Italy is one of the most popular places to visit on holiday, and for great reason. It has given us so many cultural imports, from food and music to architecture and beyond. Its foothills are the home of amazing wine, while its cities are cradles of culture – Venice amongst them.
There is a reason why Venice features as a destination in so many Italy trips. It is a city of spellbinding wonder, wonder supplied in no small part by its unique waterway-led infrastructure. This is a bucket list place to visit, but what should you know before ticking it off?
The Tourist Tax
Venice is not the largest of cities, and yet its unique form attracts a great many more tourists than its infrastructure can really handle each year. This overtourism is not only an issue on a practical and infrastructural level, but also on a social level; residents struggle to use the city as they should be able to on account of teeming visitors in warmer months.
To somewhat counteract these negative impacts, Venice has instituted a unique monetary solution, in the form of a ‘tourist tax’ on visitors over the age of 14. This tax is automatically included in accommodation bills, and can add up to five euros per day. More recently, a five euro ‘entrance fee’ has been introduced, to reduce the influx of day-trippers that add little to Venice’s night-time economy.
The Carnival
The Carnival of Venice is one of the biggest cultural events of the calendar year, and represents a huge draw for the city despite being in what might otherwise be described as an off-season. The Carnival takes place across the first two weeks of February, and sees a cornucopia of masquerade dress concepts descend upon the canals and bridges. This is a must-see for culture vultures, but can also be a key set of dates to bear in mind for those looking to enjoy a quieter, cheaper time in the city.
Money
Speaking of expenditure, Venice is a place that you can expect to spend a lot of money in. This is especially true in the spring and summer months, as tourist season kicks off properly and popular spots swell their prices accordingly.
Accommodation can get incredibly expensive in the summer, while tourist-y restaurant and café destinations can bring far higher prices than local venues off the beaten track. Cash can make life easier in many situations, but you should be especially careful with it; areas with high footfall attract scammers, who have a variety of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it schemes to part you with your money.
The Tide
Venice is truly a breathtaking place to visit, and the waterways are a major part of the equation – but these waterways are also an existential threat to the city itself, not to mention a potentially dangerous element for you and your fellow travellers. Flood defences are better than ever, but there is still a high risk inherent to visiting Venice in inclement weather. Watch the weather warnings carefully before and while travelling.
