Venice Carnival Accommodation
Beautiful Venice, jam-packed with sights is a treasure trove of delights. Head down any alleyway or canal and you are bound to pass endless architectural wonders. With so much to see and do it’s hard to know what’s the best place to stay, especially during carnival.
Carnivale Venice attracts three million visitors, so it is very important that you book at least six months in advance to get better choices, prices and availability. There are definitely a few things to consider when booking accommodation because there are many differences between neighbourhoods. Do you want to be near the action, or maybe you will need to take a water taxi back to your hotel?
San Marco District
If you stay in the San Marco district, then you cannot be more central to the carnival action. This district stretches from St. Mark’s Square to the Accademia Bridge. It features numerous five-star hotels, and many smaller boutique hotels. There are lots of art attractions, art galleries and is home to Venice’s most iconic attractions and monuments. But of course, this means that this is one of the more expensive places to stay and you need to book well in advance.
***** Hotels: Baglioni Hotel Luna| Gritti Palace |Bauer Il Palazzo | St Regis Venice | PalazzinaG.
**** Hotels: A La Commedia| Concordia | Dei Dragomanni |Palace Bonvecchiati | Al Theatro Palace.
*** Hotels: San Moise | Panada | Hotel Flora | Rosa Salva Hotel | Hotel Firenze | Hotel Bel Sito & Berlino.
** Hotels: Alcyone | Hotel Bartolomeo | Hotel San Salvador | Hotel Serenissima | Hotel Orion | Hotel Mezzo Pozzo.
* Hotels: San Samuele | Locanda Fiorita | Hotel Casa Petrarca | Hotel ai do Mori
The Cannaregio District
The Cannaregio district is located very close to St. Mark’s Square. Cannaregio is filled with quiet canals and has a bustling nightlife with cosy restaurants and trendy bars. It has plenty of accommodation options from five-star hotels to smaller hotels. The prices here will be a bit more expensive than the other neighbourhoods but you can get some great deals if you book in advance.
***** Hotels: Dei Dogi A Boscolo Luxury | Ca’ Bonfadini Historic Experience.
**** Hotels: Hotel Principe | Hotel Amadeus | Foscari Palace | Pesaro Palace | Eurostars Residenza | Venice Times Hotel | Carnival Palace Hotel | Maison Venezia.
*** Hotels: include: Hotel Continental Venice | Hotel Antico Doge | Arcadia Boutique Hotel | Hotel Filu.
** Hotels: Hotel Mezzo Pozzo | Hotel Adriatico | Hotel Caprera | Hotel Guerrini | Venice Maggior Consiglio.
* Hotels: Ariel Silva | Al Vagon | Caprera |Hotel Santa Lucia | Hotel Marte
Castello
Castello is about 15 minutes’ walk from San Marco, the area is home to great restaurants, beautiful churches and is a great option to save on your accommodation budget. Also, if you like to be away from the crowds then this is a great option. Prices here are also much cheaper than San Marco and Cannaregio.
***** Hotels: Danieli | Hotel Londra Palace | Hotel Metropole.
**** Hotels: Palazzo San Lorenzo | Hotel Gabrielli | Hotel Indigo Venice | Ruzzini Palace Hotel.
*** Hotels: Hotel Nuovo Teson | Hotel Lux | Hotel Bridge | Albergo al Tiepolo.
** Hotels: Hotel Canada | Hotel La Residenza | Hotel Alla Fava.
* Hotels: Hotel Caneva | Locanda Silva | Hotel Casa Linger
Santa Croce
Santa Croce is quite an industrial area in the western part of Venice. It will take you a while to reach St Mark’s Square, but accommodation will be much cheaper, and it is more modern than most neighbouring districts. San Polo is a quieter residential area of Santa Croce and is a great place for those who wish to experience the ‘real Venice’. Again, it is a long walk to reach St. Mark’s square but a great option for those on a budget.
***** Hotels: Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel.
**** Hotels: Hotel Papadopoli Venezia – MGallery by Sofitel | Residenza d’Epoca San Cassiano| Santa Croce Boutique Hotel
*** Hotels: Hotel Antiche Figure | Hotel Al Sole Hotel Olimpia Venice, BW Signature Collection | AC Hotel Venezia by Marriott.
** Hotels: Hotel Falier | Hotel Mezzo Pozzo.
* Hotels: Hotel dalla Mora | Hotel ai do Mori
- Recommended Reading: Your Ultimate Guide to Venice Carnival
Dorsoduro
Dorsoduro sits in eastern Venice and doesn’t have that artistic sophistication that many art lovers seek. There are certainly good bars, great restaurants and beautiful churches. It is also home to one of the last Venetian construction workshops. It is a long walk to St. Marks Square but is a fraction of the costs and crowds.
***** Hotels: Sina Centurion Palace.
**** Hotels: Il Palazzo Experimental |Ca’ Pisani Hotel Hotel Palazzo Stern |Palazzo Veneziano Axel Hotel Venezia – Adults Only.
*** Hotels: Hotel Agli Alboretti |Hotel La Calcina Hotel Belle Arti.
** Hotels: Hotel Tivoli | Pensione Seguso | Hotel Bartolomeo.
* Hotels: Hotel dalla Mora | Residenza Favaro | Acca Hotel
Giudecca
Giudecca is located opposite the Dorsoduro district, separated by a canal. This part of the island has been taken over by local hipsters and is home to many youth hostels. It still retains its original charm and authenticity and is another great option for cheaper accommodation.
***** Hotels: Belmond Hotel Cipriani.
*** Hotels: Hotel Giudecca Venezia
Mestre
Mestre is part of Venice mainland and is more like a modern Italian city. We don’t recommend staying here because if you travel all the way to Venice, then why not stay in Venice! However, it is probably where you will find the cheapest accommodation but be aware you will have to take a bus to connect with Venice.
**** Hotels: Best Western Plus Quid Hotel Venice Mestre Hotel Alexander |Hotel Apogia Sirio Mestre |Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana.
*** Hotels: 7 Days Premium Hotel Venice – Mestre Hotel Regit |Hotel Ca’ dei Barcaroli.
** Hotels: Hotel Delle Rose |Hotel Guidi Hotel Primavera |Hotel Montepiana.
* Hotels: Hotel Giovannina | Hotel Vidale
Lido
Lido is an island that is essentially a long strip of land which separates Venice from the Adriatic Sea. It is a popular summer seaside destination. The atmosphere on Lido is different from Venice as you have roads, cars and sidewalks. There are regular boat trips across the lagoon between Venice and Lido, and the trip will take you about twenty minutes.
Again, if you are on a budget consider this.
**** Hotels: Hotel Biasutti | Hotel Villa Mabapa | Viktoria Palace Hotel.
*** Hotels: Hotel & Residence Venezia 2000 | Villa Parco Hotel Rige.
** Hotels: Hotel Cristallo | Hotel La Pergola di Venezia | Hotel Sorriso
Related Carnival Articles
- Your Comprehensive Travel Guide to Venice
- Venice Carnival Desserts
- What is the history of Venice Carnival
- The Best Things to See and Do in Venice
- The Foodie’s Guide to Venice
- Venice Carnival Costumes
- Where to stay in Venice during Carnival
- Things to Do and See at Venice Carnival
- Everything you need to know about Venetian Masks
- Italy’s Best Carnivals
