Caught in the Swarm: Italy's Tourist Traps Overflowing, as Sirmione Contemplates Guarded Access
- by Nefe Krosh
- 2 Min
Could it be that Lake Garda's postcard-perfect charm is at stake, following Venice's move to double its entrance fee? - Doubling Admissions in Venice: Preserving the Postcard Allure or Lake Garda's Attraction?
Too delightful to be bearable. Many cities in Italy are drowning under the waves of relentless mass tourism. Rome, for one, is bracing for even more visitors in 2025 due to the Holy Year and the passing of the Pope. Florence, Milan, and Naples are usually jam-packed, with Venice leading the charge.
To stem the tide or at least handle it better, the famed lagoon city of Venice has been imposing an entrance fee for day-trippers for quite some time. On this Good Friday, the fee was hiked from the previous five to ten euros per guest. However, this seemingly drastic measure has yet to show significant results, as the number of tourists remains steadily high.
Adding to the cacophony, Sirmione - the picturesque town nestled in Lake Garda - is mulling over introducing entrance fees for its postcard-perfect scenery. But that's not all; hoteliers in the area yearn for a system where visitors are only permitted entry into the old town with a reservation on particularly crowded days.
Sirmione - "Precious" Ticket to Ride
"Sirmione is a pearl. We need to safeguard it," Rai, the Italian broadcasting network, quotes the city's security officer. Hence, the tourist population must be capped - "for the sake of safety, the greater good of the residents and guests themselves." Yet, the officer has yet to provide any concrete plans.
Venice has been dipping into its visitors' pockets since 2024. Those who refuse to foot the bill and get caught face a fine of 300 euros. The rule applies until the end of July, but only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays each week. Mondays through Thursdays remain fee-free.
Although Venice was the first to impose an entrance fee, visitor taxes are not uncommon across the globe, with the North and Baltic Seas among the regions where they are prevalent.
Here's a quick rundown of popular tourist destinations and associated costs (entrance fees, tourist and accommodation taxes, and other charges):
- Amsterdam: 12.5% on hotel prices
- Egypt: A flat tourist tax of 25 euros
- Bali, Indonesia: 10 euros upon entry
- Barcelona: Up to 15 euros per night
- Bulgaria: Up to 1.50 euros per night's stay
- Budapest: 4% on hotel prices
- Dubrovnik: 2.65 € per person and night from April to September
- Greece: Between 2 and 15 euros for a night in high season
- Mallorca: Between 50 cents and 4 euros per day
- Austria: Around 3% of hotel prices
- Paris: Between 70 cents and 16 euros
- Poland: Between 50 cents and one euro
- Portugal: 2 euros per person and night. Also applicable to cruise passengers
- Prague: 2 euros per day
- Switzerland: Some locations, like Iseltwald, levy around 5 euros "photo tax"
- Tunisia: The bed tax is up to 3.50 euros
Currently, the following European countries remain free of charges: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Sweden
- Travel Destination
- Venice
- Sirmione
- Entrance Fee (Proposed - Sirmione)
- The following is added to the list of products: a proposed entrance fee for Sirmione, the picturesque town in Lake Garda.
- Venice, another destination on the list, has been imposing an entrance fee since 2024, with visitors facing a fine of 300 euros if caught without paying.
- In the travel and lifestyle category, home-and-garden section, an article titled "Sirmione - 'Precious' Ticket to Ride" discusses the potential introduction of visitor fees in Sirmione.
- When planning a trip for 2025, travelers may want to be aware of these additional costs as they explore popular tourist destinations such as Venice and Sirmione.
