When to Visit Venice, Italy
Venice's busiest tourist season is between June and August. As thousands of visitors crowd the city and the canals, hotels raise their rates. With high temperatures hovering around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, these are also the warmest months of the year.
September through November are some of the best months to visit Venice. The crowds that flock to the city in the summer clear out during the fall. Not only does this make it a great time to see some of the famous attractions without dealing with a mass of people, hotels will also lower their rates during these months. However, keep in mind that temperatures in the fall are cool. The temperatures in November usually range between the upper 30s and the lower 50s. Therefore, make sure you dress in layers and pack your coat.
While hotels also decrease their rates from December to February, average temperatures in the 30s and 40s make Venice a very chilly place to visit. Winter also brings acqua alta, or high water flooding. If you plan on visiting during these months, pack warm clothes and don't forget your raincoat. Also, keep in mind that Carnevale occurs in February. This event is very popular in Venice, and brings large crowds to the city.
Spring is another beautiful time to visit Venice. Since summer tourist season hasn't started yet, hotels still have reasonable rates. While the average high temperatures in March might not make it out of the mid-50s, by May, the average high temperatures are in the 70s.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Venice, Italy:
Averate Rates by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts displaying average nightly cost trends by star rating class in Venice, Italy. Analyze these illustrations to determine the most cost effective time to stay in Venice for upcoming travels.
Luxury Hotel Options in Venice, Italy
4 Star Average Prices: $137.76
For exceptional services and amenities, look into one of the luxury hotels in Venice. San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice is on a private island that can only be reached by one of the hotel's boats or a water taxi. The 189 rooms at the hotel include thoughtful touches such as slippers and bathrobes. Rooms also have amenities like free wireless internet access, iPod docks, flat-panel televisions with premium cable channels, and 24-hour room service. When you're ready to unwind, book an appointment at the spa and choose from customized therapies meant to recharge and rejuvenate.
Dating back to the early 1900s, Hotel Excelsior Venice is a luxury resort just steps from the famous Lido Beach. Start out each morning with the complimentary breakfast buffet. In the afternoon, you can relax on the private beach, or enjoy other outdoor recreational opportunities, such as a swim in the outdoor pool or a game on the tennis courts. In the evening, you have excellent dining choices, including Ristorante Tropicana and La Taverna.
Located on the tip of Giudecca Island, Belmond Hotel Cipriani offers a quiet retreat away from the hustle of Venice, yet the popular attractions can still be reached by a shuttle boat that runs 24 hours a day. If you don't feel like leaving the resort, you can take a dip in the Olympic-sized swimming pool. Or, stroll through the private gardens before heading to the spa or beauty salon for some pampering. Back in your room, enjoy stunning views of the lagoon or gardens and modern amenities like free wireless internet access, a widescreen LCD television with DVD player, and an iPod dock.
Affordable Hotel Options in Venice, Italy
3 Star Average Prices: $110.79
If you're interested in saving money in your travel budget when you visit Venice, consider one of the affordable hotels around the city. Located in the Marghera neighborhood, Hotel Mondial has modern comforts and a welcoming atmosphere. The hotel has 60 rooms that are individually decorated and come with conveniences such as flat-screen televisions with premium cable channels, a safe, and daily housekeeping.
Just 0.2 miles away from Lido Beach, Hotel Reiter is also less than 3 miles from other top Venice attractions like Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, Saint Mark's Basilica, and Saint Mark's Square. Back at the hotel, you'll enjoy rooms with amenities such as free wireless internet access, televisions with digital service, and daily housekeeping. The hotel also has a lounge where you can unwind with a drink after a long day of sightseeing.
Situated 5 miles from Venice Marco Polo Airport, Best Western Plus Quid Hotel Venice Airport is a family friendly hotel in the Mestre neighborhood. For a small surcharge, you can start your day off with fresh food from the breakfast buffet. The choices include cereals, baked goods, cheeses, scrambled eggs, fruit juices, and more. The hotel also has Mover, a restaurant offering light fare for lunch and dinner.
Best Discounts in Venice, Italy
If you know where to look, you can enjoy some excellent discounts and packages at hotels in Venice. AAA and CAA members can save on everything from spa treatments to room rates when staying at Courtyard Venice Airport. If you're 62 years or older, you can also save up to 15 percent on your room rate. While staying at Courtyard Venice Airport, everyone can take advantage of the free wireless internet access, 24-hour fitness center, complimentary bicycles to explore the area, and complimentary airport shuttle.
Hotel Continental is a waterfront hotel conveniently located near Rialto Bridge, Palazzo Labia, and Saint Mary of the Friars. When you stay a minimum of three nights at the hotel, you can save up to 15 percent on the published rates. If you pay in advance at Hotel Continental, you can up to 20 percent on the published rates. Even if you can't take advantage of these savings, you'll enjoy a stay in a historic building in one of the authentic parts of Venice. The hotel's restaurant serves some of the finest Italian cuisine, and many of the rooms have amazing views of the Grand Canal.
Best Value Options in Venice, Italy
If you'd rather spend more of your travel money on attractions around Venice instead of a hotel room, look into one of the city's mid-range hotels. Holiday Inn Venice - Mestre Marghera is close to many of the area's famous waterways, galleries, and churches. All the rooms have a safe, free wireless Internet access, LCD television, and daily housekeeping. The hotel also has a restaurant, Alla Bell'Italia, which specializes in Italian cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Situated on a quiet canal on the island of Giudecca, Hotel Giudecca Venice offers modern decor and conveniences such as room service, daily housekeeping, 24-hour front desk, and free wireless internet access. Start off each morning with the hot and cold breakfast buffet before you take the 10-minute waterbus ride over to Piazza San Marco to experience all the sights and shopping. Back in your room, relax with amenities like a flat-panel satellite television, climate control, and designer toiletries.
Located in the neighborhood of San Polo, Hotel Iris is within walking distance of attractions such as Academy Gallery, Ca' Rezzonico, Saint Mary of the Friars, and Confraternity of Saint Roch. With such a great central location, you can easily reach many of the top attractions and museums in Venice within just a few minutes of the hotel. At Hotel Iris, the multilingual staff at the 24-hour front desk is more than happy to give all the information you need to experience the best of Venice.
Top Venice, Italy Attractions
If you're interested in exploring the canals of Venice, you can't miss the Grand Canal, which is one of the major waterways in the city. Properties like Hotel Rialto offer accommodations right on the Grand Canal. The hotel is also just steps from Rialto Bridge, which is the oldest bridge that spans the canal.
Saint Mark's Square is a public square in front of the famed Saint Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace. While a small canal originally separated the palace and the square, it was filled in to expand the square in 1174. Cavalletto and Doge Orseolo is a historic hotel directly behind Saint Mark's Square. The hotel is also right across from Venice's largest gondola station, where you can summon a gondola to the dock and explore the canals.
When you come to this Italian city of islands and canals, be sure you take time to enjoy the food, explore the culture, and learn more about its history. Whether you're interested in saving money to explore more of Venice by staying in an affordable hotel, or you want to relax in splendor in one of the luxury hotels, you can find the perfect hotel to meet your needs in Venice.
Venice, Italy in a nutshell
Anyone may be familiar with the amphibious city and its landmarks as captured in movies or books. Nothing beats the sight, however, of Venice's iconic canals and gondolas passing right in front of you. Don't let the tourist crowd discourage you from indulging in one of the most visited destinations on the face of the earth. Venice is Italy's regal city located on the northeastern section of the country. The maze-like layout of the city will make sense once you get your bearings. The main thoroughfare is the Grand Canal, which leads to St. Mark's Square and attractions such as Palazzo Ducale, Basilica di San Marco and a multitude of outdoor cafes, restaurants and shops. A worthy side trip while in Venice is the island of Murano for its wonderful glass-making industry. Murano glass is recognized around the world because of the intricate designs and craftsmanship. Find out more about the history of glass-making during the time of the Venetian Republic with a visit to the Glass Museum. You may watch traditional glass-making from local artisans involved in this centuries-old craft.
'What happens to travelers? I do not know, to be sure. They leave a little of their own in every city they love, every town they adore and every village that entices them. Travelers are not of one place. They are of the world. The world is of travelers. I know not whether I still belong to these Venetian waters, but I know I have been here. Once. Long time ago.
Venice, a city of water, bridges, masks and canals, has been home to many a great men and women “ people who have impacted our world like few others. Take Marco Polo, for example. That old timer of a traveler who revelled in telling tales of faraway lands, dodging a gang of pirates here and bowing before kings and queens there, tasting exotics foods today and falling in love with imaginary women the next was a son of Venice, and the quote mentioned above represents his feeling after returning from a life consuming voyage to distant Orient.
Venice, in this particular sense, has always prospered. It has been a safe asylum for artistes, philosophers, actors, travelers and students for countless number of centuries. It is not without solid reasons that the city has come to be known as the cultural paradise on earth. From the very way it has been constructed to the way it has lived through history, Venice has become synonymous with class.
Today, it is among the 5 most popular tourist attractions in world, visited by over 2 million people every year. If you are thinking of visiting Venice “ often regarded as the most beautiful city in the world “ you need to first be congratulated for making a good choice!
In case you are wondering how to plan your stay in Venice in terms of expenses, here's a quick review of hotels in Venice to get you started with the planning!
Reasonably Priced Hotels in Venice
Being a heavy-tourism destination means that Venice is well stocked with hotel options that have a broad range of pricing and amenities to suit budget constraints of virtually all types of tourists.
One can argue that what may be cheap for a top tier city like Venice might still be regarded as expensive in comparison of other lower tier cities. Despite that being the case, finding relatively cheap hotels in a city like Venice is indeed possible. In the Old City of Venice, there are over 100 budget lodging options, some of which have been in operation for over one century. The only thing to look out for while entering into a contract with one of these establishments is the final payable amount, as heavy taxation in Italy often means that the price you see may differ significantly from the one that you are required to pay eventually.
Luxury Hotels of Venice
To many, this may finally seem like getting right down to the business part of this discussion. They would be justified in thinking so because among many prominent identities of Venice, posh Venetian resorts definitely rank among top few.
If you wish to stay with one of these lavish Venice hotels, you could do much worse than choosing a reputed brand of hotel chains like Hilton or Carlton-Ritz. However, while visiting a city like Venice that has her own unique flavor and culture, it's always more interesting to lodge with places that offer something local in one way or another. That's why, a hotel like the Gritti Palace, or San Clemente, can be a good choice of a luxury hotel.
Out-of-The-Box Sightseeing in Venice
Venice is all about canals, gondolas and endless streaks of pictures in varied background of, erm, canals and gondolas. Or, so many seem to think!
Very few tourists dare to go off the beaten path in order to truly explore a culturally rich city like Venice. There are quite a few offbeat attractions to see in Venice if you know where to look for them.
The best among these are very unique to Venice. Boat houses have become enormously popular with tourists and travelers who wish to tap into the real spirit of Venice, the city of canals interspersed intricately. Boat houses can be considered akin to summer houses or holiday homes in other parts of the world, a bit tackier albeit. There are quite a few homestays and private room sharing options available for those who do not mind trading off the everything-is-handy feeling of a hotel to a stay that's more self-sustained in nature. Such independent stays are definitely less expensive than exorbitantly priced luxury Venice hotels.
Venice Hotels Near The Airport
The international airport at Venice (Marco Polo International Airport) is among the busiest ones in Italy. Almost all the international traffic that it handles has got something or the other to do with tourism. From the convenience point of view, tourists “ in most cases “ prefer choosing a hotel that is near to the airport over the ones that are located in city proper.
It should, however, be noted that the Marco Polo Airport is located just about 5 miles north of Venice city center, making it easily accessible regardless of the location of the hotel you choose. Cheap hotels can be found in the proximity of the airport, just outside the city limits.
Most Favorable Time to Visit Venice
The usual winter season in Venice lasts from September to late January. During these months, Venice witnesses a sudden shortfall of tourists, prompting almost all hotels in Venice to bring their pricing down a few notches. Hence, if you are planning on visiting Venice, the winter season is your best bet to cook up the most economical trip.
As far as sightseeing is concerned, summer months (March to June) are most suitable to fully soak the beauty of the city. Quite predictably, these months are the most expensive in terms of accommodation expenses. Summer season also allows tourists to witness and participate in various cultural and food festivals that take place in Venice.
FAQs about hotels in Venice