Join A Secret Italy

Are Italian Towns Charging Entry Fees Fair or a Rip-Off?

by Carla
(Memphis)

I wanted to share this Reddit thread with you about Venice charging visitors an entry fee:

"I get that overcrowding is an issue, but should we really be paying just to enter a town? Feels like it’s turning into a money grab. What do you guys think? Are these fees fair or just a way to rip off tourists?"

u/IlovePasta88:
It’s totally fair!
I’ve been to Venice, and it’s crazy packed, especially during peak season. These fees are supposed to help with the upkeep of the city, which is sinking, by the way! If the money goes towards protecting and maintaining these historic places, I’m all for it. Think about it—Venice is a unique city, and if paying a few euros helps preserve it, it’s worth it.

u/BackpackerBruce:
Tourist trap, plain and simple!
Look, I’ve been to a bunch of countries, and Italy’s getting more expensive every year. Paying just to walk into a town? That’s crazy. I’d rather spend my money on actual experiences like museums, food, and local tours—not just entry. Plus, if the fees were actually helping the locals, they wouldn’t be pushing back so hard against tourists.

u/ArtHistoryNerd:
Mixed feelings on this one...
I see both sides. On one hand, Venice is literally sinking under the weight of mass tourism, and something needs to be done. But on the other, if it turns into a trend where every beautiful town in Italy starts charging, it’ll discourage the more budget-conscious travelers, and that kind of takes away from the whole “Italy for everyone” vibe. They need to be transparent about where the money is going, though.

u/SarahTheWanderer:
More towns might start doing this.
It’s not just Venice—Florence has discussed introducing something similar, and Cinque Terre has already been controlling tourist flow for a while. Personally, I don’t mind paying a fee if it helps reduce the overcrowding and keeps the charm intact. However, it needs to be well managed. What happens when everyone just flocks to other towns that don’t have a fee yet?

u/MammaMiaMargherita:
Locals are tired of the tourist invasion!
I have family in Italy, and the truth is, some locals are sick of the constant waves of tourists. The infrastructure can’t handle it, and there’s barely room for the people who actually live there. If a small fee keeps the hordes down a bit and preserves their way of life, why not? It’s better than just shutting out tourists altogether, which could be the next step if things get worse.

u/EuroTraveler11:
It’ll just drive people away.
Why would I pay an entry fee when I can visit a million other beautiful towns in Italy for free? It feels like Venice is just milking its popularity. And let’s be real—most tourists aren’t causing damage, they’re just taking pictures and grabbing a gelato. The city has already made so much money off of tourism, maybe they should use that instead of charging visitors even more.

u/WineAndVespas:
I think it’s necessary.
Venice is one of the most visited places in the world, and it’s delicate. You wouldn’t let millions of people wander through a museum without paying, right? So why should Venice be any different? If the funds go toward maintaining the canals, reducing waste, or paying for local services, I think it’s a small price to pay to enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

u/FlorenceFanatic:
It depends on how it’s handled.
I’m a frequent traveler to Italy, and I’ve seen a lot of debate around this. Entry fees could work if they’re not too high and if there’s clear info on how the money is being used. But if it starts to feel like a tax on tourists, people will definitely push back. It’s all about the balance between preservation and exploitation.

u/AdventureGal:
Venice isn’t the only one with fees.
FYI, other tourist hotspots have fees too—places like national parks or even small historical towns in Europe. It’s not unique to Venice. The difference is how well the fee is explained. Venice needs to show us how this will protect the city and help the locals. If that’s clear, I think people will understand.

u/PizzaAndPasta:
Could hurt tourism long-term.
I get the idea behind it, but it might backfire. A lot of travelers are on a budget and might skip Venice entirely because of the extra cost. And once you charge a fee, where do you stop? Will every small town in Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast start doing the same? This could really change how people travel in Italy.

u/TuscanTravels:
I’d rather pay for experiences.
I’m a huge fan of Italy, but I’d rather spend my money on local tours, cooking classes, or visiting museums. Charging just to enter a city feels weird, like paying a cover charge just to walk around. The fees should come with some added value—maybe free entry into a museum or a local guide.

u/MarcoTheLocal:
Locals barely benefit from tourism.
As someone who lives in Italy, I can tell you that a lot of the money made from tourism doesn’t reach us locals. Big companies run the hotels, and tour groups are often owned by foreign firms. If Venice wants to charge tourists to help protect the city, fine—but I’d like to see that money go towards local businesses and residents too.

What do you think? Should entry fees be the future for Italian tourist towns? Or is this just another way to take advantage of visitors?