Dream destination for millions of tourists: Italy's lagoon city of Venice
From our editorial team
Venice attracts more than 15 million people a year. With so many tourists, thieves and other scammers are not far away. The top 10 tourist traps in the lagoon city.
Bella Venezia is the eighth Italian city with the most reported offences per 100,000 inhabitants. The most common offences are property crimes.
The "bargain" with the gondola
Keep in mind when negotiating: the price set by the authorities for a 30-minute tour is 90 euros until 7 p.m., after that it is 110 euros for 35 minutes - with a maximum of five people on board. The price may increase if you would like to take a personalised tour. The official prices apply at the official gondola stops, so there is no point in bargaining here. Extras such as singing often cost extra. "Bargain trips" are often offered online for around 30 euros in the gondola: This price is per person. If you join four others at a gondola stop, you only pay 18 euros.
The pickpockets' favourite places
The same applies in Venice: wherever it gets crowded, thieves are usually not far away. With so many distracted tourists, Venice is a very lucrative place. Santa Lucia railway station, the Rialto Bridge and the water buses and their stops are particularly popular. It is best not to take valuables with you and, if you do, keep them close to your body.
"Original" glass and masks from China
The chances of the Venetian masks and Murano glass in the international souvenir shop or from the travelling salesman being "guaranteed original" are highly doubtful. If in doubt, simply look for the "Made in China" imprint. To be on the safe side, buy the fragile work of art directly from the glassblower on Murano or in specialised shops.
Rip-off at cash machines
When you withdraw money in Italy, the German banks charge a fee for this. The ATM of normal Italian banks, il bancomat, does not usually charge an additional fee. The situation is different with the "tourist ATMs", the typical machines near popular sights and hotels. Be sure to check the additional costs before withdrawing any money.
Pigeon feed at St Mark's Square
First a nice gentleman hands you a few grains of rice to take the perfect photo with pigeons on St Mark's Square, then comes the question of money. And can degenerate into a lengthy discussion. Quite apart from the fact that the whole thing can be extremely expensive if you get caught. Feeding pigeons is officially forbidden and costs up to 500 euros in fines.
The luxury of a private water taxi
Treat yourself to that special Venice feeling or just the quickest possible transport to the airport or train station - if there is no water or vaporetto nearby, you can also take a private water taxi in Venice.
If you speak to a driver on the way, you will sometimes get prices according to the mood of the day. The cheapest way to travel is to book your journey online in advance with the Venetian Taxi Association. You can also get an impression on the association's websiteThe cost of the usual routes in a private taxi, for example from Marco Polo Airport to Santa Lucia railway station for up to four people for 140 euros.
The recruiters with the "tourist menu"
Of course, most restaurants in Venice live from tourists, so they are not automatically bad - but as we all know, there are "such and such". There are alarm signals: the dishes are displayed as photos in the window, the XXL tourist menu is right next to it and the gentleman in front of the restaurant tries to persuade you to come in in a super friendly but also a little pushy manner. Ideally, you will also hear Italian from a few tables in the ristorante in Venice, then you are on the relatively safe side.
Premium prices for premium seats
Of course, it's nice to enjoy an Aperol right on the market square, accompanied by a live orchestra - in this case, beauty has a price and it's pretty lavish. Before you order anything here, you should take a look at the price list, or rather the menu (you can check directly how much the "coperto", the service charge, is).
The gifts, roses, lucky charms & co.
"A gift is a gift, a repeat is stolen?" - Not at all. At least if you have met a flower or lucky charm "giver" in Venice. No matter what someone wants to give you: don't accept it and just walk on in a friendly manner.
"Bargain tours" without entrance fees
Before you book a tour of Venice online or spontaneously on site in Venice, you should check all the details: What exactly is on offer and what is included in the price? There are supposed "bargains" where you have to pay extra on site for extras such as entrance fees to museums. It's worth comparing prices here too.
