Staying in Venice: why a

hotel’s location makes all the

difference

When planning a trip to Venice, people often spend a great deal of time choosing a hotel, but deciding which area to stay in is just as important, especially in a city where you get around almost exclusively on foot and by public transport. Your location can make the difference between a relaxing holiday and one spent constantly consulting a map or trying to make sense of vaporetto timetables and routes.

In Venice, getting around almost never follows a straight line. Narrow streets, canals and bridges make routes more complex than in other cities, and even seemingly short distances can take longer than expected. A central location isn’t just a matter of convenience; it also allows you to enjoy your stay with greater peace of mind. Being just a few minutes’ walk from St Mark’s Square means you can reach most of the city’s famous attractions on foot, enjoy a wider choice of historic cafés, bacari, bars, restaurants and shops, and return to your hotel whenever you wish, without having to plan your journeys or rely on public transport timetables.

The beauty of Venice is best discovered by strolling at a leisurely pace through the calli, campi, campielli, fondamenta and bridges. Every corner may hold a little surprise: a hidden courtyard, a little-known church, an artisan’s workshop or a bacaro where you can stop for a glass of wine and a few cicchetti.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as it depends on the sort of trip you’re planning. Those looking for a quieter side of Venice might prefer the sestieri (districts) of Cannaregio or Dorsoduro.

On the other hand, those visiting the city for the first time, who only have a few days to spare or want easy access to the main attractions, will generally find the area around St Mark’s Square more convenient, with its vaporetto stops, water taxis, gondolas, restaurants, shops and the iconic views that symbolise Venice.

St Mark’s Square is the heart of Venice and an excellent starting point for exploring the city on foot. In just a few minutes, you can reach the Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs, the Rialto Bridge, the Royal Gardens, the La Fenice Theatre, the Scala del Bovolo, the Gallerie dell’Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

Staying in this area also allows you to enjoy a different experience in the early hours of the morning or after sunset, when Venice reveals its most authentic side and tourist crowds are at a minimum.

For visitors to Venice, this location often makes it possible to spend the whole day exploring on foot, using the vaporetto water bus only to reach the islands of the lagoon or the more distant sestieri (districts).

It is in this area that the Hotel Saturnia & International is also located, about 250 metres from St Mark’s Square and 150 metres from the Teatro La Fenice.

The distance from the main attractions is just one of the factors to bear in mind. It may also be worth checking how close the hotel is to vaporetto stops, whether it can be easily reached by water taxi, whether there is a concierge service to help organise visits and excursions, and whether there are restaurants and amenities in the immediate vicinity.

A well-located hotel often saves you time during the day and allows you to explore the city with greater freedom.

The Hotel Saturnia & International is situated just 250 metres from St Mark’s Square, in a location that allows you to reach most of the city’s main attractions on foot. At the same time, despite being in the heart of Venice, the hotel offers a surprisingly peaceful atmosphere, a feature that many guests appreciate as it allows them to alternate the hustle and bustle of the city centre with moments of relaxation.

Direct access from the canal via the water gate is also a bonus for those arriving by water taxi from the airport or the station, whilst the proximity to the vaporetto stops, just a 5-minute walk away (San Marco Vallaresso and Santa Maria del Giglio), makes it easy to reach any part of the historic centre and the islands of the lagoon (notably the Lido di Venezia, Murano, Burano and Torcello).

A further benefit of this accommodation is having a concierge who knows the city and can suggest personalised itineraries, restaurants, events, experiences and the most suitable ways to get around, depending on the time of year and the nature of your trip.

Venice is a city to be explored at a leisurely pace, letting yourself be guided by its own rhythm. Being able to step out of your hotel and reach St Mark’s Square in just a few minutes, stop for a coffee in a campo, attend a concert at La Fenice, or stroll back along quiet calli after dinner means experiencing the city naturally, almost as a Venetian would.

What is the best neighbourhood to stay in Venice?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Those looking for a quieter side of Venice might prefer neighbourhoods such as Cannaregio or Dorsoduro, whilst first-time visitors or those wishing to reach the main attractions easily will generally find the area around St Mark’s Square more convenient. From here, you can explore much of the historic centre on foot and easily reach the rest of the city by public transport.

Can you explore Venice entirely on foot?

Yes, most of the main attractions in Venice’s historic centre can be explored on foot, especially if you’re staying in a central location. The vaporetto is mainly useful for reaching the islands in the lagoon, such as Murano, Burano and Torcello, or certain areas further away from the historic centre.

Is it worth staying near St Mark’s Square?

For many travellers, yes. The area around St Mark’s Square allows you to easily reach monuments, museums, restaurants, shops and the La Fenice Theatre on foot, as well as offering convenient connections by vaporetto and water taxi. It is a particularly good option for those visiting Venice for the first time or who only have a few days to spare.

How far is the Hotel Saturnia & International from St Mark’s Square?

The Hotel Saturnia & International is situated about 150 metres from the Teatro La Fenice and 250 metres from St Mark’s Square, which can be reached in a short walk of just a few minutes. Its central location allows you to easily visit many of Venice’s main attractions on foot.

Is it best to choose a hotel near a vaporetto stop?

Yes. Having a vaporetto stop nearby makes it easier to travel to the islands in the lagoon and areas further away from the historic centre. The Hotel Saturnia & International is a 5-minute walk from the San Marco Vallaresso and Santa Maria del Giglio stops, offering quick connections to the main ferry routes.