Odor in Venice during summer

Yes, only more so.

Think lots of birds, and their "leavings" in hot weather!!!

I've been to Venice four times in July between 1997 and 2005 and have only once noticed a 'swampy' odour which lasted only a few seconds. Perhaps this phenomenon has become more noticeable during the past 3 years...

I had also heard of this smell prior to my trips.. I have been to Venice twice in the last two years (August 2006, and September 2007) - but haven't noticed any smell. But perhaps these times were the latter end of summer. Though I'm a fairly prissy girl; and if it would have smelled, I am sure I would have noticed!

(I also heard there were RATS - but I was def. looking and I didn't see any of them either; even after it rained).

Here's what I started to write: This is such an urban myth. I've been to Venice in September (2003) and just last month. Neither time have I noticed any odor. What some people might be noticing is an occasional low tide smell if you're standing in just the right place at the right (or wrong) time and the wind happens to be wafting to you. But that happens everywhere that has tides. The tides are also what serve to flush out the lagoon twice a day.

And then I realized that this is my opportunity to keep tourists away from Venice. So here's my new position: "Yes, it smells really terrible all the time. Truly unbearable. It smells especially bad if you're the type of person who wears white tennis shoes and shorts when in Europe. You really shouldn't go there and you should discourage everyone you know from going there. Thank you."

Michael - LOL!!!!

I'll meet YOU in Venice - maybe after your last post we'll be the only two guys there... in white tennis shoes & shorts .....

BTW, I've been there a few times and found NO ODOR - What am I saying?? I meant TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE ODOR!! ;-)

Ciao,
Ron

Spent time in Venice in July 2006. Yes, many pigeons, but didn't notice a bad smell. Even if there were a sort of "odor", it would have to very bad to miss seeing Venice!

We were there last July and didn't get any odors. It's definitely a coastal environment but not sewery. I was worried the first time we went but no need for concern. I would pack bug spray, we were mosquito bitten and warm but nothing else. The tides do a fantastic job of flushing things out:) It's a sight you must see and one that will linger and grow in your mind as time passes. Magic.

Never had a hint of any smell.

I was in Venice July of 2005 , no smell. I will be back in Venice in a few weeks (!!!!!!!) and dont care if it does smell, Venice is a magical place.
:)

OK, I guess I'll bow to the numbers. When I was in Venice in the late 90's it smelled like an open sewer, in many parts of town, every day I was there. We ALL talked about it.

But I'm willing to accept that this was a one-time thing, that perhaps something was broken in the local sewer system that week. Glad to hear it's not like that anymore!

Rick likes to insist that odor is a long-pasted problem in Venice. It is NOT. Venice has had this problem for most of its existence at certain times under certain conditions. Ask a Venetian. My first time there was 57 years ago and it stunk then and it still does occasionally.

Michael you're a whoot!! If it were only that easy to keep "tourists" away from such lovely places like Venice. ;)

I have been fortunate enough to have stayed in Venice three times in the past four years and have never, never, never smelled anything bad!!

I understand, though, from talking to "old Italians" that back in the 70's and before there was definitely a problem with stink.

So Tom, go and enjoy! Relax, breath, see the beauty of Venice, taste and drink the beauty of Venice. Go off the beaten paths and enjoy the tranquility of a most unique place!

Here is my two cents worth; I was in venice for 10 days in Sept. of 2006. Weather was fabulous. No odor what so ever. But I would not have cared if it did smell. Venice is not to be missed.

Debby