Starting Thursday, Venice will implement new rules limiting tourist groups to a maximum of 25 people as part of the city's ongoing efforts to manage overcrowding.
The move aims to mitigate the impact of large crowds on Venice's delicate infrastructure and preserve the quality of life for its residents.
There are certain exemptions to the new group size rules. Children under two years old are not counted in the group limit, and the restrictions are lifted for visiting students or educational tours.
In addition to limiting group sizes, local authorities have prohibited the use of loudspeakers by tourist guides to “protect the peace of residents” and ensure easier pedestrian movement throughout the city.
These measures apply not only to the central city but also to the nearby islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello.
Fines for non-compliance with these regulations will range from 25 to 500 euros ($27-541). The enforcement of these rules was initially planned for June but was postponed until August.
These latest measures follow Venice's initiative in April when it became the first city in the world to introduce a payment system for visitors.
The experimental scheme was designed to discourage day-trippers from visiting during peak periods and was closely observed by other European tourist destinations.
The pilot project ran for 29 days and concluded in July, paving the way for further consultation on its potential continuation.
