Venice Disabled Access Review – Pros and Cons
Venice Disabled Access – Venice is one of the most popular destinations in the world, yet few disabled tourists tackle it because of the intimidating bridges throughout the city. While there are hundreds of bridges connecting the islands throughout the city, disabled tourists can avoid them if they understand how the city is laid out. Several large neighborhoods, including the one containing St. Mark’s Square, can be visited without encountering bridges. These neighborhoods have few cobblestones and no steps. Venice disabled access building codes require that remodeled buildings are wheelchair accessible, however most buildings have not been remodeled.
Disabled Access in Venice – Pros
More than 50% of the city is accessible – Most people think of a whole lot of bridges and canals when they think of Venice. While this is accurate, there are actually numerous neighborhoods that can be visited without needing to go over any bridges. As a result, over half of Venice can be visited in a wheelchair.
Vaporetto boats are somewhat wheelchair friendly – The vaporetto boats in Venice are generally wheelchair accessible and very useful for getting from neighborhood to neighborhood. The #1 and #2 vaparetto routes run down Venice’s Grand Canal and are the most popular for tourists. Several other lines run through the lagoon surrounding Venice and are also helpful. You can view more details at our Venice vaporetto disabled access page. The video below shows one wheelchair user getting assistance to get off the boat, and one wheelchair user who gets off the boat without assistance. Note how much smaller the height difference is if you let the people get off the boat first (this is one of our 11 Venice disabled access travel tips).
Disabled Access in Venice – Cons
Bridges are everywhere and generally not wheelchair accessible – There are over 400 bridges in Venice. Only a few can be called moderately wheelchair accessible and then only if there is someone there to assist.
Misinformation about bridge lifts – Numerous websites say that there are wheelchair lifts on 5 bridges in Venice. This was true but the lifts have been taken out of service. We were told that the saltwater made them too difficult and expensive to maintain.
Moving between neighborhoods can be slow – The vaporetto come at regular intervals, but your journey can take a little while especially if you have to switch boats. The boat may stop at numerous docks between the time you get on and the time you get off. If you have a dinner reservation or need to catch a train or plane, be sure you allow plenty of time or use a Venice accessible water taxi.
Read the rest of our Venice Disabled Access Review
