Can You Swim in the Venice Canals?

The romantic Venetian canals can seem inviting for a refreshing dip. So, can you swim in the Venice canals? In this guide, find out about the rules and regulations that surround swimming in the Venice canals, and how you can cool off in the city’s heat at a beach.

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Pro Tip: Planning what to eat on your trip to Venice? Bookmark this post so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. See our Venice Guide for more planning resources, our top Venice tours for a memorable trip, and how to see Venice in a day.

Could You Swim in the Venice Canals?

Short answer: No and you can find a few reasons why below, along with recommendations of where to go instead.

You might see some black and white pictures hanging in bars and restaurants depicting Venetian children jumping into the canals. People actually used to swim in the canals, but since then, the city has grown and rules have been adjusted. The local police will now fine you up to 500 euros if you opt to ignore this rule.

There are a few reasons why swimming is not allowed in Venice. But don’t worry, if you need to refresh after a long city tour in the summer sun, we know a few places you can cool off!

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our best Venice tours to take and why.

Why You Can’t Swim in the Canals?

To be honest, the water is super dirty and you don’t want to swim in it.

In fact, the use of canals as a sewage disposal system in Venice surprises many visitors, and should definitely deter you.

Some islands and parts of the historic center use more modern sewage systems, but still, a lot of the wastewater in big parts of the city is disposed of in the lagoon.

Twice a day, the tides pull the dirty water out of the lagoon and bring fresh seawater in.

Even though this happens, tourists can sometimes still experience a bad smell in the air, when they walk the city or cross a bridge over a small canal.

The locals do not take notice of this smell anymore, because they are simply used to it. It’s also very dangerous to swim in the canals because of motorboats and gondolas circulating the canals constantly and at a rapid pace.

Not even on the so-called fondamenta (the seashores) are you allowed to swim. It is even more dangerous, since bigger boats regularly stop by.

Popular Venice Tours

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our best Venice tours to take and why.

Where Can You Swim in Venice?

There are some great places to explore the water and beaches if you leave the main island of Venice. For example, venture to the island of Sant’Erasmo, famous for its artichoke cultivations in spring. The public water taxis can take you there in just over an hour, or you could book a private boat to get there more quickly.

The small beach on the southern tip is not very big, but still worth a visit. Chill out with locals and enjoy tasty seafood in the beachside restaurant. The water is clean and not dangerous to swim in.

Your best option for a refreshment on a sandy beach, with modern infrastructure including Wi-Fi, showers, dressing rooms, and bathrooms lies outside of the lagoon. These places include Lido di Venezia, Jesolo, and Bibione, three of the main beach resort areas in the Veneto region. More about them below!

Lido

Lido di Venezia is peaceful and luxurious during the summer. It is full of Venetian villas, which continue to be occupied by Venice’s noble families.

Find a bike rental shop or choose the bike-sharing option to cycle to the seafront. I recommend stopping at “Palazzo del Cinema”, the location where the annual Venice Film Festival is held.

If you like the relaxed vibe of this island, stay longer in the many hotels or B&Bs you will find there.

The boat ride from the city center is short—just 25 minutes from St. Mark’s Square and another 5 minutes by bicycle or 10 minutes on foot to step onto the beach.

Jesolo

Jesolo is all about staying up late and partying. This town is a magnet for many young Italians living in the northeastern part of the country. But also, families and tourists from abroad love the city too. The city can get very crowded, especially in August. You can reach Jesolo by car and bus in approximately 1 hour from Venice.

Bibione

Enjoy miles of family-friendly golden beaches in Bibione. The beach of this town is located on the Adriatic; it’s very wide and stretches eastward up to an idyllic lighthouse. I like Bibione because it’s more relaxed than Jesolo and perfect for families thanks to the many attractions and resorts for kids.

In this town, you can find Bibione Thermae, a wellness and spa retreat directly on the beach, along with many other hotels for families and couples. This location is farther from Venice, but you can reach it by car in about an hour and a half or in 2 hours by public transportation.

Hotels with Outdoor Pools in Venice

You can see a full list of our favorite Venice Hotels with pools and find the perfect place for you.

There’s a big outdoor pool in the quiet gardens of Hotel Cipriani on Giudecca Island, located in the south of the city.

JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa is located on a remote island in the lagoon and offers in addition to the pool a whole spa and wellness facility.

Alternatively, book your stay at the Hilton Molino Stucky, a striking palazzo on the western end of Giudecca Island. Here, you can swim in a rooftop pool, overlooking the whole city.

Popular Venice Tours

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our best Venice tours to take and why.