Deciding where to stay in Venice is a conundrum. Do you go for a hotel right in the middle of San Marco, which, yes, is one of the best locations to stay in Venice for seeing the most famous sights but also means being swamped by crowds? Or do you try and go for quieter parts of town, away from the people but also a longer journey to St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace?
I can’t make that tricky decision for you, but I can share some of my experiences to help you make an informed decision. I have been visiting Venice several times a year for a while now and whilst I wish I was a local, I do know the city of love like the back of my hand.
In this post, I’m going to guide you through the six different sestieri, from the bustling markets of San Polo to the quiet haunts of Cannaregio, analyzing the pros and cons of staying in each of them.
Andiamo!
Where To Stay In Venice
#1 San Marco – The Best Area To Stay In Venice For First-Time Visitors
LOCATION:
San Marco is the heart of the city. Indisputably the best area to stay in Venice for sightseeing, it contains many of the most iconic spots, including the Campanile in St. Mark’s Square and the Bridge of Sighs.
There are a lot of shops and restaurants around here, but I found most of them to be overpriced and underwhelming.
WHY STAY HERE:
If you only have a short time in the city, picking a hotel in San Marco guarantees you are within a brief walk of pretty much all the major sights.
San Marco is perfect for first-timers who don’t want to travel far to see the grand, gilded halls of the Doge’s Palace or the elaborate mosaics of the Basilica of St. Mark.
Scenic streets and canals cut through much of the district, opening out suddenly onto little squares, former palaces, and innumerable cafes and souvenir shops.
Although it gets undeniably crowded, the Piazza San Marco remains a stunning place to start your exploration, framed by some of the city’s grandest architecture. From the Piazzetta, you can gaze out onto the mouth of the Grand Canal and the vaporetti that crisscross the lagoon.
Make sure to pay a visit to some of the museums in this area. Although the Museo Correr provides a great primer on Venice’s history, I have a soft spot for the Museo della Musica, which contains a selection of baroque musical instruments artfully displayed inside a deconsecrated church.
TOP THINGS TO DO:
- Visit St. Mark’s Basilica to gape at the incredibly preserved mosaics.
- Climb the Campanile di San Marco for a bird’s eye view of the city.
- Splurge on an expensive coffee at Caffé Florian, the oldest café in Venice.
- Dazzle your eyes with the elaborate ceilings of the Palazzo Ducale.
- Embark on a gondola ride down the Grand Canal.
- Tour the grandeur of the Teatro La Fenice, one of the world’s most prestigious opera houses.
PROS:
- The charming heart of old Venice
- Lots to do and see
- Convenient for shopping and eating
CONS:
- Expensive accommodation
- Touristy restaurants and shops
- Extremely crowded
#2 San Polo – Best For Foodies and Gourmands
LOCATION:
The smallest of the Venetian sestieri, San Polo is probably most famous for having one end of the Rialto Bridge, which connects the district to San Marco’s many attractions. St. Mark’s Square is between 15 and 20 minutes’ walk.
The area is also a great place to hang out for foodies, not just because it has some dining gems but also because it’s home to the city’s largest fresh produce markets.
WHY STAY HERE:
San Polo has more of a local feel to it than San Marco, as well as being slightly less touristy.
It’s one of the best areas to stay in Venice if you want to be within a leisurely stroll of places like the Doge’s Palace and the Teatro La Fenice, but not actually in the eye of the tourism storm.
The first time I came to Venice, I was overwhelmed by the number of people crowding around the Rialto Bridge. Don’t let that deter you. Once you’ve escaped this beehive of activity, the rest of San Polo is manageably busy – well, at least by the standards of central Venice!
Take your time wandering the streets, which are some of the oldest inhabited parts of Venice. People have been living on this bit of land since before the 9th century, while the vibrant market has been running since the 1000s.
Speaking of the market, San Polo is the best part of Venice if you plan to do some of your own cooking. Even if you don’t, I immensely enjoyed examining the fresh fish, vegetables, and fruits that fill the Rialto Market and the Campo della Pescharia.
Make sure you come early in the morning to rub shoulders with the residents as they buy ingredients for their daily meals.
Moving westward away from the Grand Canal, San Polo puts on an entirely different face. It’s here that you’ll find some of the district’s most memorable churches and architecture.
Top of the list for the history of art majors is the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, a gothic church filled with works by some of the masters of the Renaissance. Paintings by Titian are staged beside statues by Donatello.
Along the vaulted nave are a series of impressive marble monuments. Two of the ones that stick out in our mind are the pyramid-shaped dedication to the sculptor Canova and the enormous monument to Giovanni Pesaro, a former doge.
TOP THINGS TO DO:
- Get up close and personal with the Rialto Bridge to see its decorative details.
- Pick up some fresh produce at the Mercato di Rialto.
- Explore the artwork inside the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari.
- See some of Tintoretto’s best works inside the glittering halls of the Scuola Grande di San Rocco.
- Snap a photo of the lions at the base of the 15th-century Campanile di San Polo.
PROS:
- Excellent food markets
- Plenty of unfussy local eateries
- Short walk to major attractions
CONS:
- Gets very crowded during the day
- Hotels aren’t cheap
#3 Castello – Best For Local Flavour
LOCATION:
The sprawling sestiere of Castello takes up the eastern side of Venice. It’s a big area that can take half an hour to walk across, so make sure you know exactly where your hotel is before booking.
The part of Castello that’s adjacent to San Marco is a bit more touristy, while the other side features locals living their best lives.
This is a good option for where to stay in Venice with kids, as there are several green spaces and the excellent child-friendly Naval History Museum.
WHY STAY HERE:
What makes Castello one of the best areas in Venice to stay in is its combo of convenience and local flavour. The western side abuts San Marco, while the northern side has ferries to the other Venetian islands, including Murano, which is famous for its glassware.
The eastern side, meanwhile, is where you’ll find fewer tourists and a more residential vibe that makes for a refreshing contrast to the heavily visited parts of town.
I stayed in Castello for the first time on my most recent trip to the city, and it’s now my top recommendation for where to stay in Venice.
I nabbed a place towards the western side of Castello, which meant I only had a short walk to St. Mark’s Square but was living on a much quieter street than when I was based in San Marco. In the evenings, I enjoyed some peaceful walks around the picturesque canals, mixing with locals out on a stroll.
Historically, Castello is associated with shipbuilding. It’s here that Venice developed its seafaring capabilities, allowing the tiny city-state to have an outsized impact on trade for centuries.
Today, you can still wander around some of the warehouses and other buildings associated with this maritime might. Head to the Naval History Museum for a bit of factual info, paired with exhibits that are great for families with kids.
Castello has some great places to eat in Venice, including my favourite place for takeaway pasta,
Dal Moro’s. For something a bit more fancy, Ristorante ai Barbacani has an Instagram-famous couples’ table that hovers right over a canal.
TOP THINGS TO DO:
- Wonder at the big brick beast of the Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo.
- Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the Venetian Arsenal.
- Take the load off in the Giardini della Marinaressa, a lagoon-side park with modern sculptures.
- Soothe your soul in the under-visited Chiesa di San Francesco della Vigna.
- Purchase a souvenir from one of the stalls surrounding the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, Italy’s first king.
PROS:
- More local part of town
- Family-friendly parks and museums
- Western side is convenient for St. Mark’s Square
CONS:
- Eastern side is quite far from the main attractions
- Doesn’t have the same vibrancy as San Marco or San Polo
#4 Santa Croce – Best Area To Stay For Short Trips
LOCATION:
Santa Croce is the best neighbourhood to stay in Venice if you plan to stop off for a short visit. It’s here that you’ll be closest to the train station, which connects directly to Florence, Rome, and Naples via high-speed rail. There are also regional services to nearby cities like Verona and Trieste.
Part of the district curves around the northern side of San Polo so that the Rialto Market is only a short stroll away. St. Mark’s Square, on the other hand, is about 20 minutes to half an hour’s walk, though much of that is along atmospheric streets and canals that you’ll want to experience anyway.
WHY STAY HERE:
Santa Croce has excellent connections to mainland Italy, whether by train, bus, or car. For people who are undertaking a grand tour of the country with only a few days on the itinerary dedicated to Venice, it’s much easier to stay here than schlepping your luggage across the city and back.
Although I can’t say that this is the most happening part of town, it does have its own hidden gems in Venice. I’ve stumbled upon several seemingly forgotten historical churches brimming with artwork, like the San Giacomo dall’Orio.
For a little bit of a challenge, try and get into Venice’s most famous ‘secret garden,’ hidden behind the Palazzo Soranzo Cappello. I’ve not actually managed this feat yet since it’s only open to the public very occasionally – usually for an exhibition of some kind. Still, I live in eternal optimism that one day, I’ll turn up at the right time to sneak a peek!
Santa Croce is also one of the best areas to stay in Venice for waterside palazzi that have been converted into museums. What better way to make the most out of your time than by simultaneously exploring Venetian architecture while browsing modern artwork (at the Ca’Pesaro) or aristocratic apparel (at the Mocenigo)?
TOP THINGS TO DO:
- Ponder over the works of Kandinsky and Klimt at the Ca’Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art.
- Learn about Venetian fashion at the Mocenigo Palace Museum.
- Enjoy the tranquillity of the unobtrusive, medieval Chiesa Parracchiale di San Giacomo dall’Orio.
- Wander past the Palazzo Soranzo Cappello, whose secret garden inspired authors Henry James and Gabriele D’Annunzio.
- Let the kids loose in the green spaces of Giardini Papadopoli.
PROS:
- Good transport links
- Less touristy
CONS:
- Not as much to see
- A bit of a walk to St. Mark’s Basilica
#5 Dorsoduro – Best Part of Venice For Nightlife
LOCATION:
Dorsoduro is my favourite part of Venice. It is Venice’s university district, so it’s hardly surprising that I encountered plenty of buzzy bars and affordable bacari (traditional Venetian wine bars) in this part of town.
The neighbourhood is home to two of Venice’s most famous art museums, as well as the iconic Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. Getting to St. Mark’s can be a bit of a walk, although the vaporetto shortens the journey a bit.
WHY STAY HERE:
Aside from being the best place to stay in Venice for nightlife, Dorsoduro is a less touristy part of town if you want to avoid the big crowds. What I most liked about the area is its laidback ambience that crackles with the youthful energy of its student population.
It’s also not short of things to do.
The most famous place in Dorsoduro is unequivocally La Salute, the 17th-century basilica that is one of the most recognisable images on the Venetian waterfront. Its prominent location between the Grand Canal and the Giudecca Canal means you can see it from across the Bay of San Marco.
Wander westward from here, and you’ll come to a pair of fab museums that bridge the gap between the Old Masters and the modern greats. First up is the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, which displays works by Picasso, Kandinsky, and Duchamp in a former palace on the Grand Canal.
A bit further along the water is the Gallerie dell’Accademia, which skews more traditional with its works by Titian, Tintoretto, and Canaletto.
Dorsoduro lays claim to a lovely, relatively wide bit of waterfront promenade, the Zattere, where you can gaze across at the picturesque buildings of Giudecca.
Finish your day at the Campo Santa Margherita. I had a very chill early evening drink at Caffe Rosso, a great place to relax and watch the world go by.
TOP THINGS TO DO:
- Gaze up at the domes of the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute from the vaporetto.
- Bask in the rococo flourishes of the Church of Saint Mary of the Rosary ‘Gesuati.’
- Camp out on the Campo Santa Margherita and observe the bustling local life of Dorsoduro.
- Absorb the history of the Ponte dei Pugni, Venice’s most famous fighting bridge.
- Give yourself a neck ache starting at the ceilings of the Scuola Grande dei Carmini.
- Imagine yourself as royalty within the opulent interiors of the Ca’Rezzonico Museum.
PROS:
- Authentic local vibe
- Social, friendly bars
- Amazing art collections
CONS:
- Quite far from the centre of town
#6 Cannaregio – Where To Stay In Venice On A Budget
LOCATION:
The northernmost sestiere, Cannaregio, encompasses the city’s train station in the west, ferries to Murano and Burano in the east, and the original Jewish ghetto.
It’s a big old region, and some parts are a significant walk from St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace. As with Castello, you’ll want to make sure you know exactly where your hotel is situated before confirming the reservation.
WHY STAY HERE:
Cannaregio is one of the best places to stay in Venice, Italy, if you’re looking for a budget hotel. Due to the out-of-the-way location, I tend to see better deals on offer here for accommodation – in other words, more space for less money!
The district also has several claims to fame: it is the home of the world’s first casino (still running today), the site of one of Venice’s oldest churches (Parish Church of the Holy Apostles), and boasts one of the first palazzi built along the Grand Canal (Ca d’Oro).
Arguably, the most historically important part of the Cannaregio is the former Jewish quarter. I was fascinated to learn that Venice’s ghetto is the original ghetto. The word literally means ‘foundry,’ as the area where the Jews were forced to live was near a well-known cannon manufacturing facility.
I took an English-language tour from the Jewish Museum of Venice that took us around a couple of the major synagogues, providing some interesting details about each building and its past.
TOP THINGS TO DO:
- Gamble away your pocket money in the world’s oldest casino, Casino of Venice.
- Make a pilgrimage to the site of one of Venice’s oldest churches, the Parish Church of the Holy Apostles.
- Take an educational tour of the Sinagoghe e Museo Ebraico di Venezia.
- Gape at the exquisite marblework of the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta detta I Gesuiti.
- Wait for your train’s departure time in the soothing greenery of the Parco Savorgnan.
PROS:
- One of the best locations to stay in Venice Italy for affordable rooms
- Situated way from the noise
CONS:
- Can feel a bit drab and subdued
- Not particularly close to the major sights
The Wrap-Up
When it comes to making a final decision on where to stay in Venice, the most important factor is time. If it’s just a flying visit that you’re planning, stick to the busier, more central sestieri.
If you have a longer vacation in mind, experiment with the quieter residential districts that offer a bit more local character.
For more similar articles about Venice, check out my recommendations below:
Like it? Pin it!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this website are “affiliate links.” This means that if you click on the link and do a purchase, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost for you. This helps me keep my website running and continue to share my travelling knowledge with you. I thank you for booking your flights or hotels using the links on my website. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.
Your honest take on the pros and cons of each area is priceless! I rarely see honest opinions and it’s like getting advice from a friend without all that bells and whistles! Definitely bookmarking this cos I’m planning to visit one day!
Great information! Venice is such a magical city. So much to see and do. I really appreciate the pros and cons.
These look absolutley lovely, thank you for sharing
Venice is such a magical city! We stayed near San Marco during our visit and the location was great for bouncing between the main tourist areas and other spots that are further away. I appreciate learning more about some other areas to consider.
I visited Venice many years ago on a school tour and it was beautiful! I intend to return one day, and now I’ll know where to find my hotel!
Such a lovely summary of where to stay in Venice! I find myself drawn to Cannaregio every time because it feels so local and quiet, but maybe I’ll give another area a try next time!