I have heard that there is a Red Light district in Venice. I am bringing my children and dont want to subject them to it by walking into by accident.
What areas should we avoid? Hi Sarah, I foud your post amusing. I have been to Venice 7 times since 5 years. Red Light district? Never heard of it. Whoever told you might have been pulling a leg on you. Or there may be on mainland near or in Mestre that I don't know much?
I'd be interested to check it out on my next visit in early December. I can assure you there is no Red Light district in Venice - this is not Amsterdam. In several decades of wandering around Venice I have never come across a hint of prostitution or prostitutes. I would be surprised if there was absolutely no ladies there is a word that tripadvisors does not let me use for sale anywhere in Venice but if there is it is very, very discreet.
Perhaps you may have been mislead by references in guide books to the Ca'Rampana district in San Polo sestiere. This was the red light district in Venice several centuries ago but is nowadays very respectable.
I was in Venice last May spending the half term holiday week with two of my grandchildren. There was absolutely nothing I did not want them to see and no parts of Venice I did not want them to enter. Venice is amongst the safest and least crime ridden cities in all Italy. The Merlin's Law passed somewhen during the 60's put an end to brothels in Italy, Venice included. You wont find any red-ligh districts in Italy , on the other end it is true that some areas, usually in the outskirts of towns, are frequented by street prostitutes, but I woundnt call them red-light districts.
