Venice also known as ‘La Serenissima’ to recall the glorious past of the city, over time never stopped fascinating visitors from all over the world.
What makes of Venice such a unique gem?
The list can be 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
With this post, I’m going to explain 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
It’s good to know that the historical centre of Venice is divided into 6 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, so you’ll 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!
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.
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° view of Venice you can enjoy from here.
- 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.
Things to do in San Marco:
- Visit St. Mark’s Square with the St. Mark’s Basilica and nearby Doge’s Palace
- Take a picture of the Bridge of Sighs;
- Climb the St. Mark’s Campanile for the best eye-bird view of Venice;
- Walk along Riva degli Schiavoni;
- Visit the Royal Gardens of Venice;
- Climb the Contarini del Bovolo staircase;
- Visit the church of Santa Maria Formosa;
- Visit the Querini Stampalia Foundation which hosts masterpieces of famous Venetian artists such as Canaletto, Bellini and Tintoretto.
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.
Things to do in Dorsoduro:
- Visit the Gallerie dell’Accademia and cross the Accademia bridge;
- Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection;
- Visit the Santa Maria della Salute church, the second for importance after St. Mark’s Basilica;
- Have some ‘cicchetti’ in front of the San Trovaso squero (gondolas boatyard);
- Take a walk along the Zattere and admire the sunset;
- Have aperitivo with a Venetian Aperol Spritz in Campo Santa Margherita.
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.
Things to do in San Polo:
- Cross the Rialto Bridge and visit the Rialto market area;
- Visit the Basilica S. Maria dei Frari;
- Visit the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, an art museum dedicated to the artist Tintoretto;
- Walk around and feel like a local in the San Tomà campo;
- Visit the Carlo Goldoni’s house.
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.
Things to do in Castello:
- Have a walk around the Arsenale;
- Visit the Biennale of Art and Architecture and the Biennale Gardens;
- Explore the Historic Naval Museum;
- Visit the art masterpieces inside the San Francesco della Vigna church;
- Visit the majestic Basilica of Santi Giovanni and Paolo.
Cannaregio
Cannaregio is the first district of Venice that you encounter when you get off the train.
This is also the largest one and part of it is particularly 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.
Things to do in Cannaregio:
- Visit the Jewish Ghetto and the Jewish Museum;
- Walk down the Rio della Misericordia where to stop for a meal in one the traditional Venetian restaurants;
- Walk through the narrowest calle of Venice: Calletta Varisco!
- Eat in a traditional Jewish restaurant;
- Cross the peculiar bridges called Ponte delle Guglie and Ponte dei Tre Archi;
- Visit the Baroque style Chiesa degli Scalzi.
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 want to park your car in Venice, you’ll have to leave it in the parking lot 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.
Things to do in Santa Croce:
- Visit the Museum of Natural History;
- Visit the palace of Ca’ Pesaro with its International Gallery of Modern Art ;
- Visit Palazzo Mocenigo with the Museum and Study Center of History of the Cloth and the Costume;
- Visit the churches of San Giacomo dall’Orio and San Nicola da Tolentino;
- Stop by the two ‘campi’ of San Stae and San Zuane Degolà.
Mestre
Mestre is the closest town on the mainland to Venice.
If you’re checking where to stay in Venice but can’t find what you’re looking for, try to look at hotels and guest houses in this town.
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.
Things to do in Mestre:
- Stroll around Piazza Ferretto, the main public piazza;
- Walk down the liberty style Gallerie Matteotti and stop by the historical shops located inside;
- Visit the M9, the Museum of the 20th Century;
- Take a walk in Parco San Giuliano, the largest urban park in Europe facing the Venetian lagoon;
- Discover everything about military history at the Forte Marghera.
Best area to stay in Venice?
The best area to stay in Venice is the San Marco neighbourhood (or ‘sestiere’ in Venetian). Here’s where the main attractions are located such as St. Mark’s Square, the Campanile, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sighs.
The Rialto Bridge is in the San Polo neighbourhood, but only 15 minutes walk from the popular landmarks mentioned above.
I also suggest taking into consideration the districts of San Polo and Dorsoduro, if you’re not a first time visitor of Venice. They’re less touristic and crowded and perfect to get a sense of the Venetian lifestyle during your stay.
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. Here there are most of the best hotels and guest houses of the city, 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.
Where to Stay in Venice Map
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 of the city offers.
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.
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