Venice: Hints for tourists

Venice, because of its uniqueness, is a fragile city.
The increasing number of people who walk every day along its streets makes it necessary to impose some rules tob e respected by all visitors. This way, visiting the city will be easier and will the respect of the city itself and its citizens.

For this reason the Municipality of Venice has prepared the 'Ten Commandments for Tourists', fitted with eye-catching comics, to raise the awareness of the tourist who knows little about the city.
These rules for tourists will help the visitor to better understand the spirit of Venice and at the same time not overwhelm the life of the Venetian city.

Please do not litter!
Throw rubbish into the nearest waste bin!
Help us keep Venice clean!
(Local bylaw, artt. 9 and 23. Fines up to € 500)

Please sit on a bench to eat your picnic.
Remember: the entire area around St.Mark's Basilica (throughout St. Mark's Square, Piazzetta dei Leoncini and right up to the quay) is a no-Picnicking area.
Help us to look after Venice.
(Local bylaw, art. 23. Fines up to € 500)

Please do not walk around Venice in swimwear or bare-chested; no junping or paddling in the canals!
Please behave respectfully in the city.
You can find beaches nearby, for instance on the Lido island.
(Local bylaw, artt. 12 and 23. Fines up to € 500)

As well as damaging Venice's artistic heritage, pigeons carry also several diseases.
Do not feed them!
Take care of your health and help maintain Venice's monuments.
(Municipal bylaw on enviromental health and animal health and welfare, art 24 up to € 500)

If you deface monuments through graffiti or fly-posting you are damaging the city.
Use the official sites for your posters.
Venice is a city of art.
(Local bylaw, art. 13 Fines up to € 500
Defacing important monuments is considerated a criminal offence.
For fly-posting fines up to € 412)

Given that Venice's calli, or lanes, are very narrow you should keep the right and avoid lingering on bridges.
Please remember: not everyone is on holiday, lots of people live and work in the city.
Help us make Venice a pleasant place for everyone!

When travelling on pubblic transport, please respect the other passengers: put your backpack on the floor, avoid standing in the entrance and store your bags where boat staff tells you.
The water buses are the only form of public transport used both by tourists and by locals.
Help us make Venice a better place to live in!
(Local bylaw, art.50 . Fines up to 500 Euros)

Alternative routes exist in case of acqua alta (flooding).
Use the raised walkways.
Keep to the right and don't hang around.
Discover how fascinating Venice can be with high tide!

If you buy goods from unlicensed street traders you are committing a crime as well as placing your health at risk.
These products are not subjected to any form of control.
They will harm your health, the crafts sector and encourage exploitation of the weak.
(Italian Law° 80/2005 art. 1 par. 7 amended by Italian Law n° 99/2009, art. 17.
Fines up to 7,000 Euros + seizure of the goods purchased)

Venice is just like every other city: please respect your neighbours and keep the noise down after 11 o'clock at night.
You can have fun without disturbing others!
(Local bylaw, art. 29. Fines up to 500 euros)

• Last but not least, here is a precious suggestion if you are passionate about photography, no matter whether your companion is an expensive camera or a phone. In Venice you will have real fun taking pictures as any corner will inspire you (especially some venues like the colourful Burano island): if you feel like you've shot some good photo (or some weird one), do not be shy and enter the international OneDayInVenezia.com photo award for amateur and aspiring photographers; every day you can submit your photos online to enter the monthly photo competitions; the Grand Prize is a week-end in Venice for two, trip included, and your very own solo show in a contemporary art gallery in Venice).
  

Good luck, and Enjoy your vacation.