Colorful & chaotic Italian tourist city of crowded canals and narrow streets.
Venice is an absolute madness of a city full of tourists taking postcard-worthy photos from every corner. Colorful buildings, bridges, shops, walkways from every angle. Buildings, boats, waterfronts, squares, and people everywhere.
Where to stay:
- San Marco (center-southeast) – prime touristy area with most touristy things and most people passing through, especially by Ponte Rialto bridge. Even though it’s absolute madness, I’d feel you almost HAVE to stay near here for your first visit to see what Venice tourism is all about.
- San Polo – (center) – 2nd busiest area with many people passing through but not as many touristy things like San Marco. But still has charmy quieter local residential parts for a break from the noise. Basically, it’s authentically local Venice area and peaceful but still super close to the action. Another good option to stay by the center if San Marco is too expensive or unavailable.
- Dorsoduro (south) – chill, charmy, younger, trendier local area. With nice waterbanks to walk and hang out, and still close to nice tourist things. Easy to walk around since there’s less people and things seem more spread out. I feel there’s many students hanging out here. Close to the St Margherita Square, considered more authentic and “real Venice” than touristy St Mark square. I would probably stay here or Canneregio on my next visits to Venice.
- Canneregio (north) – the cool area where the locals hangout but dull architecturally. Lots of cool bars and restaurants. And merges smoothly into busy San Marco area (thanks to see stream of people coming from the main station).
- Santa Croce (west) – some say it’s quiet and “boring”. Feels very residential with no commercial or touristy things. Almost like you’re not in Venice. It’s close and easily walkable to the train station, in case you wanna go to mainland Mestre.
- Castello (east) – I don’t remember well but I think this area was sleepy. Has some touristy things, and then other half is residential. Less to do but arguably faster easier walk to the San Marco area.
- Giudecca (south island) – island separated from the rest of Venice. Some like it’s quieter, less touristy, yet still very Venetian vibes. Others feel it’s too boring with few bars/restaurants and too expensive since you have to keep taking 6euro ferries to the main island. I’d suggest visiting here before you decide to stay here. I wouldn’t recommend this for first-timers since it hinders the point of you seeing the popular parts of Venice.
Basically if you have the money and want (or don’t mind) the chaotic human traffic, choose San Marco. This area has the most tourists and tourist things. Also more expensive. FYI: I only stayed at hotels (on Booking.com), no hostels or AirBnB’s.
If you want a cheaper yet still charmy and quick access to the prime tourist areas, choose San Polo or Dorsoduro. San Polo feels more residential but is closer to the train station, Dorsoduro feels more young/trendy and has the nice water banks.
If you want a true locals areas and/or super easy access to the main train station, go with Canneregio or Santa Croce. I personally feel Canneregio is way more cool with more things and noise. Santa Croce is more quiet boring.
Castello and Giudecca is are far out isolated areas with fewer touristy things to do. But at least Castello is connected to the main island and can walk to the touristy San Marco area. Whereas Giudecca is an isolated island and you’ll need a ferry to get around.
Venice walkability
An important thing to note is the walking difficulty in Venice. TRUST ME when I tell you distance is not the main factor in your walking time. In the most crowded areas, even going just 400m can take you an hour! Why so long? Because the blocks and buildings are not evenly sized and matched. All streets are jagged and crooked, with many little side-streets and passage ways coming from every direction. Then there’s bridges and stairs everywhere. The ground is also un-even, higher in some parts and lower in other parts. The street signs aren’t clear when there’s commercial signs and people running all around you as you’re trying to get out of the way.
You will get lost/confused EVEN WHEN YOU HAVE A MAP. You will get lost EVEN WHEN YOU’VE ALREADY BEEN THERE BEFORE.
For this reason, you have to know which areas have the most foot traffic. It is San Marco and San Polo, especially by the Grand Canal water the closer you get to the right side. You should also imagine a constant stream of tourists dragging luggage from the main straight straight to San Marco. Some will cut right through the middle of San Polo. Others will follow along the top side of the Grand Canal.
Knowing these details:
- You now know it can easily take 1hr to walk anywhere.
- Save at least 30-40mins to walk from San Marco to the main station when you leave (so you don’t miss your flight/train/bus).
- Consider staying in areas outside of San Marco or San Polo, that seem farther in distance but are actually faster to reach San Marco tourist areas to since their paths have fewer tourists.
Neighborhoods & Walking areas:
- St Mark Basilica (and Square) – the absolute very first thing you should do. Don’t get distracted by anything else. Walk straight here right away!
- St Margherita Square – nicer and more authentic Venice than St Mark Square.
- Waterfronts – along the Grand Canal are the most touristy, but I would also check out the waterfront by the Basilica di Santa Maria.
Activities to do:
- Walking around – visit the squares. Also explore local residential neighborhoods in the South, East, North and West (exactly in the order, as time permits).
- Checkout architecture – there are many monuments and buildings for you to check out. See any tourist map for yourself.
- Hangout by the water – get some food and rest here. Also nice to drink here at night if you don’t wanna pay more for a bar.
- Gondola ride through canal – some small ferries can give a similar vibe too.
- Souvenir shopping – I would definitely NOT buy clothes from Venice. More like unique souvenirs that only this area has.
Restaurants & Cafes:
- Takeaway pasta – very popular, cheap and super delicious. Buy one and eat on the stairways. Read reviews.
- Views – I find myself often choosing restaurants not only for their food quality, but their seating views from squares and waterfronts.
- Caffe Florian – expensive coffee but beautiful must-see decor. Come for the experience.
Bars & Clubs:
- Clubs – I assume they might exist but I never heard of any clubs. Also doesn’t feel like the place for it.
Miscellaneous tips:
- Laundry – there are many drop-off laundry places to choose from. Again…beware that even a couple hundred meters away can mean 1hr to reach.
Nearby towns: