There's a line from an old movie that I like: A man and a woman are in an old submarine, the woman comments that it's really greasy and the man replies, “If you was bombed and sunk and pulled up by your stern you'd be a little greasy too!” Venice may not have been bombed recently, but it certainly gets sunken often enough! And though I wouldn't call it greasy, the place is definitely gritty, in both the literal and figurative senses of the word.
Fortunately, OG Venice is not at all grit-shy. In fact, they are the constant juxtapositions of grit vs. glamour and modern vs. ancient that so attract me to this city. I know, for example, that if I buy a 700+ Euro handbag at Ferragamo, or just gaze into the window and covet one, and then have a coffee in the cafe directly across the street from their shop, I'll end up washing my hands with cold water and dish soap if any soap at all. Glamour? Grit? Learn to love it!
All that said, I want to approach the decidedly gritty subject of bathrooms and public toilets in Venice. And, they can be very gritty indeed. The rich don't stay rich by “pissing it all away” and everything has it's price. That's why everyone needs to understand the costs associated with going to the toilet in Venice. So, without further adieu, this is what you need to know: The only place where you can relieve yourself without additional cost in Venice will be in your hotel room, hostel, dorm or apartment. If you're out around town and you've got to go, you'll have to pay. Your choices are public restrooms or bar/ restaurant bathrooms.
Public restrooms cost E. 1.50 per person per entry and they are actively policed. Bar or restaurant bathrooms will cost you at least the price of a glass of water, 50 cents, or a coffee, 90 cents to 1.50 E depending on the place.
The choice is yours. I tend to prefer bars & restaurants because I get something for my money…Even if what I'm really buying is the assurance that I'll have to do it all again soon!
That is, I think, enough bathroom talk and toilet humor for the time being. Perhaps I'll have a coffee then go out and gaze into some shop windows.
Notes:
Fortunately, OG Venice is not at all grit-shy. In fact, they are the constant juxtapositions of grit vs. glamour and modern vs. ancient that so attract me to this city. I know, for example, that if I buy a 700+ Euro handbag at Ferragamo, or just gaze into the window and covet one, and then have a coffee in the cafe directly across the street from their shop, I'll end up washing my hands with cold water and dish soap if any soap at all. Glamour? Grit? Learn to love it!
All that said, I want to approach the decidedly gritty subject of bathrooms and public toilets in Venice. And, they can be very gritty indeed. The rich don't stay rich by “pissing it all away” and everything has it's price. That's why everyone needs to understand the costs associated with going to the toilet in Venice. So, without further adieu, this is what you need to know: The only place where you can relieve yourself without additional cost in Venice will be in your hotel room, hostel, dorm or apartment. If you're out around town and you've got to go, you'll have to pay. Your choices are public restrooms or bar/ restaurant bathrooms.
Public restrooms cost E. 1.50 per person per entry and they are actively policed. Bar or restaurant bathrooms will cost you at least the price of a glass of water, 50 cents, or a coffee, 90 cents to 1.50 E depending on the place.
The choice is yours. I tend to prefer bars & restaurants because I get something for my money…Even if what I'm really buying is the assurance that I'll have to do it all again soon!
That is, I think, enough bathroom talk and toilet humor for the time being. Perhaps I'll have a coffee then go out and gaze into some shop windows.
Notes:
- I've noticed that the public bathroom at Ferrovia costs 80 cents. Cheapest in town.
- You can find the public bathrooms of Venice by following the blue and green “W.C.” signs. The color scheme will be the same as that pictured here.
- A VeneziaUnica Pass is valid for entry into public restrooms.
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