Why I HATED Venice
First, I want to apologize to anyone who loves Venice. I tried to love it, I truly did. But I need to say why I hated Venice.
Venice was a city that gave my hopes up, it was one the cities I was looking most forward to seeing and I think that is where my first mistake was. Furthermore, you see all the Instagram worthy photos of how beautiful and gorgeous Venice is, but I saw right through that facade as soon as I arrived. Here are some of the reasons that I was not impressed. Although, Venice wasn’t my favorite that doesn’t mean it can’t be yours, if you are interested in visiting Venice, read 72 Hours in Venice.
I spent too much time in Venice, Italy
I was here for two days and I even cut my experience in Venice short by traveling to Lido. Lido involved a relaxing day on the beach, but honestly, the water was so disgustingly warm like bath water that it wasn’t refreshing when you needed to cool down from the summer heat. Not to mention, there is literally nothing to do in Venice except shop for expensive trinkets and eat which in all honesty, Venice didn’t have the best food after traveling to Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Naples, and Florence. You might be better off taking a day trip to Venice, rather than spending as much as we did.
Sure, you have some of the beautiful views and able to capture some of the beautiful images you saw from instagrammers or travel blog influencers, but is that all that this city has to offer, is its good looks? Where is the personality here?
Venice is a Romantic City
Unfortunately for me, I didn’t travel with a significant other and I didn’t have one at the time. You walk around the streets seeing couples together and feel only more disgusted of being there. Maybe I would like it more if I had a significant other with me. However, I am not sure that it would necessarily change my thoughts on this place. I am happy on my own and never felt the need to have a partner to fulfill that happiness, but I did feel that this city did not cater to the single ladies or gentlemen out there.
It was Over Priced
You have the gondola rides which are supposed to be romantic. Additionally, you have the guy sing while he pushes you away. However, the gondola rides are extremely overpriced with about $40-60 per half hour. The food was expensive and not nearly as good as the food in Rome, Naples, or the Amalfi Coast. If you didn’t want to walk, transportation was more expensive with a water taxi, water bus, or gondola.
It was Over Crowded
I had been all over Italy and Venice was one of my last stops for the trip. Consequently, we ended up visiting Italy in a very high touristy time in early August. Traveling to get anywhere in Italy is by walking aimlessly through the cobblestone streets, take a water bus with various stops, or the expensive water taxi or gondola ride. When taking the water bus, they pretty much squeeze you together into this bus. It takes a very long time to get around and it is completely crowded.
What did you think of Venice?
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I have heard such mixed opinion on Venice! But I totally agree the gondola rides are overpriced. I am planning to visit Italy next year including a visit to Venice. I guess its one of those places that if you are in the area you have to go and get that insta shot haha
Haha totally! It’s a beautiful city, just wasn’t a fit for me.
I totally agree Venice is a tourist trap!
there are quite lots of restaurant in venice that charge 35% tax, i doubt they do that to the locals, when i asked what’s in the 35% tax they say government tax, service charge and 1 other which i can’t remember now since it was 5years ago. Gondola rice is expensive and it wasn’t worth it. I also experience discrimination, I was at a gelato shop, there was only 1 customer in front of me but yet the server left me standing for 15min waiting, the cashier,server etc saw me but totally ignored me and decided to chat, at the end i decided to walked out and as i about to walk out then she turns to me and asked if i want to order anything. I will never go back to Venice
Oh man! That sounds like a terrible experience! I completely believe it though. There is just a different vibe to the area which makes it hard to feel welcomed or even enjoy being there. I understand people have had different experiences but I know a lot who had similar opinions. It’s kind of a love or hate kind of place.
Aww it’s so sad that I am hearing this opinion over and over. I think it’s just too touristy now, almost like a theme park!
I went to Venice in 2009 for Valentine’s Day with my bf and it was also carnival. I wasn’t too crowded and we had an amazing time.
Yea it is sad :/ I think maybe in the off season it would be better, but with social media and everything a lot of cities and places are a bit overwhelming with tourists. I don’t think any locals even live on the island anymore which is sad.
We’ve been to Italy for 5 times already but haven’t been to Venice yet. Rome was disappointing enough for us so we weren’t keen on trying out another crowded city lol
And while I found cheap flights for my birthday (December), I wasn’t really convinced to go.
Would you say going in the low season would be better?
I haven’t been in the low season, but I would assume it is better. However, be careful because from what I have read the city starts to flood during the rainy season and there have been rumors that the city may not longer exist in a few years since it is so low and surrounded by water.
Oh wow, I completely agree with you! I used to live in Italy, and I can think of SO MANY Italian cities that are cuter and more charming than Venice… Unfortunately, my boyfriend seems to think it’s the most romantic place in the world haha!
So agree that there are so many charming cities in Italy. Haha I mean it does seem romantic, but I didn’t have a partner with me to experience that. But I am not sure that would change my opinion ha. I saw so many more beautiful cities and Venice was the worst for me. I would really love to explore more of Tuscany and the smaller cities there.
I think Italy isn’t a summer destination . Too hot, too crowded. I went to Venice in winter and I absolutely loved it. I guess the circumstances weren’t right 🙂
I went all over Italy and the weather didn’t but me at all. The crowds didn’t bug me in Rome, Naples, Amalfi, Pisa, Florence or Milan and I still loved it. I think the lack of locals living in Venice is a bit alarming, you only have the ones who commute there for the tourism. But I have heard that during the off season it is better.
Sadly I have to agree with you. Venice has been so overhyped and I also got my hopes up. Reasons I hated Venice: the crowds, the prices & the silly souvenir stands everywhere! I really wanted to like Venice… at least it was beautiful in some places when I got lost away from the crowds! 🙂
Right?! I was just saying it was a bit disheartening to not see any locals living or roaming in the streets. You only have people working there for the tourism. It’s almost like a Disneyland or an amusement park now.
I really like this different perspective of venice and how you’ve not been afraid to share your views. I went to Venice in winter and had A totally different experience but totally agree with you regarding overpriced gondola rides, the food is just OK (and I live authentic Italian cuisine) and cliche romantic notions! I stayed on Lido and was less crowded. An interesting read and one I relate to!
Yes I loved Lido because it was less crowded. It seems like the consensus is to travel during the off season.
While I love Venice, I completely get why you don’t. Having a different take on it gives readers more information to decide if a destination is right for them. Don’t apologize for not liking a place that “everybody” loves… hey that’s why there’s chocolate an vanilla ice cream, right?
Yesss!! I like mint chocolate chip btw. Lol I really tried going into it with an open mind, but it just wasn’t clicking with me.
Love your honesty! I’ve never been to Venice but its an opinion I’ve read a lot. People seem to either love it or hate it! The key seems to be explore the back-streets, stay away from the tourist traps such as the overpriced Gondola rides and travel in low season. This is my plan anyway, following which I can see which side I fall on haha
I agree that is what I think the consensus is. But I have read of someone who didn’t like it during the rainy season since it floods pretty bad, so keep that in mind as well.
I have never been to Venice. Maybe it would be my honeymoon gift, who knows haha. But I think it’s overrated. Based on the heavy marketing for Venice, the cost basic services and products are expensive. I’m glad you traveled to other Italian cities and coasts to give you diverse experience.
This happened to me in Florence. Maybe if I went in a different time I would have liked it, I had high expectations of this city, but I went in the summer and it was hot as hell, overcrowded with tourists and group excursions, I couldn`t even feel the city (or see it properly) and I spend too many days there, nothing to do in the end and all I wanted was to go home, so I get the feeling.
I did enjoy Venice, I went during the Carnival so even though it was crowded, the costumes and the masks are so amazing that I loved the whole experience and the photos I took made me a lot of money since I had an art show that was sold out!
Yea the carnival sounds amazing! I think I would have totally had a different experience if I was there for that!
Interesting. I went a really long time ago in 2005 and I had mixed feelings about it. I was with my girlfriends and the weather was terrible in terms of being cold and ranting except for the day we left. It was crowded and not very clean and although unique I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that people lived there year round. I enjoyed a day trip to Burano.
I am so sad you hated Venice! It is expensive, overcrowded, and romantic – you’re right. If you ever do go back visit the islands of Murano and Burano to have a real taste of Venice. The first time I went to the city it was stressful as I ran around to see everything but the second time was magical. I didn’t have anywhere to be as I’d already seen all the sites so I just got completely lost.
So glad someone else admitted this! I’ve been 3 times and didn’t like it any of those times! Being there in summer was the worst but when I went in spring, the whole city was flooded and we couldn’t get anywhere! So over run with tourists! I went there with friends each time too so I totally understand the romantic part too!
Thank goodness someone else feels my pain! Lol I dislike using the word hate, but it was truly how I felt. I don’t deny it’s beauty, but beauty can only get you so far you know?
From what I’ve heard, most people either hate it or love it there in Venice. I still haven’t been tho and it’s high up on my list. I’m surprised, however, that you think two days is too much!! I personally wouldn’t mind just sitting there and enjoying the view whilst doing absolutely nothing. That’s just me tho hahaa.
I think food seriously sells me on a place lol in order for me to just sit there and enjoy the view, I need good food or a good cup of coffee which was neither available in Venice.
So interesting to read this feedback! I have actually been hearing a lot of other travelers lately who are expressing similar opinions of Venice. I’ve never been, but I can’t say it’s at the top of my list at this point after hearing all of the disappointing reviews recently. Thanks for sharing!
I haven’t been to Venice in a long time, but I remember it being very touristy! Interesting to read your opinion on it.
I get where you’re coming from. I think, at this point, Venice mostly exists to serve the tourists. It seems like the real essence of the city has been washed away by souvenir shops and over-priced fake Italian food. I visited once when I was in high school, and probably won’t ever visit again.
I totally agree and feel the same exact way!
Aww, I’m sorry you didn’t like Venice. I’ve been 3 times and each was truly unique. Perhaps if you had visited during an off season you may have enjoyed it more. The Doges Palace was amazing, and I’ve always loved getting lost in the narrow streets, though I did get pooped on by a pigeon in San Marco Square, which they say is lucky, I didn’t think so! Give it another shot, bring a friend & be sure to drink the vino!
I’m heading to Venice for a single day next month and I’m keeping my expectations very low. All I want to do on that day is just walk around and snap photos, have a cappuccino and an afternoon spritz. It’ll be the last week in September so I’m hoping it’ll be less crowded as well. Disappointing to hear about the quality of food. Guess I’ll have to do some extra research to try to find somewhere with higher quality pasta to try.
Yes definitely! I am hoping this was helpful on what to expect so that you can ensure a better experience ?
Disappointing because it is very much one of those places we have an image of for years, and long to see. I have not been there, but I have mixed feelings. I felt as you describe here, about Waikiki in Hawaii, so I do understand…That is an article that I have yet to write, but in a way something that you must writ about, because you can’t TALK about it, without people acting like you are crazy!
Agreed! Don’t get me wrong, it is a beautiful place, but it was just not the place for me.
Ah, what a pity! But I like your honesty (and luckily it is not one of the annoying click baits). I have visited twice and loved it both times. In two days you should have gone to Burano. And problem have spent time in activities (getting up the tower, the views are greata). I agree, it is totals crowded (a few years ago it wasn’t too bad). I would definitely always, always avoid the summer months in Italy -it is less crowded then and water shouldn’t be do warm in June, September… hope you get to see againand it will be better 🙂
I am planning a trip to Venice after its safe/vaccinations/pandemic. ANd I dont see how you can bored there in a day and a half. I guess you do not like art/architecture because I see that there is amazing architecture outside and INSIDE many places. AND the ART in the Doges Palace, the Basilica, the Peggy Guggenheim Museum among other sites looks amazing. So I guess you dont like art. FIne, then leave the more touristy part and go to the other neighborhoods,. Then you can hop a boat to Murana and Burana.
OF COURSE the Gondola ride is overpriced. It is probably one of the most famous things in the world that everyone wants to do. It will not be cheap because of that reason and that reason only. Its a once in a lifetime opportunity for many people so shelling out big bucks ONCE is worth it.
Crowds….when you pick the BUSIEST month to go, what do you expect?
With extremely little research I found out all about the above I mentioned.
ALSO, food. With the research I read the food was terrible there because its a touristy area. Everything I am reading about eating in Venice, says…go a little bit away from the touristy crowded areas (like 10 to 15 mins, NOT hours) and you will find good food. Its like here in NYC. I would tell anyone visiting NOT to eat in Times Square. (unless you really want to go to Hard Rock Cafe or something, the food is not too bad there, _ You can walk a few blocks in any direction and find good restaurants.
? you just sound angry that someone didn’t like a place. We are all open to our own opinions. As someone who was an art major and studied architecture in college, I can surely tell you I love architecture and art.
You say hop on a boat to Murana and Burana but this post is specifically for Venice. I’m not the only one who hated Venice. Venice out of the many cities in over 20 countries I have visited was the worst experience I have been to. Everyone has different experiences about different places, it’s just how I felt. You will see many other people who will agree with me and others who enjoyed their time there.
I think I prefer a more authentic and cultural experience than one that is completely catered to tourists and lacking community. This city is purely built for tourists. There’s no local vibe or love to share since they have more than likely been priced out due to tourism.
I’m sure the Venice people visited back when it was in it’s prime was beautiful, but now the place just feels like an amusement park.
I hate Italy, especially Venice!!