Where to Stay in Venice: Our Best Hotel Tips by Neighborhood

How much do hotels in Venice cost?

Venice is one of the most visited cities in the world, so accommodation isn’t exactly cheap. A good, centrally located hotel room costs at least 150 euros per night during peak season.

And by “at least” we mean in winter and on weekdays.

With a few tricks, you can spend less — for example, by staying in other neighborhoods of Venice.

The city isn’t that large, and with the Vaporetto, the water bus, you can quickly reach the top highlights of Venice.

The time of year also makes a big difference. From November through February, you can find deals even in the center — except during Carnival week.

That’s when overnight stays in Venice are at their most expensive, and hotels are booked out weeks in advance.

The best neighborhoods to stay in Venice

We recommend three neighborhoods in Venice for your stay. Each one suits a different type of traveler.

Further below, we describe each neighborhood in detail and give you hotel recommendations for your Venice city trip.

These are the three neighborhoods we recommend for where to stay in Venice:

• City center: Book your hotel here if you want to be right in the thick of things and reach all the sights on foot.
• Cannaregio: Book your hotel here if you prefer a quieter atmosphere and want to feel like a local.
• Mestre: Book your hotel here if you want to keep accommodation costs as low as possible.

Our tip: If you’re traveling to Venice in the summer, the island of Lido is also a great option. You can tack on a few days at the beach while you’re at it. Check out our article on the best beach hotels in Venice.

The best neighborhoods to stay in Venice on a map

To help you get your bearings, we’ve marked the recommended neighborhoods on a map.

As you can see, the majority of Venice sits in a lagoon and consists of several islands.

Venice also has several neighborhoods on the mainland, such as Mestre and the airport.

Staying in the center of Venice

A hotel in the historic center is the right call if higher room prices don’t bother you and you want all the sights right at your doorstep.

The historic center of Venice is one big open-air museum: every corner, every alley, and every building is worth a photo. This is where you’ll find all the top must-sees: St. Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace, the Rialto Bridge — simply everything.

But prices for lodging in the center are also the highest. A hotel room here will cost you at least 150 euros per night.

If your budget allows, we still recommend staying in the center — especially if you’re only in Venice for a few days and want to reach everything as quickly as possible.

Advantages of staying in the center of Venice:

• All the major sights are within walking distance
• You’ll experience the true Venice feeling
• You have the widest selection of hotels and restaurants

Disadvantages of staying in the center of Venice:

• The cheapest places to stay cost at least 150 euros per night
• During peak season, the alleyways are often seriously overcrowded
• Hotels book up far in advance

Our hotel recommendations for the historic center of Venice

If you want to stay as affordably and centrally as possible, we recommend the Hotel Bartolomeo. It’s just a one-minute walk from the Rialto Bridge and offers unbeatable value for money in the center.

We also love the Ca’ del Campo. Basti’s parents stayed here and absolutely loved it. Oh, and check-out isn’t until noon — always a nice bonus!

Staying in Cannaregio

A hotel in Cannaregio is ideal if you want to escape the tourist crowds while still being close to the main sights.

While the historic center is teeming with people, Cannaregio is much quieter and less touristy. The neighborhood wraps around the center in a semicircle, and Venice’s main train station sits right in it.

There are many small piazzas — or campi, as they’re called in Venice — canals, local shops, and only a handful of hotels. Even though none of Venice’s major highlights are located here, Cannaregio is the perfect place to wander through the alleyways and stumble upon hidden churches and palazzos.

Cannaregio is also known for Venice’s former Jewish Ghetto, where three synagogues still stand today.

Advantages of staying in Cannaregio:

• You get more for your money
• It’s quiet and far less touristy
• You get to experience the authentic side of Venice

Disadvantages of staying in Cannaregio:

• You’ll have a longer walk to reach the main highlights
• There’s not much going on in the evenings

Our hotel recommendations in Cannaregio

In Cannaregio, we recommend the Venice Maggior Consiglio. It’s located near the train station, and you’re just a few minutes’ walk from the Ponte agli Scalzi bridge, which takes you directly into the old town.

If you want to stay in a genuine Venetian palazzo at a reasonable price, check out the Ca’ Vendramin Zago. It sits right on a canal, and the baroque rooms will transport you straight back in time.

Staying in Mestre

A hotel in Mestre is the right choice if you want to keep accommodation costs down and don’t mind a short commute to the sights.

Mestre is technically part of the city of Venice, but it sits separately on the mainland. Even so, it’s well connected to the old town. From Mestre train station, you can reach Venice’s Santa Lucia station in about 10 minutes. From there, you cross the Ponte degli Scalzi bridge and you’re straight into the historic center.

Mestre consists mainly of modern buildings and has a solid selection of budget hotels.

There isn’t much to see here, but you’ll save real money on your stay. In general, you get more for your euro: hotel rooms are often larger than in Venice’s historic buildings, and there’s actually parking available.

Advantages of staying in Mestre:

• Cheaper than hotels in Venice proper
• Parking is much easier than anywhere in the lagoon
• Hotel rooms are often more spacious

Disadvantages of staying in Mestre:

• There are no notable sights to speak of
• You always need to take the train first to get to the lagoon

Our hotel recommendations in Mestre

In Mestre, we recommend the Hotel Bologna by Best Western. It has minimalist, spacious rooms and is located right next to Mestre train station. Just cross the street, hop on the next train toward the lagoon, and you’ll be at Venice’s main station within 10 minutes.