Would you pay an entrance fee to get into a city? The city of Venice in Italy will start charging tourists to enter starting January 16, 2023.
This will make Venice the first city in the world to charge an entrance fee. Simone Venturini, Venice’s councilor for tourism announced the launch date at a press conference last week. Venturini says the fee is a “great revolution” and a solution to the city being overcrowded due to tourism.
Related: Here Are 10 Ways You Can Navigate Venice, Italy And Avoid The Crowds
Cost of entrance fee
Tourists will have to pay between three to 10 euros to enter the city. The price will vary according to the number of travelers. If there are more requests to enter, the cost will be higher.
Venturini says the goal of the fee is so Venice can remain a living city and not one consumed by tourists.
There will be an online booking platform, which will be released this fall.
Related: Fee To Enter Europe Will Become Effective Starting 2023
Exceptions to the fee
You can avoid paying the entrance fee if you are:
-Resident
-Child under 6 years of age
-Disabled
-Homeowner
-Visiting Venice for health reasons
-Visiting relatives in Venice
-Visiting Venice to attend a sporting or cultural event
-Overnight hotel guest
The proceeds from the entrance fee will go to lowering taxes for Venetians. Currently, taxes are high because of the large number of tourists.
“It is not a system to make cash but to manage tourist flows,” says Michele Zuin, councilor for the budget.
In addition to the Venice historic center, the entrance fee will apply to Lido di Venezia, Pellestrina, Murano, Burano, Tocello, Sant’Erasmo, Mazzorbo, Mazzorbetto, Vignole, S. Andrea, La Certosa, S. Servolo, S. Clemente and Poveglia.
Those who violate the entrance fee requirement will be fined between 50 to 300 euros.
