Have you ever wondered what makes of Venice such a unique gem?
The list is quite long, but we could start from its canals and the ‘calli’, narrow streets of the city, or the decadent beauty of its churches.
The public piazzas (called ‘campi’ in Venetian dialect) bursting with life and the bridges you cross where you’ll spot gondolas are extremely charming.
Venice is this and much more! There are so many places to stay in Venice, but it’s good to know the best areas based on your budget and length of stay.
Where to Stay in Venice
In this comprehensive guide, I’m going to share which are the best places to stay in Venice and help you to make the most of your time here.
How to decide where to stay in Venice?
First of all, if it’s your first time in Venice or you’re unfamiliar with the city, it’s good to know that the historical centre of Venice is divided into 6 unique neighbourhoods:
- San Marco
- San Polo
- Dorsoduro
- Cannaregio
- Castello
- Santa Croce
The most touristic districts are San Marco, San Polo, Dorsoduro and Cannaregio. I suggest staying in one of these areas of Venice, to be close to most attractions.
It’s good to know that San Marco is the central, but also the most expensive.
Dorsoduro and San Polo are close to San Marco, and where you can easily find good deals with hotels and guest houses.
Depending on your budget and the amount of days you want to spend in Venice, there are options for everyone!
+ Explore Top Hotels in Venice
Best place to stay in Venice for first time visitors?
The best place to stay in Venice for a first time visitor is the ‘sestiere’ (or neighbourhood) of San Marco. It is in the San Marco neighbourhood where you’ll find most of the best hotels and guest houses, and you’ll be close to the main attractions.
Where not to stay in Venice:
- Near the railway station, in the so-called Santa Croce neighbourhood.
- Near Piazzale Roma, the bus and tram station.
- In the furthest point of the Castello neighbourhood as most of the attractions will be out of reach.
- In small islands of the lagoon like Murano, Burano or Lido, just to give an example, if your trip purpose is to visit Venice historical city centre.
If you are concerned about travel safety, I recommend that you take a look at my popular guide on how to stay safe in Venice for even more ideas on areas to avoid.
Got travel insurance for Venice?
World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Let’s take a look at the best places to stay in Venice by neighbourhood.
Where to stay in Venice (by neighbourhood)
The best way to understand where to stay in Venice is by explaining what every neighbourhood offers.
Whether you like the crowds, you’re travelling on a budget or not looking at it at all, in this city there’s an option for every taste and budget.
1. San Marco
San Marco is the Venetian neighbourhood where the most iconic landmarks are based. It’s where you visit St. Mark’s Square and the Basilica, as well as the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs.
But these are a just a few of the top attractions I suggest visiting on your first days in the city. As most of the popular attractions are situated here, the hotels in San Marco are the most wanted by tourists.
For this reason, they are particularly expensive, despite the presence of different types of accommodation (B&B, family-run guest houses and super-luxury hotels).
Even the bars and restaurants in this area are more expensive compared to the rest of the historical city centre. The streets that branch off from public piazzas are the most crowded ones.
Here’s a selection of three places where to stay in Venice:
- Luxury: Hotel Danieli – This award-winning hotel is only a few meters away from St. Mark’s Square and is divided into three different buildings dating back to the 14th, 19th and 20th centuries. All rooms are spacious and include Italian marble-bathrooms! The menu of the Terrazza Danieli restaurant located on the top floor is superb, as well as the 360° views of Venice you can enjoy.
- Mid-range: UNAHOTELS Ala Venezia – The hotel is only 10 minutes walk away from St. Mark’s Square. Every room overlooks a canal or a ‘campo’, making you feel like a real Venetian during your time here. The 18th century palace with typical Venetian furniture, offers a unique selection of double rooms making of this hotel a perfect place for all couples travelling to Venice.
- Budget: Ca’ dei Fuseri – This budget hotel is just a couple of minutes walk away from the top attractions in St. Mark’s Square and Rialto Bridge. It’s a recently refurbished palace in San Luca square, it offers single and double spacious and bright ensuite rooms.
2. Dorsoduro
Dorsoduro is a district of Venice famous for its museums and art galleries.
The most important ones are the Galleria dell’Accademia, where you can admire Bellini’s masterpieces, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the modern and contemporary art collection of Peggy Guggenheim.
It’s a slightly less touristy area compared to San Marco but very lively, especially for the presence of two universities sites (Ca’ Foscari and the IUAV).
In this part of the city, you can find many bars and clubs popular with young people.
The student nightlife takes place in Campo Santa Margherita, the perfect piazza for aperitivo with friends. Here you can find different types of accommodation and for all budgets.
Here’s a selection or three places where to stay in Venice:
- Luxury: Palazzo Veneziano – this luxurious, highly-rated hotel in the Dorsoduro district, is the perfect location to be far from the crowds. It’s close to the S. Basilio ferry stop. The rooms are spacious and feature parquet floors and marble bathrooms. Some of them come with the spa bath.
- Mid-range: Hotel agli Alboretti – this hotel is only a few minutes walk from the Gallerie dell’Accademia museum and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. There’s a lovely terrace on the 4th floor, the rooms are spacious and breakfast is included<. The perfect place for a weekend getaway around the best Venetian museums.
- Budget:Casa Accademia – it’s a great hostel in the heart of this lively neighbourhood. It offers many private rooms (twin, single and double) with private bathrooms too. There’s a free Wi-Fi connection, daily cleaning of the rooms upon request and free luggage deposit.
3. San Polo
San Polo is the smallest of the six sestieri of Venice and is located right in the historical city centre, between San Marco, Dorsoduro, Cannaregio and Santa Croce. This district is quite touristic because Rialto Bridge is situated here.
There’s a wide selection of accommodations for all budgets. This part of the city is close to many top attractions, bars, shops and restaurants.
Apart from the hotels overlooking the canal, San Polo is not that expensive.
It is recommended to stay here if you love exploring the food scene of a city as most of the best and authentic taverns and restaurants are here.
Here’s a selection of three places where to stay in Venice:
- Luxury: Hotel L’Orologio – this luxury hotel is only 5 minutes walk from Rialto Bridge and close to the Grand Canal. The elegant rooms feature a parquet floor, satellite TV and private bathroom. There’s also a bar and a terrace. It’s the perfect place to stay in Venice to not miss anything that it’s going on in the city!
- Mid-range: Ca’ Angeli – this mid-range hotel breakfast room overlooks the Grand Canal and it’s close to Rialto Bridge and Santa Lucia railway station. Ca’ Angeli has only 6 rooms that feature a classic decor. Breakfast is included.
- Budget: Best Holidays Venice – the small guest house is located in an old Venetian palace of the 15th century. It’s only two minutes walk from Rialto Bridge and 10 minutes from St. Mark’s Square. Available double and triple rooms with private bathrooms.
4. Castello
At the eastern end of the historical city centre of Venice, there’s the Castello neighbourhood.
This part of the city is particularly charming and recommended for art lovers and maritime history aficionados.
It is one of the oldest area of the city and the one most closely linked to the glorious maritime past of the Republic of Venice.
Here are located the Arsenale, the naval museums and the Biennale Gardens, a large green oasis open to the public which is also one of the exhibition sites of the Biennale of Art or Architecture.
Here’s a selection of three places where to stay in Venice:
- Luxury: Hotel Londra Palace – this stunning hotel is located in Riva degli Schiavoni and it’s just 5 minutes walk from St. Mark’s Square. The rooms’ decoration are unique as well the silk furnishings and the original paintings. Inside the hotel, the award-winning Do Leoni restaurant serves the best modern Venetian cuisine dishes.
- Mid-range: Hotel Ai Due Principi – this is a mid-range boutique hotel, not far from St. Mark’s Square. It’s been built on a restored historical palace and features a modern decor. Some bathrooms have Bisazza style tiles and hydromassage shower. Some rooms offer canal view too.
- Budget: Veneziacentopercento Rooms & Apartments – this hostel offers shared and private rooms as well as apartments with a kitchen (up to 8 people). All rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi, heating and air-conditioning. This place is perfect to immerse yourself in the authentic Venetian lifestyle and to be far from the crowds.
5. Cannaregio
Cannaregio is the first district of Venice that you encounter when you get off the train. This is also the largest and part of it is touristic and overcrowded.
The main road called ‘Strada Nova‘ starts from the Venice Santa Lucia railway station and the calli that branch off from there are very busy, sooner or later everyone passes this way.
In this area you’ll find a wide choice of hotels and B&Bs, mostly in the medium-low price range, suitable for staying in the city for a short time.
This part of the city will most certainly fascinate you when you start exploring the less touristic streets and piazzas.
Here’s a selection of three places where to stay in Venice:
- Luxury: Carnival Palace – this luxurious hotel offers modern rooms and it’s based in the Jewish Ghetto area. Every morning a full American breakfast is served and over the summer can be enjoyed in the garden outside. The Carnival Palace is only 10 minutes walk away from Santa Lucia railway station.
- Mid-range: Locanda del Ghetto – this 15th century building is located in the Jewish Ghetto and rooms feature parquet floor, air-conditioning, TV and minibar. The accomodation is only 10 minutes walk from the Santa Lucia railway station and 25 minutes from St. Mark’s Square.
- Budget: Hotel Adua – this hotel is 17th century palace based in the Cannaregio district is not far from the railway station. There are thirteen comfortable rooms with TV and air-conditioning and private bathrooms.
6. Santa Croce
Santa Croce is a not the first option on where to stay in Venice for most of tourists. The main reason might be related to the fact that there are no interesting attractions, which are located in other districts of the historical city centre.
Also the number of accommodations is much lower than in other central areas.
I would take into consideration the Santa Croce neighbourhood, especially if you plan to arrive in Venice by car or bus.
Here it’s where the Piazzale Roma and the Santa Lucia railway station are located. If you’ll be driving to Venice and wish to park, you’ll have to leave it in a car park here.
Santa Croce is also recommended for those looking for a quiet area with an authentic atmosphere.
Here’s a selection of three places where to stay in Venice:
- Luxury: Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli e Gran Canal – this hotel offers incredible views over the Gran Canal and for a cheaper price compared to the accomodation based in the San Marco and San Polo neighbourhoods. It’s a 16th century palace only two water bus stops away from St. Mark’s Square. The rooms are elegant with original paintings, satellite TV, air-conditioning and buffet breakfast included.
- Mid-range: Hotel Carlton Capri – is only 5 minutes walk from Santa Lucia railway station and close to the Grand Canal where you can take the water bus. There are superior double, triple and single rooms with TV and air-conditioning and in some cases a buffet breakfast is included.
- Budget: Dimora Il Veliero Romantico – this hostel offers both private ensuite rooms and shared dormitories. The style of this accomodation is simple, bed linen and towels are provided. There’s heating for the winter months and fans for the summer ones. It’s located in a strategic position close to the train and bus stations as well as to some hidden gems of the historical city centre.
7. Mestre
Mestre is the closest town on the mainland to Venice. When looking at where to stay in Venice but can’t find a price-point you like, look at hotels near the train station.
The vibe in Mestre is completely different compared to the romantic and charming one of Venice, but you’ll only be a train stop away from the city of water.
Mestre is also recommended for those arriving in Venice by car and want to avoid parking it in the expensive parking lots in Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto.
Here’s a selection of three places where to stay in Venice:
- Luxury: Elite Hotel Residence – this hotel is based in Mestre, only 10 minutes bus ride from Venice and 5 kilometres from the airport. All rooms and apartments include satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning and minibar. A buffet breakfast with bio and gluten free products is served every morning for guests. There’s also a spa and heated swimming pool where to relax.
- Mid-range: Staycity Aparthotels Venice Mestre – it’s located a few meters away from the Mestre railway station, so you can easily take trains to Venice. If you’re travelling in groups or with your family, you can book a studio or apartment that include kitchenette, air-conditioning, satellite TV and private bathroom. Included in the room rate the buffet breakfast.
- Budget: Anda Venice – an award-winning hostel situated a few minutes away from Mestre railway station. What makes of Anda a unique hostel is its modern and industrial design, the spacious dormitories, the Mac workstations and bar. There’s also a guest kitchen, a private courtyard, luggage deposit, free Wi-Fi and self-service laundrette.
Where to Stay in Venice FAQ Guide
Here are some questions people ask when it comes to what area to stay in Venice.
Where to Stay in Venice: Final Words
Now you should have a better idea of where to stay in Venice and what each neighbourhood in the city can offer you.
Depending on your budget, available time and preferences, here in Venice you can really find what you need all year round!
If you have ample time in Venice you can also check out my article all about Venice tourist attractions to learn what else you can visit in the city during your stay.
📌 Like this guide? Tap to Pin it…
If you found this Venice travel guide helpful, feel free to buy me a virtual coffee here.
“Dear traveller! Some links in this post contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click through and make a tour booking or reserve a hotel, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support means a lot to me and helps me to keep creating and maintaining the quality of this site for you.”
