Where to Stay in Venice: Best Areas, Villages and Types of Stays

Venice offers three places to sleep: the historic centre and Giudecca for the sights around San Marco, the lagoon islands such as Lido, Murano and Burano for a stay away from the center, and the mainland around Mestre. The choice matters because the city’s tourist tax changes with the area, from the full rate in the historic centre to a 30% reduction on the mainland.

At a glance

• Areas: historic centre, islands, mainland
• Lodging types: hotels, B&Bs, hostels, apartments, campsites, farm holidays
• Tourist tax: 1 to 5 euros per person per night, first five nights only
• Full rate: historic centre, Giudecca and the islands with main tourist vocation
• Reductions: 20% on lagoon islands (Lido, Murano, Burano), 30% on the mainland
• Children: under 10 exempt, ages 10 to 15 pay half

The best areas to stay in Venice

Historic centre and Giudecca: the full-rate heart of Venice

The historic centre and Giudecca are the areas where the full tourist tax applies. Guests can choose among hotels, apartments, B&Bs and other registered stays. Pick this area when the sights are the point of the trip, and book only lodging registered by the City of Venice, which the City Portal maps.

San Marco: for the museums, the Campanile and the Pala d’Oro

San Marco holds the Doge’s Palace, whose public entrance is at Porta del Frumento on Piazzetta San Marco. One ticket covers the palace, Museum Correr, the National Archaeological Museum and the Monumental Rooms of the Marciana National Library. The Campanile elevator gives wide, quiet views, and a visit includes the Pala d’Oro and the loggia museum with the Horses of Saint Mark. Sleeping here suits a first visit built around these sights.

Santa Croce: for textile, costume and perfume history

Santa Croce is the home of the Palazzo Mocenigo Museum, a study centre for the history of textile, costume and perfume. One ticket also covers Ca’ Rezzonico and Carlo Goldoni’s House, valid 3 months for one entry per museum. It suits travelers who want museum days beyond the San Marco circuit.

Lagoon islands: Lido, Murano and Burano

Guests who sleep on Lido, Murano or Burano get a 20% reduction on the tourist tax. These islands also hold the Glass Museum on Murano and the Lace Museum on Burano, both covered by the Museum Pass. This area suits a quieter stay with a museum or two on the doorstep.

Mestre and the mainland: for the lowest tourist tax

The mainland, with Mestre and the surrounding areas, has reduced tourist tax rates, as do the lagoon islands. It suits anyone watching the total bill across a longer stay, since the tax is charged per person and per night for up to five nights.

Where to stay in Venice with kids, as a couple or on a budget

• Family with young children: any of the three areas · registered hotel, apartment or B&B · children under 10 pay no tourist tax, ages 10 to 15 pay half
• Couple or splurge: historic centre and Giudecca · hotel or apartment · full tourist tax rate
• Budget: Mestre and the mainland, or a lagoon island · hostel, B&B or apartment · 30% reduction on the mainland, 20% on the islands

What is the best area to stay in Venice?

For a first visit built around San Marco, the historic centre is the area to choose. In exchange, the tourist tax is lower. Whichever area wins, confirm that the lodging is registered by the City of Venice before paying.

Hotel prices and when to book in Venice

The manager of the lodging collects it. It is calculated by multiplying the number of guests by the number of nights and by the municipal rate, so a family of four staying three nights in a full-rate area pays for twelve person-nights, minus any child exemptions.

The tax is due for the first five consecutive nights only, so a longer stay doesn’t add to it after that. That makes a week in one lodging a little cheaper per night than a short trip. Book accommodation registered by the City of Venice, and compare the full-rate center against the reduced rates on the islands and the mainland.