Tipping in Venice: Etiquette and customs

Tipping in Venice can be a bit confusing for visitors used to the gratuity norms of other countries. This poses the question: should you tip in Venice, or not?

Unlike many destinations around the world where tipping is an established custom, tipping in Venice is not mandatory and the same goes for the rest of Italy as well.

What you’ll generally see at the restaurant is a service charge called ‘coperto’ which is often included in the bill. With that said, tips are appreciated, if you had a great experience and genuinely want to leave a tip as a token of appreciation.

This guide will give you an introduction on what Venice’s tipping etiquette is like, which is designed to help you to understand when and how to tip appropriately.

Tipping in Venice: Local etiquette and customs

Quick answer: No, tipping is not required in Venice, as the ‘coperto’ at the restaurant is often included in the bill. However, leaving a small tip because you believe the service and/or overall experience was great is more often than not, appreciated.

In a city that welcomes some of the highest numbers of visitors in the world, Venice hospitality workers are experts in delivering memorable experiences.

I have seen with my own eyes how the waiters in Venice are often working to deliver an impeccable level of service under the most challenging conditions.

Think about the infamous acqua alta in Venice and when it hits the city, you can see waiters relentlessly working to serve clientele at the outside tables.

Is it your first time in Italy or are you currently planning a trip to Venice and want to get an idea of how much you should leave as a tip? First let’s look at service charge:

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Service charge in Venice

In Venice, a service charge, known as ‘coperto’, is often added to the bill at restaurants. This charge typically covers the cost of table settings (think knife and forks, napkins) and bread, and it is generally listed on the menu.

While this fee usually ranges from 1 to 3 euros per person, some places may include an additional service charge, often around 10-15% of the bill.

Generally speaking you get to pay a service charge in fine dining restaurants like Michelin starred restaurants and luxury hotels on site restaurants in Venice.

Some establishments where you might encounter a service charge:

Coperto in Venice

In Venice, ‘coperto’ is a common charge added to your bill in many restaurants. This fee covers table settings, bread, and basic service, and is typically listed on the menu. Unlike a tip, ‘coperto’ is a fixed amount, ranging from 1 to 3 euros per person.

It is automatically included in your bill, so you should check for it before tipping extra. While coperto is standard in many dining establishments, some places, like bars or casual eateries, might not charge it.

So where you may see a Menu Del Giorno (Menu of the day) at one of the many touristic restaurants aimed at tourists for 15 Euros, you would then need to account for the coperto which could incur an extra 3 euros on top of the price of the food.

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How does tipping work in Venice

Now you know that tipping in Venice (and Italy) is not required and what the ‘coperto’ charge is, see how tipping works in various settings throughout Venice below.

Restaurants in Venice

Give your best advice on what a visitor should do when tipping at Venice restaurants. Give a ballpark figure of how much is acceptable to leave based on the average cost.

When dining at a restaurant in Venice, check your bill for a ‘coperto’ or service charge. If it’s included, tipping is not obligatory, but leaving a small tip if you liked the service, the waiter went the extra mile to meet your needs or simply enjoyed your time at that place, it’s always welcomed and appreciated.

You are free to add as much as you wish, there’s no set in stone rule for this, but if you have no idea, just leave an additional 5-10% of the bill for good measure.

For instance, if your meal costs 50 euros, leaving 3-5 euros is absolutely fine.

Note that when ordering cicchetti in a more casual setting, for example in most bacaros throughout Venice, you will likely not encounter a service charge at all.

Hotels in Venice

Tipping in Venice hotels varies depending on the level of service and luxury and remains at your discretion. For bellhops and porters at upscale hotels, it’s customary to tip 2-5 euros per bag.

For housekeeping, leaving 1-2 euros per day is appreciated. For concierge services, tip 5-10 euros if they delivered great assistance and you had a positive experience.

I do admit that there is a lot of confusion around this topic. Even though tipping is not mandatory, it’s still good practice to leave a tip, especially at some of the most luxury hotels in Venice where service standards are high. Here, tips are (almost) expected.

Tour guides in Venice

When tipping a tour guide in Venice, consider the quality and length of the tour. For a standard group tour, tipping 5-10 euros per person is common.

If you really liked the guide and think he/she’s very knowledgeable, you liked the way she/he explained history and culture and the way that was engaging with you, consider tipping more, around 10-20 euros.

If you join a private tour such as this popular street food tour (depending on the activities you do) it’s good practice to give a tip of 20 euros or more (per couple or a small group of 3 or 4). But I must stress that this is not obligatory.

This is something you would offer if you feel that the tour company has been capable of fulfilling its services, meeting your needs, and sharing local advice that can elevate your Venetian experience that one step further.

Leaving a voluntary contribution at a church in Venice

When visiting churches in Venice, it’s customary to leave a voluntary contribution, especially in those with free entry like the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute or Church of the Scalzi near the Santa Lucia train station and open 7 days a week.

This helps maintain these historical sites so everybody can enjoy and admire their artworks. Most people leave a donation of 1-5 euros when passing by, attending a service or lighting a candle. It’s also a good way to rid yourself of any loose change.

It is also worth remembering that your small contribution actually supports the upkeep and preservation of Venice’s remarkable religious and cultural heritage.

So, will you leave a tip in Venice?

Tipping in Venice is not obligatory, as service charges are often included in the bill. But if you’ve experienced great service, a tip is always very much welcomed.

Now that you know how to approach tipping etiquette and local customs, you should feel confident enough to make the right choice while in Venice.

You can read my post thats look at whether Venice is expensive for tourists to get more advice on budgeting for your trip and how to save money while here.

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