Hotels in Venice

Best time to visit Venice

Try to visit Venice during the low tourist season from November – April when average temperatures are around 30 – 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Smaller crowds at popular tourist attractions will give you more time to explore the city, instead of waiting in queues. While you will get attractive deals and bargains on room rates, do keep in in mind that some hotels shut down during the winter months. Bring your rain boots to be prepared for the occasional high tides (Acqua alta) and flooding. If you visit Venice in the peak season from June – August, you can expect temperatures in the range of 70 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit, a somewhat pungent smell around the canals, and high hotel rates. The shoulder months from September – November are also a good time to visit Venice. Average temperatures stay between 40 – 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and hotel rates are relatively cheaper than the peak tourist period.

Getting around Venice

As soon as you arrive in Venice, you should purchase a Venezia Unica City Pass which allows you discounted admission to tourist attractions, and easy access to the city’s public transport. A Venezia Unica Gold City Pass for €58.90 EUR is a good option for unlimited, 72-hours’ travel on all ACTV-operated public transport buses and vaporetto. If you don’t think you will need the comprehensive pass, then make generous use of the vaporetto (water buses) which cost €7.00 EUR for travel up to 60 minutes. You can also walk along the winding cobbled streets and picturesque bridges to explore Venice on foot. If you are staying in a neighborhood which is away from the popular tourist attractions, it typically takes 30 – 45 minutes to reach the center of the city. Stop by for a coffee or hot chocolate at one of the terrace cafés when you need a break.

Best places to stay in Venice

Full of beautiful canals and bridges, Venice comprises over 100 small islands in the Adriatic Sea. A trip to this historic city is truly a one-of-a-kind experience, and its versatile neighborhoods cater to a wide range of moods and preferences. What kind of a neighborhood are you looking for? An area buzzing with tourist attractions and lively nightlife? A tranquil and romantic ambience? One that places you at a convenient location close to the hub of public transport? Or someplace where you can stay, eat and drink like the Venetian locals? Here are a few suggestions to help you decide the most suitable neighborhood (sestiere) for your stay in Venice.

San Marco

San Marco is a vibrant and buzzing neighborhood with many tourist attractions, such as St. Mark’s Square and Doge’s Palace in the vicinity. You will also find plenty of high-end boutiques and designer stores, as well as several fine dining restaurants and cool cafés in this area. Enjoy the Italian hospitality of Splendid Venice – Starhotels Collezione, a luxury boutique hotel with a canal-side location, just steps away from San Marco square. You can also consider the bright, modern rooms of NH Collection Venezia Palazzo Barocci, set in an 1890s former palace overlooking the Grand Canal.

Castello

One of the largest and most authentic sestieres, Castello is where you can truly experience Venice like a local. This neighborhood is also home to some of the most ornate Venetian churches, and the Biennale festival that takes place every 2 years. Stay at the serene, relaxed rooms at the family-run Hotel Gabrielli. The waterfront hotel is set in a 14th-century Venetian Palazzo and you can enjoy breathtaking lagoon views from its rooftop terrace. Within a 10-minute walk from the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square, you can look at the opulent rooms with Murano glass chandeliers and antique furnishings at Hotel Ai Cavalieri on Calle Borgolocco.

Dorsoduro

In the Dorsoduro sestiere, you can enjoy a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere during the day, and watch the neighborhood transform into a lively and colorful place at night. Many of the popular art museums such as the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and the Gallerie dell’Accademia are located in this area. Enjoy the elegantly furnished rooms and exquisite ambience of the award-winning Ca Maria Adele hotel, located in the heart of Dorsoduro. You also have interesting, canal-side accommodation at Hotel Moresco, that features individually decorated rooms and boasts artistic décor that is a blend of Oriental and Mediterranean influences.

Santa Croce

The Santa Croce sestiere is a major transport hub, and houses the main port ‘Marittima’ as well as the Piazzale Roma. This is a slightly less ‘touristy’ neighborhood, but you will get a wide choice of cheap accommodation here. Check out the Hotel Grande Canal, an ornate boutique hotel with lavish rooms, some of which offer views of the Grand Canal. Amid the typical Venetian merchant houses and artisan shops, you have the Hotel Al Duca Di Venezia, an ornate structure with opulent, Venetian-style rooms set in a 15th-century former palace.

San Polo

San Polo is one of the smallest and oldest sestieres in the city. This is a lively and busy neighborhood with its biggest draw being the Rialto Bridge. You can also find some of Venice’s best fish markets and restaurants in this area. Check out the Hotel Al Ponte Antico, which features rich, ornately furnished rooms, set in a restored 16th-century home overlooking the Grand Canal. The Rialto Bridge is just a minute’s walk from here. Enjoy the ornate interiors and the Grand Canal facing rooms of the Hotel L’Orologio, just a short walk from the Rialto Bridge and Teatro La Fenice.

Cannaregio

This lovely Venetian neighborhood is home to the city’s Jewish Ghetto. You may want to stay here if you want to be closer to the station, but many of the popular tourist attractions will be a 45-minute walk from here. Consider the elegant canal-side accommodation of Hotel Antico Doge which boasts opulent interiors with layers of silk, brocades, damasks and gilt mirrors, that create the ambience of old Venice. You can also look at La Locanda di Orsaria hotel, set in a 16th-century aristocratic home, offering cozy rooms with modern amenities.

Cheap hotels in Venice

Although Venice is an expensive city, you can find some good budget hotels at convenient locations. You’ll find that in such accommodation, the rooms will be comfortable, but simple and small. Just steps from the Rialto Bridge, you can look at the elegant rooms with hand-painted doors and period furnishings in Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo which is set in an ancient Venetian palace in Santa Croce. Another great option for budget travelers is the Hotel Alloggi Serena which offers small, artfully decorated rooms, and is conveniently located close to the Saint Lucia railway station. Hotel Orion is just a 5-minute walk to the Rialto Bridge. You can also look at Hotel La Fenice et Des Artistes, set in an imposing corner building, just a 5-minute walk to the St. Mark’s Square.

Visit centuries-old churches and artsy museums. Try delightful eateries and cafés at lively plazas. Experience a romantic gondola ride along a maze of canals and ornate bridges. Here are some of the activities that you can add to your Venetian trip to make it a true classic.

• Spend time at the grand Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) to explore the Venetian Gothic-styled Doge’s Palace, and visit the Basilica di San Marco, a Byzantine marvel. Don’t miss a photo opportunity against the Torre dell’Orologio (The Clock Tower).
• Ride the escalator to the top of the tallest and oldest structure in Venice, The Campanile (The Bell Tower) at the Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square). Enjoy a spectacular bird’s-eye view of Venice from the top.
• At the Piazza San Marco, admire Venice’s most famous architectural jewel, Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs).
• In the Cannaregio neighborhood, explore the fascinating culture and history of the Jewish Ghetto, visit some of the synagogues, and check out the delicious bakeries and restaurants in the area.
• Book a guided tour of the Murano, Burano, and Torcello islands. Visit glass-blowing factories at Murano, and choose from a wide range of colored-glass souvenirs. See a mini-replica of Venice at Burano island, and admire exquisite lace samples at the Burano Lace Museum. At Torcello island, visit the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, a 7th-century Byzantine church.
• Hop on a vaporetto or a traditional gondola to take in incredible sights of the Grand Canal. Don’t forget to click pictures of the beautiful bridges, landmarks, and splendid architecture that you see on both sides of the canal.
• Go museum-hopping to explore Venetian history, and admire some of the most commendable collections of traditional and modern art. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Gallerie dell’Accademia, Museo Correr, and Ca’ d’Oro are some of the notable ones.
• Try Spritz, Venice’s favorite ‘aperitivo’ (aperitif) served in all the local cafés, restaurants and bars, and order some ‘ciccheti’ (snacks) like the Venetians do. Venues such as Skyline Rooftop Bar and All’Arco are popular amongst locals, and known for their delicious bar snacks.
• Shop for food and fresh produce at scores of stalls in the Rialto Market.
• Take home colorful and artistically handcrafted Venetian masks as gifts and souvenirs of your Venice trip.
• Relish traditional Venetian cuisine at several restaurants all over the city. La Zucca in Santa Croce, Antiche Carampane in San Polo, and Antico Martini near the Teatro La Fenice are some of the noteworthy options for delectable culinary fare.