Where to Stay in Venice, Italy: Best Hotels & Neighborhoods

Venice is made up of six neighborhoods, called sestieri in Italian. These are San Polo, San Marco, Santa Croce, Dorsoduro, Castello, and Cannaregio.

Venice is quite small, and you can really stay in any area and still get around easily. That said, I do have my favorites. I love neighborhoods like Santa Croce and Cannaregio for their more local vibe. San Marco, on the other hand, puts you right in the middle of the action. It just depends on the kind of stay you’re after.

When it comes to hotels, I tend to go for small, boutique stays. Some are family-run, others stand out for their beautiful design, and a few are worth the splurge if it’s in your budget.

If you’re trying to decide where to stay in Venice, I’ve put together my favorite neighborhoods along with the best hotels in each one, so you can find the perfect fit for your trip.

Neighborhoods in Venice

CENTRAL: SAN POLO
This is the most central neighborhood in Venice. You’ll be close to Rialto Market, St. Mark’s Square, and all the top attractions. If you want to be in the heart of the city and avoid relying on public transportation, San Polo is a great pick.

CLOSE TO MAIN ATTRACTIONS: SAN MARCO
This area is closest to all the action. You’re just a short walk from St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace, but it’s also one of the busiest, most touristy parts of Venice.

CHARMING: SANTA CROCE
One of the Venice’s most charming and underrated neighborhoods. We recently stayed here and it’s now my favorite area in the city. It has a very local feel with quiet squares, small markets, great restaurants, and boutique shops. It’s also less touristy than other parts of Venice.

ARTSY: DORSODURO
This is Venice’s artsy district, home to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the Accademia Gallery and other small art galleries. It’s a bit trickier to get around Venice from here, you either have to cross the Ponte dell’Accademia or take the vaporetto.

LOCAL FEEL WITH GREAT NIGHTLIFE: CANNAREGIO
A laid-back, local neighborhood that really comes alive at night. The Fondamenta Misericordia canal area is lined with bars and cicchetti spots. I recommend this area if you’re staying in Venice for a longer stay or second visit. But if it’s your first time in Venice and you only have a couple of days, I’d recommend staying somewhere more central.

CONVENIENTLY LOCATED: CASTELLO
Castello is the largest neighborhood in Venice and home to the Biennale art exhibition. Depending on where you stay, you’ll either be really close to St. Mark’s Square or in a quieter, more residential area.

BUDGET-FRIENDLY: MESTRE
If you’re traveling on a budget, you can stay in Mestre on the mainland. This is not one of the six neighborhoods in Venice, but it’s a good option if you’re hoping for a more affordable stay – Venice hotels are not cheap. Mestre is just a 10-minute train ride from Santa Lucia station in Venice, and tickets cost around €1.50 each way. We stayed here once while backpacking and found it to be convenient and price-friendly option.

Best Hotels in Venice

Hotels in San Polo

• Mid-Range: Acca Hotel | Quiet location with modern design and amenities. Only a 10-minute walk from the Rialto bridge.
• Boutique: Palazzetto Madonna | Centrally located in a beautiful, historic palace. Only a 15-minute walk from Rialto and 10-minute walk from the train station.
• Apartment: Ca’ della Scimmia – Rialto Bridge, Venice | Amazing location, just steps from the Rialto Bridge. Lovely apartments with your own kitchen.
• Luxury Apartment: Palazzo Morosini Degli Spezieri | Beautiful, well appointed apartment with a canal view.

Hotels in San Marco

• Personal Favorite: Hotel Flora | A charming, old world hotel with classic furnishings and a quiet garden in the courtyard. Just a short walk from St. Mark’s Square. One of my favorite hotels in Venice.
• Luxury: Gritti Palace | The most luxurious hotel in Venice located along the Grand Canal. If you’re looking to splurge, stay here.
• Boutique: Palazzetto Pisani Grand Canal | A fabulous design hotel located in a 16th-century palace. Many rooms have a view of the Grand Canal.
• Mid-Range: Hotel Saturnia & International | Charming rooms and an excellent, central location.

Hotels in Santa Croce

• Personal Favorite: Cima Rosa | One of my favorite stays in Italy. This is a family-owned hotel, run by an American-Italian couple. The rooms have a view of the Grand Canal and the breakfast is wonderful.
• 5-Star Hotel: Palazzo Venart | A luxury hotel on the Grand Canal with a beautiful garden and 2-Michelin-starred restaurant on site.
• Mid-Range: Palazzetto Foscari | Conveniently located across from the train station, this bed and breakfast has well-designed rooms and a great breakfast.
• Boutique: Campiello Zen B&B | A lovely b&b tucked away on a quiet street in Santa Croce.

Hotels in Dorsoduro

• Modern Design: Il Palazzo Experimental | Amazing views and beautiful interiors!
• Boutique: Hotel Moresco | Located in a quiet corner of the Dorsoduro, this hotel has a lot of old world charm, a lovely garden, and rooms with canal views.

Hotels in Cannaregio

• Top Pick: Al Ponte Antico | One of the most exceptional hotels in Venice with an incredible view of the Rialto bridge.
• Boutique: Hotel Palazzo Abadessa | A real hidden gem located inside of a 16th-century palace with a private garden.
• Mid-Range: Hotel Ca’ Dogaressa | A nice place to stay for a second visit to Venice. It’s a bit of a walk to the main sights but close to a vaporetto stop.

Hotels in Castello

• Luxury: Hotel Danieli | One of the most iconic hotels in Venice with amazing views of the Venetian lagoon.
• Mid-Range: Hotel Casa Nicolò Priuli | A great location for sightseeing. Rooms have that old Venetian charm.
• Boutique: Hotel Sant’Antonin | Spacious rooms and a gorgeous garden.
• Apartment: Palazzo Schiavoni Residenza d’epoca | Quiet location yet close to all of the main attractions. Beautiful rooms with tall ceilings.

Hotels in Mestre

• B&B: Casa Villa Gardenia Venice | An affordable stay and short walk to Mestre train station.
• Mid-Range: Leonardo Royal Hotel | Simple rooms with modern amenities. Across the street from Mestre station making it convenient to get to Venice.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What neighborhood would you recommend for a first-time visit to Venice? I’d recommend staying in San Marco, San Polo, or Castello. These areas are all close to the main attractions, so you won’t have to spend as much time getting to and from your hotel.
  
• What’s your favorite neighborhood in Venice? I love Santa Croce. It feels local. There’s an amazing selection of restaurants. You can walk around and feel like you’re in a residential area – not surrounded by tourists and overpriced shops and restaurants.
  
• Is Venice walkable? Yes, it’s really easy to get around on foot. Venice is not that big, and even if you stay on the far corner of the island, you’re still only a 25-30 minute walk from the center.
  
• What is the most popular part of Venice? San Marco. This is where you’ll find most of the main attractions.