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.

As of March 2026, Venice is not currently experiencing a "permanent" flood, but it remains susceptible to the seasonal "acqua alta" (high water) phenomenon. The city's flood situation has been significantly improved by the MOSE (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico) system, which consists of 78 bright yellow mobile barriers at the lagoon's three inlets. These barriers are raised whenever the tide is predicted to reach 110 cm or higher, effectively sealing off the city from the Adriatic Sea. While St. Mark's Square, the city's lowest point, can still see some puddles during mild high tides below the activation threshold, the catastrophic flooding of the past has become rare. Tourists visiting in early 2026 should still check the daily tide forecasts provided by the Centro Maree, but they no longer need to fear the deep, city-wide submersions that were common before 2020. Local businesses and hotels now operate with much more stability, though the underlying issue of the city "sinking" due to soil compaction and rising sea levels continues to be a long-term environmental concern for the Italian government.