Walking shoes in Venice

I have no idea why someone would say that. Venice is no dirtier than any other city in Italy.

Perhaps that could be since it often floods in Venice during high tide and rains. But other than that take comfy shoes for walking on uneven surfaces just like most of Europe.

Absolute unadulterated bilge water.

....and, having waded around in bilge water........ I'm not quite sure which way Nigel means that.

Maybe Naples.......but not Venice. Just kidding. Don't think you would have to in Naples either.

No, not so. I would just say be comfortable, as you will do a lot of walking throughout your trip, wherever you go. Prepare to be enchanted! At least we were---LOVED Venice. Stay in the city, small hotel, and WANDER! Nothing like Venice, esp. at night...have a great time---we can't wait to go back!

Ed You are right. An unfortunate phrase to pick in the certs. Both you and I have, at different times, waded around in the bilge and its not nice. What I so ineloquently tried to convey is that the premise of taking throw away shoes to the most Serene City is absolute rubbish. It is no worse than many places underfoot, and because there is no wheeled traffic it is somewhat better than many.

I innocently asked this question not meaning to imply any negativity for Venice...maybe what I heard was meaning in case our feet get wet?? That could happen anywhere we go. I have not been to Venice so I don't know what to expect. I just didn't know if there was something I should know that is common knowledge. I will research..

Diane - I know that my shoes did get wet the first time I visited (in July) but they weren't ruined or dirty - same thing I get during a summer thunderstorm here in Atlanta!

thanks...I think as it's getting closer you get that "urge" to throw more things in the suitcase!!!

If you travel out of season and encounter high water you will want wellies not hiking shoes. They are available, I wouldn't pack them.

Thanks. We are leaving two weeks from today. I will check the weather before we go.

Your shoes will get absolutely filthy if you walk around any of the major ruins in other cities (Forum, Palatine, etc.) because of all the dust, but Venice doesn't fall into that category. Have a great time. Venice is beautiful. Be sure to wander away from the major tourist spots to enjoy another side of Venice.

The shoes I wore last time to Venice, I wore for several years afterward, and brought back good memories every time I put them on. They never glowed in the dark nor caused me to do so.......

that's funny! I want to pack light.. I think I will go with my original plan and just bring the shoes I wear, plus pr of sandals. If I have to, I will buy a pair of shoes..

Maybe they were concerned about getting soggy when there are high waters. Otherwise, I do not think you need extra shoes for dirt.

You can check the phases of the moon well inadvance. That has more to do with Aqua Alta than mere rain. A new or full moon just prior to your arrival could get you wet.

Acqua alta is influenced more by winds coming from the south than by tides. It's very hard to predict more than a few days in advance. There's this misconception that the whole city is underwater during acqua alta. But that's true only for the lowest parts (which include Piazza San Marco). All it means is avoiding those areas for a few hours during the day. Only rarely is acqua alta anything more than just a minor inconvenience.

Here is Venice's tide forecast: http://www.comune.venezia.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/EN/IDPagina/2104 Comfy shoes, definitely.

I've easily navigated around or over a half dozen Aqua Alta events and it was easily done. Only a small part of Venice was impacted. The water that I saw in San Marco had a strong sulphur odor but keeping my shoes out of it was never difficult or even a challenge. The odor left when the tide did after a few hours. All in all I suggest that you utterly ignore the possibilty of an aqua alta - it is a minor speed bump at most

Best time I ever had was when San Marco flooded with the tides. I have a picture of my group as we did a high kick dance in the water later one night. Ditched the shoes and danced barefooted with pant legs rolled up. We had a blast. Enjoy! Debby

Not this time of year. During Aqua Alta in fall or winter the might get wet but I wouldn't worry about shoes getting dirty. I bought a new pair of shoes in Venice when I was there last month.

thanks for all the info. I think, if I have room in my suitcase for an extra old pair of shoes, (only bringing a carryon), I will pack them. Othewise, I will just make do. We will be starting out in Venice and ending in Rome

Personally, I wouldn't use the space for old tennis shoes :) Bring another cute shirt or something instead. I went to Venice in late May last year, so not too far off of the time period you'll be going this year, and felt it was cleaner foot-wise than Rome, Florence, etc. (And I was wearing sandals most of the time.) You'll do a lot of walking, so if you can't stand walking on cobblestone in sandals all day, then take better shoes, but I don't think you need old shoes in Venice or any other city. Like someone else said, if Acqua Alta is occurring, you will want wellies (rain boots) rather than tennis shoes that will get soaked--and you can buy the rain boots there in Venice. Enjoy your time, it is a marvelous, beautiful city!

My son is travelling in Venice today and said there is 2 inches of standing water in Pza San Marco

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5675044139_f401343c15_z.jpg
This is a link to an image of Piazza San Marco on April 30th at about 10:30 PM at about 8:00 PM the water would start coming up from underneath due to tides, there was no rain. I was in Venice for 10 days and in Piazza San Marco every night, it only happened the first 4 nights I was there. There were plenty of places to walk and not get your feet wet, it wasn't the entire piazza just portions of it. This site has not been working well for me tonight.

Beautiful photo, Lisa. I would love to see more of yours on flickr. What is your username? (Mine's drc09) Sometimes the acqua alta is only a few inches, other times it is so high that people have jokingly snorkeled in the piazza. (http://api.ning.com/files/f7DSAIgZLIOWEDo3ySy8lhR1mTyuv-juW2OPoI6j1c7hzOKI2iem7U7gQNoaRXfA5SG4UHJjSiSm2iWMloPQkZR8mng7Kwkp/venezia.jpg) For water that high though, there is usually advanced warning.

Wow! We are only going to be there a short time. We will make do.