Hey dear travelers, let’s talk about something that made headlines worldwide—overtourism in Venice Carnival 2025.
The ancient city of Venice is no stranger to mass tourism, but this year’s Carnival saw record-breaking numbers of visitors, turning the city’s streets, bridges, and squares into a human traffic jam.
Videos flooded social media, especially TikTok, where a TikTok user commented: “Venice is magical, but I’ve never seen such chaos before!”
In this guide by Venice Insider Guide we will explore what happened during the Carnival this year, focusing on Piazza San Marco and will give you tips on how to live this iconic event respecting the city and its citizens.
What happened at Venice Carnival 2025? More tourists than space available
Venice Carnival 2025, from February 14th to March 4th, celebrated the 300th birthday of Giacomo Casanova with the theme "Il tempo di Casanova".
This important milestone attracted a record number of visitors from all over the world who wanted to immerse themselves in the Venetian traditions.
However, the massive influx of tourists caused overcrowding in many areas of the city. The calli and the bridges were packed with people, making it hard to move and causing troubles for both the locals and the visitors themselves.
Especially during the first weekend of the Carnival of Venice 2025, with good weather and the long bridge of San Valentino, we had a record number of visitors
Overtourism in Venice Carnival 2025: this year more than ever at Rialto
Ponte di Rialto, one of the most iconic symbols of Venice, was the main stage during Carnival 2025. Videos and photos shared on social media showed a crowd so dense you couldn’t pass. This brought back the overtourism topic, which has been affecting Venice and other Italian art cities for years.
To manage the situation of Overtourism in Venice Carnival 2025, the authorities implemented extraordinary measures, such as installing movable barriers and introducing one way streets in key areas of the city, including Rialto. Despite these efforts, the tourist pressure put the urban infrastructure and the experience to the test for both residents and tourists.
Tips to avoid overtourism at Venice Carnival 2025
Travelers, if you want to live Carnival in Venice 2025 in an authentic and respectful way, here are some tips to contribute to reduce overtourism:
When to go to Carnevale di Venezia 2025?
- Avoid main weekends: Most of the tourists arrive during weekends. Visiting during the weekdays can offer a more peaceful experience.
- Participate to minor events: Besides the main events, Carnival offers many local smaller events that allow you to live the tradition in a more intimate way.
Plan your days at Carnival in Venice 2025 not to besiege the city
- Book in advance: Book accommodations and events with plenty of time in advance can help to distribute the tourist flow better.
- Stay outside the historic center: Stay in areas less central or in the surrounding islands can reduce the pressure on the city center and offer different views of the lagoon.
- Use sustainable transportation: Move by foot or use public transportation reduces the environmental impact and contributes to a better management of the tourist flows.
The Reality of Overtourism at Venice Carnival 2025
Overtourism in Venice Carnival 2025? Yes, is reality!
Each year, the Venice Carnival attracts thousands from Italy and around the world, but 2025 was different.
The event lasted four days longer than usual, and more tourists than ever poured into the city, especially during public holidays, weekends, and peak periods like Friday, Sunday, and the first day of the festival. The streets, bridges, and even the iconic Grand Canal were completely packed with tourists trying to catch a glimpse of the historic events and extravagant costumes.
Venice introduced several measures to curb overtourism, but the sheer volume of travelers made movement nearly impossible.
Locals, who already struggle with the impact of mass tourism, expressed their concern about how the city's life is changing. Many residents have been forced to leave due to the rising cost of living and the lack of affordable housing. UNESCO has repeatedly warned that overcrowding threatens the heritage and future of Venice, yet the number of tourists keeps increasing every year.
Measures to Fight the Crisis
To fight this growing issue, officials have been preparing new regulations. Venice introduced an entry fee starting April, requiring passengers and travelers who visit for less than four days to pay a small charge in an effort to reduce overcrowding. Additionally, authorities are looking at extending the restrictions to mid-July to cover the busy summer season.
Some routes in high-density areas were altered, and a new ban was proposed to prevent large tourism companies from promoting single-day visits without proper accommodation. The goal? Encourage tourists to stay days ahead instead of flooding the island for just a few hours. However, some locals remain skeptical about how effective these rules will be in the long run.
What’s Next for Venice?
With the growing attention on Venice Carnival and the ongoing overtourism crisis, many wonder what will happen next. News of new laws and regulations continues to spread, and social media users remain divided—some say Venice should completely limit mass tourism, while others argue that tourism is essential for the city’s economy.
As we look towards the future, one thing is clear: Venice cannot continue at this pace. If officials and residents work together, perhaps the city can find a balance that allows friends, families, and solo travelers to still enjoy its beauty while protecting its heritage. One can only hope that this historic site will survive the challenges of modern-day tourism.
Overtourism in Venice Carnival 2025: conclusions
Overtourism in Venice Carnival 2025 is not nice, even if it shows that the city is loved, but must be respected.
Venice Carnival is a unique festival in the world, but to preserve its magic we all must be responsible.
Reducing overtourism doesn’t mean you can’t live this experience, but do it consciously and respectfully so Venice can still enchant future generations.