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Are you planning a trip to Venice, Italy in 2024? These are the most important things travelers need to know before visiting Venice this year!
Venice is one of the most iconic cities in Europe. It is a bucket list destination for many travelers who dream of seeing the city’s many canals and bridges – of which there are 150 and 435 respectively.
In addition to being one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in Europe, Venice is unfortunately also one of the most overcrowded. The city has been suffering from overtourism for years and in 2024 various measures will finally be taken to combat this.
Here are the most important things travelers need to know before visiting Venice this year:
Venice is finally introducing a day tripper rate
Although announced several years ago, Venice’s so-called “day tourist tax” has never actually been implemented – until now, at least.
Starting in April, the city of Venice will implement a €5 ($5.45) surcharge on 29 selected dates from April through July. This fee is charged to visitors who are only in the city for one day, such as cruise tourists and day trippers. It applies to most weekends and other peak travel dates.
Visitors must book a ticket in advance online and show a QR code at certain entry points in the city. The goal of this effort is to reduce overcrowding, although this is still on a trial basis.
Tour groups of more than 25 people are prohibited
Another recent update that tourists should take into account is the ban on tour groups of more than 25 people in Venice. This new rule will come into effect in June.
It is designed to relieve large crowds that can cause blockages and human “traffic jams” in Venice’s pedestrian streets.
In addition, the use of loudspeakers is banned in Venice. Many tour guides use loudspeakers when walking the streets of Venice, but this causes major noise pollution.
These are just some of the latest changes, similar to banning large cruise ships from entering central Venice, aimed at protecting the city from the effects of overtourism.
Off-season is the best time to travel
Based on all the disadvantages of traveling to Venice, such as huge crowds and sky-high prices, you might think that you should not visit Venice in 2024.
However, my recommendation is to travel out of season.
Three of my four trips to Venice took place during the off-season, including my last visit in November 2023. And this is by far the best time to experience Venice the way it should be experienced! From October to March you can enjoy few crowds and lower prices in Venice.
Although it can be a bit chilly at this time of year, it’s much better than visiting Venice in the summer, when the sweltering heat combined with the crowds makes walking around almost unbearable.
The only thing to be aware of if you visit Venice out of season are the aqua alta — high water that occurs occasionally in winter and causes the lowest points of the city to be flooded.
During the acqua alta, the city installs temporary elevated walkways over flooded areas, and you can purchase knee-high plastic shoe covers to stay dry.
But be careful when visiting Venice in February
The one exception to Venice’s low crowds and low prices during the off-season? Carnival in February! While experiencing Carnivale is a bucket list experience for many travelers, it is not for the faint of heart. The city becomes absolute Packed and the prices for hotels are exorbitant.
This year the festival takes place from February 3 to 13, although there will also be some pre-Carnival festivities the week before.
If you want to save money and avoid crowds, this is NOT the time to visit Venice. But if you want to experience a festival unlike any other in the world, visit Venice during Carnivale!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
