Over-tourism has become a travel article buzzword these days. That said, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a major concern. For several European cities, high tourist season means being overwhelmed. That means if you can’t travel at any other time, it might feel a little miserable. In Venice, that crowd has become almost ubiquitous lately. That doesn’t mean that you have to avoid everything. Let’s look at three of the most popular sights in Venice and review whether you should endure the crowd!

---

St. Mark’s Square

This is the central focus of Venice and where most people get dropped off if arriving by boat or water taxi. It’s hard to miss and it’s become quite the populated square — both with people and with pigeons. Is the square worth dealing with that crowd?

Enjoy, but in the evening. Because most of the major cruise ships will have departed and people head to dinner or their hotels, the evening is a good time to enjoy St. Mark’s Square. Plus, if you’re there in the summer, it’s much more comfortable than combating the humid heat and the crowds.

---

Lagoon Cruise

The lagoon heading into Venice can be traversed by water taxi, private boats, or the ferries that take you in. There are also tourist cruises that take you around the lagoon, sometimes offering meals and entertainment as well. These can be a pretty popular offering. The good news is that because it’s a boat, there’s a limit to how many people can actually ride at one time.

That means its popularity causes stress in the booking and getting your reservation. However, you won’t feel the press of crowds on one of these boats (at least, not if you do a dinner seating where table limits also limits the amount of passengers).

VERDICT:

Enjoy, especially at sunset. Venice is already beautiful, but being on the water and seeing the golden light cascade over the water and buildings makes it even more beautiful.

---

Rio Grande Bridge

Venice is full of bridges, so why is this one more of a showstopper than the others? It’s notable for a few reasons, both for the scale of it, the cultural infamy, but also because sometimes these tourist attractions become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Because someone else told you to come see it, you add it to your list. It’s famous because people say it is, choosing one sight to elevate above all the rest.

So is the Rio Grande bridge worth the visit and fighting off the crowds of people also there because you’ve been told you have to see it?

Escape. There are so many other gorgeous bridges in Venice. Rio Grande is basically a photo op and even then, it’s littered with so many people that it won’t be like you dreamed. If you’re determined, then try and go in the evening. It might not be empty, but at least it will be more tolerable than fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of other people.

---

As with all destinations, you need to decide for yourself what’s an absolute must-do. However, sometimes, these hyped up destinations end up being complete duds. Take my advice with a grain of salt, but if you do intend to visit these top three, see what other hidden gems that Venice has to offer.

---