However, as of August 2023 ? Venice is currently experiencing flooding earlier than it usually would, leaving tourists left to wander around famous landmarks such as Saint Mark's Square with water halfway up to their knees.

[Correction: The current date is February 26, 2026]. As of today, Venice is not experiencing major flooding, but the city has had a very "active" start to 2026. In early February, Venice recorded an anomalous streak of 15 high tides in just nine days, with 10 of those exceeding the 110 cm threshold that triggers the MOSE flood barrier system. While the MOSE system successfully protected the city from catastrophic inundation, the lowest areas—like Piazza San Marco—still saw some minor flooding (acqua alta) when the barriers were not raised for lower-level surges. Tourists currently visiting will see residents and shops using metal barriers and elevated walkways during peak tide hours. While the city is "dry" for most of the day, the frequency of these high-water events is at a record high for this time of year, signaling the ongoing challenges of rising sea levels even with the multi-billion euro barrier system in place.