Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Venice, Italy! Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and a must-see for every world traveler. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things travelers love, and the five things they hate about trips to Venice.
Hate #1: Tourist Crowds in Venice
Venice only has about 60,000 permanent residents, yet they receive over 20 million tourists each year. Cruise ships bring over 30,000 passengers per day to Venice in the peak season, on top of an estimated 400,000 day-trip visitors in the peak month of August. The major Venice attractions, like the Rialto Bridge or the Piazza San Marco, are always packed. You will feel like a sardine squeezed in with all the other tourists. Overtourism is such a problem in Venice that the city is taking steps to restrict tourism in 2019.
Hate #2: Italian Food in Venice
Italy is world-renowned for amazing cuisine, but it can be hard to find in Venice. Because of the over-tourism in Venice, most of the food you will find is mass-produced, overpriced food made for tourists, not local Italians. If you go a little off the tourist path, you might find some good Italian food in Venice, but just remember Venice is not a foodie destination. You’re here for the sights, and you can get great Italian food in the next town you visit.
Hate #3: Flooding in Venice
Venice is sinking and ocean levels are rising, so flooding in Venice is inevitable. Flooding in Venice is most likely to happen between October and January, so if you’re planning to visit Venice in the winter to avoid some of the crowds, be aware the floods are a good possibility. Flooding can actually happen any time of year, and the city will put up wooden platforms for visitors to walk on above the floodwaters.
Ten Things That Will Shock You in Venice
Hate #4: Venice Accommodation Prices
It’s expensive to stay in Venice. Many people stay in surrounding towns and visit Venice on a day trip because it’s so expensive to stay at the Venice hotels. It is significantly cheaper to stay off the island and commute in, but if you do stay overnight in Venice, you’ll get to enjoy some of the sights after most of the tourists have left for the day.
Hate #5: Navigating Venice
It’s very easy to get lost in Venice. Sometimes, getting lost is the best way to explore a city and find hidden gems tucked away, but if you’re trying to meet someone or find a specific destination, you can easily get lost and have a hard time finding your way back to the main areas.
Love #1: Getting Lost in Venice
If you have time to wander, getting lost in Venice is one of the best things you can do. Wandering the back alleys and narrow streets and canals is an amazing experience. You can find a hidden piazza not filled with tourists, relax at a cafe and enjoy the atmosphere of Venice.
Love #2: Piazza San Marco
One of the best things to see in Venice is the Piazza San Marco, with the Basilica San Marco and the Bell Tower and the Palace. It’s so cool to just hang out there and take it all in, watching the pigeons and the people. A visit to Piazza San Marco is a quintessential Venice experience.
Love #3: Venice Transportation
The gondolas of Venice are world-famous and it’s a fun thing to do in Venice, although quite expensive. Even if you don’t splurge on a gondola ride in Venice, the fact that everyone travels by water is such a fun, unique experience. The Vaporetto boats are basically water buses that are part of the Venice public transportation system. There are also water taxis you can hire to get around Venice.
Love #4: Getting Off the Tourist Path in Venice
Although Venice is famously over-crowded, it’s still possible to find your own little pocket of Venice to explore. Most tourists in Venice are day-trip visitors, either from the cruise ships or visiting from nearby towns, so they will focus heavily on the main things to see in Venice. Once you’ve seen the highlights, you can get off the beaten path and explore some of the hidden corners of Venice.
Love #5: Atmosphere of Venice
Despite the crowds, Venice is still a city of romance and ambiance. The atmosphere in Venice is totally unique with museums, attractions and of course, the canals. All of this combines to make Venice one of the top ten cities in Europe for travelers.
Venice really is an amazing city and although it’s crowded, there’s a good reason for that because it’s such a unique experience. The “hates” aren’t really “hates” at all, just a few things to keep a head’s up on rather than a reason not to visit Venice. Want more tips for traveling in Italy? Check out these other blog posts: