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Venice To Start Charging Tourists To Enter Historic Centre During Peak Periods

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The fee applies to day visitors aged 14 and over entering Venice’s historic centre during the specified hours on chargeable dates. Photo credit: Adisa/Shutterstock

Venice has begun charging day visitors to enter its historic centre from today (April 3), as authorities roll out an expanded version of a system designed to manage peak tourist numbers.

The scheme, first introduced on a trial basis in 2024, now applies on a broader scale and will run across 60 selected days between April and July, focusing on periods when the city experiences its highest concentration of visitors. Officials have described the measure as a way to regulate access during busy periods rather than restrict tourism altogether.

Full calendar: when visitors will be charged

The entry fee will apply on 60 selected dates between April and July this year, targeting weekends, public holidays and peak travel periods when Venice experiences the highest number of day visitors. The approach reflects the city’s effort to focus on sustained periods of pressure rather than isolated busy days.

The confirmed dates are:

April: 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

May: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31

June: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28

July: 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26

The scheme begins over the Easter period and continues through the spring and early summer season, when tourism steadily increases. Outside these dates, visitors can enter the city without paying the fee or registering in advance.

How the system operates

The charge applies only during specific hours. Visitors entering the historic centre between 08:30am and 04:00pm on designated days are required to pay or hold a valid exemption. Those arriving outside this window are not subject to the fee.

The system is managed digitally. Visitors must register online and obtain a QR code confirming payment or exemption status. There are no physical entry barriers; compliance is monitored through spot checks carried out across the city. Failure to provide proof when requested may result in fines in addition to the access charge.

Pricing structure and booking rules

The cost varies depending on when the visit is arranged. Authorities have introduced a two-tier pricing system intended to encourage advance planning and reduce last-minute congestion.

  • €5 for bookings made at least four days in advance 
  • €10 for bookings made closer to the date of entry 

This structure is designed to help manage visitor flow by incentivising early registration.

Who must pay and who is exempt

The fee applies to day visitors aged 14 and over entering Venice’s historic centre during the specified hours on chargeable dates. It affects those arriving by train, road or cruise, provided they access the main urban area.

Several groups are exempt, although some may still be required to register in advance. These include:

  • Residents of Venice and the Veneto region 
  • Visitors staying overnight within the city 
  • Children under 14 
  • Workers and students commuting into Venice 
  • Individuals with disabilities and, where applicable, an accompanying person 

People who remain within transport hubs such as Piazzale Roma or Santa Lucia station without entering the historic centre are not required to pay.

Expansion of a closely watched policy

The extension of the scheme follows its initial rollout, which marked the first time a major European city introduced a direct access charge for short-term visitors. Authorities reported that the earlier trial helped moderate visitor numbers on some peak days, although debate over its effectiveness continues.

For 2026, the expansion to 60 days reflects a more structured approach, focusing on predictable periods of high demand. The aim is to reduce congestion in public spaces while maintaining access during quieter times of the year.

What travellers should consider

Visitors planning trips between April and July are advised to check the official calendar before travelling. Entering the city on a chargeable date without registering or paying the required fee may result in penalties.

Outside the listed dates and hours, no payment is required, and access remains unrestricted. Booking in advance not only ensures compliance but also secures the lower fee.

Key points for visitors

  • The entry fee has been in force since April 3
  • It applies on 60 specific dates between April and July 
  • Charges are enforced between 08:30am and 04:00pm
  • Prices range from €5 to €10 depending on booking timing 
  • Exemptions apply to residents, overnight visitors and certain groups 

Conclusion: Balancing access and demand

Venice’s decision to reintroduce and expand its entry fee reflects ongoing efforts to address the pressures created by large volumes of short-term visitors. By limiting the measure to specific dates and times, the city is attempting to manage demand without imposing a permanent barrier to entry.

For travellers, the system introduces an additional step in planning but remains straightforward in practice. Checking the calendar, registering in advance and understanding the rules will be essential for those visiting during peak periods as the scheme takes effect.

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Festival Of Legends Brings ABBA

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ABBA fans may want to dust off their dancing shoes and warm up their vocal cords, because Festival of Legends is set to arrive at Casino Torrequebrada on Sunday April 19 with a tribute show packed with some of the Swedish group’s best-known hits.

The concert is opening up a new series of live shows at the venue, with organisers promising a programme dedicated to hosting a run of iconic music legends. First up is an evening centred on the hugely popular ABBA, giving fans the chance to relive classics including Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Waterloo, Chiquitita and many more. 

Any fans of the iconic pop band will find it impossible not to sing along

If you have ever found it impossible not to sing along when those opening notes kick in, this one looks designed to deliver exactly that kind of feel-good atmosphere. Whether you are a lifelong ABBA fan, have kids new to the songs from the films or are simply partial to a bit of pop nostalgia, the opening show will be ready for you with a lively evening of familiar tunes and big chorus moments.

Ticket prices listed are €20 in advance plus booking fees, or €25 on the door. Doors are due to open at 5.30pm, with the show beginning at 6.30pm.

Ticket holders not only get a fun filled evening, they will receive a surprise gift, as well as two hours of free parking. A bar and restaurant service will be available, and the promotion also mentions a 10 per cent discount at the restaurant.

For ABBA music fans, it could be the perfect excuse for a Sunday outing to close off the weekend with a little extra glitter, plenty of nostalgia and more than a few chances to join in when the chorus kicks in. 

Reservations for the Festival of Legends ABBA evening on April 19 are being taken on +34 633 647 260.

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Young Engineers Hold STEM Day Workshop

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Families in Estepona looking for an educational activity during April will have the chance to sign children up for a special Children’s Day celebration workshop on Saturday, April 18, organised by Young Engineers Estepona.

The workshop has been organised to mark Children’s Day, aimed at children aged six and above and will take place from 11am to 1pm at Academia Elite Brain in Estepona.

The organisers describe the session as an opportunity for children to learn and create while enjoying a hands-on activity. Boys and girls aged six and over are invited to take part in what it calls a special Children’s Day experience, where they can discover, build and have fun while developing creativity and ingenuity.

The workshops are designed for primary school students

Young Engineers is part of the Young Engineers network, which offers engineering-based extracurricular activities for children in countries around the world, specialising in robotics workshops designed for primary school students, using practical and interactive methods to introduce key STEM concepts.

STEM refers to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and the organisation says its programmes are designed to help children develop skills including critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and teamwork.

Their website lists a range of programmes for different age groups, with activities available for children from 4 to 15 years old. Session lengths vary depending on the programme, ranging from 45 minutes to 90 minutes.

The programmes offer practical learning activities

It’s a big organisation, with Young Engineers operating in more than 100 countries. The company says its mission is to prepare students aged 4 to 15 for the growing demands of the 21st-century workplace. It also states that the programme has been recognised by the Harvard School of Education and the European Union Commission.

For local families who would like to sample what they have to offer, the April 18 workshop is the perfect day for little ones to combine a Children’s Day celebration with a practical learning activity. 

The event takes place at Academia Elite Brain in Estepona from 11am to 1pm on Saturday, April 18. The price is €30 and bookings are being taken via WhatsApp on +34 672 539 104. For more information about the company you can visit their website

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Marbella’s Young Entrepreneurs Triumph At Pool Of Talents 2026

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Kerim presents F925 to sharks at Marbella Pool of Talents 2026. Credit: EWN

Pool of Talents celebrated its 2026 finals on the morning of Saturday, April 11, at The Pool venue above El Corte Inglés in Marbella. Over 100 excited attendees packed the space to witness eight ambitious student startups pitch live to a professional and highly successful investor jury in a high-stakes showdown.

Pool of talents empowers Marbella’s next generation entrepreneurs

University-level student-led from its inception, Pool of Talents connects internationally educated youth aged 16 to 21 with practical pathways into business, technology, finance and creative industries. Internships with leading Marbella firms, industry site visits, case competitions and expert talks serve to equip participants with real skills before university. Its flagship programme, the Marbella Youth Entrepreneurship Cup, or MEC for short, stands out as the annual highlight.

Shark tank concept propels innovative pitches

MEC 2026 mirrored classic shark tank formats with precision, giving a competitive dynamic to drive the young entrepreneurs as much as entertain the audience. Young entrepreneurs formed teams, carefully created viable company ideas, received mentor guidance and delivered sharp three-minute pitches to a panel of three experienced business investors. Eight finalists competed for €3,000 seed funding and six months of professional mentorship, transforming classroom theories into market-ready proposals under real pressure, facing a real audience.

Marbella's budding entrepreneurs triumph at Pool of Talents 2026 finals Euro Weekly News

Karim Rebeiz snatches victory with F925.

Karim Rebeiz from Madrid claimed top honours with his already successful and up-and-running F925 venture. Judges selected the cheeky entry (F925 – standing for F*** 9 to 5 jobs) after intense scrutiny, praising its originality and already established success. Winning at the Marbella event instantly boosted visibility for the winner and revealed the calibre of emerging local talent.

Events like MEC nurture economic growth

Such competitions cultivate leadership, critical thinking and networking abilities essential for tomorrow’s economy. Pool of Talents initiatives give students genuine exposure to investors and industry leaders, accelerating innovation and confidence. Marbella benefits directly as these young business talents gain tools to launch ventures, create jobs and strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem for decades to come.

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