Venice will limit tourist groups to 25 people starting in June

Venice has announced a new measure to avoid overtourism this summer. The Italian city has announced new limits on the size of tourist groups, effective from June. Groups will now be restricted to 25 people, approximately half the capacity of a typical tourist bus, with the additional prohibition of loudspeakers due to their potential to cause confusion and disturbances, as outlined in a statement from the city.

Elisabetta Pesce, the official in charge of security, emphasized that these policies aim to enhance the movement of groups not only within Venice's historic center but also across the heavily frequented islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello.

This announcement follows the city's previous disclosure of plans to trial a new day-tripper fee this year. Set at 5 euros ($5.45) per person, the fee will be applicable on 29 peak days between April and mid-July, primarily during weekends. The objective is to regulate crowds, encourage longer visits, and ultimately enhance the overall quality of life for Venice residents.


Venice's struggle with the impact of tourism on its delicate lagoon city has caught the attention of the U.N. cultural agency, prompting consideration to place it on UNESCO's list of heritage sites in danger. While the city managed to avoid this designation previously by restricting large cruise ships' entry through the Giudecca Canal, it reiterated its commitment to managing tourism in September.

The delayed rollout of the day-tripper charge, attributed to the decline in tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, underlines Venice's ongoing dedication to striking a delicate balance between preserving its cultural heritage and mitigating the challenges posed by mass tourism.