DonnaT

We will be staying in Venice for 3 or 4 nights. What is the best area we should find a hotel in that will maximise our sight seeing: Castello, Dorsoduro, San Marco, San Polo, Santa Croce, Cannaregio or Murano?
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_Julie_

I stayed in Cannaregio and liked the area - if you get off the main 'roads' its very quiet and peaceful. I was walking distance from the train station and about a 15 minute tragetto ride from San Marco Square, about 1/2 hour or 45 minutes from Murano. I personally wouldn't stay on Murano because it would make sightseeing more difficult since its an island unto itself.
I think alot of people like to stay closer to San Marco, but I liked the idea of a quieter area and it was more suitable to my budget

PamSF

I liked the Dorsoduro. It was enough away from the crush of San Marco but close enough to walk. I also liked the feel of it. I'd not stay on Murano but would choose something away from San Marco as well. We liked the feel of San Polo and Santa Croce as well. I think if this is your first trip to Venice I'd go with Dorsoduro. There is a great deal to see and do in that area. Stroll along the Zattere and gaze across the Guidecca Canal.

RufusTFirefly

Nothing really terrible about any of them, but from convenience and crowding standpoints, I'd say that Cannaregio, San Marco, and Murano would be the less desireable areas.

We stayed in Cannaregio on the Grand Canal near S. Lucia station on our first trip--it took a bit longer to get to the main sights, but not unbearably so. The daytripper crowds were a bit of a pain, but again, not horrible.

oldorch

donna,
my wife and i recently returned from italy and while in venice we stayed at the accademia maravege. we would highly recommend due to it's close proximity to the accademia bridge and san marco,the cost was around 128 euro per night and we thought it was well worth it. there is no doubt that we would stay there again. feel free to email me if you need further info.

Tess_Durberville

To reinterate what RufusTFirefly said, there's nothing much wrong with any of the areas you've listed. Venice is a very compact city; I think the longest distance on the island itself is about 2 miles across. I'd immediately knock Murano off your list ~ less convenient than being on Venice, proper. I'd also think twice about the San Marco siestere; many of the sights are in this district and consequently, it's the most crowded. I think an excellent location is within Dorsoduro --- it's less crowded with the daytrippers --- an easy stroll to San Marco across the Accademia bridge --- good access via vaparetto to other parts of Venice, Accademia stop or Zattere stop.

Above poster as well as others have good comments about the Accademia Maravege. Or La Calcina is also well reviewed. Or if you're a budget traveller and looking for a simple no frills place with a view of the GC, there's the Hotel Galleria.

Isobel

I would agree with all the previous posters. Keep away from San Marco - very busy and touristy. We stayed in the Cannerego district and it was vry quiet. The Dorsoduro is lovely. Definitely do not stay in Murano - its a good boat ride away. Its nice to stay in Venice itself and then when all the day trippers have gone, you can wander Venice at night - its wonderful!!! Isobel

Byrd

Hi DonnaT,

Byrd

Hi- Last week we stayed at the Hotel Ca' dei Conti in Castello, just a very short walk from San Marco, but very quiet and non-touristy. We just loved the little hotel, which we understand is fairly new. We found the Castello area to be a convenient and charming place.
Byrd

RobertR

Avoid the lido, and the area around the train station,and murano for hotel.But visit murano for sure!I have been to venice
april october and december and oddly never felt that crowded.At times there are many people but walk a few streets away and, whalla! you can be almost be alone, the magic of Venice! Also helps to time visits to Piazza SM at off peak times, try early morning. I have photos with perhaps 20 people in the whole piazza at that time.RR

pasquale

RobertR, you worry me. We're going on a Trafalgar tour in May and will be staying in the Lido, which I've been told is just a short boat trip away from the main island. Why did you say to stay away from the Lido?

RufusTFirefly

There's nothing really wrong with the Lido, but it's a beach resort and not like the old city at all. It is a short vaporetto ride from P. San Marco and the old Venice.

I wouldn't worry about it unless your were anticipating being among the narrow crooked streets and lazy canals of old Venice. In terms of being able to get to the main sights in Venice, it's not too much different from staying near S. Lucia Station in Cannaregio. The Lido has its own charm, and there are some people who prefer to stay there.

RufusTFirefly

Oh, and RobertR gives good advice about visiting the most popular sights in the morning. When we were in Venice in June a couple of years ago, we went to P. San Marco in the morning--have photos of my wife and son with no one within 30 meters of them in any direction. You can see a group of 30 or 40 people in the background of the shot admiring Basilica S. Marco--but certainly no huge crowds. When the crowds of daytrippers hit town, then you can head off exploring to the parts of Venice that most people don't even know exist.

RobertR

Lido is "close" but is like going to New York City and staying in Queens.Vaporettos are great but it is a pain if you have to go back and forth constantly.We usually break up day by a short nap or rest in the pm but if take a boat involves 4 rides back and forth to do that.

pasquale

RufusT and RobertR - Thanks for your additional input. Since we're going on a tour because my husband doesn't want to drive this time, we really don't have a choice. Fortunately, we don't nap and neither do we need much sleep. The tour will be taking us in the morning to several of the major features and we will stay in old Venice for the day and most of the night, taking the vaporetto back to the island fairly late. How late do they run? We are really looking forward to a 30-minute gondola ride, hopefully with a glass of wine and a boatman who sings "Oh, solo mio," but we may have to just settle for the gondola ride.

screen_name

Last year we spent four nights at the Hotel La Residenza in Vencie...it was a wonderful location. A 2-minute walk from the bedlam (tourists) at St. Mark's square. Located on a quiet, quaint square in a residential area.

RufusTFirefly

This web site has the waterbus (vaporetto) schedules.

http://www.actv.it/eng/home.php