Carnival Crowds and Travel Gridlock Make Life 'Difficult' as Social Media Users Chime In

Venice is currently experiencing a serious case of festival fever, as crowds flood the city for its world-renowned Carnival celebration. But for locals, it's a different story entirely—one that involves frustration, gridlock, and a whole lot of patience.

The Venetian Carnival, or Carnevale, attracts a staggering three million visitors annually, according to the tourist group Walks of Italy. This centuries-old tradition dates back to 1162 when Venetians partied to celebrate a military victory, and it was revived in 1979 by artists determined to bring the magic back. Since then, it’s become a bucket-list experience for travelers worldwide.

Tourists don the iconic Venetian masks and elaborate costumes, parading through the "City of Canals" and participating in an array of events. Yet, the charm of the festivities is coming at a steep cost for residents. Venice-based photographer Gazella told Fox News Digital that she hasn't seen the city this packed since the pre-COVID days of 2020. "The city hasn’t been this crowded since. It has made life for locals difficult," she said, adding that weekend travel times for residents have surged dramatically.

One TikTok video posted by Gazella, which has racked up over 19,000 views, shows the chaos firsthand: tourists bottlenecked in the narrow streets, jostling to get around. The comments section was flooded with reactions, many of which were less than enthusiastic. "Nightmare. Worse than ever," one user lamented. Another shared their misadventure, noting, "Waited 2 hours for a vaporetto from Ferrovia on Saturday morning, didn't even know it was Carnevale when we booked." Ouch. Talk about an accidental getaway gone wrong.

Some users expressed broader concerns about overtourism. "It's a shame how massive tourism is making beautiful cities less and less enjoyable," one commenter remarked. Another didn’t mince words, declaring, "Never go to Venice during carnival." A fair warning, if there ever was one. Others took a more humorous approach, with one woman joking, "Venice 365 days a year…"

City officials are attempting to tackle the overtourism issue with a controversial pilot program. Starting April 18, 2024, day trippers will need to pay an entry fee of €5 ($5.17) if they book four days ahead. Last-minute bookings within three days will cost double at €10 ($10.33). The fee is part of an effort to discourage visitors during peak times. However, Connecticut-based Italian travel agent Pino Parisi isn’t convinced the fees are making a dent. "Venice's tourist taxes [are] not preventing people from going. I don't think it is making a difference," he said.

Parisi also pointed out that, although the Carnival attracts a significant number of locals, Venice still sees plenty of foreign tourists during the winter season. And with the festival running from Friday, February 14, to Tuesday, March 4, the crowds don’t seem to be thinning anytime soon.

While the Venetian Carnival remains a dazzling spectacle, it’s clear that striking a balance between tourism and local well-being is becoming an ever-pressing challenge for this picturesque city. For now, though, Venice is holding on—masked, glittered, and gridlocked.