Where to stay in Venice

Imagine a city that is gradually turning into an open-air museum, and its houses and palaces into hotels and tourist apartments. Yes, Venice and the tourist demand for it are growing every year. But this does not mean that you should not visit it.

You should see Venice at least once in your life, because there is no longer such a miracle – when instead of roads there are canals, and instead of road transport there are boats and water trams. Only here life has frozen a little in the magnificent architecture, which one day will still be destroyed by the water element.

As they say – hurry up and see! And in order to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Venice, you need to stay here for several days. Because a one-day visit to this city will not tell you anything. Once we went to Venice for three days and I am very glad that we saw more than in a few hours.

This article about the areas of Venice where it is better to look for housing and what to do while in the city.

When is the best time to go to Venice?

Tourists go to Venice all year round – the city is beautiful both under leaden clouds and in the summer, in the bright heat.

High season is summer and during the carnival. In the summer – crowds of tourists and quite hot. I have read many times about the unpleasant smell from the canals. But I was there in July, and the water was transparent and very clean. As for the carnival, expect a large number of people because of this in the city. But it is a very bright spectacle, worth seeing, and perhaps taking part in.

Low season is December and January, just during the floods, which are called the Great Water – Aqua Alta. At this time you can enjoy quiet walks around the city in rubber boots. Although, thanks to the recently built Moses Dam, Venice is now almost never flooded.

The most comfortable time to travel to Venice is early autumn or late spring, that is, in September, May and June. The air is fresh, the days are long and sunny, the nights are quite warm, and there aren’t many tourists in the city yet.

Districts of Venice and their features

To get the most out of your trip to Venice, it’s best to stay in the historic center. Spending more on a hotel will save you money on public transportation. And you won’t have to pay the city’s historic center tax.

Venice is also especially beautiful early in the morning or late in the evening. At this time, most tourists have either not yet arrived or have already left the city. You can stroll along the half-empty embankment and admire the quiet canals until dawn.

Let’s take a look at the 5 districts that make up the historic center of Venice. Despite their small size and proximity to each other, they are quite different. Therefore, where you stay can have a big impact on your Venetian experience.

The general rule is that the areas closest to Piazza San Marco, Venice’s main square, are always the most touristy, and the atmosphere becomes more local and residential as you move away from the square and the city center.

San Marco

This is the Venice you’ve seen in the pictures, the city’s biggest attractions are located here. It’s certainly a very beautiful area, filled with an amazing amount of art, architecture and history. However, it’s also a tourist center, where locals no longer live, because everything here is focused around tourism. And the prices for hotels and apartments here are appropriate.

The shops located here are souvenir shops and expensive goods designed for tourists. There are many cafes and restaurants, but most of them are oriented towards tourists, that is, not the ones where you will feel the authenticity of the city. But if you want to be in the epicenter of the most famous sights of Venice, why not?

What attractions are located in the San Marco district:

Of course, this area is home to the city’s biggest square – Piazza San Marco.
The square is home to the Palazzo Dukale (Doge’s Palace), and the bell tower is the Companilla San Marco.
Where the square turns into the waterfront is the Bachino Orseolo – a spectacular gondola stop.
The area is also home to many museums and theaters, including the world-famous Teatro La Fenice.
The San Marco district is connected to the San Polo district by the unsurpassed Rialto Bridge, near which is the Pescaria fish market.
Look at the openwork staircase in Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo – the place for some beautiful photos. To get to it, you need to follow the yellow signs to the Accademia from Campo San Bartolomeo at the foot of the Rialto Bridge. Walk until you reach Campo Manin square, where a small, easily overlooked sign points you to the Stairs. (4299 Corte dei Risi, San Marco)

Accommodation in San Marco:

Corte Barozzi Venice Suites≫ – Great location, surrounded by lots of shops and restaurants. Rooms are clean and spacious. Despite being in the central San Marco area, the hotel is in a quiet area. The location was a 5 minute walk from Piazza San Marco and within walking distance of all the main attractions in Venice.
Palazzetto Pisani Grand Canal≫ – A charming hotel where you can feel what it is like to live in a Venetian palazzo. The rooms are comfortable and very clean, with a historical design. The location is perfect, in the center, right next to the Accademia Bridge and the music conservatory.
Hotel Firenze≫ – The property is located 3 minutes walk from San Marco. The design of the rooms is very cozy, the bed and pillows are very comfortable. Attention to detail, every detail is carefully thought out to ensure maximum comfort. Don’t think twice, the hotel is incredible and the staff will make sure you enjoy your visit.

Cannaregio

Cannaregio is a district located north of the city center. It is one of the most local areas of Venice, very popular with students and young people. This part of the historic center of the city has a great balance between convenient sightseeing and authentic life. It is a particularly pleasant place to return to after a day of exploring.

This is where Santa Lucia train station is located, where trains from the mainland arrive. This area is not only tourist attractions, but also cafes and restaurants and bars that locals love. There are also many supermarkets where you can buy delicious products and ready meals. Along the canals you will find bacari – traditional Venetian wine bars, where you can taste cicchetti, Venetian small sandwiches and calmly drink an Aperol Spritz cocktail for not all the money in the world.

If you are looking for a calm and authentic atmosphere, some evening activity and a quiet place to escape the crowds after busy days of sightseeing, I think Cannareggio is a good choice.

Attractions located in the Cannaregio area:

There are several other great sights in the area, such as the beautiful churches of Madonna del Orto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli.
It is pleasant to simply wander through its quiet streets and canals, observing everyday Venetian life. Cannaregio is home to the only real boulevard, the Strada Nuova. At 10 meters wide and 400 meters long, it is a grand street lined with shops and restaurants, perfect for a leisurely stroll.
Cannaregio is also home to the historic Jewish Ghetto of Venice, which is characterized by its unusually tall buildings. Within the quarter, you can see historic synagogues and the Jewish Museum, centered around the main square, Campo di Ghetto Nuovo.
There is even a McDonald’s in the area – a sign that it is not just tourists who live here.
From Cannaregio, vaporettos (river boats) depart for the neighboring islands of Murano and Burano.
Orsoni’s “Colored Library” – There is not a single book in this house, hidden among the alleys of the Cannaregio district. This is an ancient workshop and the only one in Venice where smalt is still made – a special colored glass mosaic. The “colored library” contains a collection of thousands of pieces of glass of all shapes, colors and sizes. (1045 Corte dei Vedei, Cannaregio).

Hotels and apartments in Cannaregio:

Rigoletto Charm≫ – The B&B is in a very good location. It is just a few minutes walk from Venezia Sta. Lucia Station and there are many restaurants nearby. The rooms are spacious and spotless. It is also incredibly quiet, you can’t hear any street noise at all.
Al Mascaron Ridente≫ – Very nice and friendly staff, responded to all requests instantly. The room is very clean, has everything you need. When checking out of the room, you can leave your luggage with them until the evening. Location in a quieter area, away from mass tourism, but nice restaurants and cafes on the street. Close to everything.
Residenza Venezia | UNA Esperienze≫ – The hotel has wonderful rooms, which have all the amenities and well-thought-out details. Cosmetics and a bunch of different nice care items. Snacks, water, coffee in the room are also free. About 7 minutes from the direct boat stop to Murano Burano and the airport.

Dorsoduro

Two mainly local areas south of the city centre where you will find a large number of non-touristy restaurants and bars. The Dorsoduro district borders the station to the north and San Marco to the south and is easily reached on foot via numerous bridges. It stretches from Santa Marta, a former industrial area, to Accademia, home to impressive palaces along the Grand Canal and some of the city’s most famous museums.

Most hotels and accommodation are concentrated around Accademia, which is a lovely, quiet area with many small, tree-filled parks that are lovely to sit in on a hot day. A perfect break from the busy streets and long lines. The area around the Grand Canal is always particularly lively, but you will find a greater mix of locals and tourists there.

Attractions located in the Dorsoduro district:

One of the liveliest areas in Dorsoduro is Campo Santa Margherita, a popular meeting place for locals. In the second area, people gather in the numerous cafes and bars that have preserved a pleasant and relatively authentic atmosphere.
This area is also home to some of Venice’s most important museums and landmarks, including Palazzo Grassi and the Accademia Gallery.
Be sure to visit the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, one of the most striking churches in the city.
On the opposite side of the Giudecca Canal is Giudecca Island, a mostly local and residential area that feels remote from the touristy streets of the main island of Venice. The island is a mix of old Venetian palaces and 20th-century buildings, as well as a few old bars and simple trattorias.

Accommodation in the Dorsoduro area:

Calle de le Pazienze Apartments≫ – Clean, nice apartment, suitable for 4 people. There are toiletries, slippers, tea, coffee. Very nice old house, but the apartments have been modernly renovated. Location – near the church of Santa Coroche.
Hotel Ca’ Nobile Corner≫ – The hotel is in a great location within walking distance of many tourist attractions. Lots of activity in the square outside the hotel: kids playing, late night cafes. But inside the hotel it is quiet – no street noise. The mix of locals and visitors is great. Very helpful, friendly staff.
Hotel Pausania≫ – Charming, small, old-fashioned hotel. Good location in the local area within walking distance of tourist attractions. Friendly, helpful staff with a good breakfast buffet and small but functional rooms.

Santa Croce and San Polo

These two areas, which flow smoothly into each other, are located right in the city center. They are considered the most convenient for tourists – it is convenient to explore Venice on foot from here. They are also touristy, but not as much as the neighboring San Marco. There are many palaces, squares, churches and major monuments here that are worth visiting.

These are definitely touristy areas, but they are still very pleasant and filled with wine bars, great restaurants and historical monuments. In addition, they are literally in the center of the city, so you can easily walk to any point in Venice from here.

The locals hardly live here anymore – they have moved to the mainland, and their palazzos and luxury houses have been rented out or converted into small hotels. But the atmosphere here is still charming, just don’t take large suitcases, because you will have to drag them along the cobblestones and over several bridges.

Attractions located in the Santa Croce and San Polo area:

Santa Croce is the first part of Venice you will see if you arrive by train, as it is located directly opposite the train station. Namely, the Chiesa di San Simeon Piccolo.
Continuing towards the city center, Santa Croce turns into San Polo – the smallest of the six districts of Venice and especially known for its narrowest alleys in Venice. This gives the area a feeling of closeness and intimacy.
Stop at Campo San Giacomo dell’Orio – it is filled with bars and restaurants, shaded by trees and full of local entertainment.
While walking through this part of the city, it is worth visiting: the Scalzi Church, located right next to the train station, where the tomb of the last Doge of Venice is located.
Fondazione Prada – there are always interesting exhibitions of modern art.

Hotels in San Polo and Santa Croce:

rialto1082≫ – Great location, next to the famous Rialto Bridge. Everything in the room is clean and tidy, spacious room, cleaned every day. Good breakfast, and the croissants are simply incredibly delicious. The owners are very nice people.
Bianca Cappello House≫ – Cozy place with a large balcony and private shower/bathroom. There is an espresso machine in the room, and on the ground floor in the common area there is an electric kettle and a microwave. The location is very good, not far from the Rialto Bridge. The room is spotlessly clean, has a comfortable bed, great heating in winter.
Locanda Sant’Agostin≫ – The hotel is located in the heart of historic Venice, easily accessible on foot. The rooms are clean and some have a small balcony overlooking the canal. Very good quality for a reasonable price.

Castello

On the far eastern side of the centre, this is one of the most local and authentic parts of Venice. It is mostly inhabited by locals rather than tourists and is a pleasant area with nice green spaces and good access to nearby beaches. The area is loosely divided into upper and lower parts, with some streets lined with elegant palaces, while others retain a more working-class feel with modest buildings and small artisan shops.

Those interested in this area are more inquisitive travelers, although the western part of the area (closer to San Marco) is much more touristy. If you decide to stay here, you will need to be prepared for long walks into the center or regular vaporetto rides.

Пам’ятки розташовані у районі Кастелло:

Castello is home to some interesting sights: the Arsenale, the historic shipyard of Venice and the church of San Giovanni e Paolo, where many doges are buried, the church of San Giovanni di Malta and the Museum of Naval History.
During the summer months you can visit the Biennale of Art, an art exhibition that lasts until autumn and attracts people interested in art from all over the world.
If you are visiting Venice in the summer, Castello is just 1 or 2 ferry stops from the Lido area, where you will find beaches for seaside relaxation. On hot summer days, you should not underestimate how nice it is to be able to quickly reach the beach.
Visit the free observation deck on the roof of the shopping mall Venezia terrazza T Fondaco. You need to book a visit in advance on the shopping center website. Visitors are allowed 15 minutes, with a limit of no more than 40 people in the viewing area at the same time.

Housing in the Castello area:

Ca’ Fabrizio≫ – Great location between Rialto and San Marco. Well equipped and stylish apartment, extremely clean and comfortable.
La Veneziana Boutique Rooms≫ – Good location in the very center with a partial view of the square and the canal. The apartment is clean, comfortable, the room has everything you need (hairdryer, iron, mini fridge), good renovation, pleasant staff, breakfast.
Palazzo Schiavoni Residenza d’epoca & Suite-Apartments≫ – Great location of the hotel and friendly, professional staff. Location in the very center, close to all attractions and shops, restaurants. The area is very lively and quiet.

Mestre

In high season you can stay on the mainland, in the Mestre area. But be prepared for the fact that Mestre does not look at all like Venice. But compared to the historic center, hotels and rooms in Mestre are cheaper, there is parking for cars. True, there are no beautiful canals and exquisite restaurants, and in this case you will only be able to see daytime Venice, and Venetian sunrises and sunsets are out of the program.

There is a good transport connection between Mestre and the island Venice. Trains and buses run regularly from early morning until late evening, the trip takes about 25 minutes, the cost of a one-way ticket is 5.75 euros one way.

Hotels in Mestre:

B&B Colombo by Addler House Ospitality – The B&B is extremely clean and homely, with everything you need. It’s a nice place to relax after a long day in Venice. The breakfast is especially good.
216 Venice – Simple and clean B&B apartments. Location in Mestre near the train station, bus stops to Venice/Marco Polo airport. The apartment block consists of three rooms with private bathrooms and a very well-equipped shared kitchen. The rooms and bathrooms are spacious, well furnished and clean.
Guest House Train Station – nice rooms close to the train station in Mestre and to the bus stops, 5 min walk. The hotel has a kitchen: equipped with a microwave, kettle, there are utensils, tea. There is a supermarket not far from the hotel.

Lido

Lido is a long and narrow barrier island located on the border of the Venetian Lagoon and the Adriatic Sea. It can be reached by vaporetto – it is only a 10-minute ferry ride from the historic center of Venice. Tourists who are not coming for the first time for a few days and are looking for a beach holiday in Venice really like Lido for its relaxed atmosphere, which is very different from the historic center of Venice.

It is also a good alternative to Mestre in the low season – hotel prices here (except in summer) are much cheaper than in Venice itself. In summer, the opposite is true, but this is understandable – the sea, sandy beaches and the Venice Film Festival (which takes place here every summer) raise prices.

The main ferry lines of Venice stop at Lido, and they run very frequently, usually every 20 minutes during the day, with less frequency at night. There is also a break between 2 and 5 am, when the ferry stops running. The airport ferry also stops here, making it easy to get to Lido after your flight.

Lido is more like a small town than a tourist hub, with supermarkets, bakeries and restaurants open even in the off-season. And unlike Venice itself, Lido has cars and buses, which operate on two main roads – one that goes out onto the beach and the other along the lagoon. The buses are very convenient as they make getting around the island very quick and easy.

The island is about 13 kilometers long and is mostly flat, making it great for walking and cycling.

Hotels on Lido Island

B&B Villa Ines≫ – Beautiful place, quiet location in an authentic area, short boat ride to San Marco. Great breakfast and hospitality. Elegant room with modern bathroom.
Hotel Villa Laguna≫ – the hotel is located in the lagoon next to the vaporetto and the central street, 1 minute from the boat station to get to Venice San Marco. The building is very nice, beautiful interior.
Hotel Villa Pannonia≫ – The hotel is very well located on a quiet street but also very close to the boat station. The rooms are spacious and clean. The beds are comfortable. The staff is very friendly! A great place to stay in Venice.

Useful links for travelers:

Car rental – cheap car rental options in Ukraine DiscoverCars
Hotels – traditionally booked through Booking
Insurance can be purchased on the website Hotline.Finance
Train tickets in Europe – on Trainline

Venice – where is the best place for tourists to stay

When is the best time to go to Venice?