Planning our third trip to Venice and it will be very brief--two days. We've stayed in the Dorsodoro area (liked it a lot) and the other I don't remember, except that it was just behind the Operahouse--a little off the beaten path, if there is such a thing in Venice

I know nothing about the Lido, except that what I'm reading makes it appear to be a separate island from the rest of Venice, which would mean a Vaporetto every time we want to go to the rest of Venice. Once of the things we enjoy is wandering over the many little bridges over the small canals and narrow streets in the little neighborhoods.

If we stayed in the Lido would we miss all that? Am I understanding it correctly?

Thanks very much!
Mel

The streets on the Lido are relatively wide and straight and all of them feature cars. The are a few canals, most if not all with streets with cars beside them. The Lido has the feel of a beach resort, not the charming narrow walkways with multiple canals and bridges of the central island of Venice.

As per <i>ellenem</i>, Lido is more a resort area rather than the alleys and bridges and canals of the centre of Venice. So yes, you won't really get that at all if you stay on Lido, it's not that picturesque (but it is fun in Summer if you like beaches and people), plus depending on the time of year you're planning to go you may find not all of the restaurants, etc open as it really comes to life in the late Summer months.

As you only have 2 days, consider staying in another part of Venice such as Castello or the Giudecca. Still pretty, but easier access to San Marco, etc. Or you could go the other direction and stay on Burano. Granted it's 45mins from Venice centre, but quiet, pretty and plenty of stroling over bridges and past canals to be had. There are a handful of hotels and B&Bs which would suit for 2 days, and lots of great <i>Trattorie<i/>.

It is worth a day trip, but it is dead by October and a long way from everything that spells Venice to most of us.

Have personally stayed in both areas.For ashort stay the Dorsoduro my favfor us in May www.hotelpausania.it #211
a cute little canal view wuite in a palazzo 59 euro we
booked on www.otel.com

If you do elect the Lido ok but always a 10 minute boat
ride from Venice we stayed last at Le Ville de Lido
60 euros or so booked hotels.com it was nice but a bit remote
Panorama was better right at the square ferry stop great views of sunsets over San Marco but more $$.

Happy Deciding!

Booking.com/HotelPanoramaVenezia

mel, in 5 trips to venice I've still not made it to the Lido and it wouldn't be top of my list on 2 day visit to Venice in October.

have you seen Burano and Torcello? [a great trip even on a misty day]. gone to the top of the campanile on San Giorgio? explored the ghetto? seen the Rialto fish market early in the morning? wandered round the outer areas of Venice near Giardino or the fundament nuova?

if this were a trip in July or august, then the lido would have some attractions, but not, IMO, in October.

This question was discussed in depth recently on this forum and the answer ten to one was NOT to stay on the Lido. It is not like Venice, there are roads and cars, and the vaporetto ride is a little too long to do several times a day when your time is so limited.

I stayed on the Lido on my first trip to Venice (I was 21). We've been back to venice 3 times and I've never returned to Lido. It was not, as I remember it, very interesting or beautiful. And the trip back and forth was a pain.

Stay in Venice.

Thanks, everyone. I think we'll skip the Lido, even though we're going in July (a couple of replies mentioned October, but I don't know where the idea came from that we were going then

You guys are, as always, terrific. Thanks so much!!!

It is worth a day trip, but it is dead by October>>

it appears that ackislander is the guilty party.

july is perhaps one of the few times that I might think of visiting the lido, if not staying there. someone else suggested staying on the guidecca and the Molino Stucky [which has a swimming pool on the roof] is showing pre-purchased rooms for less than €200 per night in July.

just an idea!

I've been to Venice 15 times, and 12 of those trips I stayed on Lido. But I also love 'everyday' Italy and everyday Italian life, and you get that on Lido. Particularly in July. It is a bright and happy place with Venice a gorgeous 15-minute boat ride away. If I were staying in Venice proper, I would never 'visit' Lido -- there's nothing to see. It is better as a comfy base for people who just like the way Italians live and play.