by InTrieste
Venice will implement a new €5 entry fee for day-trippers on 29 selected dates in 2024, commencing on April 25, coinciding with Italy’s public holiday. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro confirmed that the fee exclusively targets tourists on day trips, exempting overnight visitors in Venice. The multilingual booking system will be operational from January 16.
The specified dates for the entry fee include April 25 to May 5, alternating weekends in May (11-12, 18-19, 25-26), the final four weekends in June (8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30), and the initial two weekends in July (6-7, 13-14). The fee will be active from 08:30 to 16:00 on these days, with penalties of up to €300 for rule violations.
Upon payment, day-trippers will receive a QR code, subject to random checks at eight access gates to the historic center, according to Brugnaro. He described the initiative as an unprecedented global experiment, acknowledging the complexity and fragility of the city. Brugnaro emphasized that the trial measure, despite costing more than it will generate, is necessary to address overcrowding during peak times in the historic center.
The entry fee system, approved by the city council on September 12, aims to alleviate pressure on Venice from an influx of tourists. The trial will occur on days surrounding key spring and summer public holidays. Residents of the Veneto region and visitors under 14 are reportedly exempt from the fee.
Venice’s tourism councillor, Simone Venturini, stated in September that the entry fee seeks to encourage day-trippers to opt for off-peak visitation days. The city aims to assess and potentially improve the system while positioning itself as a global leader in finding a balance between the rights of residents and the needs of visitors.
In September, Venice narrowly avoided being declared an endangered world heritage site by UNESCO. The organization had warned of “irreversible damage” from climate change and mass tourism, criticizing Italian authorities for a perceived lack of strategic vision and insufficient efforts to protect the canal city.
