Venice Faces Overcrowding During Carnival as Tourist Fee Looms

The historic city struggles with mass tourism during its Carnival festival, prompting a controversial entry fee set to begin in April.

Venice's Carnival festival, running until March 4, has drawn massive crowds, with tourists packing streets and bridges to capacity.
Tourists reported frustration over severe congestion, as videos showed visitors stuck in immobile crowds during the event's opening weekend.
Starting April 18, Venice will implement a tourist fee ranging from €5 to €10 on select days to manage the influx of visitors and reduce overcrowding.
Critics argue the fee may harm Venice's reputation and have limited impact on controlling tourism, while supporters see it as necessary to alleviate strain on the city.
Venice, which welcomed over 5.7 million tourists in 2023, faces ongoing challenges with over-tourism, with peak tourist numbers often exceeding the city's residential population.