British tourists heading to Venice this summer are being urged to rethink how they explore the city’s iconic bridges or risk clashing with frustrated locals.
With about 20 million visitors annually and just 55,000 residents, according to Responsible Travel, Venice is one of Europe’s most visited but also most overcrowded destinations. Venetians’ frustration with the pressures of tourism is making global headlines at the moment, as Jeff Bezos’ extravagant multi-million-dollar wedding to former journalist and TV presenter Lauren Sánchez became a flashpoint for anger.
Protests raged for weeks in the lead-up to the event, with critics warning that if the wedding had taken place in the city centre, it risked turning the already overcrowded UNESCO World Heritage Site into a ‘playground for the rich’, while locals say they are being priced out and squeezed by rising living costs and escalating climate threats.
This summer, Italian travel experts are also issuing a clear warning about one habit in particular and it’s something most tourists do without thinking. Tourism is important to the city’s economy, but it also places enormous strain on its delicate infrastructure, particularly the narrow footbridges that crisscross the lagoon city.
Maryanne Sparkes of European Waterways, a luxury cruise company that’s operated in Venice’s lagoon for over a decade, said: “One small tourist habit causes more tension than any other: stopping in the middle of a bridge to read a map or take a photo.”
Many of Venice’s bridges are barely two metres wide, just enough for two people to pass which means that when a visitor stops in the middle, even briefly it creates a bottleneck.
Add in prams, selfie sticks, or tour groups, and the entire flow of pedestrian traffic comes to a grinding halt.
Sparkes added:”We’re not saying don’t take photos — Venice is incredibly photogenic.
“But bridges are high-traffic zones. You’re meant to cross them, not camp out. If you want the picture, step to the side or come back early in the morning. Locals rarely say anything — but you’ll feel the frustration in their body language.”
European Waterways has shared simple but essential advice for tourists looking to avoid friction with locals on Venice’s narrow footbridges.
First and foremost, keep moving. Bridges are meant for crossing, not lingering or posing. If you want to take a photo, step to the side rather than stopping in the middle, which can quickly block foot traffic in both directions.
Always be aware of those around you. Make space for others to pass, especially for delivery workers, older residents, or locals clearly in a hurry. If you need to check directions or look at a map, don’t do it on the bridge itself, step off and stand to one side.
For those who really want a good photo, early mornings are ideal. Sunrise offers the best light and the fewest crowds, allowing for uninterrupted shots without disrupting anyone’s commute.
For uninterrupted shots without disrupting anyone’s commute, try Ponte della Paglia for an iconic view of the Bridge of Sighs, Ponte San Cristoforo in the quiet Dorsoduro district, the spacious Ponte Tre Archi in Cannaregio, or head just outside the city to Chioggia, a peaceful “Little Venice” with similar canal views and far fewer crowds.