Where to stay in Venice: the best areas for your trip

In short: for a first visit, stay in San Marco or near the Rialto. For a more local feel, Cannaregio; for calm and museums, Dorsoduro or Castello; on a tight budget, Mestre, on the mainland. Staying in the historic city means enjoying Venice in the evening and early morning, when the lanes empty out.

Understanding Venice in two minutes

The historic city is divided into six districts (sestieri), crossed by the Grand Canal. In the middle is San Marco and its famous square; to the north, Cannaregio, up to Santa Lucia station; to the east, Castello; across the Grand Canal, San Polo (the Rialto), Santa Croce (near Piazzale Roma, where buses and cars arrive) and Dorsoduro. To the south lies Giudecca island and, further out, the Lido and its beaches. There are no cars: you get around on foot and by vaporetto (water bus).

The right area for your trip

First visit: San Marco and the Rialto

Closest to St Mark’s Square, the basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Rialto Bridge: you are at the heart of everything. It is also the busiest and most expensive area; the lanes around San Polo, across the Rialto, are a good compromise.

Local life and families: Cannaregio

More residential, with canals lined with bacari (wine bars) and the Jewish Ghetto, one of the oldest in Europe, Cannaregio is close to the station: handy if you arrive with suitcases. In the evening, the Fondamenta della Misericordia is very lively.

Calm and art: Dorsoduro

The Gallerie dell’Accademia, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the Salute basilica and the sunny Zattere quays: Dorsoduro is elegant and quieter, ideal for couples.

Away from the crowds: Castello

To the east, Castello mixes quiet lanes, washing lines and the Biennale gardens. Hotels near the Riva degli Schiavoni are a few minutes from St Mark’s.

Arriving by bus or car: Santa Croce

Near Piazzale Roma, where airport buses and cars arrive, Santa Croce is handy for an early departure or a late arrival.

Islands and beach: Giudecca and the Lido

Giudecca, opposite St Mark’s, offers calm and superb views. The Lido is a beach option in summer, a vaporetto ride from the centre.

On a budget: Mestre

On the mainland, Mestre has hotels that are often much cheaper, about ten minutes from Venice by train or bus. Practical, but you miss the evenings in the historic city.

Getting to Venice

• By train: Santa Lucia station is on the Grand Canal; the vaporetto leaves right outside.
• From Marco Polo Airport: buses to Piazzale Roma or Alilaguna boats to several stops in the city.

For timetables and fares, check the official websites. A private water taxi drops you close to your hotel: handy with luggage, but much more expensive.

Our booking tips

1. Travel light: bridges have steps, and wheeled suitcases often have to be carried. Choose a hotel near a vaporetto stop.
2. Check the nearest vaporetto stop and the route from the station or Piazzale Roma.
3. Allow for the tourist tax, per person per night, and find out about the access fee and the exemption process for overnight visitors.
4. Avoid ground-floor rooms in autumn and winter, the acqua alta (high water) season.
5. Book early for Carnival, the Biennale and summer.

Once you’re there

To plan your days, see our guide Things to do in Venice, and for the rest of your trip, our guide Travel in Italy. The areas and useful services are on our Venice page.