Just how bad does Venice smell?
#1
Original Poster
Just how bad does Venice smell?
I know, I know - it's an indelicate question, however, we are traveling with friends to Venice and other locales in Italy at the beginning of May /07 and they have been hearing from recent returnees that Venice is unpleasant due to the canal odors. I am unconcerned but don't want to feel guilty about forcing them to spend 4 (glorious) days there.
Can anyone update me? Many thanks in advance.
Regards to my excellent Fodorite friends.
Judith
Can anyone update me? Many thanks in advance.
Regards to my excellent Fodorite friends.
Judith
#4
Join Date: Jun 2003
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The only reeking parts of Venice my nose has encountered are on some small canals but generally this won't be a problem during normal times. That said there have been celebrated occasions where a stench from the large lagoon, from i think algae decomposing, has wafter over the town. Haven't heard of this recently and would be a remote occurence i believe. I can't fathom a more wonderful place to 'force' someone to stay for 4 days.
#8
Original Poster
Thanks for your replies. I was in Venice many years ago and the only nose-holding episode occurred when I got lost in the small canal area. Other than that, Venice is just so wonderfully different from the rest of Italy that it would be a shame to shorten our stay there.
#11
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Hi Judith,
Many folks, especially those from Mid-America confuse the aroma of salt water with "smell".
If you go past a small canal that's been drained for repairs, you could be accosted by a "smell".
Otherwise, Venice is reasonably odor free.
Enjoy your visit.
Many folks, especially those from Mid-America confuse the aroma of salt water with "smell".
If you go past a small canal that's been drained for repairs, you could be accosted by a "smell".
Otherwise, Venice is reasonably odor free.
Enjoy your visit.

#16
Join Date: Sep 2005
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I hear this all the time and don't get it. We've been to Venice several times and have never noticed a smell. We've been there in May/June and in October/November.
As stated above, if a canal is drained for repairs, it will smell bad; same as for any canal or river in the US.
I have noticed a LOT more disagreeable smells right here in the US when visiting larger cities, especially when you walk by some storm sewer openings.
Go to Venice, take a deep breath, and enjoy the beauty of La Serenissima!
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As stated above, if a canal is drained for repairs, it will smell bad; same as for any canal or river in the US.
I have noticed a LOT more disagreeable smells right here in the US when visiting larger cities, especially when you walk by some storm sewer openings.
Go to Venice, take a deep breath, and enjoy the beauty of La Serenissima!
[email protected]
#17
Join Date: Feb 2004
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I have to admit that I noticed a "smell" in Venice when I was there, although I find that pretty much every city I visit "smells" - not necessarily badly, just different than Vancouver...it's part of what I like about traveling - noticing and appreciating the differences between where I am and where I'm from.
I especially like the smells when walking through markets - the spice carts, the cheese carts, the flower stalls...
I especially like the smells when walking through markets - the spice carts, the cheese carts, the flower stalls...
#19
Some people are so used to Disney-esque holidays where everything is pristine, they don't know what the real world is like. I've heard folks say they don't like the smell in Pikes Place Market and Fisherman's Wharf - too "fishy" 
If your friends are anything like that - then you might actually have a problem.

If your friends are anything like that - then you might actually have a problem.
#20
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Have been to Venice several times and never noticed any odor. However, I haven;t been there in July/August - and I think then - at low water you might get some of the typical low tide odor from backwater canals.
If you think it will bother you don't take a hotel on one of the backwater canals - or mkae sure it has sealable windows and good AC (that you'll need anyway in the summer).
If you think it will bother you don't take a hotel on one of the backwater canals - or mkae sure it has sealable windows and good AC (that you'll need anyway in the summer).