Venice Out of High Season

We explored Venice, Italie two days ago, curious to catch a glimpse of what makes this city so talked about. Honestly, it was never high on my list—mainly because everyone says it’s unbearably overcrowded.

We parked at the ferry terminal and walked about 20 minutes into the city. Even though we’re outside the high season, it was still quite packed. That said, visitor behavior wasn’t nearly as bad as what we often see in the mountains.

Still, we were pleasantly surprised by a few things:

• Public transport, bus, train, and water-based systems, was impressively well-organized.

• Local police managed the flow of people through the streets with calm efficiency.

• The city was remarkably clean, especially compared to other popular spots in Italy and other global tourist destinations.

• Despite the crowds, it was still possible to find quiet corners to take a break and breathe.

• No mopeds buzzing around made the atmosphere noticeably more peaceful.

• The tiny canals really are perfect for local navigation—something that makes Venice feel like nowhere else.

Still, you can sense the pressure from tourism. It’s clear why many locals aren’t thrilled with the current situation. The visitors are taking over the place… and you understand why when you see the architecture and uniqueness of this city. It was worth visiting, even though I felt a certain tension, knowing my presence adds to the pressure.

I’ll be interested to see the full results of the tourist toll experiment they’ve trialed over the past few months.

I’m not sure the current QR code system, where visitors must present a code to stewards at the main entry points, will be enough.

👉Developing a more robust security system, like what we see in airports, would be a big investment… but maybe it’s necessary?

Alternatively, Venice could adopt a model similar to Mont Saint Michel or Stonehenge, where people must park on the mainland and complete the journey by walking or using public transport. It would make the arrival part of the experience and help manage the flow better.

How to raise awareness of the impacts ?

How to find some balanced ?