{"id":12253,"date":"2025-08-28T12:24:39","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T10:24:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/?p=12253"},"modified":"2026-08-30T20:42:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T18:42:32","slug":"fines-venice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/fines-venice\/","title":{"rendered":"Venice 2026: Fines and Rules Every Tourist Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<aside style=\"background:#e8f4ec;border-left:4px solid #2d7a4f;border-radius:6px;padding:14px 18px;margin:18px 0;font-size:14px\"><strong>Last checked on 30 August 2026:<\/strong> This article was fully checked and corrected against the official information from the City of Venice (comune.venezia.it), ACTV and Alilaguna. Earlier versions stated an incorrect fine for swimming (\u20ac450 instead of the correct \u20ac350) and included unverifiable &#8220;Daspo Urbano&#8221; statistics and a specific tourist incident that could not be confirmed against an official source \u2014 both have been removed.<\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"tv-featured-snippet\"><p><strong>In short:<\/strong> Anyone who jumps into a canal in Venice pays \u20ac350. Walking through the historic centre in swimwear can cost \u20ac250, and feeding pigeons or seagulls up to \u20ac500. There is also an important trap around public transport: ACTV and Alilaguna are different operators with different tickets. This guide covers the main rules, current fines and legal sources for visitors to Venice in 2026.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The main fines in Venice in 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<table class=\"tv-decision-matrix\"><caption>Fines for tourists in Venice 2026<\/caption><thead><tr><th scope=\"col\">Offence<\/th><th scope=\"col\">Fine \/ consequence<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Feeding pigeons or seagulls<\/td><td><strong>\u20ac25\u2013500<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Bathing, swimming or jumping into canals<\/td><td><strong>\u20ac350<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Littering or leaving rubbish behind<\/td><td><strong>\u20ac350<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Walking around bare-chested or in swimwear<\/td><td><strong>\u20ac250<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Camping or bivouacking<\/td><td><strong>\u20ac200<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sitting\/lying or eating in restricted areas<\/td><td><strong>\u20ac100\u2013200<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cycling, or even pushing a bicycle, in the historic centre<\/td><td><strong>\u20ac100<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Riding ACTV public transport without a valid ticket<\/td><td><strong>from \u20ac64.50, up to \u20ac324.50 if it escalates<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For some offences the authorities can additionally issue an <em>ordine di allontanamento<\/em> (an order to leave the area).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u20ac350: Bathing and swimming in Venice&#8217;s canals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Venice&#8217;s canals are not swimming spots. Bathing, swimming and jumping into the water are banned \u2014 not only in the Grand Canal, but in the other canals across the city too. <strong>Fine: \u20ac350.<\/strong> The legal basis is <strong>Article 34 of the City of Venice&#8217;s Regolamento di Polizia e Sicurezza Urbana<\/strong>. An order to leave the area can also be issued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Practical tip:<\/strong> Even in the height of summer heat, don&#8217;t jump in for a photo or video. If you want to swim, head to the Lido instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Up to \u20ac500: Feeding pigeons and seagulls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Especially on St Mark&#8217;s Square, this is one of the most important rules for visitors: pigeons and seagulls must not be fed \u2014 including indirectly, via food scraps left behind. <strong>Fine: \u20ac25 to \u20ac500.<\/strong> The legal basis is <strong>Article 24 of the Regolamento Comunale di Igiene Urbana Veterinaria e sul Benessere degli Animali<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u20ac350: Littering<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Leaving rubbish on streets, squares or other public spaces can get expensive in Venice. <strong>Fine: \u20ac350.<\/strong> If you&#8217;re eating on the go, take your wrappers and leftovers with you until you find a bin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u20ac250: Bikini, swim shorts or a bare chest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Venice sits in the lagoon, but the historic centre is not a beach. Walking around bare-chested or in swimwear anywhere in Venice risks a fine. <strong>Fine: \u20ac250.<\/strong> On the Lido beach, swimwear is of course no problem at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u20ac100\u2013200: Sitting and picnicking in the wrong spots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sitting isn&#8217;t banned across the board in Venice \u2014 what matters is where. It&#8217;s forbidden to sit or lie on the ground, or on and around monuments, bridges, steps, well curbs and certain waterfront areas; eating and drinking in these spots can also fall under the rule. <strong>Fine: \u20ac100 to \u20ac200.<\/strong> An order to leave the area is also possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Practical tip:<\/strong> Don&#8217;t use a church staircase or a historic bridge as a picnic spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u20ac100: Cycling \u2014 and generally pushing your bike too<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the historic centre it is generally forbidden to ride a bicycle or even walk one by hand. <strong>Fine: \u20ac100.<\/strong> There&#8217;s an exception on the designated route between <strong>Piazzale Roma and Venezia Santa Lucia station<\/strong>. The legal basis is <strong>Article 40 of the Regolamento di Polizia e Sicurezza Urbana<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u20ac200: Camping and bivouacking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Public squares, waterfronts or benches may not be used as an improvised campsite. <strong>Fine: \u20ac200<\/strong>, and an order to leave the area is also possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Riding the vaporetto without a valid ACTV ticket: it can get expensive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anyone caught on an ACTV boat without a valid ticket doesn&#8217;t just pay the fare. The sanction adds the fare itself plus processing costs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table class=\"tv-decision-matrix\"><caption>ACTV penalty scale for travelling without a valid ticket<\/caption><thead><tr><th scope=\"col\">Payment<\/th><th scope=\"col\">Sanction<\/th><th scope=\"col\">Fare<\/th><th scope=\"col\">Costs<\/th><th scope=\"col\">Total<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>within 5 days<\/td><td>\u20ac50<\/td><td>\u20ac9.50<\/td><td>\u20ac5<\/td><td><strong>\u20ac64.50<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>6th\u201360th day<\/td><td>\u20ac100<\/td><td>\u20ac9.50<\/td><td>\u20ac15<\/td><td><strong>\u20ac124.50<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>maximum possible sanction if it escalates further<\/td><td>up to \u20ac300<\/td><td>\u20ac9.50<\/td><td>\u20ac15<\/td><td><strong>up to \u20ac324.50<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A purchased ticket must be valid for the journey and correctly validated. For all fares, passes and routes: \u2192 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/vaporetto-venice\/\">Vaporetto Venice 2026: All 23 Lines, Tickets, Timetables and Insider Tips<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch out at the airport: Alilaguna is not ACTV<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alilaguna runs its own waterbus connections between Marco Polo Airport, Murano and Venice \u2014 with its own tickets. A normal ACTV ticket does <strong>not automatically<\/strong> apply on board an Alilaguna boat. Without a valid ticket, the regular fare plus a <strong>\u20ac1 on-board surcharge<\/strong> becomes due; if payment is refused, onward travel can be denied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rule of thumb:<\/strong> Before boarding, check whether it&#8217;s an ACTV or an Alilaguna boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What about the Venice entrance fee?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Contributo di Accesso for 2026 has already ended for this year.<\/strong> It was charged on 60 selected days between <strong>3 April and 26 July 2026<\/strong>, each from 8:30am to 4pm. Since 27 July 2026, no entrance fee applies. Anyone checked without proof on a chargeable day risked an administrative fine of \u20ac25 to \u20ac150 plus the outstanding fee. For all dates, prices and exceptions: \u2192 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/venice-access-fee-2026\/\">Venice Access Fee 2026<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which rules should I actually remember?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Don&#8217;t jump into canals or swim in them.<\/li><li>Don&#8217;t feed pigeons or seagulls.<\/li><li>Don&#8217;t leave rubbish behind.<\/li><li>Don&#8217;t walk through the historic centre in swimwear.<\/li><li>Don&#8217;t use bridges, monuments or historic steps as a picnic spot.<\/li><li>Don&#8217;t ride or push a bicycle through the old town.<\/li><li>Validate your vaporetto ticket correctly.<\/li><li>Don&#8217;t confuse ACTV with Alilaguna.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions about fines in Venice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"tv-faq\">\n<details><summary><strong>How much does swimming in the Grand Canal cost?<\/strong><\/summary><div><p>Bathing, swimming and jumping into Venice&#8217;s canals can be fined \u20ac350, and an order to leave the area is also possible.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n<details><summary><strong>What&#8217;s the fine for feeding pigeons on St Mark&#8217;s Square?<\/strong><\/summary><div><p>Feeding pigeons and seagulls carries a fine range of \u20ac25 to \u20ac500.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n<details><summary><strong>Am I allowed to sit on steps in Venice?<\/strong><\/summary><div><p>Not all sitting is banned. On certain bridges, steps, monuments, well edges and waterfront areas, sitting or lying is prohibited \u2014 fine \u20ac100 to \u20ac200.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n<details><summary><strong>What does fare evasion on the vaporetto cost?<\/strong><\/summary><div><p>\u20ac64.50 if paid quickly; up to \u20ac324.50 if it escalates further.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n<details><summary><strong>Does my ACTV ticket work on Alilaguna?<\/strong><\/summary><div><p>Not automatically on regular Alilaguna routes \u2014 they have their own tickets and their own conditions of carriage.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n<details><summary><strong>Do I currently have to pay an entrance fee for Venice?<\/strong><\/summary><div><p>No. The 60 chargeable days for 2026 ended on 26 July 2026.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Venice&#8217;s rules mostly concern behaviour that&#8217;s easy to avoid. What&#8217;s surprising is above all how high some of the fines are: \u20ac350 for jumping into a canal, \u20ac250 for swimwear in the city, up to \u20ac500 for feeding pigeons or seagulls, and \u20ac100 for a bicycle in the historic centre. On public transport there&#8217;s a classic tourist trap on top: ACTV and Alilaguna are not the same thing. Anyone who knows the differences, validates their vaporetto ticket correctly and respects the historic areas can enjoy Venice without any stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em>As of: 30 August 2026. Fines and conditions of carriage can change; in case of doubt, the current information from the City of Venice or the relevant transport operator applies.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"tv-related\">\n<h3>Related topics<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/vaporetto-venice\/\">Vaporetto Venice 2026: All 23 Lines, Tickets, Timetables and Insider Tips<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/venice-access-fee-2026\/\">Venice Access Fee 2026<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/getting-to-venice\/\">Getting to Venice<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/venice-sights\/\">Venice Sights: the 12 Most Important Places in 2026<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/acqua-alta-venice\/\">Acqua Alta Venice 2026: Water Levels, MOSE &amp; Tips<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/pickpockets-in-venice\/\">Travel Tips &amp; Safety in Venice<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In short: Anyone who jumps into a canal in Venice pays \u20ac350. Walking through the historic centre in swimwear can cost \u20ac250, and feeding pigeons or seagulls up to \u20ac500. This guide covers the main rules, current fines and legal sources for visitors to Venice in 2026 \u2014 fact-checked against the official rules of the City of Venice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"highlight_bis":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12253","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tourism-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12253","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12253"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12253\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14353,"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12253\/revisions\/14353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12253"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12253"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12253"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}