Where to stay in Venice? Best districts + Hotels

Looking for the best place to stay in Venice?

Follow the guide, we have tested, listed and detailed for you the best areas to stay in Venice as well as the best accommodation in the city we love.

Read also: The 15 best (affordable) hotels in Venice

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If you’re looking for a luxurious experience, don’t miss our selection of the finest hotels in Venice.

Finally, if you have an early morning flight or arrive late at night, check out our recommendations on where to stay near the airport in Venice (Marco Polo). or near Treviso airport.

Not sure where to stay in Venice ? Read our article on the best areas to stay in Venice.

Don’t have time to read everything?

Here are our 3 favourite accommodations sorted by price category:

🚨 These hotels are among the most popular, so don’t delay in booking. Plus, they offer free cancellation, so don’t worry if you change your mind.

(€) Aquavenice. A budget hotel in Venice set in an 18th-century building, rooms are decorated and furnished in a classic style. The hotel is 2 minutes from the ferry stop and 15 minutes from the Rialto Bridge. Book here.

(€€) Hotel Tiziano. Hotel in a 15th century building 5 min from Camp Santa Margharita. Its Venetian-style rooms overlook the Terese Canal in a quiet area surrounded by restaurants. Book here.

(€€) Arcadia Boutique Hotel. Magnificent hotel located in the most popular area for sightseeing. The rooms are spacious and elegant. The breakfast is top notch! Book here.

🏨 Se e other accommodation at the best price 👈

The best area to stay in Venice: San Polo

The city’s smallest district, San Polo is one of Venice’s oldest neighbourhoods. Among the most dynamic and touristic areas, it enjoys a central location, in the heart of the Doge’s City.

The Rialto Bridge was originally built as a pontoon bridge, but after collapsing too many times, it was finally rebuilt in concrete by Antonio da Ponte and inaugurated in 1591.

Today, it is one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions, welcoming visitors from all over the world.

San Polo is also home to one of the city’s largest fish markets (in case you get the urge to cook while on holiday).

Clientele: all types of travellers.

Highlights: San Giacomo di Rialto church, Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari church, Saint Roch church, and Campo San Polo.

Here are our favourite hotels in the best area to stay in Venice

Note: Don’t delay booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Venice.

(€) Aquavenice. Cheap hotel in Venice set in an 18th-century building, the rooms are decorated and furnished in a classic style. The hotel is 2 minutes from the ferry stop and 15 minutes from the Rialto Bridge. Book here.

(€€) Hotel Tiziano. Hotel in a 15th century building 5 min from Camp Santa Margharita. Its Venetian-style rooms overlook the Terese Canal in a quiet area surrounded by restaurants. Book here.

(€€) Arcadia Boutique Hotel. Magnificent hotel located in the most popular area for sightseeing. The rooms are spacious and elegant. The breakfast is top notch! Book here.

🏨 Se e other accommodation at the best price 👈

Cannaregio: the tourist district where to stay in Venice

Home to the famous ^15th-century Palazzo Ca d’Oro, Cannaregio is the largest, most densely populated and perhaps one of the most picturesque districts in Venice.

Dotted with historic monuments and remarkable sites, and steeped in true Venetian authenticity, the area is sure to delight history buffs.

The Jewish Ghetto in Venice is one of the oldest and largest in Europe. It is divided into three sections, the oldest of which dates back to 1516. The Ghetto is also the ideal place to discover the traditional Hanukkah celebrations.

The Osteria Al Bacco, popular with the locals, is one of the oldest and most typical osterias in the city. Its local and traditional cuisine will delight your taste buds!

If you have a little time left over, why not take in a show at the Malibran Theatre?

Public: All types of travellers, especially history buffs.

Highlights: Santa Maria dei Miracoli church, Madonna dell’Orto church, the ruins of Villa Groggia park, and the Museo Ebraico di Venezia (Jewish museum).

Here are our favourite hotels in the tourist district where to stay in Venice

Note: Don’t delay booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Venice.

(€) Aquavenice. A budget hotel in Venice set in an 18th-century building, the rooms are decorated and furnished in a classic style. The hotel is 2 minutes from the ferry stop and 15 minutes from the Rialto Bridge. Book here.

(€€) Hotel Tiziano. Hotel in a 15th century building 5 min from Camp Santa Margharita. Its Venetian-style rooms overlook the Terese Canal in a quiet area surrounded by restaurants. Book here.

(€€) Arcadia Boutique Hotel. Magnificent hotel located in the most popular area for sightseeing. The rooms are spacious and elegant. The breakfast is top notch! Book here.

🏨 Se e other accommodation at the best price 👈

The district where to sleep as a couple in Venice: Lido di Venezia

A small island in the Venice lagoon, the Lido is the ideal getaway for visitors wanting to escape the busy and expensive areas of the city, while still being easily connected to the main sights.

An upmarket area, the Lido boasts an impressive number of restaurants and high-end residential and commercial establishments.

Famous for hosting the Venice Mostra film festival, its Art Deco architecture and numerous sports facilities have long been popular with visitors.

During your stay you can enjoy an afternoon along the private beach of the Lido, admiring the waves of the Adriatic Sea.

Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta(aka Gran Viale), the district’s main thoroughfare, is home to numerous cafés, restaurants, boutiques and hotels.

Public: All types of travellers.

Notable sites: the Monastery of Saint Lazarus of the Armenians, the Alberoni oasis, the church of San Nicolò al Lido, the church of the Tempio Votivo, the ancient Jewish cemetery and the port of Malamocco.

Here are our favourite hotels in the area to stay at as a couple in Venice

Note: Don’t delay in booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Venice.

(€) Aquavenice. This Venice budget hotel is set in an 18th-century building and features classic-style furnishings and décor. The hotel is 2 minutes from the ferry stop and 15 minutes from the Rialto Bridge. Book here.

(€€) Hotel Tiziano. Hotel in a 15th century building 5 min from Camp Santa Margharita. Its Venetian-style rooms overlook the Terese Canal in a quiet area surrounded by restaurants. Book here.

(€€) Arcadia Boutique Hotel. Magnificent hotel located in the most popular area for sightseeing. The rooms are spacious and elegant. The breakfast is top notch! Book here.

🏨 Se e other accommodation at the best price 👈

Mestre: cheap accommodation in Venice

The central and probably most populated district of mainland Venice, Mestre is an affordable alternative if you want to stay close to the Venetian islands, within reasonable driving distance of these dreamy beauties.

Dating back to the Middle Ages, this district is very different from any other in Venice.

Its well-developed public transport network (buses, trains, trams) makes Mestre an ideal base for exploring Venice’s iconic sites and dream destinations.

Popular with budget travellers, the area is particularly busy during the major annual festivals.

Piazza Ferretto, the district’s main square, is home to many restaurants and local shops selling Italian designer clothes.

If you’re travelling on a budget but don’t want to compromise on quality, we also have a list of the best cheap hotels in Venice or the best youth hostels.

Public: All types of travellers, especially those on a budget

Highlights: Villa Foscari, San Giuliano park, Forte Marghera, Santa Maria Assunta de Torcello cathedral, San Lorenzo church, Punta San Giuliano.

Here are our favourite hotels in the cheap district where to stay in Venice

Note: Don’t delay booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Venice.

(€) Aquavenice. This Venice budget hotel is set in an 18th-century building and features classic-style furnishings and décor. The hotel is 2 minutes from the ferry stop and 15 minutes from the Rialto Bridge. Book here.

(€€) Hotel Tiziano. Hotel in a 15th century building 5 min from Camp Santa Margharita. Its Venetian-style rooms overlook the Terese Canal in a quiet area surrounded by restaurants. Book here.

(€€) Arcadia Boutique Hotel. Magnificent hotel located in the most popular area for sightseeing. The rooms are spacious and elegant. The breakfast is top notch! Book here.

San Marco: the district for visiting Venice with the family

One of the six sestieri (districts) of Venice, San Marco is undoubtedly the beating heart of the Serenissima. Napoleon is said to have dubbed the district “the prettiest salon in Europe”.

Breathtakingly beautiful, San Marco is home to some of Venice’s most important sights and monuments, including St Mark’s Basilica.

Now known as the Cathedral Basilica of St Mark’s, the place of worship of the patriarch of Venice, the building dates back to the ^11th century and is considered one of the most emblematic examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture.

Piazza San Marco, or St Mark’s Square, is another of the area’s main attractions, and is the main square not only of the district but of the city as a whole.

If you’re just passing through for a short while and want to get a first impression of Venice, this is probably the place to be.

For those travelling with the family and looking for suitable accommodation, here are our suggestions on where to sleep with the family in Venice.

Public: All types of travellers.

Notable sites: Bridge of Sighs, Doge’s Palace, Harry’s Bar, Palazzo Dandolo (Hotel Danieli), La Fenice opera house, San Maurizio church, San Salvador church.

Here are our favourite hotels in the area to stay in Venice with children

Note: Don’t delay in booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Venice.

(€) Aquavenice. A budget hotel in Venice set in an 18th-century building, the rooms are decorated and furnished in a classic style. The hotel is 2 minutes from the ferry stop and 15 minutes from the Rialto Bridge. Book here.

(€€) Hotel Tiziano. Hotel in a 15th century building 5 min from Camp Santa Margharita. Its Venetian-style rooms overlook the Terese Canal in a quiet area surrounded by restaurants. Book here.

(€€) Arcadia Boutique Hotel. Magnificent hotel located in the most popular area for sightseeing. The rooms are spacious and elegant. The breakfast is top notch! Book here.

Giudecca: the popular district

A popular district for students and young professionals, Giudecca is a group of four islands located to the south of the central islands of the Venetian lagoon, to which it is linked by the canal of the same name.

Less than 5 minutes from the centre of Venice by vaporetto, Giudecca is the epitome of luxury and a popular weekend getaway for city centre residents.

Surrounded by magnificent blue waters, the island offers picturesque views over the rooftops of Venice, including some of the iconic buildings in the San Marco district.

The Church of the Redeemer, a historic monument dating back to the ^16th century, remains one of the largest and most impressive Venetian churches of all time.

Public: All types of travellers, especially young people.

Notable sites: Palazzo Barbaro Nani, Palazzo Mocenigo, Zitelle church, State Archives, Croce bridge, Trinity monastery, Church of the Redeemer.

Here are our favourite hotels in this district to stay at in Venice

Note: Don’t delay in booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Venice.

(€) Aquavenice. This Venice budget hotel is set in an 18th-century building and features classic-style furnishings and décor. The hotel is 2 minutes from the ferry stop and 15 minutes from the Rialto Bridge. Book here.

(€€) Hotel Tiziano. Hotel in a 15th century building 5 min from Camp Santa Margharita. Its Venetian-style rooms overlook the Terese Canal in a quiet area surrounded by restaurants. Book here.

(€€) Arcadia Boutique Hotel. Magnificent hotel located in the most popular area for sightseeing. The rooms are spacious and elegant. The breakfast is top notch! Book here.

The area to go out in Venice: Dorsoduro

Situated along the Grand Canal, opposite the San Marco district, the sestiere of Dorsoduro is home to two of Venice’s most important artistic and cultural institutions, the Peggy Guggenheim Museum and the Academy Galleries.

The former is renowned for its vast collection of works by masters such as Picasso, Pollock and Duchamp, while the latter is celebrated for its collection of ^{pre-19th-century} art and is the city’s most popular art gallery.

This artistic quarter also enjoys a thriving festive life. In the piazza del Campo Santa Margherita, young people and other night owls come together in a relaxed atmosphere to create a lively nightlife scene.

Public: All types of travellers.

Highlights: Palazzo CàRezzonico, San Sebastiano church, Santa Maria della Salute basilica, Scuola Grande dei Carmini palace, and the Squero di San Trovaso, gondola maintenance workshop.

Here are our favourite hotels in the area where to go out in Venice

Note: Don’t delay in booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Venice.

(€) Aquavenice. A budget hotel in Venice set in an 18th-century building, the rooms are decorated and furnished in a classic style. The hotel is 2 minutes from the ferry stop and 15 minutes from the Rialto Bridge. Book here.

(€€) Hotel Tiziano. Hotel in a 15th century building 5 min from Camp Santa Margharita. Its Venetian-style rooms overlook the Terese Canal in a quiet area surrounded by restaurants. Book here.

(€€) Arcadia Boutique Hotel. Magnificent hotel located in the most popular area for sightseeing. The rooms are spacious and elegant. The breakfast is top notch! Book here.

Castello: the authentic district of Venice

On the border of the two popular but distinguished districts of San Marco and Cannaregio, Castello offers visitors the best of both worlds.

The largest district in Venice, Castello is within walking distance of all the city’s main tourist attractions.

The Venice Biennale, a cultural centre famous for hosting numerous art and architecture exhibitions, is one of the most visited attractions in the area.

The district’s proximity to two major areas of the city means that visitors can explore the main sites of the Serenissima on foot.

Public: All types of travellers.

Notable sites: Bridge of Sighs, Venice Arsenal, Church of San Zaccaria, Church of Santa Maria Formosa, Scuola Grande di San Marco, and Basilica of San Giovanni e Paolo.

Here are our favourite hotels in the authentic district where to stay in Venice

Note: Don’t delay booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Venice.

(€) Aquavenice. A budget hotel in Venice set in an 18th-century building, the rooms are decorated and furnished in a classic style. The hotel is 2 minutes from the ferry stop and 15 minutes from the Rialto Bridge. Book here.

(€€) Hotel Tiziano. Hotel in a 15th century building 5 min from Camp Santa Margharita. Its Venetian-style rooms overlook the Terese Canal in a quiet area surrounded by restaurants. Book here.

(€€) Arcadia Boutique Hotel. Magnificent hotel located in the most popular area for sightseeing. The rooms are spacious and elegant. The breakfast is top notch! Book here.

Santa Croce: the Venetian quarter

Home to some of Venice’s main public transport hubs, Santa Croce is also the city’s least touristy district.

With fewer tourists and more locals, this sestiere feels more Venetian than any other part of the city.

Majestic century-old buildings line its streets, while its modest vendors and fabric stalls replace the chic, upmarket shops of the city centre.

Most of the sights are to be found in the eastern part of the district, including the church of San Giacomo dell’Orio, a ^9th-century religious building rebuilt in 1225 and famous for its historic paintings.

A reasonable alternative to the central islands, we advise visitors to stay around Piazzale Roma, where they will find easy connections to the city centre.

Public: all types of travellers

Highlights: Piazza Santa Croce, National Library and Scuola di Cuio

Here are our favourite hotels in the Venetian Quarter to stay at in Venice

Note: Don’t delay in booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Venice.

(€) Aquavenice. A budget hotel in Venice set in an 18th-century building, the rooms are decorated and furnished in a classic style. The hotel is 2 minutes from the ferry stop and 15 minutes from the Rialto Bridge. Book here.

(€€) Hotel Tiziano. Hotel in a 15th century building 5 min from Camp Santa Margharita. Its Venetian-style rooms overlook the Terese Canal in a quiet area surrounded by restaurants. Book here.

(€€) Arcadia Boutique Hotel. Magnificent hotel located in the most popular area for sightseeing. The rooms are spacious and elegant. The breakfast is top notch! Book here.

If Venice is on your list of destinations, get ready for an unforgettable experience. Whether you want to satisfy your taste buds, spend a memorable evening or discover the city’s historical treasures, we’ve got you covered. For food lovers, discover the best restaurants where to eat in Venice. If you want to experience the Roman nightlife and discover the city’s trendiest spots, check out our guide to the best bars and clubs where to go out in Venice. And of course, for a cultural and historical immersion, don’t miss our must-see activities and visits on what to visit in Venice.