Is Venice Sinking? What Tourists Should Know About the City’s Future

It’s not an urban legend or a sensationalist claim, but a real question backed by scientific data and observation: is Venice sinking? Each year the city slowly slips downward, while sea levels continue to rise, driven in part by the effects of climate change. 

In 2025, new episodes of the so-called acqua alta have already occurred—a cyclical phenomenon that can flood squares and alleys, turning Venice into a fascinating yet challenging place for both residents and tourists. In this context, tools like the Venice Pass can help us better plan our experience in the city, especially on days when conditions are more uncertain.

Acqua alta is a sign that the situation remains critical, despite the activation of MOSE, the system of mobile barriers designed to protect the city. But how fast is Venice sinking? Can tourists still safely visit? And above all, what does the future hold for this fragile and wonderful city?

Behind Venice’s slow sinking lies a phenomenon called subsidence. What does it mean? It's a term that indicates the progressive sinking of the ground, caused by both natural and human factors, such as the past extraction of underground water.

According to studies conducted by INGV (National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology), Venice sinks about 1-2 millimeters per year. Added to this is another crucial phenomenon: the rise in sea level, estimated at about 3 millimeters per year along the Adriatic coast.

The combination of subsidence and rising waters is why flooding, or acqua alta, has become increasingly frequent and intense in recent years. These data help us understand the real vulnerability of Venice and the challenges the city will face in the near future.

MOSE stands for MOdulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico, a system that, for tourists and anyone wondering if Venice is sinking, represents a real hope for the city’s protection.

The MOSE structure consists of a series of gates that rise to block the entry of high tides from the lagoon, reducing the risk of flooding on the most critical days. It was first activated in 2020, after a long testing phase, and has proven very effective in limiting damage and preserving the most vulnerable urban areas.

However, relying solely on MOSE is not a definitive solution: to be truly effective, the system—which must be activated several hours before the flooding—needs to be integrated with other climate change adaptation measures, such as improved infrastructure and more sustainable land management.

What if you find yourself visiting Venice during an acqua alta event? It certainly becomes more challenging to enjoy the magical atmosphere of the Grand Canal, Rialto, or St. Mark’s Square, but with a few precautions, the experience in the city remains entirely enjoyable. These episodes are more likely to occur in autumn and winter, when tides, sirocco winds, and frequent weather disturbances temporarily raise the lagoon’s water level.

Even in recent months, extraordinary tides have reminded us just how exposed the city remains to these phenomena. Still, being prepared makes all the difference. Here’s how:

- For residents: Raised walkways, water pumps, and mobile barriers are used, along with clear guidance provided by the Civil Protection Agency and the City of Venice.

- For tourists: It’s a good idea to check the forecast from the Tide Center, wear waterproof shoes or boots, plan visits to higher ground or indoor museums, and use tools like the Venice Pass to adjust your itinerary and access safe locations quickly and flexibly.

Beyond the MOSE project, numerous national and international initiatives are underway to protect the Serenissima: from scientific research on climate adaptation to technologies that monitor subsidence and sea level rise in real time, as well as environmental protection and urban planning policies.

But the future of Venice doesn't rely solely on science, politics, or technology. These tools are essential, but they must be combined with more sustainable tourism management and active involvement of the local community. This is also the aim of the Venice Access Fee, designed to manage visitor flows during peak periods and promote a more balanced experience of the city.

Investing in resilient infrastructure and promoting a more mindful way of visiting the city are crucial steps to reduce climate-related risks and preserve the most authentic identity of Venice.

Can we imagine Venice without tourists? It’s nearly impossible: tourism is a vital resource, both culturally, thanks to its unparalleled heritage and landmarks, and economically. At the same time, it brings significant challenges for the city and the entire lagoon system.

The balance between hospitality and preservation has become the focus of an increasingly urgent debate, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects of tourism.

- Positive aspects: the influx of visitors supports the local economy, enhances the value of cultural heritage, and can help fund preservation initiatives.

- Negative aspects: excessive crowding, especially during peak season, strains infrastructure, harms the environment, and affects residents' quality of life.

To reduce critical situations, it’s essential to promote a tourism that respects the pace and limits of the city, and supports efforts to turn visitors into active allies in Venice’s preservation.

Visiting Venice also comes with the responsibility to contribute to its preservation through some simple actions.

For example, informing ourselves before the trip about the city’s conditions or the access rules to the historic center helps us plan our visit better and avoid critical situations. Likewise, it’s important to make use of digital tools like the Venice Pass to access the main points of interest while reducing queues, crowds, and unnecessary movements.

Choosing to walk, take the vaporetto, or cycle around the lesser-known islands can help reduce environmental impact. At the same time, supporting local shops and artisans who respect the identity and rhythms of the lagoon means contributing to a more balanced and sustainable economy.

Another meaningful choice is to look beyond the city's most famous attractions and explore the lesser-known side of Venice—quiet neighborhoods, narrow alleyways, and hidden corners perfect for photography, where the city's authentic spirit truly comes to life.

So, when we ask ourselves whether Venice is sinking and what we can do to help, let’s remember that every sustainable visit is an important gesture of support. Because experiencing the lagoon shouldn’t be just “tourism,” but part of a shared commitment to the future of this extraordinary city.