Venice has raised over €5 million ($5.7 million) this season from a day‑tripper entrance charge applied on 60 peak days between April and July. More than 650,000 visitors paid the fee, while day access is free for the rest of the year. Mayor Simone Venturini has proposed raising the charge to €30–€50 on very busy days, but any increase needs national approval in Rome. Officials say the levy aims to ease overcrowding and protect the historic centre, home to about 50,000 residents.
Venice Nets Over €5 Million From Day‑Trip Fees as Mayor Proposes Steep Hike
FILE PHOTO - Tourists are waiting for the arrival of gondolas. (is associated with: «Venice raises more than €5 million from tourist entrance charge») Christoph Sator/dpa
Venice authorities say they collected more than €5 million ($5.7 million) this season from an entrance charge applied to day‑trippers visiting the city’s historic centre.
The levy — set at €5–€10 — was charged on 60 selected peak days across the main tourism season from April through July. More than 650,000 day visitors paid the fee this season; for the rest of the year, day access remains free.
Proposal To Raise Fees On The Busiest Days
Mayor Simone Venturini has proposed increasing the entrance charge next year to between €30 and €50 on days when exceptionally large crowds are expected. However, the mayor cannot implement such an increase unilaterally: while the charge was introduced by a municipal by‑law, the national government sets the upper limit, so any change would require consultation with Rome.
Why The Fee Exists
Officials say the levy is intended to better manage mass tourism across Venice’s compact historic centre, protect fragile sights and infrastructure, and help cover the costs of maintenance and crowd management. The measure targets day‑trippers specifically; hotel guests staying overnight are exempt from the day‑entry fee but continue to pay the existing overnight tourist tax.
Today nearly 50,000 people still live in Venice’s historic centre — a population smaller than the number of hotel beds in the city — underscoring concerns about overcrowding and the long‑term sustainability of the island’s communities and heritage.
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