KrunkoDallas

We are looking to rent an apartment for a few days which claims to be an 8 minute walk from Piazzo San Marco, from the map it appears to be 8 minutes to the west. It faces the San Marco waterfront. It appears we would be far away from most of the attractions (not in the middle of any of them), so we may always be walking. Is to better to get an apartment closer towards the city center, or...?

We will be staying 4 nights in Venice.

Thanks, and please let me know if you need any further information to make a suggestion.

nessundorma

Do you have a link to this apartment? Your description of its location is very confusing.

In general, there are no bad locations in Venice. You have to understand the entire place is filled with canals and historic buildings and fabulous churches. Everybody jams into Piazza San Marco, which is extremely beautiful, but they also visit beautiful places all over the city. It's not like there is only one part of town that you want to see.

You are going to be walking, walking, walking no matter where you get an apartment. And for me, I would rather be 10 minutes from Piazza San Marco because then I would have a little peace. Depending on when you go, staying around San Marco can be like staying in the middle of the Olympics, 24/7, with mobs of people so think in the narrow alleyways you are squeezed against strangers and have to keep walking or else get trampled.

Eloise

What "sestiere" (one of the six neighborhoods into which Venice is divided) is the apartment?

West of San Marco brings you closer to the Rialto.

Don't forget that not all the points of interest are centered around Piazza San Marco. Many are in Dorsoduro: the Accademia, the church of the Frari, the Scuola di San Rocco, the Guggenheim Collection, to name only a few of the best known ones.

Everything is within walking distance in Venice, and eight minutes are not going to make the difference.

Nikki

Distances in Venice can look much farther on the map than they are when you are walking. Several times I walked beyond the point I was aiming for and was surprised when I saw on the map how far I had gone.

KrunkoDallas

here is a link:

http://www.theveniceapartment.com/en/index.htm

Lexma90

On the whole, nothing is real far from anything in Venice, but based on the map at the link you provided, you're correct in saying that you wouldn't be in the middle of any of the attractions. 8 minutes walking isn't so much, if you ask me, but I'm not sure that it would only be 8 minutes.

You might want to look at apartments that are in Dorsoduro or Castello or even Canneregio. Those are closer to the "main" attractions, but more significantly, may have more going on and more to look at that's closer to where you're staying.

Statia

The apartment you are looking at is closer to the Arsenale. As everyone has said, Venice is rather compact and it's quite easy to get to various places. On my last visit I was concerned about being all the way north in Cannaregio, but found that we really enjoyed the area and it still wasn't far to reach the major sights.

On the other hand, if it were me, I would personally prefer to stay in either San Polo, Dorsoduro or Cannaregio. IMO, the Aresenale is a bit out of the way. But, it's really more of a personal preference. Others may have a different opinion and you might enjoy the peace and quiet of that area, as well.

Eloise

I know I'm sometimes directionally challenged, but surely that is east of San Marco, not west...

Arsenale <b>is</b> more than a bit out of the way; I would doubt that you could walk to Piazza San Marco in eight minutes from there.

As others already have, I would suggest that you look for something in the Dorsoduro or San Polo areas. They are across the Grand Canal from the day trippers of San Marco, but with a traghetto (public gondola; 0.50 Euro) you can be in San Marco quite truthfully in minutes. (The location you are looking at is in Castello, but Castello takes in a large area.)

KrunkoDallas

I thought in Europe things were backwards, drive on the other side of the road, east is west, etc...?



j/k, I don't know what I was thinking. Yes, it appears this is in the *Eastern* part of the city, and is *east* of San Marco.

nessundorma

I very much like Arsenale, where much of what little remains of Venice's population actually live, but then again I can't stand crowds or tourists. I've easily walked from areas of Arsenale to San Marco, and of course if you walk along the waterfront, it's an easy stroll.

Also, it is not difficult to go from Arsneale around San Marco to get to other places.

I would avoid booking in San Marco itself, but Dorsoduro might be a better option from someone who is concerned about walking too much in Venice.

Do have a link or an address for the apartment. Is the map online?

nessundorma

Oh sorry. I just noticed you posted the link.

nessundorma

Having looked at the link, I think it would be a very brisk 8 minute walk to Piazza San Marco! More like 12, I think. And presumably the piazza is not all you want to see in Venice, and vaporettos are not always the answer.

I would have thought the selling point of the apartment was the view, and yet they don't give you any pictures of the view, so it makes me wonder what precisely there is in front of the apartment.

I recall walking along the Riva degli Schiavone and finding many amusement park rides along that stretch of the waterfront. So I'd be inclined to keep looking.

But wherever you end up booking, be prepared for a lot of walking in Venice, including many, many stairs. If you have a problem with stairs, that apartment has one big advantage: The stretch between there and Piazza San Marco is mainly very flat and without bridges, and the Vaporetto stops nearby. Just check there is an elevator.

maryk

I agree that this apartment would be a good deal more than an 8 minute 'walk' - more like 20. The arsenale area is very pleasant - if a bit limited -and you'd probably find that it would not be worth heading back to apartment during the day as you'd constantly be back tracking to the major sights, churches and museums. I also feel that at 1400e it's on the expensive side for what's offered. The views from here will be across the lagoon and then towards Giudecca. I agree wholeheartedly about not staying in San marco - unless you're in the San Angelo/San Samuele area which is much quieter and more residential. My personal preference is for either San Polo or Dorsoduro.

chicagolori

The thing that would prevent me from staying in that location is that in order to get to the other neighborhoods, you have to always somehow walk through San Marco. To me, this means, having to deal with the hordes and crowds of visitors everytime. Unless you always took a vaporetto.

My preference is to stay away from San Marco and have the option of going there when the crowds die down in the evening.