Where to Stay in Venice

Updated: October 23, 2026 • By Santorini Dave

My Favorite Hotels in Venice

• Best 5-Star Hotels: Gritti Palace • Londra Palace
• Best 4-Star Hotel: Santa Croce Boutique Hotel
• Best 3-Star Hotel: La Residenza
• Best Boutique Hotel for Couples: Egò Boutique Hotel – The Silk Road
• Best Hotel for Families: Hotel Bisanzio
• Best Hotel Near the Train Station: Venice Times Hotel

The elegant Londra Palace is one of my favorite luxury hotels in Venice, overlooking the lagoon near St. Mark’s Square. The lagoon-view rooms are worth the extra cost.

Where to Stay in Venice

Dorsoduro is my favorite area to stay in Venice. It has beautiful canals, excellent restaurants, lively neighborhood bars, and some of the city’s best museums, without the crowds around St. Mark’s Square. San Marco is the most convenient choice for first-time visitors who want to be close to the major sights. Cannaregio is excellent for restaurants, a more residential atmosphere, and generally better hotel value. Castello is another favorite, especially if you want a quieter hotel within walking distance of St. Mark’s Square.

I strongly recommend staying in Venice itself rather than Mestre on the mainland. Hotels in Venice are more expensive, but being able to explore the city early in the morning and after the day-trippers leave is worth the extra cost. Mestre is worth considering if you’re on a tight budget, especially for a longer stay.

Venice is easy to explore on foot, but hotel location matters more than it might appear on a map. Many pedestrian bridges have steps, and a short walk with luggage can involve several bridges. Before booking, check the route from the nearest vaporetto (water bus) stop or train station. If you’re traveling with heavy luggage, young children, or mobility limitations, a hotel with direct water-taxi access or a short, bridge-free walk from a transport stop can make a big difference.

Best Areas in Venice for…

• Best Area for First-Time Visitors: San Marco
  San Marco is the most convenient base for sightseeing, especially for a short visit. St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, Rialto Bridge, and many of Venice’s best-known sights are within walking distance. Hotels are expensive, and the streets around St. Mark’s Square can be crowded, but the location is excellent. I also love Dorsoduro for first-timers who prefer better restaurants and fewer crowds, and San Polo is a good compromise near Rialto.
• Best Area for Sightseeing: San Marco, San Polo, Dorsoduro
  San Marco puts you closest to St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. San Polo is central and convenient for exploring both sides of the Grand Canal. Dorsoduro is best for art lovers, with the Accademia and Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and is an easy walk from San Marco across the Accademia Bridge.
• Best Areas for Families: Dorsoduro, Castello, Santa Croce
  Dorsoduro is my favorite for families who want a central location with restaurants, squares, and quieter streets. Eastern Castello has parks and more room for kids to run around, though it’s farther from the main sights. Santa Croce is especially convenient for families arriving by train, bus, or car, with several good hotels near Piazzale Roma. For a summer beach holiday, consider Lido di Venezia.
• Best Areas for Food and Restaurants: Dorsoduro, Cannaregio, San Polo
  These are my favorite neighborhoods for eating in Venice. Dorsoduro has excellent traditional restaurants and cicchetti bars, Cannaregio has lively canalside dining around Fondamenta della Misericordia and Fondamenta degli Ormesini, and San Polo is good for traditional Venetian cooking and bars near Rialto. Avoid restaurants with large photo menus around St. Mark’s Square. You’ll generally eat better a few streets away from the busiest tourist areas.

  In Dorsoduro, I like Ai Artisti for Venetian cooking, Locanda Montin for its garden and history, and Ai Cugnai for traditional dishes. Osteria Al Squero is a favorite stop for cicchetti and wine overlooking a gondola workshop. Bacareto da Lele, near Piazzale Roma, is another good stop for inexpensive sandwiches and wine.

• Best Areas for Nightlife: Dorsoduro, San Polo, Santa Croce
  Campo Santa Margherita in Dorsoduro is the best place for a lively evening, with student bars and outdoor tables. Caffè Rosso is a longtime favorite. For cocktails, try Il Mercante in San Polo. Santa Croce has quieter neighborhood bars around Campo San Giacomo dell’Orio, including Al Prosecco. Venice is better for wine bars and late dinners than nightclubs.
• Best Areas for Romantic Hotels: San Marco, Dorsoduro, Giudecca
  San Marco has some of Venice’s grandest luxury hotels, including several overlooking the Grand Canal. Dorsoduro is excellent for smaller boutique hotels, quiet canals, and good restaurants. Giudecca has waterfront hotels with beautiful views across the lagoon toward San Marco. A Grand Canal view is spectacular but can be busy with boat traffic; a room overlooking a smaller canal can be quieter and just as appealing.
• Best Areas for a Local Atmosphere: Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro
  Northern Cannaregio and eastern Castello have residential streets, neighborhood restaurants, and fewer tourists than San Marco. Dorsoduro is also a good choice, especially around Campo Santa Margherita. All three are good places to stay if you’ve already visited Venice’s major sights and want more time exploring the neighborhoods.
• Best Areas for Budget Hotels: Cannaregio, Santa Croce, Castello
  Cannaregio has a good selection of affordable hotels and guesthouses, particularly away from Rialto. Santa Croce has several reasonably priced hotels near Piazzale Roma, while eastern Castello can offer better value than San Marco. Venice hotel rates vary enormously by season and during major events, so compare actual prices before choosing a neighborhood. Mestre is usually cheaper, but you’ll lose time commuting.

Our quadruple room at Hotel Bisanzio in Castello. A good family hotel within walking distance of St. Mark’s Square.

Getting Around Venice

Me and my two sons taking a water taxi through the canals of Venice.

Walking is the best way to explore Venice. Most central sights are within a 15 to 30-minute walk of each other, though getting across the city can take longer. The biggest obstacle is not distance but bridges, crowds, and confusing streets. Allow extra time when carrying luggage.

Vaporetti (water buses) are useful for longer trips, crossing the Grand Canal, and reaching the outer islands. Line 1 follows the Grand Canal with frequent stops and is a great sightseeing ride. Line 2 is generally faster, with fewer stops, though its route and service pattern vary. A ride along the Grand Canal is worth doing even if you plan to walk most of the time.

ACTV vaporetto tickets and passes:

• 75-minute ticket: €9.50
• 24-hour pass: €25
• 48-hour pass: €35
• 72-hour pass: €45
• 7-day pass: €65

A 24-hour pass costs less than three single tickets, so it’s good value if you’ll use the boats frequently. Passes run from their first validation, not by calendar day. Buy tickets at ACTV machines, ticket offices, or through the official transport app. Validate your ticket or pass at the electronic reader before boarding and when required during transfers.

Airport transportation is separate. Standard ACTV vaporetto tickets and passes do not include Alilaguna airport boats or ordinary airport transfers. Alilaguna runs water buses between Marco Polo Airport and several stops in Venice, Murano, and Lido. Land buses and taxis go to Piazzale Roma, where you continue on foot or by boat. Private water taxis are much more expensive but can be convenient for families and groups with luggage.

Check your hotel’s exact location before booking. Some hotels have private docks, while others require a walk from the nearest vaporetto stop. A hotel that’s five minutes from a stop but requires crossing three bridges can be inconvenient with large suitcases. For travelers with mobility limitations, confirm the route, hotel entrance, and elevator access directly with the hotel.

The 10 Best Neighborhoods in Venice

Venice’s historic center is divided into six districts, called sestieri: San Marco, San Polo, Santa Croce, Cannaregio, Dorsoduro, and Castello. Giudecca is officially part of Dorsoduro but separated from the main city by a canal. Lido, Murano, and Burano are separate islands reached by boat.

1. Dorsoduro

Dorsoduro is my favorite neighborhood in Venice. It has beautiful canals, excellent restaurants, lively bars, and some of the city’s best art museums, but far fewer crowds than San Marco. It’s a particularly good choice for couples, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants to spend time exploring Venice rather than rushing between attractions.

The eastern end near the Accademia Bridge is the best location for sightseeing. You can walk to San Marco in about 15 to 20 minutes, and you’re close to the Gallerie dell’Accademia, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and Santa Maria della Salute.

Around Campo Santa Margherita, you’ll find affordable restaurants, cafés, and bars popular with students from Ca’ Foscari University. This is one of the liveliest areas of Venice in the evening. The western end of Dorsoduro is quieter and closer to Piazzale Roma, making it more convenient for arrivals and departures.

One of my favorite stops is Osteria Al Squero, where you can have a spritz and cicchetti while watching gondolas being repaired at the Squero di San Trovaso across the canal.

Dorsoduro has excellent boutique hotels, guesthouses, and apartments, along with several luxury properties. It’s not necessarily cheap, especially near the Grand Canal, but I think it’s worth paying a little more to stay here.

Sina Centurion Palace, a luxury hotel overlooking the Grand Canal in Dorsoduro.

• Best Hotels in Dorsoduro
  American Dinesen • Hotel phone: +39 041 520 4733
  Ca’ Maria Adele • Hotel phone: +39 041 520 3078
  Ca’ Pisani • Hotel phone: +39 041 240 1411
  Nani Mocenigo Palace • Hotel phone: +39 041 520 0145
  Palazzo Veneziano • Hotel phone: +39 041 277 8719
  Sina Centurion Palace • Hotel phone: +39 041 34281
• Best Cheap & Midrange Hotels
  Casa Accademia • Hotel phone: +39 041 522 2755
  Pensione Accademia • Hotel phone: +39 041 521 0188
  Santa Margherita Guest House • Hotel phone: +39 327 854 1710

2. San Marco

San Marco is the best area to stay in Venice for first-time visitors who want to be close to the major sights. St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, Rialto Bridge, and some of the city’s most famous hotels are all here. It’s also the most crowded and expensive part of Venice, especially around Piazza San Marco and the waterfront.

The biggest attractions are St. Mark’s Basilica, famous for its Byzantine mosaics, and the Doge’s Palace, with its grand rooms and Bridge of Sighs. The Campanile, the freestanding bell tower in Piazza San Marco, has an elevator to the top and excellent views across Venice. Other worthwhile stops include Teatro La Fenice and the spiral staircase at Scala Contarini del Bovolo.

I generally recommend eating away from the busiest streets around St. Mark’s Square, where restaurants tend to be expensive and mediocre. One exception is having a coffee at one of the historic cafés on the piazza. Caffè Florian, founded in 1720, is the most famous, though prices are extremely high.

The area between Rialto and St. Mark’s Square is especially convenient for sightseeing. Hotels on the Grand Canal offer some of Venice’s best views, while smaller hotels along the side canals can be surprisingly quiet. If you’re staying near the square, check recent reviews for noise, particularly during busy periods.

San Marco is expensive, but for a first visit of two or three nights, the convenience is worth paying for. Book St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace in advance.

The St. Regis Venice is one of the city’s best luxury hotels, with views across the Grand Canal.

• Best Hotels in San Marco
  B&B Bloom Settimo Cielo • Hotel phone: +39 340 149 8872
  Baglioni Hotel Luna • Hotel phone: +39 041 528 9840
  Corte di Gabriela • Hotel phone: +39 041 523 5077
  Egò Boutique – The Silk Road • Hotel phone: +39 041 639 9882
  Gritti Palace • Hotel phone: +39 041 794611
  Novecento Boutique Hotel • Hotel phone: +39 041 241 3765
  Palazzo Barocci • Hotel phone: +39 041 296 0650
  Sina Palazzo Sant’Angelo • Hotel phone: +39 041 241 1452
  St. Regis Venice • Hotel phone: +39 041 240 0001
• Best Cheap & Midrange Hotels
  40.17 San Marco • Hotel phone: +39 393 913 4672
  All’Angelo Art Hotel • Hotel phone: +39 041 520 9299
  B&B Al Teatro • Hotel phone: +39 333 918 2494
  Dimora Marciana • Hotel phone: +39 041 522 0755
  Domus Ciliota • Hotel phone: +39 041 520 4888
  Hotel Serenissima • Hotel phone: +39 041 520 0011

Egò Boutique Hotel – The Silk Road, a romantic boutique hotel near the Rialto Bridge.

3. Cannaregio

Cannaregio is one of the best areas to stay in Venice for restaurants, neighborhood atmosphere, and hotel value. It’s a large district stretching from Santa Lucia train station toward Rialto, with busy shopping streets in the south and quieter residential canals farther north.

The area around Fondamenta della Misericordia and Fondamenta degli Ormesini is especially good for eating and drinking. You’ll find traditional restaurants, cicchetti bars, and outdoor tables along the canals. It’s lively in the evening without feeling like a nightlife district.

Cannaregio is also home to the historic Jewish Ghetto, established in 1516 when the Venetian Republic required Jewish residents to live within a designated area. The Campo del Ghetto Nuovo, synagogues, and Jewish Museum are important sights. Check current museum and synagogue visiting arrangements before going. Other attractions include the beautiful Ca’ d’Oro palace and the Church of Madonna dell’Orto, where Tintoretto is buried.

Where you stay in Cannaregio makes a big difference. Hotels near Santa Lucia station are convenient for arrivals and departures. Northern Cannaregio is quieter and excellent for restaurants, but farther from San Marco. The southern and eastern edges near Rialto are more central for sightseeing.

Hotel prices are often better than in San Marco, and there are some excellent boutique and luxury hotels. Cannaregio is one of my top choices for a second visit to Venice, though it also works well for first-timers who don’t mind walking.

Ai Mori d’Oriente, a boutique hotel in a quieter part of Cannaregio.

• Best Hotels in Cannaregio
  Ai Mori d’Oriente • Hotel phone: +39 041 711001
  Al Ponte Antico • Hotel phone: +39 041 241 1944
  Ca’ Bonfadini • Hotel phone: +39 041 098 6298
  Ca’ Sagredo • Hotel phone: +39 041 241 3111
  Arcadia Boutique Hotel • Hotel phone: +39 041 717355
  Palazzo Nani Venice • Hotel phone: +39 041 884 2200
  Venice Times Hotel • Hotel phone: +39 041 203 1633
  The Venice Venice • Hotel phone: +39 041 097 0300
• Best Cheap & Midrange Hotels
  Ca’ Fontanea • Hotel phone: +39 345 616 6692
  Ca’ Pozzo Inn • Hotel phone: +39 041 524 0504
  Casa Martini • Hotel phone: +39 041 717512

Al Ponte Antico in Cannaregio has a wonderful terrace overlooking the Rialto Bridge.

4. San Polo

San Polo is one of the best areas to stay in Venice if you want a central location without being in the busiest part of San Marco. It’s the smallest of Venice’s six sestieri, with narrow streets, traditional restaurants, and easy access to the Rialto Bridge.

The Rialto area is especially convenient for sightseeing. You can cross the bridge into San Marco in a few minutes, while Dorsoduro and Santa Croce are also within walking distance. The historic Rialto Market is worth visiting in the morning, particularly for its fish and produce stalls.

Other highlights include the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, famous for its paintings by Tintoretto, and the Basilica dei Frari, home to important works by Titian. Campo San Polo is a large square with cafés and restaurants nearby.

San Polo has a good selection of small hotels, guesthouses, and apartments. Prices can be high near Rialto, but you’ll often find better value than in San Marco. For a first visit, I particularly like the area within walking distance of the Rialto Bridge.

Aman Venice, one of Venice’s most luxurious hotels, occupies a historic palace on the Grand Canal in San Polo.

• Best Hotels in San Polo
  H10 Palazzo Canova • Hotel phone: +39 041 520 0172
  Locanda Sant’Agostin • Hotel phone: +39 041 822 3645
  Palazzo Barbarigo • Hotel phone: +39 041 740172
  Palazzetto Madonna • Hotel phone: +39 041 307 1174
  Aman Venice • Hotel phone: +39 041 270 7333
• Best Cheap & Midrange Hotels
  Al Campaniel • Hotel phone: +39 041 275 0749
  B&B Exclusive • Hotel phone: +39 333 291 9680
  Pensione Guerrato • Hotel phone: +39 041 528 5927

5. Castello

Castello is a great choice if you want a quieter hotel within walking distance of St. Mark’s Square. It’s Venice’s largest sestiere, stretching east from San Marco toward the Giardini della Biennale and Sant’Elena.

Western Castello, around San Zaccaria and Santa Maria Formosa, is central and convenient for sightseeing. It’s only a short walk from St. Mark’s Square, though the waterfront along Riva degli Schiavoni can be very busy. Farther east, the streets become more residential, with neighborhood restaurants, small squares, and parks.

The main attractions include the historic Arsenale shipyard, the Venice Biennale exhibition grounds, and the impressive churches of Santi Giovanni e Paolo and Santa Maria Formosa. The Art and Architecture Biennales alternate years, and hotels near the exhibition venues can be in high demand during major openings.

Seek out Libreria Acqua Alta, a small bookshop where books are stacked in boats and bathtubs to protect them from flooding.

For most visitors, I recommend western Castello for its central location. Eastern Castello is better for families and repeat visitors who prefer quieter surroundings. Hotels generally become cheaper the farther east you go, though the walk to the main sights gets longer.

Hotel Danieli in western Castello, a short walk from St. Mark’s Square.

• Best Hotels in Castello
  Ai Reali • Hotel phone: +39 041 241 0253
  Ca’ di Dio • Hotel phone: +39 041 098 0238
  Hotel Danieli • Hotel phone: +39 041 522 6480
  Hotel Indigo Venice – Sant’Elena • Hotel phone: +39 041 271 7811
  Londra Palace • Hotel phone: +39 041 520 0533
  Palazzo Vitturi • Hotel phone: +39 041 241 0856
  Ruzzini Palace • Hotel phone: +39 041 241 0447
• Best Cheap & Midrange Hotels
  B&B San Marco • Hotel phone: +39 347 244 2237
  Hotel Bisanzio • Hotel phone: +39 041 520 3100
  Ca’ del Dose • Hotel phone: +39 041 520 9887
  Locanda La Corte • Hotel phone: +39 041 241 1300
  La Residenza • Hotel phone: +39 041 528 5315

The unusual Libreria Acqua Alta bookshop in Castello is worth a stop while exploring the neighborhood.

6. Santa Croce

Santa Croce is one of the most convenient places to stay in Venice if you’re arriving by train, airport bus, or car. The western end includes Piazzale Roma, Venice’s main bus terminal and parking area, while Santa Lucia train station is just across the Grand Canal.

Hotels near Piazzale Roma are especially practical with luggage. You can reach several without crossing many bridges, and airport buses stop nearby. The tradeoff is that this part of Venice is less attractive than the neighborhoods farther east.

Eastern Santa Croce, around Campo San Giacomo dell’Orio, is much more appealing, with quiet canals, neighborhood restaurants, and a pleasant square. Attractions include the Ca’ Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art, the Natural History Museum, and the Palazzo Mocenigo Museum.

Santa Croce has a good mix of luxury hotels, small inns, and affordable guesthouses. It’s particularly good for families, travelers with heavy luggage, and anyone who wants easy access to transportation without staying on the mainland.

Santa Croce Boutique Hotel, one of my favorite 4-star hotels in Venice.

• Best Hotels in Santa Croce
  AC Hotel Venezia • Hotel phone: +39 041 852 0321
  Antiche Figure • Hotel phone: +39 041 275 9486
  Canal Grande • Hotel phone: +39 041 244 0148
  Hotel Moresco • Hotel phone: +39 041 244 0202
  Hotel Olimpia • Hotel phone: +39 041 711041
  Hotel Papadopoli • Hotel phone: +39 041 710400
  Palazzo Odoni • Hotel phone: +39 041 275 9454
  Santa Croce Boutique Hotel • Hotel phone: +39 041 740112
• Best Cheap & Midrange Hotels
  Albergo Marin • Hotel phone: +39 041 718022
  Ca’ della Corte • Hotel phone: +39 041 715877
  Ca’ San Rocco • Hotel phone: +39 041 716744
  Hotel Dalla Mora • Hotel phone: +39 041 710703
  Residenza d’Epoca San Cassiano • Hotel phone: +39 041 524 1768

7. Giudecca

Giudecca is best for travelers who want a quiet waterfront hotel with views across the lagoon toward San Marco. It’s officially part of Dorsoduro but sits on a separate group of islands south of the main historic center.

Giudecca has a mix of residential streets, artists’ studios, churches, and upscale hotels. Its best-known landmark is the Church of the Redentore, designed by Andrea Palladio. Across the water on a separate island is San Giorgio Maggiore, another Palladian church with a bell tower offering excellent views of Venice.

There is no pedestrian bridge from Giudecca to central Venice. You’ll need to take a vaporetto or hotel boat whenever you want to visit the main sights. This is the biggest drawback, particularly for first-time visitors planning a lot of sightseeing.

Giudecca has several excellent luxury hotels, including the Cipriani and Hilton Molino Stucky. Some hotels operate private boat services, which make staying here considerably easier. I recommend Giudecca for couples and repeat visitors who want a quieter stay, but I would choose Dorsoduro or San Marco for a first visit.

Cipriani on Giudecca, one of Venice’s most luxurious hotels.

• Best Hotels in Giudecca
  Al Redentore di Venezia • Hotel phone: +39 041 522 9402
  Cipriani • Hotel phone: +39 041 240801
  Hilton Molino Stucky • Hotel phone: +39 041 272 3311

8. Lido di Venezia

Lido is the best place to stay near Venice if you want a beach holiday. It’s a long barrier island east of the historic center, with sandy beaches, hotels, restaurants, parks, and streets where cars and bicycles are allowed.

Lido is particularly appealing in summer, when the Adriatic is warm enough for comfortable swimming. There are private beach clubs with rented umbrellas and loungers, as well as public beach areas. It’s also a good choice for families who want to combine beach time with sightseeing.

The main shopping and restaurant street is Granviale Santa Maria Elisabetta, running between the main vaporetto terminal and the beach. Staying near the terminal makes trips into Venice easier. Lido also hosts the Venice Film Festival, which brings high hotel demand during the event.

Vaporetti connect Lido with San Marco and other parts of Venice, but you’ll need to allow extra time for every sightseeing trip. I would only stay here if the beach is a major priority. Outside summer, Lido is much quieter, and many beach businesses are closed.

• Best Hotels on Lido di Venezia
  Ausonia Hungaria • Hotel phone: +39 041 242 0060
  Hotel Excelsior • Hotel phone: +39 041 526 0201
  Hotel Villa Laguna • Hotel phone: +39 041 526 1316
  Hotel Villa Stella • Hotel phone: +39 041 526 0745
• Best Cheap & Midrange Hotels
  Hotel La Meridiana • Hotel phone: +39 041 526 0343
  New Reiter Hotel • Hotel phone: +39 041 098 6260
  Petit Palais • Hotel phone: +39 041 526 4030

9. Murano

Murano is a good choice for repeat visitors who want a quiet island stay, but it’s less convenient for sightseeing in central Venice. The island is a short vaporetto ride north of Cannaregio and is famous for its glassmaking workshops.

Venetian glass production was concentrated on Murano in the late 13th century, partly because of the fire risk from furnaces in central Venice. Glassmaking remains an important industry, and visitors can explore workshops, showrooms, and the Glass Museum. The island also has several historic churches, including Santi Maria e Donato.

Murano is busiest during the day when visitors arrive to shop for glass. Evenings are much quieter, with fewer restaurants and bars than central Venice. Hotels are limited but include some excellent upscale properties.

Vaporetti from Fondamente Nove in Cannaregio reach Murano in roughly 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the route and stop. The island is close to Venice, but relying on boats for every sightseeing trip adds time. For a first visit of two or three nights, I would stay in the historic center instead.

Hyatt Centric Murano, conveniently located near a vaporetto stop.

• Best Hotels on Murano
  Hyatt Centric Murano • Hotel phone: +39 041 273 1234
  Murano Suites • Hotel phone: +39 331 546 4313
  NH Collection Murano Villa • Hotel phone: +39 041 273 1311
• Best Cheap & Midrange Hotels
  Ca’ del Pomo Granà • Hotel phone: +39 347 083 3785
  Casa Sulla Laguna • Hotel phone: +39 335 210 429

10. Burano & Mazzorbo

Burano is best for repeat visitors who want to spend a night or two away from central Venice. It’s one of the most attractive islands in the lagoon, famous for its brightly painted houses, canals, and traditional lacemaking.

Most visitors come for a few hours during the day. Staying overnight lets you enjoy the island after the tour groups leave, though restaurant choices are limited in the evening. The Lace Museum is worth visiting, and the local specialty is risotto di gò, made with goby fish from the lagoon.

A pedestrian bridge connects Burano to the quieter island of Mazzorbo, home to the Venissa vineyard and its distinctive Dorona wine. Venissa Wine Resort is an excellent choice for a special overnight stay.

Vaporetto line 12 connects Burano with Fondamente Nove in Cannaregio, with a journey of roughly 45 to 50 minutes. Allow additional time for connections if you’re traveling elsewhere in Venice.

Burano is beautiful, but I wouldn’t recommend it as a base for first-time visitors planning to spend most of their time sightseeing in central Venice.

Venissa Wine Resort on Mazzorbo, connected to Burano by a pedestrian bridge.

• Best Hotels on Burano & Mazzorbo
  Casa Burano • Hotel phone: +39 041 527 2281
  Venissa Wine Resort • Hotel phone: +39 041 527 2281

Venice Travel Tips

• How many nights in Venice? I recommend at least two nights, and three is better. Staying overnight is one of the best ways to enjoy Venice without the daytime crowds. Early mornings and evenings are particularly pleasant around Rialto and St. Mark’s Square.
• Getting from Venice Airport: Marco Polo Airport is on the mainland. Buses and land taxis go to Piazzale Roma, where you continue on foot or by vaporetto. Alilaguna operates airport water buses serving several stops in Venice and the lagoon islands. Private water taxis are the most convenient option for some hotels, particularly with luggage, but are expensive. Check which stop or dock your hotel recommends before choosing a transfer.
• Venice entry fee: Venice has operated a day-visitor access fee on selected dates and during specified hours. The scheme is not necessarily in effect every year or every day, so check the current rules through Venezia Unica before visiting. When the fee applies, registered overnight guests staying within the Municipality of Venice, including Mestre, are generally exempt, though exemption documentation may be required. This is separate from the overnight accommodation tax collected by hotels.
• Book major attractions ahead: Reserve timed entry for St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, especially during busy periods. Advance tickets can save time, though security lines may still apply.
• Acqua alta: Venice occasionally experiences unusually high tides, particularly in autumn and winter. Temporary flooding can affect low-lying streets and squares. If you have mobility limitations or are booking a ground-floor room, ask your hotel about access during high tides.
• Safety: Venice is generally safe to explore on foot, including in the evening. Watch for pickpockets on crowded vaporetti, around the train station, and near major attractions. Be careful near canals at night, particularly after drinking.
• Venezia Unica: The Venezia Unica website sells public transport tickets and passes, along with various museum and attraction products. Compare the individual tickets you need before buying a package. The Chorus Pass can be worthwhile if you plan to visit several participating churches.

Other Places to Stay in Venice

Private Islands and Resort Hotels

Venice has several luxury hotels on private islands in the lagoon. These are best for travelers who want a resort-style stay rather than a convenient base for sightseeing.

JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa occupies Isola delle Rose, south of the historic center, with gardens, pools, and private boat transportation. It’s a good choice if you want resort facilities and don’t mind planning sightseeing around boat transfers.

Torcello is another quiet outer island, known for its historic churches and the Torcello Museum. The historic Locanda Cipriani is an unusual option for an overnight stay, though transportation and dining choices are limited.

Staying in Mestre

Mestre is the cheapest practical alternative to staying in Venice itself. It’s on the mainland, connected to Venice by frequent trains and buses. Trains from Venezia Mestre to Venezia Santa Lucia generally take about 10 to 15 minutes.

If you stay in Mestre, choose a hotel close to Venezia Mestre station. This makes the commute much easier, especially if you’ll be visiting Venice every day. Good options include Best Western Plus Hotel Bologna, Hotel Plaza, Leonardo Royal, and Campanile Venice-Mestre.

The train ride is short, but getting from your Mestre hotel to a sightseeing destination in Venice can take considerably longer once you include walking, waiting, and connections.

For a first visit of two or three nights, I would pay more to stay in Venice itself. Mestre makes more sense when the hotel savings are substantial or you’re staying for several days.

Staying Near Venice Marco Polo Airport

There’s little reason to stay near Marco Polo Airport unless you have a very early flight, late arrival, or overnight connection. The airport is on the mainland, so these hotels are not convenient for sightseeing in Venice.

Good options include B&B Airport Venice Diego, Dolce Laguna Bed and Breakfast, and Courtyard Venice Airport. Check transfer arrangements and operating hours before booking.