Venice is an incredibly popular tourist destination but it is also a very small city. The public parts of the city are only about six square kilometers! Because of this, it is easy for the town to be overwhelmed with tourists. New restrictions are being put in place to limit tourist walking groups to 25 or less, no loudspeakers for tour groups, and instituting tourist fees. For this reason, going with an excursion or tour group is a good idea, since they can manage all the ins and outs of these new restrictions.