closely.
It is noted that the mayor’s office made this unprecedented decision after UNESCO threatened to add the city to the list of endangered monuments. With about 40,000 tourists arriving in Venice daily during the peak season, the lagoon is beginning to collapse more rapidly, and locals are fleeing the central island for other places.
Mayor Luigi Bruniaro believes that the introduction of payment can help make Venice “livable” again.
He emphasised that the innovation applies only to those who spend one day in the city. There is no fee for overnight tourists.
How much does it cost and who has to pay?
The fee for access to Venice is 5 euros.
It could be more – when this idea was first proposed, it cost 10 euros.
Only day-trippers have to pay. Residents, passengers, students, and children under 14 are exempt, as well as overnight tourists. Critics of the scheme say that €5 is unlikely to deter many people.
How to buy a ticket and for what dates is it needed?
You can pay the “visitation tax” through the website or using a QR code.
Tickets can be booked online and applied for 29 dates from 25 April to 14 July.
Namely, from 8:30 to 16:00 during the following periods:
- 25-30 April
- 1-5 May
- 11-12 May
- 18-19 May
- 25-26 May
- 8-9 June
- 15-16 June
- 22-23 June
- 29-30 June
- 6-7 July
- 13-14 July.
You will be provided with a QR code on your phone – keep it safe as it is proof that you have paid the fee.
Only those entering the historic centre of Venice between 8:30am and 4pm on any of the peak dates are charged. This includes the Rialto Bridge, Piazza San Marco, La Fenice Opera House, and many other popular tourist attractions, as well as quieter areas such as Giudecca Island.
The mayor’s office promises “soft measures” to control compliance with the new rule – no turnstiles or barriers will be installed, and special staff will check the availability of tickets. Violations are subject to fines ranging from 50 to 300 euros.