Where to Stay in Venice, Italy
How does one person become an expert on where to stay in Venice, Italy?
In this case, live in Milan for several years, under 3 hours by train from Venice, and visit often like I did!
Venice was so close to Milan that I visited often, sometimes even as part of a last-minute weekend plan. So when people ask me about where to stay in Venice, Italy, I have quite a few ideas from all of the great places I’ve stayed.
Amazingly, I never repeated a hotel or B&B stay in my many trips. Partly because it’s fun to explore new neighborhoods and get to know the city, and also because there was one trip with my parents when they visited, one as a solo traveler, another with friends, and so on.
Which is good news for you, because I have *personally stayed* at almost all of the places listed below. And can attest to what great jumping off points they are for exploring this magical city.
I don’t know that there is one singular best place to stay in Venice – either a specific hotel or neighborhood – but there are certainly are many best places to stay in Venice, Italy.
And let’s be real, this is life, not every experience was completely magical. So I’ve also included plenty of TRAVEL SAVVY TIPS and resources to help you avoid common pitfalls that come along with staying in Venice – so you can focus on enjoying this incredible city!
Where to Stay in Venice, Italy
As you’ll see in your research, there is no one right or easy answer as to where to stay in Venice.
It may depend on:
- Whether you are traveling solo or as a couple or in a group
- Whether you are traveling with family or friends
- If this is your first trip to Venice or a return visit
- How many nights you’ll be staying
Are you overwhelmed yet?
Not to worry, while the options are many, I think there are really some very basic things to keep in mind.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Most visitors when deciding where to stay in Venice will either want to be close to the train station OR close to the main tourist sights around St. Mark’s Square/Piazza San Marco. → Decide which you’d prefer.
And it’s also important to keep in mind that Venice is not like other cities you’ve ever visited. For one, there are NO CARS.
So it helps to have some idea of what sights you’ll see on your visit, and how much walking you’d like to do to pick the best location to stay in Venice.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Regardless of where in Venice you stay, I always recommend staying close to a stop for the vaporetto, which is Venice’s metro system – by boat! It is a great way to get around the city and even to some of the islands you can’t reach by strolling across a bridge, like Murano and Burano.
Best Places to Stay in Venice, Italy
Now this is the part you’ve been waiting for – specific recommendations of places you can stay that are convenient, affordable (or maybe even a splurge!) and considered to be in a best location to stay in Venice
Best Places to Stay in Venice Close to St. Mark’s Square
If this is your first trip to Venice, let’s face it, you probably want to stay close to St. Mark’s Square, known in Italian as Piazza San Marco. That is where many iconic sights are located, and you’ll get to view them at all hours of the day as you explore.
While you’ll need to get yourself from the train or bus to your hotel (most likely by boat, of course!) once you have dropped off your luggage, Venice will be at your doorstep.
Arriving at the airport in Venice?
Check out options for airport transfers HERE
There is also a bus from the Marco Polo airport to Piazzale Roma (right by the train station and main vaporetto metro boat stops) that runs every 20-30 minutes and costs €8 one-way or €15 for a round-trip ticket.
Find the current bus timetable for the “Venice Marco Polo Airport – Venice Piazzale Roma (express service)” HERE
FOR AFFORDABLE LUXURY
Location:
3-minute walk to the St. Mark’s Square/Piazza San Marco
3-minute walk to the closest vaporetto stop (the Venice metro boats) with a lot of available routes
Price:
$150/€130 per night, approximately
Why I Liked It:
I got lucky and was able to stay here last minute on a July visit and can attest that even though it is a gorgeous, historic building with a traditional Venetian feel, the A/C is modern and will combat the hottest day you might face in Venice. The staff is very hospitable and it really is a beautiful property. Plus, the hotel is in a great location, so it’s really great value for money.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! They also have some cheaper single rooms if you are a solo traveler.
QUAINT B&B
Location:
10-minute walk to the St. Mark’s Square/Piazza San Marco
4-minute walk to the closest vaporetto stop (the Venice metro boats)
2- minute walk to the Bridge of the Accademia/Ponte dell’Accademia (one of the few bridges that crosses the Grand Canal!)
Price:
$160/€140 per night, approximately
Why I Liked It:
With a 5.0 score on Trip Advisor with 500+ reviews, who doesn’t love this Bed & Breakfast? Although I have not been able to stay here yet, this is my top choice for my next visit to Venice. While an easy walk to St. Mark’s Square and the main tourist sites, it is also close to a bridge across the Grand Canal that gets less attention than Rialto Bridge, but is just as beautiful. Plus, some of my favorite Venice attractions are right across the bridge. The B&B is recently renovated and reviewers talk about the beautiful property, delicious breakfast, great service, and excellent recommendations around Venice from staff. This is in a quieter part of San Marco quarter, which is a plus for me as well.
Best Places to Stay in Venice Close to the Train Station
The main train station in Venice, Stazione Santa Lucia, has the advantage of also being close to most of the various metro (vaporetto) lines, so it is an easy jumping off point, regardless of where you’d like to explore around Venice.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Be aware that a “hotel close to the Train Station” may also be over a bridge with a lot of stairs, so consider the exact location of your accommodation when deciding which luggage to use for your trip.
READ MORE: 10 Commandments for Visiting Venice
This is my favorite part of Venice to stay, because it is accessible to boats and exploring by foot, but is far away enough from the main tourist hub to have a more relaxed feel. You also have better food options nearby if you’re tired after a day of sightseeing and want to stay close by.
GRAND CANAL VIEW & ROOFTOP BAR
Location:
5-minute walk from the Santa Lucia train station (over a tall bridge)
5-minute walk to the closest vaporetto stop (the Venice metro boats)
Price:
$200-300/€190-270 per night, approximately
Why I Liked It:
This is one of the absolutely closest hotels you can find by the train station, which is your likely arrival point. It’s just a short walk from the station and over a bridge, with plenty of locals lined up to help you with your luggage (for a charge, of course). As for the hotel, it’s the only room I’ve stayed at in Venice with a view of the Grand Canal, so if you splurge for a canal view room you are in for a treat. When my parents visited we stayed here, and they were able to get a good deal through a travel agent back home. Plus, their rooftop bar, the Sky Lounge, is a luxurious spot to spend the evening sipping away as you look out over the water.
TOP-RATED HOTEL ON TRIP ADVISOR
Location:
8-minute walk from the Santa Lucia train station (over a bridge)
8-minute walk to the closest vaporetto stop (the Venice metro boats)
Price:
$250-300/€230-280 per night, approximately
Why I Liked It:
Although I haven’t stayed here, this would be the ultimate splurge hotel in Venice, still with the convenience of the location close to the train station. Those who have been lucky enough to stay here rave about the service and note that staff members exceed expectations so everyone had excellent stays. Although close for getting around, it is also in a quieter neighborhood than the Hotel Carlton above.
CHEAPEST OPTION (& FOR SOLO TRAVELERS/GROUPS)
Location:
10-minute walk from the Santa Lucia train station
20-minute walk to the St. Mark’s Square/Piazza San Marco
10-minute walk to the closest vaporetto stop (the Venice metro boats)
Price:
$110-160/€100-150 per night, approximately
Why I Liked It:
The word ca’ is a shortened version of casa, or house, and there is definitely a homey feel for this place. This was my favorite spot to stay as a solo traveler, and is more affordable than other spots due to having a shared bathroom for the single rooms. The property also has double, triple, and quadruple rooms with private bathrooms. The location is in easy walking distance to stop of my favorite cicchetti and restaurant spots, and also has been renovated since my last stay.
READ MORE: How to Eat Like a Local in Venice – Best Spots to Sample Cicchetti
Where to Stay With a Group or Family
While there’s always the chance of scoring a great hotel or B&B deal, I find that for more than 2 people, an AirBNB is typically the cheapest and most convenient accommodation option – not just in Venice, but in all of Italy!
If you’ve never tried it before, click THIS LINK to get a $40 credit after your first AirBNB stay!
Before booking your AirBNB, definitely read reviews and make sure that other guests have had their stay go smoothly, as not all Venice AirBNB experiences are good ones. (For my one bad AirBNB experience in Venice, I ended up staying the rest of the weekend at the lovely Locanda al Leon – the first spot on this list – which completely redeemed the trip!)
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Pay extra attention to the availability of the host in case of a problem. Also check reviews to see if people met their host quickly or waited a long time, which happens more frequently with AirBNBs in Venice vs. other places.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! If you visit in summer, be sure that there was adequate A/C noted by other guests (and that the property has it in the first place!).
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! If you are arriving very early or late in the day, make sure there will be someone available at your arrival time.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Be sure to have the ability to call local phone numbers and/or be on a data signal to use apps to get in touch with the person you are meeting, if needed.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Of course, you may be surprised to learn that AirBNB can sometimes be more expensive than a hotel, so I always recommend checking your options so you can make an informed choice:
Explore AirBNB options in Venice HERE
Check Hotel and B&B prices in Venice HERE
Tips on Where to Stay in Venice and Booking Strategies
For most visitors, the challenge is not where to stay in Venice, but how to get to your accommodation once you arrive in the city!
Since cars are not allowed in Venice, visitors basically arrive by bus or train (the stations for both are close to one another), and then make their way to a hotel or guesthouse on foot or by boat.
While some hotels offer shuttle service to arrive, I’ve always found my way on my own.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Whatever your plan, take into account how you will arrive and how far somewhere is from the train station when making your hotel booking.
When deciding on where to stay in Venice, you can quickly check details using the public transportation option on Google Maps – in Venice, it shows you boat routes!
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Sometimes B&Bs are more expensive than hotels – and sometimes the reverse is true – so be sure to check for Venice accommodations with your dates inserted to compare prices and availability.
However you decide to book, be sure to consult the Travel Savvy Gal Checklist for Booking Accommodation to make sure there’s nothing you forget to check when you decide where to stay in Venice.
Once you’ve booked, wherever you’re staying will likely provide information on the best way to arrive, whether it is by foot or boat.
BOAT OPTIONS
If you are figuring this out on your own, there are 2 main boat options:
Boat Taxi – this is different from the metro boat (vaporetto) and different from a gondola. Just like you can hail a car taxi on a city street, you can grab a boat taxi leaving the docks next to the train station.
Boat Metro (vaporetto) – Like in any other city, the public transportation option will be the cheapest. You can purchase vaporetto tickets from a machine in person when you arrive, or arrange it ahead of time as part of a Venice City Pass. There is also an app for your mobile phone: the AVM Venezia Official App.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! No matter how you purchase your vaporetto ticket, be sure to validate the ticket by scanning it with the machine on the dock outside of the train station. They will come and check sometimes and you could be fined if you forget!
READ MORE: Top Tips to Avoid the Biggest Mistakes Tourists Make in Italy
Want to know more about Venice and making the most of the city? Check out my other Venice posts!
READ MORE: 10 Commandments for Visiting Venice
READ MORE: How to Eat Like a Local in Venice – Best Spots to Sample Cicchetti
READ MORE: 11 Things That Look Just a Bit Different in Venice
READ MORE: Venice Cheat Sheet
Going to other places in Italy on your visit?
READ MORE: Top Aperitivo Spots in Milan
READ MORE: Where to Stay in Florence
READ MORE: Best Bites: Where to Eat in Rome
READ MORE: Naples Cheat Sheet
And for some more tips on traveling across Italy:
READ MORE: Top 10 Ways to Experience Italy Like a Local
READ MORE: Where to Find the Best Gelato in Italy
Plus, invest in a hard copy (or electronic!) guide for extra trip planning details and inspiration:
Venice City Guide, including Day Trips
Italian Phrasebook & Dictionary
Happy travels!
Lana
Are there any questions about staying in Venice that I haven’t answered yet? Let me know in the ‘Comments’ below.
Planning a trip to Venice sometime soon (or want to)? Or not ready to book yet? ‘Pin’ this post to save for later!
