Mestre is one of the most populated cities in the Veneto region and the mainland getaway to the historic centre Venice connected by road and rail.
In fact, by staying in Mestre as a visitor, you’d only have to cross the Ponte della Libertà before you get to Venice, which is only a 10 minutes train ride away.
Many Venice tourists prefer booking accommodation in Mestre instead of Venice because it’s a lot more affordable, still, well-connected by public transport.
From morning till night you can find trains or buses from Venezia Santa Lucia to take you back to Mestre. There are also many options for eating out and things to do.
If you’re on a modest budget and want to find out if it’s really worth spending a night in Mestre instead of Venice, keep reading this guide to get a real world insight.
Staying in Mestre: is it worth it?
Quick answer: Yes, staying in Mestre is worth it for many travellers and after staying on more that one occasion I would like to share some of my findings.
Mestre is not as much of a desirable place as Venice is. But when deciding between Venice or Mestre, I’ve found that Mestre is a good option (for the following reasons).
4 reasons to stay in Mestre when visiting Venice:
- To find a room from the range of affordable accommodation options. It’s also a great alternative to Venice if you can’t find anything to fit your budget in Venice
- If you wish to have easier access to services like supermarkets, pharmacies, bars, restaurants with less tourists around when compared to Venice.
- When you have 3 or 4 days in Venice and want to have a break from exploring but still have things to see and do in Mestre and immediate surroundings.
- To have quick and convenient access to Venice’s historic centre by bus, train and tram with the option to get a quick and delicious breakfast on the way.
As you can see, there are several reasons why you should stay in Mestre, now let’s look at Mestre location, staying safe in Mestre and the best way to get to Venice.
Where is Mestre?
Although it may look quite far from Venice on the map, Mestre is a city in the Veneto region, in north east Italy that’s only 10 kilometres away from Venice.
Mestre serves as a gateway to Venice, connected by the Ponte della Libertà, a long bridge crossing the lagoon. It takes 10 minutes by train to get to Venice from Mestre and 15 to 20 minutes by bus, depending on traffic conditions.
It’s also possible to get to Piazzale Roma in Venice by tram. Mestre is well-connected by shuttle bus to Marco Polo airport and from Mestre train station you can get to other cities and towns in Veneto but also reach more places around the country thanks to the reliable high-speed trains network by Trenitalia and Italo.
Is Mestre safe?
Mestre is a safe place to stay for visitors but in a city with one of the highest populations in the region and with a constant influx of tourists, it’s important to be cautious around certain areas of the city.
In crowded places stay vigilant at all times as pickpockets might be in action like in the train station. At night, it’s advisable to avoid isolated and poorly lit areas, particularly near the train and bus stations and via Piave.
If you want to go for a walk at night in Mestre, I highly recommend that you stick to well-lit streets and to the area around the city centre (near Piazza Ferretto).
It’s completely fine to book hotels near Mestre train station but use your common sense and precautions so you can stay safe at all times while visiting Mestre.
How to travel from Mestre to Venice?
The best way to reach Venice from Mestre is by train or by bus. If your accommodation is around the train station, simply take the train.
The train ride is only 10 minutes and the ticket costs 1,45 euros. If you’ve booked a hotel in Mestre city centre or far from the station, you can get the ACTV bus.
A bus, depending on traffic conditions, can take 15 to 20 minutes to get to Piazzale Roma in Venice so it’s not too bad considering the savings one can make.
It’s worth knowing that the bus ticket is also valid for the tram. For daily public transport use, consider purchasing the ACTV 1/2/3/7 day pass, covering all ACTV services (bus, water bus in Venice, tram and People Mover) except airport routes, water bus number 16, Alilaguna water buses, and ATVO express buses.
You can read more information on my dedicated guide on how to get from Mestre to Venice that includes the complete list of available transportation options.
Where to stay in Mestre
I personally suggest staying near the train station in Mestre so you can get the train to Venice instead of the bus, if visiting Venice is the main activity you’re looking to do during your time here.
See these top-rated accommodation options for staying in Mestre.
- Anda Venice Hostel: Renowned as one of Venice’s top hostels and among the coolest in Europe, it’s perfect for solo travellers or those on a budget. The hostel offers female or mixed dorms and double, twin, or family rooms. It features ample social spaces and coworking areas, making it an excellent choice for digital nomads.
- UNAWAY Ecohotel Villa Costanza Venezia: Set in a 19th-century building, this 3-star superior hotel is just 250 metres from Mestre train station and 50 metres from the bus stop. There are many services in the area as well as bars, restaurants and supermarkets.
- Staycity Aparthotels Venice Mestre: This 4-star hotel offers budget-friendly studios and apartments, making it ideal for couples and families who want a comfortable stay in Mestre while visiting Venice daily. It’s conveniently located just 300 metres from the railway station.
Things to do in Mestre
Mestre is mainly considered the mainland gateway to Venice but it actually offers more than just a convenient stopover.
The heart of the city is a lovely place to hang around for a couple of hours (especially in the morning) and there are a couple of attractions worth visiting.
Here’s a list of things to do in Mestre:
- Visit Piazza Ferretto, the main city square. Have breakfast in one of the historic bars around the square and go shopping at the nearby shopping centre Le Barche.
- Walk down the liberty style Galleria Matteotti and buy a book from the book shop Galleria del Libro.
- Explore the interactive spaces of the M9 Museum to get an insight on 20th-century Italian history and culture.
- Stroll through Parco San Giuliano, one of Europe’s largest urban parks, with stunning views of the Venetian Lagoon.
- Discover Forte Marghera, a historic fort where exhibitions, cultural events are always on, and where you can go for a scenic evening walk.
So, do you stay in Mestre or Venice…
Staying in Mestre is a great option for visitors looking to explore Venice that want to save some money on accommodation or can’t find anything in Venice.
Despite being a world apart from Venice, Mestre boasts convenient transport links to Venice historic city allowing you to visit it from early morning to late at night.
Of course, even in Mestre there are things to do like a walk around Piazza Ferretto, visit the M9 Museum and Forte Marghera and go shopping.
To prepare for your next trip to Venice, why don’t you take a look at my guide on the best places to visit in Venice for tips on some ‘less-touristic’ places you can see?
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