Where to Stay in Venice: 6 Best Areas to Consider

Venice is one of the world’s most breathtaking cities, but choosing where to stay in Venice can make or break your trip. With its labyrinth of canals, historic palazzos, and world-famous landmarks like St. Mark’s Basilica, each district offers a unique experience.

Whether you're seeking luxury hotels on the Grand Canal, a budget-friendly stay near Piazzale Roma, or a romantic retreat in Dorsoduro, knowing the best areas is essential.

I’ve explored Venice’s neighborhoods firsthand, from the historic center of San Marco to the quieter corners of Cannaregio. If you want easy access to Venice’s top attractions, San Marco is unbeatable, but it’s also the most crowded. For a more authentic experience, Dorsoduro offers a blend of culture, art, and a laid-back vibe. Cannaregio, home to the historic Jewish Ghetto, is perfect for those who crave local charm. Meanwhile, Castello is great for an off-the-beaten-path adventure, and Giudecca provides stunning lagoon views away from the tourist rush.

For travelers on a budget, staying near Mestre on the mainland can save money while still allowing quick access to Venice’s vaporetto water taxis. Whether you want an opulent suite in a historic Venetian palace, a cozy boutique hotel, or a charming Airbnb with canal views, I’ll break down the best areas and accommodations to help you choose wisely.

Accommodation in Venice: Top neighborhoods and hotels

First of all, you have to keep in mind that Venice is an island crossed by the Grand Canal in the shape of an inverted "S", and full of other smaller canals, many of them navigable. To get there, you can take the train to the Venice Santa Lucia Station , or by bus to Piazzale Roma (the terminal where most buses leave from) or to Tronchetto (for example, Flixbus has a stop there). To get to the accommodation from any of these points, you can take one of the Vaporetti lines (they are not cheap) or on foot, for which we advise you not to bring large suitcases.

As for the areas where to stay, you first need to know that Venice is made up of 6 districts (here called “ sestieri ”). These are: San Marco, San Polo, Canareggio, Santa Croce, Castello and Dorsoduro. Let’s look at each of them and which is the best sestieri to stay in Venice.

map where to stay in Venice Sestieri

1. San Marco

This is the oldest district, where the formation of what is today one of the most special cities in the world began. Therefore, it is the heart of Venice, and the most touristic area , where, as you can guess from the name, the Basilica of San Marco is located. Obviously the prices here are high, but if you find a bargain or the budget is not a problem, it is one of the best areas to stay in Venice.

Recommended hotels:

Hotel Wing
Hotel Serenissima
Hotel San Gallo

where to stay in venice san marco

2. San Polo, our favorite area to stay in Venice

This neighbourhood, north of San Marco, stretches from the Rialto Bridge to the Santa Lucia Station, and although it is also in the heart of Venice, the atmosphere is a little quieter and more authentic than the previous one. This is usually the area where we stay for three reasons: you can easily get there on foot from the station given its proximity, there are many options for bacari where you can try the typical Venetian tapas, and the accommodation offer is wide and at reasonable prices. For us, this is the best area to stay in Venice.

Recommended hotels:

Ca' San Polo
La Dogaressa Guest House
THEY MEAN

where to stay in venice san polo

Best Boutique Hotels

3. Canareggio

It is the second largest sestiere in Venice, and occupies the entire northern part of the island. It is made up of authentic, less touristy areas such as the ghetto, the old Jewish quarter, which we personally consider to be one of the great gems of the island and one of the best areas to stay in Venice, as long as it is close to the Grand Canal (it is a large neighbourhood).

Recommended hotels:

Hotel Abbazia
Martini House
Angeles Inn

where to stay in venice canareggio

4. Santa Croce

This is the neighbourhood where Piazzale Roma is located (the main transport hub in Venice, where the city and most intercity bus lines arrive, and where you can park your car if you arrive with your own vehicle), so from a logistical point of view it is an interesting and beautiful location. But as with Canareggio, it is best to stay in an area close to the centre, otherwise we would be quite far from the main points of interest.

Recommended hotels:

Hotel Carlton Capri
The Loggia of the Moon
House of the Court

5. Castle

It is the largest district in Venice, located next to San Marco but it does not have many tourist attractions , so if you are only going to spend a few days in the city, it does not seem to us to be the most practical option for accommodation, especially if the accommodation is in the far east.

Recommended hotels:

Ducal Palace Suite
B&B La Rosa dei Venti
Hotel Corte Contarina

6. Dorsoduro

We don't think it's the best area to stay in Venice either, as it's quite far from the centre . It is an interesting neighbourhood (here, for example, you'll find the Galleria dell'Accademia) and it has a cool student vibe... but we recommend it more as a "neighbourhood to explore" than as a base for staying in Venice.

Recommended hotels:

Hotel Ca' Nobile Corner
Salute Palace powered by Sonder
Ca Beatrice

where to stay in venice dorsoduro

Top Boutique Hotels

Where to sleep cheap in Venice: the best hotels

If you like the hostel vibe, sharing your experience with people from other parts of the world and, of course, saving a bit of money, there are some options in Venice that might convince you. Here are the best hostels in Venice:

Generator Venice
Venice Combo
Domus Civica Hostel
Santa Fosca Monastery

Staying in Mestre: an alternative for cheap accommodation near Venice

An alternative, which is becoming more and more popular among travellers, is to stay in nearby Mestre. It is an industrial city, without much charm but with a not inconsiderable plus: it is just a few minutes by train from Venice , and the ticket costs just €1, which makes it a great option for a budget traveller, and a perfect bedroom town.

Accommodation in Mestre is much cheaper than in Venice, so if you want to enjoy your visit without completely emptying your pockets, consider this option.

Recommended hotels in Mestre:

Hotel Vivit ***S
Leonardo Royal Hotel Venice Mestre
Cheap hostel option: Anda Venice Hostel

Where NOT to stay in Venice

We personally would not stay on any of the surrounding islands : Giudecca, Burano , Murano ... the transfers by vaporetto (the typical Venice ferry) are expensive and by not staying on the main island you would miss out on its nocturnal charm which is HIGHLY recommended.

GIUDECCA ISLAND OR WHERE TO FIND PEACE IN VENICE - Monica Cesarato

I hope this post has helped you to know which are the best areas to stay in Venice . And you? Have you visited this city? What is your favorite neighborhood?

Selected Boutique Hotels