Venice: Why you shouldn't trust Google Maps when exploring the city

A tourist fell into a canal while following directions. Discover why popular map apps are useless in Venice and how to get around more efficiently.

Venice and the trap from the navigation app

Venice, a city of romantic canals and ancient alleys, has always been a fascinating destination for tourists. However, this unique urban structure poses a big challenge for modern navigation apps. Recently, a female tourist named Wiktoria Guzenda had an accident when she slipped into a canal while following directions from her phone, a reminder that technology here should not be completely dependent on technology.

A screenshot from the clip shows the moment the female tourist fell into the canal.

Wiktoria’s experience is not an isolated one. Many tourists have been left in a state of “half-laughing, half-crying” when apps like Google Maps offer routes that don’t exist or are blocked by water. So what makes this familiar tool so unreliable in Venice?

Why doesn't Google Maps work in Venice?

Navigating Venice is much more complex than other cities around the world . Digital mapping apps often struggle to accurately interpret the city's maze of roads and waterways.

Unique addressing system

Venice does not use a sequential system of street names and house numbers. Instead, the city is divided into six districts (sestieri), each with its own numbering system. The numbers can jump from building to building at random, making GPS navigation extremely difficult.

The intricate canal system is both characteristic and challenging when navigating Venice.

Maze of canals and bridges

With a dense network of canals, small bridges over the canals are the main access points. However, map apps often “misread” them as regular footpaths or don’t even recognize them, leading visitors to dead ends or canal edges.

Small alleys are confusing.

Venice is full of tiny alleys (calles) and narrow passageways. The app’s algorithm can misread directions, treating a small alley as a main street, or conversely, missing important shortcuts that only locals know.

Tips for getting around Venice like a local

To really enjoy your Venice experience, put your phone away and use more traditional but effective methods.

• Follow the signs: Look for yellow signs posted on buildings. They point to important locations like St. Mark's Square (San Marco), the Rialto Bridge, and the train station (Ferrovia). This is the most reliable way to navigate.
• Use a paper map: A good quality paper map is a great travel companion. It gives you an overview of the city layout and major routes.
• Don't be afraid to get lost: Getting lost is part of the adventure in Venice. You might stumble upon quiet squares, cute artisan shops, or cozy cafes.
• Ask the locals: Venetians are very friendly. If you are unsure of your way around, don't hesitate to ask.
• Using the Vaporetto: The water bus system (vaporetto) is the main form of public transport. It is a great way to get between major attractions and see the city from a different perspective.

Instead of looking at your phone screen, take time to observe and feel the beauty around you.

Exploring Venice is a journey of patience and observation. By trusting your intuition and signs instead of your GPS, you will have a more memorable and safer trip.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/venice-ly-do-khong-nen-tin-google-maps-khi-kham-pha-thanh-pho-398319.html