Top 6 Best Areas to Stay in Venice, Italy

Venice is a beautiful Italian city that’s famous for its incredible architecture, tasty gelato, and iconic waterways. During your stay, you’ll get to explore Saint Mark’s Basilica, take a ride on the Grand Canal, and visit St. Mark’s Square.

Everywhere you look there are beautiful sights to see and attractions to visit – so as you can imagine deciding on where to stay in Venice isn’t easy. Don’t worry though because I’m here to help!

This guide is going to take you through the best areas to stay in Venice and give you all the information you need to know about each neighborhood. That includes a quick overview of each area, the pros and cons of staying there, and the best hotels for every budget.

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

Overview of Where to Stay in Venice 

Venice is the capital city of the Veneto Region which is situated in Northern Italy. It’s built on over 100 islands and is separated by the city’s iconic canals. Each area is then connected by bridges that run over the waterways.

The islands themselves are located within the Venetian Lagoon which is an enclosed bay lying between the Piave and Po river mouths. 

If you’re wondering where to stay in Venice, you’ll have plenty of options. The city is split up into six neighborhoods known as ‘sestieri’.

When it comes down to deciding where to stay in Venice, you’ll need to consider a couple of factors. It’s no secret that Venice is expensive, so you’ll want to have your budget at the forefront of your mind. However, there are ways to cut your costs like by choosing to stay in Cannaregio – one of the city’s cheapest neighborhoods.

Public transport isn’t as big of an issue in Venice, as you’ll easily be able to get around by water bus, taxi, or gondola. Something you may want to consider though is how close you are to the popular tourist attractions, and of course, nearby dining options!

If you don’t have time to read the full article, you can take a quick scan of this table. These are the best places to stay in Venice, and I’ve broken each one down for you.

Area	Recommended Hotel
San Marco (luxury stays, sightseeing, first-time visitors, fine-dining)	Baglioni Hotel Luna
San Polo (family-friendly, sightseeing, food, culture)	H10 Palazzo Canova
Cannaregio (budget-friendly, food, sightseeing, authentic stay)	Carnival Palace – Venice Collection
Castello (authentic stay, family-friendly, sightseeing, nightlife)	Hotel Danieli
Dorsoduro (nightlife, sightseeing, culture, budget-friendly)	Palazzo Veneziano – Venice Collection
Santa Croce (transport, budget-friendly, food, culture)	Residenza d’Epoca San Cassiano

Map of the Best Areas to Stay in Venice

How to use this map: This map is fully interactive, so you can move around, zoom in/zoom out, and click on the icons. If you want to see a larger map, click on the bracket in the upper right corner. To see more details and the different layers, click on the tab in the upper left corner. If you want to save it for later, click on the star icon next to the name of the map. Then simply open Google Maps either on your desktop or phone, go to ‘Saved’/’Maps’, and open the map whenever you need it.

Where to Stay in Venice: Best Areas & Hotels

1. San Marco

San Marco is the most famous area in the city and is home to some of Venice’s most popular landmarks. If you’re visiting the city for the first time, then this is one of the best areas to stay in Venice. 

Some of the most popular attractions in this part of the city include Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Square, and St. Mark’s Basilica. 

Heading up Campanile di San Marco is also a must, as it’s the tallest building in the city and offers superb views of Venice. It’s actually the bell tower of St. Mark’s Basilica too!

San Marco is also home to the famous Caffè Florian which opened in 1720 –  making it the oldest cafe in the world! You don’t want to miss grabbing a coffee at this place. You also won’t be short of bars & restaurants here, with some of the most popular choices being Trattoria Al Gazzettino, Rossopomodo, and Harry’s Bar. 

Not only are there plenty of great attractions and restaurants, but this area also has plenty of water bus stops making it very accessible.

If you’re looking for the best locations to stay in Venice for tourists, then San Marco is the place. However, if you’re on a budget you’ll want to look elsewhere as this neighborhood isn’t cheap!

2. San Polo

San Polo is one of the oldest and smallest neighborhoods in the city. Although small, it’s one of the best locations to stay in Venice as it has plenty to offer in terms of attractions, restaurants, and culture. 

The most popular places to visit in San Polo include the iconic Rialto Bridge, Campo San Polo, and San Giacomo di Rialto.

Now, I know I’ve already mentioned Rialto Bridge but it actually connects both San Marco and San Polo. This area is also famous for its fresh food markets, with the best one being Mercato di Rialto.

There are also endless museums to explore, artisan shops to visit, and plenty of awesome restaurants if you’re looking to taste some delicious local dishes. I’d recommend heading to Muro Frari, Birraria La Corte, and Pizza 2000!

Not only is San Polo in a great location, but it’s well connected to other popular districts including San Marco. However, it’s less expensive and less chaotic which is always a bonus.

Water bus stops are found throughout the neighborhood, and they are very efficient so you’ll have no trouble exploring other areas throughout the city. 

If you’re traveling as a family, then San Polo is one of the best areas to stay in Venice! There are plenty of awesome attractions for all ages and lots of food choices, so you’ll easily be able to keep the little ones entertained.

3. Cannaregio

When it comes to budget-friendly options, Cannaregio is one of the best areas to stay in Venice. This neighborhood is located in the north of the city and is home to Venice’s Jewish Ghetto. 

It’s a beautiful area and is home to plenty of historic sites and tourist attractions. Some of the best places to visit include Campo del Ghetto, Santa Maria dei Miracoli, and Strada Nuova.

Cannaregio is also home to the narrowest street in the city, Calle Varisco, which is a must-visit! 

Not only is this area a great place for budget travelers, but it’s also the best neighborhood in Venice if you’re looking for a more relaxed and authentic experience. That’s because you won’t find the crowds here, and it’s where the majority of locals live too.

Because of this, you’ll find plenty of great eateries and bars including Trattoria Bar Pontini, Puppa Bar Venezia, and Osteria Ai Promessi Sposi.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Venice and you’re looking to save some cash – Cannaregio is the place!

4. Castello

Castello is the largest of the city’s neighborhoods and is one of the best areas to stay in Venice. Not only is it cheaper than many other areas in the city, but it’s also incredibly picturesque.

There are plenty of awesome attractions to visit in this district including Museo di Palazzo Grimani, the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo, and Scuola Grande di San Marco. The Venetian Arsenal is another must-visit as it’s made up of former shipyards and armories.

Castello is home to some of Venice’s largest parks, so there is plenty of green space for you to relax. They are a great place to head for a stroll, relax with the family, and escape the hustle and bustle of the more touristy areas. 

It’s also one of the quietest neighborhoods in the city, although if you head to Via Garibaldi at night – you’ll find the area’s local nightlife hub. This is the widest street in Venice and is home to an array of bars and restaurants. 

If you’re looking for a quieter, more authentic stay – then Castello is one of the best areas in Venice to stay.

5. Dorsoduro

Dorsoduro is the place to be if you’re looking for nightlife, as it’s the city’s student area. Piccolo Mondo Disco (according to Google it’s currently closed) is one of the prime spots as it’s the city’s only disco club.

There are also plenty of bars and clubs located in this part of Venice, and you’ll find prices are pretty cheap too. 

Not only are the prices reasonable for drinks here, but Dorsoduro is much cheaper than many other neighborhoods in Venice. Considering it’s so close to the city center too – staying here is a bargain. 

You’ll also find plenty of great dining deals here as the area caters to its student population. 

Dorsoduro is home to plenty of awesome museums including the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Church of San Sebastiano. This neighborhood is also home to Venice’s most famous art gallery – the Gallerie dell’ Accademia which is a must-visit during your stay in the city!

With great nightlife, lots of culture, and plenty of cheap deals – Dorsoduro is one of the best areas to stay in Venice.

6. Santa Croce

Santa Croce is the transport hub of Venice and is one of the city’s main districts. You’ll find both the bus and train stations here, as well as plenty of water bus links. 

There are also lots of parking garages in this area, which you’ll need if you’ve hired a rental car for a road trip around Northern Italy. 

Not only that, but if you’re looking to escape the business of the more popular areas then Santa Croce is one of the best areas to stay in Venice. It’s a lot quieter and is more residential, however, there are still some awesome attractions to visit. 

Some of the most popular sites include San Giacomo dell’Orio, the Museum of Palazzo Mocenigo, and the Natural History Museum.

Santa Croce is also home to plenty of authentic eateries including Finisterrae, Da Que’ Ganzi Trattoria Osteria, and Baldovino Bistrot.

If you’re looking for great transport links, plenty of things to do, and a more relaxed vibe – then Santa Croce is one of the best places to stay in Venice. You’ll also find accommodation prices to be cheaper here than in many other neighborhoods in Venice.