Best hotels in Venice – enjoy the city full of canals and history

Location and offerings

In Venice, there are plenty of hotels in all categories. Business travelers usually prefer to stay in the San Marco area, or near the city's Santa Lucia train station.

Families also tend to choose hotels at San Marco, but have a greater focus on accommodations that are close to attractions and museums.

Couples tend to choose their hotels in much the same way, but often choose to book a hotel that has beautiful rooms and suites, for a more romantic experience.

There are many budget hotels and the larger part of these are in really good central locations. The budget hotels are generally of a more simple standard, unlikely to have an elevator or fancy amenities.

The city of Venice is known for its elegant luxury hotels. These are often grand old buildings with lots of character. Many located right next to the city's canals and several even have private jetties.

When looking for a hotel it is always wise to first decide what you want out of your stay, and then select the hotel accordingly.

Attractions and sights

The unique city of Venice is very old, having been inhabited since the 10th century BC and is located on a lagoon on the northern Adriatic sea. To some extent, it is built on islands, but a large part of the city is built on wooden piles, which were hammered into the mud.

There are plenty of historic palaces, churches, examples of Venetian Gothic architectural type buildings as well as numerous bridges.

The most famous characteristic of Venice is the large network of canals, which are used for transport instead of roadways. The largest channel is called Canal Grande and runs as an S-shape through the entire city.

The city is listed as a World Heritage site and there are many famous attractions to visit. Rialto Bridge, Bridge of Sighs and Piazza San Marco, or St. Mark's Square are given destinations for many.

On the latter is the famous San Marco basilica with it’s five domes and the Doge's Palace, where Casanova was imprisoned.

For art lovers, there is a variety of art museums to visit - such as the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Ca 'Rezzonico and the Accademia. The large exhibition area of La Biennale where one can see the very latest in architecture, art and culture also attracts many visitors.

Restaurants, shopping and nightlife

In Venice there is a wide range of restaurants, cafes and bars. The prices are often very high and one has to look far for a really good and affordable restaurant.

There are many cozy streets and alleys and many visit the city just to stroll around and enjoy the beautiful environment and atmosphere.

It is always possible to book a classic gondola ride, but many choose instead to see the city from the water bus - vaporetto.

The city's best shopping available is in the area around Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge. There are also expensive fashion houses and boutiques, as well as art galleries and craft shops.

The cultural life of Venice is rich and you can enjoy many different kinds of theater, music and opera performances. Here you will find the rebuilt 1700’s opera La Fenice and the prestigious Teatro Goldon.

Many guests also like to visit the Venetian casino.

The nightlife is relatively quiet, there are not many nightlife spots or discotheques. Some bars are open after midnight.

Trade shows and events

Venice is one of the world's most visited cities, and there are often various events and festivities. The most important of these is the traditional carnival, which reaches its peak about 40 days before Easter.

La Biennale exhibition is an important arts event and attracts many visitors every year.

The Venice Film Festival is a part of the Venice Biennale and takes place in late August or early September.

During big events and during the high season, the number of tourists in the city can be extreme and many hotels are fully booked well in advance. If you want to ensure you get a good room, it is a good idea to book in advance. You should make an inquiry as to availability of the desired hotel before you book your trip.

Travel to and in the city

Most visitors arrive Venice via plane, train or car. The Venice Marco Polo Airport is located just outside the city, and Treviso airport is about 19 miles outside the city. From both airports you can easily get to your destination by bus, taxi, airport shuttle or water taxi.

If you travel by train you step out at the Santa Lucia railway station, which is right next to the Grand Canal.

In Venice vehicular traffic is prohibited, cars are parked outside the city, and then you can get into town by public transport.

The best ways to get around the city are on foot, by water taxi or with the city's water buses (Venice vaporetto).

The city has uneven streets and many bridges with stairs, so it can be difficult to get around with a pram or wheelchair.

Weather and climate

Venice has a humid, subtropical climate with cold winters and hot summers. Best time to visit the city of April-May or September-October, when temperatures are most comfortable. This is usually when less tourists are in the city and if you want to avoid the high season, March (except during Carnival), June and November can be options. If you are visiting the city in summer a hotel with good air conditioning is always preferable.

Price structure

Venice is an expensive city to visit and around Piazza San Marco and the other major tourist areas, the prices can be exorbitant. A good way to save money is to cook up some of the day's meals yourself, if possible. Gondola Rides and water taxis are nice, but expensive means of travel. A ferry or water bus (vaporetto) is a more affordable option.

City pass

For anyone visiting Venice the CityPass card might be a good way to save money. The card is loaded with the desired content at a discounted price and then provides smooth admission to museums, events and transport.