The most important thing before deciding where to sleep in Venice is to know a little about the structure of the city and the best neighborhoods where you can do it.
Venice is divided into 6 districts orsestieri, which in turn are divided into different neighborhoods. Each of them has a number that identifies it and that helps (or hinders) to find your way through the labyrinthine streets of the city.
- San Marco: this is the most famous district and area of Venice, as it is the heart of the city, where most of the places to visit in Venice are located and also the one that is for us, the best district to stay in Venice.
- San Polo: located in the surroundings of the Rialto Bridge, it is another of the most touristic districts as well as being one of the oldest and liveliest. Undoubtedly this is another of the places to stay in Venice.
- Dorsoduro: located in the southwest area, Dorsoduro is known as the university district of the city since this is where most of the universities are located. It is also a very lively district in which little by little many charming locals are making a niche for themselves. It is undoubtedly another of the best options where to sleep in Venice.
- Cannaregio: in the northern part of the city this is one of the largest districts although it is one of the least chosen by travelers as it is somewhat distant from the center.
- Santa Croce: located in the northeast of Venice, this is the only district where cars can circulate and it is also one of the least frequented, although this is where Piazzale Roma, the station where the airport buses arrive, is located.
- Castello: this is the largest district of the city and includes from the famous area of the Ducal Palace to the most humble area, in the area of the shipyard.
1. San Marco, the best place to stay in Venice
This is the most famous district and also the one chosen by most travelers to sleep in Venice. Known for being the place where the Basilica of San Marco, the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs are located, this is also the liveliest area of the city and even during the high season can become somewhat overwhelming for being also the most touristy of the city.
Despite this, you can also enjoy tranquility in this area if you stay away from the most touristy areas and get lost in the lesser-known streets and canals.
The price of accommodation in San Marco is usually 150-200 euros per night.
2. San Polo, another place to sleep in Venice
Right in the center of Venice, next to San Marco, the San Polo district is another of the best places to stay in Venice. Known for being the location of the beautiful Rialto Bridge and some of the most beautiful churches in the city such as the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, this district is also one of the liveliest and one of those that offers the most restaurants.
Being very close to San Marco, either of the two options we believe is perfect for sleeping in Venice especially if it is your first time in the city and you want to be close to its main attractions.
The price of accommodation in San Polo is usually 120-150 euros per night although there are accommodations at higher prices.
3. Dorsoduro, the liveliest area of Venice
In the southwest area of the city is this district known for being one of the liveliest in Venice as it is here where most of the universities are located and the place where many new locals have bet that have turned Dorsoduro into one of the trendiest areas.
It is also home to the Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, two of the most famous art galleries in the city and the Church of Santa Maria della Salute, another of the most beautiful churches in the city.
And in addition to these attractions, this district is next to San Polo, so you will be just a few steps away from the most central area of the city, you only have to cross the Ponte della Accademia, without having toendurethe overcrowding that often shakes the city, especially in high season.
The price of accommodation in Dorsoduro is usually 80 euros per night, so this is also one of the best areas to stay in Venice.
4. Cannaregio, one of the most economical areas of Venice
In the northern part of Venice is Cannaregio, one of the largest districts of the city and the place where the old Jewish ghetto was located. Although for us it is not the best option where to stay in Venice, despite the fact that the prices are tighter than in other areas of the city, this is also not a bad option if your budget is tighter, since if you stay near Strada Nuova you will be less than 15 minutes walk from Piazza San Marco.
The price of accommodation in Cannaregio is usually 80 euros per night.
5. Santa Croce, the best option if you travel by car
If your trip to Venice is part of a route through the country and you arrive by car, the best option to stay in Venice is Santa Croce as this is the only district of the city where you are allowed to enter and where you can find a parking lot.
Apart from this and the fact that here is Piazzale Roma, where the airport buses arrive, this district does not have any other tourist attraction being also a rather humble area where there is not much gastronomic offer.
Taking this into account, we would only consider Santa Croce as a place to sleep in Venice if we had a car because the prices are usually high for what the neighborhood offers.
The price of accommodation in Santa Croce is usually 80-90 euros per night.
6. Castello, another option to find a hotel in Venice
This is the largest district of the city and another of the options where to sleep in Venice, especially if you choose to do so in the area closest to the Doge’s Palace, where you will be in the heart of the city.
Keep in mind that this district extends to the shipyard area, so before booking any hotel, it is worth making sure of the location to be in a central area.
Here you will find the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo, which is the largest church in Venice.
The price of accommodation in Castello is usually 100 euros per night although the price is higher the more centrally located the accommodation is.
Tips for finding cheap accommodation in Venice
In addition to details on the best areas to sleep in Venice and a selection of the best accommodations in each of them, we want to leave you some extra tips to make your choice as quick and easy as possible.
- As in many cities, most travelers come to Venice for only a few days, so although the city is relatively small, it is highly recommended to stay in the San Marco or San Polo areas, which are the most central and touristy.
- Prices for accommodation in Venice are usually quite high, so it is highly recommended to book as far in advance as possible to find more options and better prices.
- Remember that in Venice the usual means of transportation is the vaporetto, so if you do not want to walk too far, it is highly recommended to look for a hotel with a stop nearby.
- Remember that to avoid paying commissions and to always have the current exchange rate we recommend you to use the Revolut card and the N26 card, which are the ones we use, are free of charge and will save you a lot of money.
