Venice Access Fee 2026: Info, FAQ & Tips
Dear travelers,
are you ooking for all the info on Venice Access Fee 2026? In this guide by Venice Insider Guide we have all the info, FAQ and practical tips.
First of all: Venice is not just a fragile jewel suspended on water, but also an urban ecosystem that every year faces the pressure of millions of visitors. To protect it, the City Council has introduced an access fee: an experiment that in the past years has generated debate and in 2026 is entering a crucial phase.
In this new post by Venice Insider Guide, you will find everything you need to know: dates, hours, who pays, who is exempt, how to buy the ticket and why this fee was introduced and FAQ. Not only practical info, but also curiosities, tips and insights to live your best experience in the most romantic and complex city in the world.
Venice Access Fee 2026: yes, is the Venice tourist tax extended
The Venice Access Fee is not a traditional tax like the accommodation tax you pay when you sleep in a hotel. It’s a symbolic fee asked to those who enter the city even without sleeping, i.e. the day trippers who come for a day.
2026 for the Venice Access Fee means an evolution of the project: after the experiments of the past years, the City of Venice has decided to extend the calendar and make the booking system clearer.
The goal of the Venice Access Fee 2026 is twofold:
- to regulate the flows during peak periods
- to ensure a better quality of life for residents and tourists.
Venice Access Fee 2026: info
Let’s start with the main info on Venice Access Fee 2026. You need to know that it’s in trial phase, from April 3rd to June 30th and it includes weekends and holidays.
We’ll go into details below.
In trial phase
Venice Access Fee 2026 is not permanent for the whole year. It’s a trial, calibrated on the peak periods. This allows the administration to monitor the tourist flows, collect data and evaluate future adjustments.
From April 3rd 2026
The new phase of Venice Access Fee starts April 3rd 2026. Not a random date: it coincides with the beginning of spring, when the city is filling up with visitors, thanks to the nice weather and Easter holidays.
For 60 days
The Venice Access Fee 2026 calendar covers 60 days from April to July. It’s a targeted application, not continuous, thought for the peak tourist periods.
Especially on weekends and holidays
The Venice Access Fee 2026 days are mostly weekends, bridges and national holidays, i.e. the periods when Venice is under the most pressure of arrivals. The selection reflects a dynamic management of the flows, avoiding unnecessary costs and bureaucracy when the city is less crowded.
Venice Access Fee 2026 dates
There are specific Venice Access Fee 2026 dates, chosen by the city, that include mostly holidays and weekends.
Let’s see them in detail.
Venice Access Fee 2026 April
April 2026: the access fee to Venice is requested almost every weekend and on the days of the Easter holidays and the April 25th bridge. Specifically: 3,4,5,6, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30.
Venice Access Fee 2026 May
May is one of the busiest months of the year. The access fee to Venice 2026 covers almost every weekend and includes the May 1st bridge, when Venice is invaded. In particular, the days are: 1, 2, 3, 8,9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31.
Venice Access Fee 2026 June
June brings the Republic Day (June 2nd) and the beginning of the summer season. Not surprisingly, most of the month is covered by the fee. Here are the Venice Access Fee 2026 June days: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28.
Venice Access Fee 2026 July
July is active until the end of the month, especially on weekends. The Venice Access Fee 2026 July days are: 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17,18, 19, 24, 25, 26.
Venice Access Fee 2026 hours
But what are the Venice Access Fee 2026 hours?
We have selected them below.
8.30 am - 4.00 pm
The Venice Access Fee 2026 is requested only from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. After 4:00 pm, daily visitors don’t have to pay anything. The idea is simple: reduce the pressure during the central hours, when the city is more crowded, and give more freedom to those who want to live Venice in the evening or at night, with more authentic atmospheres.
When will you need to pay to visit Venice in 2026
You will pay the Venice Access Fee 2026 if:
- you visit Venice for a daily visit on the dates listed,
- you arrive between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm,
- you arrive without staying in the city or main islands (Lido, Murano, Burano, Giudecca, etc.).
Where to pay Venice access fee 2026
The payment of the Venice Access Fee 2026 is online through the official platform of the City of Venice. Once you complete the procedure, you will receive a personal QR code, to show at the checks.
There are no physical counters at the entrance of the city: the idea is to reduce queues and bureaucracy, simplify the experience.
Who has to pay the access fee to Venice 2026
Venice Access Fee 2026 is requested to all daily visitors.
Exempt from payment:
- residents of the City of Venice,
- commuters,
- students enrolled in Venetian institutions,
- who stay in hotels or other accommodation structures (in this case you will pay the overnight stay tax),
- children under 14 years old,
- who participate in official sports or cultural events.
How to pay the access fee for Venice 2026
Pay the Venice Access Fee 2026 is easy:
1. Access the official City portal.
2. Insert your visit date and personal data.
3. Pay with credit card or digital systems.
4. Download and save the QR code.
In case you lose it, you can always retrieve it through the confirmation email. Controls will be carried out by authorized staff in various points of the city.
Why you pay the access fee to Venice 2026
So, Venice Access Fee is not a bureaucratic whim: it’s a measure of protection. Venice is a fragile microcosm, threatened not only by high water and climate change but also by mass tourism.
The goal is:
- reduce the mordi e fuggi tourism, which often doesn’t bring economic benefits but weighs on the livability,
- finance essential services, from urban maintenance to cleaning,
- protect the historical-artistic heritage, which is worn out every day by millions of footsteps.
In this sense, the fee is more a shared responsibility gesture than a tax.
Practical tips to live the city beyond Venice Access Fee 2026
Many visitors choose to arrive in Venice in the afternoon to avoid paying Venice Access Fee 2026. In reality this can be a great opportunity to live a less crowded and more authentic city.
- After 4:00 pm, walking between San Marco and Riva degli Schiavoni is a much more peaceful experience: the sunset colors the lagoon and the crowd thins out.
- It’s the perfect time for a Venetian aperitif with spritz and cicchetti in the bacari, the typical osterias.
- If you love photography, the blue hour offers stunning views of the Grand Canal and the illuminated streets.
- Some attractions, like St. Mark’s Basilica or the Campanile, have evening openings during certain periods of the year: a magical opportunity to enjoy the art without the morning crowds.
- Don’t forget the islands: Murano, Burano and Torcello are beautiful in the evening, when the tourist groups leave and the lagoon’s pace slows down.
Events and culture during Venice Access Fee 2026
Many of the days covered by Venice Access Fee 2026 coincide with important holidays and events that animate the city. Plan ahead and you can enjoy Venice from a cultural perspective too.
- Easter (April 2026): Venice becomes a stage for religious processions, but also for culinary traditions, with doves, chocolate eggs and typical dishes in the restaurants.
- April 25 – St. Mark’s Day: is the city’s patron saint. Venice is dressed up for the occasion, there are religious and cultural events and the Venetians exchange the “bocolo”, the red rose symbol of the occasion.
- May 1st – Labour Day: the streets are filled with Italian and foreign tourists. It’s a great time to go out of the city and visit the islands.
- June 2nd – Republic Day: national celebrations that add a touch of grandeur to the Venetian context.
- June and July – summer concerts and festivals: from classical music in historic palaces to outdoor concerts, Venice offers a rich calendar. Don’t forget the Theatre Festival of the Biennale, with international shows in suggestive locations.
- Before Redentore (July): even if the main event with fireworks will be in mid-July, already in the previous weeks Venice prepares with celebrations and popular traditions.
Participating in these events makes the access fee even more justified: you’re supporting a city that welcomes you with unique and unrepeatable experiences.
Where to go during Venice Access Fee 2026 and when
To help you out, think of Venice divided into sestieri (the six historic districts). Each area has its own soul and the time of day can change the experience completely.
Before 8.30 – Venice is yours
If you arrive early in the morning, before the access fee time, you’ll find a almost empty city. It’s the perfect time to:
- San Marco: walk in front of the Basilica and the Campanile without crowds. Taking a photo of the square at this hour is a rare privilege.
- Rialto: see the market come to life, with the fishermen and the fruit stalls. Venice is authentic, far from the tourist postcards.
During entry fee (8.30 – 16.00)
If you decide to pay and live the city during the day, use the time to visit the iconic places that deserve a longer stop.
- Palazzo Ducale and St. Mark’s Basilica: absolute masterpieces, book skip-the-line tickets.
- Gallerie dell’Accademia: treasure of Venetian art, from Bellini to Tiziano.
- Murano: watch the glassmakers at work in the labs.
- Burano: walk among the coloured houses and have a fish-based lunch.
After 16.00 – Romantic and authentic Venice
The trick is to arrive or stay after 16: the crowds go down, the access fee is no longer required and the city changes.
- Dorsoduro: artistic district with Punta della Dogana and Peggy Guggenheim Collection. At sunset it offers breathtaking views of the Grand Canal.
- Cannaregio: walk among the bacari and quiet streets. The Jewish Ghetto is a place of history and spirituality.
- Giudecca: less touristy, with stunning views of San Marco and unforgettable sunsets.
- Zattere: perfect for an ice cream or an aperitif along the shore, watching the gondolas and boats passing by.
Venice Access Fee 2026 routes
Morning route
- 7.00: breakfast in a historic pastry shop near San Marco.
- 7.30 – 8.30: visit St. Mark’s Square and take unique photos without crowds.
- 9.00 – 12.00: explore Rialto market and take a gondola ride.
- 12.30: lunch with cicchetti and spritz in a bacaro.
- Afternoon: visit Palazzo Ducale or Murano.
Afternoon route
- 16.30: arrive in the city without access fee.
- 17.00 – 19.00: walk in Dorsoduro and Zattere.
- 19.30: aperitif with a view of the lagoon.
- 21.00: dinner in Cannaregio in a traditional trattoria.
- 23.00: Venice by night, among quiet streets and reflections on the Grand Canal.
Bonus tip from Venice Insider Guide
One more tip from Venice Insider Guide? The true luxury in Venice is not to see everything, but to see well. If you choose to visit during Venice Access Fee 2026, focus on a few stops but unforgettable.
If you enter after 16, abandon the to-do list and let yourself be guided by the atmosphere: Venice is lived slowly, step by step.
FAQ
We collected some frequently asked questions about Venice Access Fee 2026:
Does the fee replace the tourist tax?
No, they are two different measures. The tourist tax is paid by those who sleep in the city, the access fee by those who only visit for the day.
Do I have to pay if I arrive in Venice after 16?
No. After that time the fee is no longer required.
Are there fines if I don’t pay?
Yes, there are penalties for those who don’t respect the rules. Controls will be regular and punctual.
Can I change the date after I booked?
Generally no, but the platform might offer options to modify in special cases.
Does the fee include the islands of the lagoon?
Yes, the system includes the main islands connected to Venice.
Conclusion
Venice Access Fee 2026 is a historic challenge: to find a balance between the world’s desire to visit Venice and the city’s need to protect itself.
For you, curious and aware traveler, this means planning better your visit, choosing smart hours and living the city more authentically.
Remember: Venice is not an open-air museum, it’s a living city. Paying Venice Access Fee 2026 is not just an obligation, it’s a small contribution to preserve a universal heritage that belongs to all.
Want to always read news about Venice?