Have you ever been to Venice and can you confirm this ?

Apparently it is illegal to sit down in public unless you are in someone's shop buying something. Like coffee in a cafe.
It's even more illegal to sit down and eat your own food in public.

According to a news story I read 2 German tourists who recently were brewing their own coffee outside in public were given a $1000 fine and asked to leave the city.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

SW-User

You are allowed to sit down in Venice if you sit where seats at provided. They are indeed fining people for lying or sitting on the ground though. This particular couple were brewing their own coffee using a camping stove on the steps of a historic bridge.

My personal opinion is that Venice is overcrowded, cramped and dirty and having been there I certainly wouldn't go back anyway.

QuixoticSoul · 41-45, M

@SW-User Well hey, someone with the context :)

I fully agree with you on Venice. But having somehow ended up there four times in my life so far... have had an overall lovely experience every time, shockingly. Despite hating the mobs of tourists, every time.

It's kind of awful in some ways, but there is literally no place like it on Earth.

Wraithorn · 51-55, M

@SW-User Thanks. I'm not about to spend lots of money just to deal with crowds of people. Clearly Venice is not for me.

JoeyFoxx · 51-55, M

@Wraithorn There are ways to either avoid the crowds... or to people watch and enjoy the crowds without being part of it.

Depends on what you want.

QuixoticSoul · 41-45, M

@Wraithorn Sadly, this is a problem with Italy in general, especially if you go during the tourist season. And as a bonus, you also have that powerful Mediterranean sun hahaha. Last time I was in Venice was in late spring, so technically a little early - but the place was already packed. Notice all the parasols, Italian sun is no joke.

And Florence was also flooded. And Cinque Terre, same. Oddly enough, a little North of there we stayed in Santa Margherita Ligure on a whim, within walking distance of Portofino - and it was absolutely quiet, the only tourists were Italian retirees, and after the crush of the big tourist spots it was absolutely heaven, we ended up staying another night simply because it was so relaxing.

But if we'd stayed away from the tourist spots altogether, something would have been missing from the trip. There is definitely a reason people go to those places, they are truly timeless.

JoeyFoxx · 51-55, M

@QuixoticSoul DUDE!

Venice is lovely if you know how to enjoy it. It can be miserable trying to fight through the crowds.

I rarely take in the tourist spots in Venice. I like to find the hidden gems that scare people away.

My wife and I had lunch at a little place where they barely spoke English, and it was wonderful. There was one other couple (and older Italian couple) in the place, so it was like we had personalized service.

There are also ways to enjoy Venice without breaking the bank (though it's not easy).

I would recommend against camping on the Rialto though. lol

QuixoticSoul · 41-45, M

@JoeyFoxx Yeah, honestly we had an absolutely lovely time. Our hotel was totally awesome - bizarrely affordable, yet within a few steps of San Marco on a eerily quiet alley. We also got lucky with the food, found some quiet museums, etc - it was a great stop, and Venice still has that miraculous ability to generate romance out of thin air. Yeah, there are a lot of people. But there is a reason for that.

Wraithorn · 51-55, M

@QuixoticSoul Ok, thanks for that info and the lovely pics. I appreciate it.