Are you planning a trip to the Serenissima and wondering where to stay in Venice? Captain Ulysses has listed all his tips and recommendations to help you find the perfect pied-à-terre in Venice!
💡 The Captain’s tip 💡
Want to know more about the history of Venice? Captain Ulysses highly recommends this free guided tour of the city. It’s up to you to choose how much you wish to tip the tour guide!
Pou planning your trip to Venice? Be sure to check out Captain Ulysses’ complete article on what to see and do in the city: a Guide to Venice
I which district to stay when visiting Venice?
The 2 most popular districts for visitors in Venice are:
The district of San Marco: this is one of the most popular areas among visitors exploring in Venice. Located in the historic heart of the city, it is famous for its many monuments – including the must-see St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace – lively cafes and picturesque squares. You’ll find countless luxury hotels nestled in old Venetian palaces, as well as luxury boutiques.
🏆 Selection of the best hotels in the San Marco district.
The district of Dorsoduro: this quiet and peaceful neighborhood is appreciated by visitors for its picturesque canals, churches, historic buildings and art galleries. The area is also home to many charming hotels and delicious local trattorias
🏆 Selection of the best hotels in the Dorsoduro district.
Other popular areas of Venice include:
The district of Cannaregio: this is one of the oldest districts in the city. In addition to its peaceful canals, churches and local stores, you’ll also find here the beautiful Ca’ d’Oro Palace.
🏆 Selection of the best hotels in the Cannaregio district.
The district of Castello: this is the largest district of Venice and one of the last districts of the Serenissima to have remained relatively unspoiled by mass tourism.
🏆 Selection of the best hotels in the Castello district.
The district of Santa Croce: this lively neighborhood is located on the north shore of Venice. It is known for its lively bars and art galleries.
🏆 Selection of the best hotels in the Santa Croce district.
The district of San Polo: with its charming narrow streets and local restaurants, this is one of the most authentic areas of Venice.
🏆 Selection of the best hotels in the San Polo area.
Mestre, a few kilometers from Venice:
To save money on your hotel, Captain Ulysses recommends staying in the town of Mestre. Hotels in Mestre are generally significantly cheaper than those in Venice. Mestre is located on the continent, facing Venice, so you can easily get there by bus or by boat (a bridge connects the two cities). Mestre also has the advantage of being quieter and less touristy than Venice: a plus if you prefer to avoid the crowds.
🏆 Selection of the best hotels in Mestre
Recommendations for hostels in Venice
Generator Venice Hostel is located in the district of Castello, near St. Mark’s Square and Basilica. It is appreciated by visitors for its warm atmosphere, friendly staff and modern facilities.
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Located in Mestre, Anda Venice Hostel boasts a collection of excellent customer reviews. The rooms are very modern and very well maintained, and the common areas are very very nice!
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Also located in Mestre, the ao Hotel Venezia Mestre offers simple, comfortable and modern rooms, 2 minutes from the bus stop for Venice. The staff is very friendly.
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Cheap hotel recommendations in Venice
Located in the district of Cannaregio, a few steps from the church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Hotel Mezzo Pozzo offers very clean rooms with 100% traditional Venetian decor. The staff is very welcoming.
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Also nestled in the district of Cannaregio, the family-run Venice Maggior Consiglio is located just a few hundred meters from the Grand Canal. The recently renovated rooms are modern and pleasant.
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While the rooms at Hotel Guerrini may look somewhat dated, it has the advantage of being a clean and affordable pied-à-terre nestled in a historic building in the district of Cannaregio.
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Recommendations for 3 or 4 star hotels in Venice
Located in the district of Castello, Residenza La Duchessa offers elegant and modern rooms not far from Palazzo Ca’ d’Oro, St. Mark’s Square and La Fenice Theater. Not to mention that the staff is lovely.
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With its typical 19th century Venetian interior design and spacious rooms, Hotel Moresco, nestled in the district of Dorsoduro, has garnered a host of impeccable customer reviews!
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Do you want to go back in time and enjoy a stay in an authentic Venetian palace? Located just a few steps from the magnificent Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, the Ca Maria Adele Hotel is a unique and luxurious stopover in the heart of the Serenissima. The plus: the beautiful roof terrace.
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The most emblematic hotels in Venice
The least we can say is that Venice is (very) well stocked when it comes to exceptional hotels. Among these, some are particularly emblematic.
The Gritti Palace is a luxury hotel located on the Grand Canal, in a historic building dating back to the 15th century. It is famous for its sumptuous decor, spacious rooms and stunning views of the city.
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Also located on the Grand Canal, Hotel Danieli is housed in a historic building dating back to the 14th century. It is prized for its exceptional architecture, elegant rooms and attentive service.
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Located on the island of Giudecca, opposite Venice, the Belmond Hotel Cipriani is famous for its lush gardens, beautiful outdoor pool and panoramic view of the city.
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Nestled on the Lido beach, just a few minutes by boat from Venice, Hotel Excelsior is appreciated by visitors for its imposing architecture, lush gardens and private beaches.
📅 Check rates and availability
How much are hotels in Venice?
It is obviously complicated to give an estimate of the prices of hotels in Venice as the rates vary according to the season, the location of the hotel and the level of comfort offered. Be warned, hotels in Venice are far from cheap, even compared to other popular European destinations.
Here are some rough estimates:
- For a youth hostel in Venice, the average price of a night would be around 25-30 euros.
- For a cheap hotel in Venice, the average price of a night would be around 60-80 euros.
- For a mid-range hotel in Venice, the average price of a night would be around 100-150 euros.
- For a luxury hotel in Venice, the average price of a night would be at least 200-300 euros.
When is it cheapest to travel to Venice?
Venetian hotels are cheaper outside high season (from May to September). January and February are generally the cheapest months. However, be warned: Venice can be rather cold and wet in winter.
By being flexible on the dates of your trip, you can also find special deals and promotions!
And if you want to save money on your plane tickets, check out Captain Ulysses’ article: 10 tips to pay less for your flights
👉 Skip the lines: book your tickets and visits in advance!
👉 Looking for tips and recommendations? Here are all of Captain Ulysses’ suggestions!
🛏️ Accommodation: Venice is a very touristy city and there is no shortage of accommodation, but they are generally rather expensive. If your budget is tight, Captain Ulysses suggests staying in Mestre, out of town. Accommodation is much more affordable and buses reach Venice very regularly.
As for mid-range options, Captain Ulysses highly recommends Hotel Le Isole. This hotel is very very well located a few steps from Saint Mark’s Square and the rooms are spacious and elegant… not to mention that breakfast is very good.
And if you’re looking for a more luxurious option in Venice, then Captain Ulysses most definitely recommends the Londra Palace nestled in a Venetian palace on the Riva degli Schiavoni.
🎟️ Activities: Tickets, guided tours, gondola tours, day-trips… There are plenty of things to do in Venice! But the city is often packed with tourists, which is why Captain Ulysses recommend that you book your activities online and opt for skip-the-line tickets. The Captain suggests having a look at GetYourGuide and Tiqets, which are online platforms specialised in selling tourist activities worldwide.
⛵ Cruises: Venice is synonymous gondola and vaporetto. As an accomplished sailor, Captain Ulysses can only recommend that you embark on a boat ride on the Venetian canals. But beware of scams: some gondoliers tend to take advantage of tourists! That’s why the Captain advises that you book your boat tour on a reputable website here.
🎫 Citypass: If you’re planning on visiting all of Venice’s top sights, Captain Ulysses recommends you to opt for a Citypass, which will give you access to a selection of the city’s must-see sights and monuments. There’s a variety of citypasses to choose from depending on what you’re looking for. Find out more here.
🚐 Transfers:To get to Venice from the airport, you’ll have three options: bus, vaporetto (orange Alilaguna Arancio line), or water taxi. It’s up to you to choose the option that works best for you! Be aware, however, that the historic centre is pedestrian, and buses and taxis are not allowed to operate there.
🚌 Local transport: Get ready to walk! The historic centre is not accessible to buses or cars.
The local kind of public transport is the vaporetto: boats travelling on the water. If you’re planning on using the vaporetto regularly (in Venice or to visit the surrounding islands like Murano and Burano), or if you are staying in Mestre and have to take the bus to Venice everyday, you might want to consider opting for a Public Transport Pass. You can book it here.
✈️ Flights: Venice is a city easily accessible by plane, train and bus. To book your plane tickets, Captain Ulysses recommends Skyscanner, which allows you to compare countless flights to find the best deal. If your dates are flexible, you can also compare prices over several months to find the cheapest flights possible. Overnight trains are also a great way to save time (and money) ! For more information, visit Omio.
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