In which quarter house in Venice?

Where to sleep in Venice? Quarter by neighborhood, we tell you everything to help you find the best hotel to stay in Venice!

When deciding where to sleep in Venice, it is important to know some things about the differences between its many neighbourhoods. Should you stay near the main square, Piazza San Marco, or would you prefer to sleep near the station, taking into account that you will often have to walk or take a taxi boat to your hotel?

The picturesque alleys of Venice can become a real labyrinth for you, and even a good map and a roulette bag will not be of great help to climb and descend the bridges, mainly composed of steps rather than smooth slopes. In short, Venice is different from all other cities in the world, and this article will help you choose which area to stay in Venice.

The main areas of Venice are Cannaregio, Santa Croce, San Polo, Dorsoduro, San Marco, Castello and the island of Giudecca. It is important to know that the most important sites in Venice are in the San Marco district, which is obviously an ideal place to sleep in Venice, but also the most popular area of tourists, and therefore the most expensive.

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San Marco, the most central area of Venice

In San Marco, you can't be more central than that, for the best and for the worst. The sestiere (neighborhood) of San Marco, which extends from Place Saint-Marc to the bridge of the Accademia, has a multitude of five-star hotels, a handful of more modest hostels, some shops and galleries very chic and the animation that other neighborhoods do not offer. The most emblematic monuments of Venice are here, but also the hordes of tourists who have come to admire them. A good place to sleep in Venice, but not the quietest of the city.

Castello, the neighborhood for small budgets

Castello stretches from the lively walk of Riva degli Schiavoni to the alleys around the church of San Francesco della Vigna, thus including residential areas close to the via Garibaldi (the shopping street of the neighborhood where you can eat some cicchietti, local tapas) and the old Arsenale shipbuilding. There are some beautiful churches here, and great restaurants. This is sestiere offers many interesting things, all about fifteen minutes walk from San Marco. It’s an ideal neighborhood to save on your housing budget.

Cannaregio, the neighborhood for nightlife

At first sight the district of Cannaregio, with its quiet canals, might seem a little dead. But it’s not true. In the evening, these same channels become a hub of nightlife, with noisy crowds full of trendy bars and cozy restaurants. Cannaregio is the ancient Jewish ghetto, and you can take his pulse on Campo del Ghetto Novo. Note that the neighbourhood has become a den of artists and craftsmen, a significant point that feels in the alleys of the sestiere . Located not far from the Place Saint-Marc, it is a good compromise to stay in Venice.

Santa Croce and San Polo, to live in the "real" Venice

San Polo, with its Rialto market and its bridge of the same name that connects it to the right bank of the city, mixes almost imperceptibly in the quieter, more residential area of Santa Croce. The focus is here on small hotels for travellers who wish to dive into the “real” Venice. It will take a lot of walking to reach the most famous sites of Venice, but the walks here are always so nice. Finally, Santa Croce, which constitutes the "industrial" west of Venice, is greater than its neighbor San Polo. Much less interesting from a tourist point of view, it is however more modern than most neighboring areas.

Dorsoduro, art district

In its eastern part, Dorsoduro releases an artistic sophistication that attracts a host of initiates to art. From the works of Grand Masters of the gallery dell’Accademia to the ultra-contemporary to the Punta della Dogana, through modern art to the Peggy Guggenheim Foundation , there is art for all tastes here. But Dorsoduro is not just an appointment for art lovers. The district also houses the San Trovaso squero, one of the last workshops to build Veneto gondolas. To the west of the neighborhood you will find cool bars and excellent restaurants.

Giudecca, a new neighbourhood

Located in front of the Dorsoduro district, separated by a 300-metre wide canal, the island of Giudecca, formerly industrial, is now experiencing a real revival. Quietly connected, the island sees the hupped youth take small to small possession of the places and the tourists come to enjoy the prices well below the other quarters of Venice. If you see the biggest hotel brands set up there, the hostels also have their place. But don’t think Giudecca is groaning, the island remains a very popular neighborhood.

Mestre, in the continental part

Mestre is the continental part of Venice. If you have already seen the modern suburbs that spread around Italian cities, you will have an idea of what to expect. You may consider staying in Mestre, but unless you visit friends or family, or if you have a rental car, and you need to park, don’t take a hotel here. Indeed much more accessible in terms of prices, Mestre is not so bad that. The neighborhood has a nice place and one or two pleasant streets. It is connected to Venice by train and bus. But if you are here to see Venice then you should stay in Venice in the Lido area.

The Lido, the area to sunbath at the beach

The Lido is an island, a long narrow strip of land that separates Venice and the Adriatic Sea. It was developed as a seaside resort in the early twentieth century. Its long beach is not the most beautiful in the world, but it satisfies thousands of people who come looking for sunshine every summer. The atmosphere on the Lido is very different from that of Venice: there are avenues, roads, cars and sidewalks. You can rent bicycles. There are boats that frequently cross the lagoon between the Lido and Venice, so you are not completely cut off from the city centre. The boat takes 20 minutes to reach Place Saint-Marc.