About Venice, Italy

Maps & General Information

To describe Venice to someone who has never been is a bit of a challenge. Imagine a small city hundreds of years old. A city that once was one of the most powerful on Earth. This city sits on water and 99% of everything has to be done by, with and in boats.

Despite La Serenissima, Venezia, being a very popular city for visitors, it is possible to escape the crowds easily by taking a back street and finding almost deserted squares, paths and then stumbling across stunning buildings containing beautiful artworks. One of the beautiful things about Venice is the art of getting lost in the small alleyways, finding a bar overlooking a tranquil canal while you eat cicchetti and sample a glass of wine and watch the sun set over the lagoon.

While a tourist city, there’s a very real Venice underneath, a hard-working, proud city that produces, each year, major international events such as the Biennale and Film Festival, major art exhibitions and the unforgettable Carnivale along with providing a million long-lasting memories for those that have visited.

AREAS OF VENICE

Venice Sestieri & Where to Stay

San Marco Area & Map

Staying in San Marco you’re close to all the main sights and this area is a good choice if you only have limited time to see Venice.

However, because of its central location, it can get busy and hotels here might be more expensive than elsewhere.

If you’re after a more authentic Venice experience and wish to view life away from the tourist areas, look at the other areas below.

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SAN MARCO HOTELS SAN MARCO APTS

San Polo Area & Map

The smallest sestiere inVenice but close to the main sights, including the Rialto Bridge and markets along some of the best bacari in which to eat cicchetti.

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SAN POLO HOTELS SAN POLO APTS

Dorsoduro Area & Map

Dorsoduro is home to the Accademia and Peggy Guggenheim museums along with Ca’ Foscari University.

It has many good places to eat and nightlife and is the place in Venice you can enjoy a lovely sunset walk along Zattere.

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DORSODURO HOTELS DORSODURO APTS

Castello Area & Map

Castello starts almost beside St Mark’s Square and stretches all the way east past the Venetian Arsenale to the Biennale gardens

For many, this is perhaps the most genuinely Venetian part of Venice with many interesting places, often without the crowds you will find in the central Venice

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CASTELLO HOTELS CASTELLO APTS

Cannaregio Area & Map

Another genuinely Venetian place, Cannaregio is a mostly residential area and can be quieter than other areas of Venice. Cannaregio is, essentially, northern Venice.

There’s a lot to see in the area including the Venice Ghetto.

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CANNAREGIO HOTELS CANNAREGIO APTS

Santa Croce Area & Map

Perhaps one of the most overlooked areas of Venice. It’s heart is the transportation hub of Piazzale Roma and the train station but, behind the main areas are some interesting places to see.

Modern and traditonal art & the Natural History museum are all here.

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SANTA CROCE HOTELS SANTA CROCE APTS

Lagoon Islands & Map

Venice lagoon islands a great place to stay if you want to be a little off the beaten track. Some are more tranquil than others and staying here does mean you’ll need to travel to see things.

The two most famous islands of Murano and Burano get busy during the daytime but quiet once the tourists have gone

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