Hotels in Venice

Best time to visit Venice

Venice is packed with tourists in the summer months from June – August. Average temperatures range from 18 – 25 degrees Celsius and hotel rates spike, so try to book your accommodation in advance. At this time of the year, tourists sometimes complain of bothersome mosquitoes and odour from the canals, but that does not deter anyone from exploring the beautiful city. If you wish to avoid the crowds and get reasonable hotel rates, try to plan your trip during spring from March – May or in fall from September – November. Temperatures range from 8 – 15 degrees Celsius, and you may need to bring along a light jacket, and dress in layers. Winter temperatures range from 0 – 5 degrees Celsius, and acqua alta (high waters) can sometimes cause flooding. Remember to pack your rain boots if you are visiting around this time. The huge Carnevale event occurs at the end of winter in February, so be prepared for streets filled with large mask-wearing crowds, and a host of festivities. Hotel rates do tend to go up during this event.

Getting around Venice

The best way to explore Venice is on foot. Be prepared for long walks of 30 – 45 minutes each time to reach certain areas, and do not worry if you lose your way in the maze of similar looking cobbled streets, long narrow alleys, and canals. Just stop a passerby and feel free to ask for directions. Pay attention to the landmarks, and find the nearest stop for a vaporetto or water taxi. You can navigate the city’s canals and cover distances faster if you hop on to a vaporetto (water bus) which costs €7.00 EUR for travel up to 60 minutes. You also have water taxis, but they are quite expensive, and even a short trip may cost as much as €60.00 EUR. A Venezia Unica Gold City Pass for €58.90 EUR allows you unlimited travel for 72-hours on all ACTV-operated public transport (which includes buses and vaporettos), as well as access to museums and other attractions. Gondola, the iconic Venetian transport is very popular among tourists, and prices vary by demand and season. Typically, you will pay €80.00 EUR – €100.00 EUR for a 40-minute ride. Remember to negotiate with the gondoliers, and agree on a price before you step into the gondola.

Best places to stay in Venice

With enchanting canals and bridges, romantic gondolas, and the breathtaking Grand Canal, Venice is sure to charm you as soon as you set foot in this legendary ‘City of Water’. Each Venetian district called ‘sestiere’ has a unique appeal and character. If you are visiting for the first time, try to stay in the central areas closer to the popular tourist attractions, even if you have to spend a little more on accommodation.

San Marco

Home to the most iconic monuments such as Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square), and the Ponte dell’Accademia (Accademia bridge), the San Marco sestiere boasts a buzz and excitement that you will not find anywhere else in Venice. Stay at The Gritti Palace, A luxury Collection Hotel, Venice which is set in a 15th-century palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal, and features exquisitely designed rooms with views of the magnificent Salute church. You can also consider the Corte di Gabriela, set in a distinct 19th-century palace with chic rooms overlooking the canals, in the heart of San Marco.

Castello

The largest and mostly residential sestiere on the eastern side of the city, Castello takes centre stage every 2 years for the Venice Biennale art exhibition. The area has plenty of restaurants and cafés, and is dominated by the striking Dominican church, Santi Giovanni e Paolo. On the prestigious riva degli Schiavoni waterfront promenade, you have the Oriental-themed luxurious interiors and ornate rooms of the Metropole Hotel. A short walk from the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Basilica, you can stay at the Residenza de l’Osmarin, set in an elegant Venetian period building featuring bright, individually-styled rooms.

Cannaregio

This sestiere in the northern part of the city is relatively quiet in the day but by evening, the canals here transform into a lively hub for nightlife, and you will see large crowds spilling out of hip clubs and bars. Check out the Al Ponte Antico hotel, set in a marvellous 16th-century home with ornately decorated rooms offering uninterrupted views of the Rialto Bridge. Consider elegant rooms with glass-mosaic-tiled-walls and artworks at the Domus Orsoni bed and breakfast, set in a delightful palazzo just steps away from the Jewish Ghetto in the Cannaregio sestiere.

Santa Croce and San Polo

The vibrant San Polo sestiere with its abundant produce and fish markets, and a host of restaurants and bars, stands in contrast to the peace and quiet of the Santa Croce sestiere. These areas are slightly away from the popular tourist attractions. Stay here if you wish to immerse yourself in the true Venetian lifestyle. In Santa Croce, you have the Cima Rosa Boutique B&B which offers elegant rooms equipped with a mix of contemporary and antique furnishings. It is located on the Grand Canal. Or enjoy a stay at the posh Aman Venice Hotel which attracts celebrity clients due to its setting in a historic palace with ornate interiors and ultra-luxurious rooms.

Dorsoduro

A sophisticated area with plenty of art galleries and museums, the Dorsoduro sestiere attracts all kinds of art lovers, and features plenty of cool cafés, eateries and pubs. It is also home to the Jewish Ghetto. Enjoy the exclusive locale, eclectic décor, and romantic ambience of the Ca Maria Adele, a boutique hotel in the heart of Dorsoduro. Or stay at the stylish and contemporary Sina Centurion Palace hotel which gives you direct access to the Grand Canal, and offers posh rooms with incredible canal views.

Giudecca and Lagoon islands

The hip and trendy Giudecca island  caters to a large student population with some earthy cafés and cheap eateries, while Lagoon Island offers peace, tranquility and exclusivity to the visitors who prefer to experience hustle and bustle only when they go across to mainland Venice. Experience ultimate Venetian luxury at the Belmond Hotel Cipriani, which is a world unto itself. It is a 5-minute ride by a private launch from St. Mark’s Square. You also have several other ultra-luxurious properties such as JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa, and Palladio Hotel and Spa, set on private islands in the Venetian Lagoon.

Cheap hotels in Venice

An 8-minute walk from St. Mark’s Square, you have the B&B S. Marco which features simple, understated rooms and friendly owners who enthral their guests with stories about Venice. You can also look at the charming, family-run, Novecento Boutique Hotel, set in a quaint narrow street, just steps away from the busy Accademia Bridge. In Cannaregio, you have the Hotel Palazzo Abadessa which is set in a historic palace, and features rooms with elegant period furniture. In Dorsoduro, you can look at the Art-Deco styled Ca’Pisani hotel set in a 14th-century building with original architecture and period furnishings. On the Giudecca island, stay at the canal-fronted Giudecca hotel, a charming place with modern amenities. On the Venice Lido, you can look at Hotel Rigel with rooms designed in fascinating period themes, and equipped with modern amenities.

The city of epic grandeur, romantic canals, bridges, gondolas, and magnificent art and music, Venice has so much to see and do that it may be somewhat overwhelming to decide what to include in your itinerary. If you are visiting for the first time, then make time for these activities to take away a true Venetian experience.

• Admire the opulent architecture of the Basilica di San Marco on the popular Piazza San Marco. You can easily spend a few hours at the square just people-watching as you sip on some hot chocolate or a beer.
• Hop on to a vaporetto or a water-taxi and take in incredible views of the Grand Canal. Don’t forget to click some Instagram-worthy pictures as you pass the oldest bridge on the canal, the Ponte di Rialto.
• Enjoy a unique photo opportunity at the uniquely placed Ponte des Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs), and also hear stories from the locals about how the bridge got this name.
• Learn more about the intriguing Venetian leaders, and discover a web of secret passageways and hidden doors at the Doge’s Palace in Piazza San Marco. Your tour ticket also allows you to visit the Museo Correr museum which displays several historical Venetian artworks and artifacts.
• If 20th century contemporary art interests you, then make a trip to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection museum and see impressive works by artists such as Magritte, Picasso, Pollock, Chagall, and Dalí.
• In the Cannaregio sestiere, enjoy a leisurely stroll at the Jewish Ghetto filled with restaurants, shops, a Jewish museum, and several synagogues that are open for touring with a small entry fee.
• In the San Polo sestiere, visit the Basilica dei Frari, a 14th-century, Gothic-style church which displays several paintings, sculptures, and artworks of famous artists.
• Admire the myriad colours of fresh produce at the Rialto Market.
• Take a guided tour to admire the intricately-designed gold interiors of the Teatro La Fenice opera house. If you are feeling indulgent, then attend an opera, ballet, or music performance here.
• Climb atop the Campanile di San Marco bell tower for a panoramic view of the city.
• On a clear day, soak up the sun and enjoy a picnic on the banks of the Grand Canal.
• Taste Venice’s quintessential cocktail called Spritz along with a meal or two, and don’t be surprised if you get hooked on to it for the rest of your stay! Also, enjoy the delicious gelatos and try a new flavour each day.
• Walk around the winding alleys and ornate canal bridges, and stop by for a coffee or a drink at a terrace café each time you either lose your way or simply need a break!
• Take home a few colourful, artistic Venetian masks as souvenirs or enrol for a mask-making workshop at the mask shops, and create your own masterpiece to take home with you.