Where to stay in Venice: best areas and neighborhoods

A city known and loved all over the world, Venice is one of the most fascinating and evocative places, with its bridges, its streets, and the buildings where parties and ceremonies once took place. It hosts millions of tourists every year, some visit it quickly in half a day or so, while others decide to stay a few days. If you also want to indulge in an in-depth tour of the city, you must carefully evaluate the area in which to stay and consider the attractions it offers, its prices, its proximity to the station and much more. Venice is a fairly expensive city, but with some small tricks you can find solutions suitable for all budgets!
Here is a guide on where to sleep in Venice, with advice and info on the best neighborhoods to stay in.

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In a hurry? Here's our recommended accommodation

Useful tips: the best neighborhoods to stay in Venice

Foto di Wheresleep.

​​Venice is divided into 6 main sestieri (districts) plus other locations such as Mestre (located on the mainland) and islands such as Murano, Burano, Torcello, Giudecca, etc.
The lagoon part has no streets but instead has canals, including the famous Grand Canal, flanked by Renaissance and Gothic palaces. Moving on foot therefore becomes an almost unavoidable choice, although the vaporetto, the gondola, and water taxi services are also available options.

The best district to stay in is San Marco, the most central district of all, but also the most expensive one! The districts of Dorsoduro and San Polo are also valid alternatives: they are stone's throw from San Marco and offer more affordable prices, as well as many nightlife activities for young people. Cannaregio, on the other hand, is one of the most authentic areas.
The most distant districts are Santa Croce and Castello. Santa Croce district has the Santa Lucia railway station and Piazzale Roma, the main bus terminal. Castello, on the other hand, is a mainly residential neighborhood, but an ideal base if you have come to Venice to visit the Biennale fair.

• Best accommodations: we have selected the best hotels, b&bs and hostels in Venice. Check out our recommendations and make your reservation on Booking

Sestiere San Marco, the Centre of Culture

• Pros: Central location, rich history, and iconic landmarks
• Cons: Very crowded and expensive
• Main attractions: Piazza San Marco, Basilica di San Marco, Campanile di San Marco
• Average prices: From €120,00 per night – Find top stays on Booking

The San Marco district is certainly the most famous and also the most touristic, and offers pricier accommodations and luxurious and historic hotels, such as the Danieli. However, it is the heart of Venice, with the most beautiful historical and architectural treasures, such as the Basilica of San Marco with the Campanile, the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, the Fenice Theater and much more.
Served by several vaporetto stops, San Marco is one of the most expensive neighborhoods both for accommodation and for restaurants and shops, and therefore it is recommended for those on a high budget and for families with children who do not want to walk too much. Here, in fact, everything you need is at your fingertips. The downside is that this district is crowded with tourists from morning to evening and the noise of the vaporetti never stops.

Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €120,00 - compare the best accommodation on booking

Discover the attractions of the district: the San Marco district includes the Basilica of San Marco with the Campanile, the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the Fenice Theater.

Recommended Accommodations

Sestiere Cannaregio, best for families

• Pros: Authentic local vibe, fewer tourists, great dining options
• Cons: Some areas are less lively in the evening
• Main attractions: Jewish Ghetto, Strada Nuova, Chiesa della Madonna dell’Orto
• Average prices: From €100,00 per night – Find top stays on Booking

In the northern part of the city, a few minutes from the Santa Lucia station, is one of the districts where you can still experience the authentic soul of the city. This district includes the Jewish Ghetto, Ponte degli Scalzi, Ponte delle Guglie and many kinds of shops and restaurants.
Cannaregio is a quiet and residential area that we recommend to families, couples or groups of friends who want to take advantage of the convenience the railway and the vaporetto involve, but are also looking for romantic corners to spend the evening. In addition, when it comes to accommodation, you will be spoiled with choices ranging from economic solutions to luxury accommodations.

Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €100,00 - compare the best accommodation on booking

Discover the attractions of the district: in the Cannaregio district you will find the Jewish Ghetto, the Ponte degli Scalzi and the Ponte delle Guglie.

Recommended Accommodations

Sestiere Dorsoduro, the Artists' Quarter

• Pros: Art and culture hub, quieter atmosphere
• Cons: Further from the main attractions
• Main attractions: Gallerie dell'Accademia, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Zattere promenade
• Average prices: From €120,00 per night – Find top stays on Booking

This sestiere of Venice is the one that most encompasses Venetian creativity and is considered the artists' quarter. Characterized by silent alleys (aka calli), buildings that tell the history of the city and art galleries, here you can find the Accademia Gallery, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the wonderful Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute.
The alleys are full of wine bistros, bars and shops. It is a popular place for young people, especially Campo Santa Margherita, a square full of spots offering aperitifs and after dinner drinks. Furthermore, although the area is a few steps from San Marco, the accommodations in this district cost less than in other districts, so it is also suitable for low-cost travelers.

Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €120,00 - compare the best accommodations on booking

Discover the attractions of the neighborhood: in the Dorsoduro Sestiere there are the Accademia Gallery, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the wonderful Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute.

Recommended Accommodations

Sestiere San Polo, best for fun and nightlife

• Pros: Great location near Rialto, charming streets
• Cons: Can be noisy in tourist-heavy areas
• Main attractions: Rialto Market, Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
• Average prices: From €110,00 per night – Find top stays on Booking

This district is known for the Rialto Bridge and the wonderful views of the Grand Canal of Venice, a destination for gondola tours. It is also the one that houses the Carlo Goldoni house museum, the Ponte della Donna Onesta, which has many legends about it, the Basilica dei Frari and Piazza Campo San Polo, full of bars and places to sip a coffee or an aperitif sitting in the sun.
Moreover, thanks to the presence of the market, it is a lively district where the locals meet for the famous "cicchetti" in the area of ​​the Erbaria canal, and is therefore recommended for young people and in general for those looking for central accommodation and liveliness. The district is also not too far from the station (15 min walk). The accommodations offer is quite varied and ranges from luxurious hotels to pensions offering lower prices, as well as b&bs and vacation rentals.

Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €110,00 - compare the best accommodations on booking

Discover the attractions of the neighborhood: the Sestiere San Polo houses the Ponte di Rialto, la house-museum of Carlo Goldoni, the Ponte della Donna Onesta, the Basilica dei Frari and Piazza Cmapo San Paolo.

Recommended Accommodations

Sestiere Santa Croce, perfect for relax

• Pros: Quieter area, close to transportation hubs
• Cons: Fewer iconic landmarks
• Main attractions: Campo San Giacomo dell’Orio, Fondaco dei Turchi
• Average prices: From €90,00 per night – Find top stays on Booking

The district does not offer great attractions, with exceptions such as Gallery of Modern Art, the Museum of Palazzo Mocenigo and Piazza Campo San Giacomo. It is therefore ideal for those who want to visit Venice but want to stay away from crowded touristic areas, and at the same time want to be able to reach them by bus, car or train.
Santa Croce, in fact, is located north of San Polo and includes Piazzale Roma, where the bus terminal and a large car park are located. In addition, it also includes the Santa Lucia railway station. Well connected to the center by water buses, it has numerous accommodations with reasonable prices but at the same time offers numerous restaurants, trattorias and bars where you can taste typical dishes and mingle with the locals.

Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €90,00 - compare the best accommodations on booking

Discover the attractions of the neighborhood: Sestiere Santa Croce is not exactly one of the richest in attractions, however it houses the Galleria di Arte Moderna, the Palazzo Mocenigo Museum and piazza Campo San Giacomo

Recommended Accommodations

Sestiere Castello, the largest Sestriere

Pros: Peaceful, local atmosphere, lush gardens
Cons: Less central
Main attractions: Arsenale, Giardini della Biennale
Average prices: From €100,00 per night – Find top stays on Booking

Located in the easternmost part of Venice, this district is one of the least known and one of the largest in the city, and is characterized by wide avenues, residential areas and parks where you can admire the lagoon and San Marco. Here you will find the famous Arsenal, the naval museums and the very famous Biennale.

Castello offers several accommodations suitable for those looking for a more relaxing and genuine stay and for more reasonable prices. On the other hand, it can be a bit inconvenient because it is about 25 minutes from Piazza San Marco if you walk and about 23 minutes if you take the vaporetto. Therefore, it is not recommended if you are visiting Venice for the first time, while it is a great area if you are in Venice specifically to visit the Biennale.

Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €100,00 - compare the best offers on booking

Discover the attractions of the district: the Sestiere Castello is home to the famous Arsenale, the naval museums and the world-famous Biennale. It also offers several parks to enjoy panoramic views of the lagoon and San Marco.

Recommended Accommodations

Places to stay near Venice

Since Venice has a lot to offer and see, staying in its sestieri is the best choice, especially if you have a few days to spare. The city is expensive, but as we have seen, you can find solutions suitable for all types of travelers and for all budgets. However, a good alternative solution is represented by Mestre, since it is the mainland location closest to Venice (10 km / 15 min). Here you will find different accommodations of every price, suitable even for the lowest budgets, certainly much cheaper than those in the Lagoon. From Mestre you can then reach Venice by tram T1 or bus 4L leading to piazzale Roma (20 min) or by the direct regional train of Trenitalia from the Venezia-Mestre station to Venice-Santa Lucia (10 min) - Hotel and b&b starting from €60,00 per room

• Murano (2 km / 20 min by Vaporetto): Famous for glassmaking, Murano offers a serene escape with artisan workshops and quaint canals. – Compare accommodation on Booking
• Burano (7 km / 45 min by Vaporetto): Known for colorful houses and lace-making traditions, it’s perfect for photography lovers. – Compare accommodation on Booking
• Torcello (10 km / 1 h by Vaporetto): A quiet island rich in history, featuring the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta. – Compare accommodation on Booking
• Padua (40 km / 30 min by train): A lively university city with the Scrovegni Chapel and a vibrant atmosphere. – Compare accommodation on Booking
• Verona (115 km / 1 h 15 min by train): A romantic city known for its Roman Arena and Juliet’s Balcony. – Compare accommodation on Booking

If you are in Venice for a business trip or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on Booking.com

Venice accommodations price map

Booking.com

Guide to the areas of Venice

Venice is divided into 6 districts, aka sestieri (Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Marco, San Polo and Santa Croce) each with specific characteristics and peculiarities.

The most touristic are Dorsoduro, Cannaregio, Santa Croce and San Marco, because they are located in strategic positions close to the main tourist attractions and ideal for getting around as well. In Santa Croce, in fact, there is the central railway station, while Cannaregio is the starting point for several excursions to Burano and Murano. San Polo, on the other hand, is suitable for young people because of its many clubs, while Castello is the one a little further away and with fewer attractions.

If you want to enjoy the sea a little, you could consider the Lido area, but definitely don't expect a beautiful clear sea. Furthermore, here you will be very far from the city, which you will have to reach by ferry. It is certainly not among the recommended areas, but it is still an option.

Not recommended areas: there are no dangerous or slum areas in Venice to be avoided; however, if you decide to stay on the mainland, in Mestre, avoid the industrial area and Marghera.

Cool things to do in Venice

• Gondola Ride: A must for a romantic or iconic Venetian experience. Book in advance to avoid long queues. More info here.
• Venetian Mask Workshop: Learn the art of traditional mask-making and create your own souvenir. More info here.
• Murano and Burano Glass Tour: Explore the vibrant island with a guided walk to explore the traditional glass factories. More info here.
• Vivaldi's Four Season Concert: Venice is known for its classical musical tradition. If you want to explore this beautiful world, you need to start from there! More info here.
• Explore the beautiful Teatro la Fenice: it's one of the most important theaters of the world, if you are visiting Venice you cannot skip this one. More info here.

Travel Tips

• Language: While Italian is the official language, English is widely spoken in tourist areas. Learn basic Italian phrases to enhance your experience.
• Wifi: Many public spaces and accommodations offer free WiFi, but a local SIM card can be handy.
• Transport: Venice is car-free. Use Vaporetti or Traghettos to get around, or explore on foot. Buy a transport pass for unlimited rides.
• Shopping: Don’t miss Murano for glassware, Burano for lace, and Rialto Market for local specialties.
• Best areas for nightlife: Campo Santa Margherita for lively bars or the Casino di Venezia for an upscale evening.