Where to Stay in Veneto, Italy – The Ultimate 2026 Guide

Let me share with you the top options for a city break (in Venice, Padova, Verona, or Vicenza), to relax at Lake Garda or along the Venetian coast, for hiking and/or skiing in the Dolomites, for wine tours in Prosecco country, or for anything else.

This guide helps you choose where to stay in Veneto, focusing on the region’s top visitor destinations:

• Where to stay in Venice
• Staying near Venice
• Where to stay in the Dolomites for skiing and/or hiking
• Where to stay in Lake Garda
• Staying in Verona, home of Romeo & Juliet
• Where to stay in Prosecco country for wine tours
• Staying in Padova (Padua)
• My favourite place to stay in Veneto

Venice is one of Italy’s most iconic cities and, as a result, one of its most visited. However, most people who visit the Floating City do so only as a day trip or for just one or two nights at most.

I’d strongly recommend staying longer in Venice so you can really experience what makes this city special, beyond the famous sites like Piazza San Marco, the Rialto Bridge, and the Grand Canal.

Choosing the right area to stay for you will depend on your travel preferences and budget. Here are the two main choices:

The main island of Venice is typically where visitors to the Veneto region first look for somewhere to stay.

There is no other place like Venice anywhere in the world. Nicknamed La Serenissima (meaning ‘The Most Serene’), it was founded during the collapse of the Roman Empire as locals of this area fled the encroaching barbarian hordes and found refuge on the small islands that dot the edge of the coastline.

Venice is a labyrinth of canals and calli, the Venetian word for a side street or alley. It is one of Italy’s most popular places with tourists. Because of this, there are nearly endless options for finding somewhere to stay here.

Venice is home to some of Italy’s most iconic and best hotels. Examples include The Cipriani and the Gritti Palace. Opting for a central hotel in or near the Grand Canal area will reward you with stunning views of Venice’s famous landmarks, such as Santa Maria della Salute. Monuments like the Rialto Bridge will be just a short walk away from your accommodation.

Naturally, you’ll pay a premium for this. However, the convenience of being in the city centre can offset the cost. When evening comes, and most of the day-trip tourists have left Venice, you’ll see a different, more serene side to the Floating City.

You’ll also find a huge range of self-catering apartments in the centro storico (historic centre) of the city. These are almost always of a traditional Venetian style with antique furniture and exposed beams, and more often than not, these apartments let out onto Venice’s famous canals adding to the magic of any stay here.

If you are looking for a more relaxed location to base yourself while visiting Venice, consider staying outside the historic centre. The outskirts of the main island offer calmer surroundings, fewer crowds, and a more peaceful atmosphere after busy days of sightseeing.

The smaller islands that comprise the outer areas of Venice, such as Murano, offer a range of accommodation options. These are often more affordable per night compared to the historic centre.

The trade-off is that you’ll spend more time travelling to visit the sites, such as Piazza San Marco. You will also need to factor in the costs for the vaporetti (water buses) or water taxis.

Staying just outside the official city of Venice is a great option for budget-conscious travellers. It’s also ideal for those who want to explore more of the Veneto region. Let me share with you the best locations close to Venice, based on my own personal travel experiences:

In the small town of Mestre, you’ll find many large business hotels and some smaller places. Most are within walking distance of the train station. This makes it easy to get to Venice, Padova (Padua), Vicenza, and Verona, as well as other parts of Italy. Mestre also has frequent shuttle buses that connect to Venice Marco Polo Airport.

If you’re considering a well-connected base for your travels, I highly recommend choosing Mestre as we have done several times in the past – it’s convenient and hassle-free.

One thing to consider about Mestre is the limited options for good places to eat and drink. If you are visiting Veneto to try local food and drink, this might not be the best place for you.

Jesolo is home to Venice’s most renowned beach and is an excellent destination for families seeking a fun summer vacation in Italy.

Sara and her family have fond memories of holidaying here in the 90’s and trusted friends confirm that Jesolo continues to be a welcoming and fun choice for family vacations.

Jesolo offers a wide variety of accommodation, from expansive family-oriented resorts and campsites to intimate B&Bs and apartment rentals.

Expect Jesolo and its surroundings to become crowded in summer, but during other seasons, the area remains tranquil and inviting.

South of Venice, along the Adriatic coast, lies the town of Chioggia, often dubbed the ‘mini Venice’ for its picturesque canals and narrow alleyways reminiscent of Venice, just on a more intimate scale. In Chioggia, accommodations are primarily apartment rentals and a few small boutique bed and breakfasts.

A short bus ride from Chioggia is the beach town of Sottomarina, which, like Jesolo, is a popular destination for families.

Sottomarina also appeals to couples and solo travellers, offering a lively beach and nightlife scene that makes this part of Veneto a fun destination for group trips.

Another advantage of choosing Chioggia or Sottomarina as your base is the convenient ferry to Venice, which crosses the Venetian lagoon and delivers you directly to Piazza San Marco.

A significant part of the Dolomites mountain range lies in northern Veneto, a short drive from Venice near the Austrian border. These mountains are renowned for their stunning natural beauty, ski resorts during the winter months, and extensive hiking trails.

The best place to stay in the Dolomites depends on the time of year and your interests, such as skiing, hiking, or enjoying the mountain scenery.

To be in the heart of the action during ski season, consider staying in or near Cortina d’Ampezzo. There is no shortage of hotels and rentals available in this area of northern Italy. However, it’s worth noting that prices can be very high per night during the winter, due to high demand from skiing enthusiasts.

If you’re looking to explore the Dolomites during the warmer months of the year, either by road or on foot, Cortina is still a good option, as is Bassano del Grappa. Although located at the base of the Dolomites, this town gives travellers convenient access to the mountains and the broader region.

Lake Garda sits on Veneto’s western border with Lombardy, with the well-known town of Sirmione on the lake’s southern shore.

Sirmione is a great location for anyone looking to explore the lake, but it can get extremely busy during the summer months, and as such, prices for hotels and rentals can be way above the Italian average. One way to avoid the crowds is by staying lake-side in one of Sirmione’s more exclusive and private hotels such as the Grand Hotel Terme, which also features thermal spas as well as views of Lago di Garda.

Instead, we recommend staying near Bardolino. From here, you can explore the lake, reach Verona easily, or head north to visit Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy’s most autonomous region. It is also a great location for families to vacation in as Gardaland, a large amusement park is found nearby, plus there are lots of activities for kids on the lake.

Prosecco is perhaps the most famous product of Veneto after Venice itself. Authentic Prosecco is produced only in a specific part of the region, attracting wine lovers eager to see where it is made.

For true immersion in prosecco country, stay at one of several vineyards that provide accommodation. This allows you to sample their wines freely, without concerns about travel. Here are a few options to get you started.

Alternatively, if you wish to explore the region and require a central base, consider staying in or near Treviso. Treviso is a compact town located approximately 40 minutes from Venice, featuring a small international airport, making it a convenient choice depending on your travel plans.

Padova is one of my favourite cities in Italy; for a relatively small place, it packs in a lot of history and art, as well as no shortage of great places to eat and drink.

It is also a great city to base yourself if you’re looking to explore the Veneto region or further afield in Italy, as its main train station connects to Venice, Verona, Vicenza, Bologna, Florence, Rome, and beyond.

I would recommend staying in the historic centre of Padua, where you can walk to all the city’s top sites, the train station, and the best restaurants.

One of our top places to stay is Erik Langer Pedrocchi Suites, located a stone’s throw from the famous Caffè Pedrocchi (one of Italy’s oldest coffeehouses), the Scrovegni Chapel, and Piazza delle Erbe. You’ll also find larger hotels, smaller boutique B&Bs, and hostels – there is an option for all budgets and travel styles in Padova.

Whenever I visit the Veneto region, whether for work or leisure, I stay in the Euganean Hills (Colli Euganei). I may be biased, having lived here for two years and kept friends in the area, but I truly believe it is the best place to experience Veneto.

Located in the Venetian countryside, just 30 minutes from Padova and 50 minutes from Venice, the Colli Euganei offer a convenient base for exploring northern Italy.

Nature lovers will find lush gardens, like the Monumental Garden of Valsanzibio, and can enjoy outstanding Veneto cuisine and local wines in the area’s restaurants and vineyards.

You’ll find all types of accommodation options here, from apartment rentals, simple and rustic country hotels, camping sites, and larger business hotels.

A unique feature of this area is its natural thermal spas, remnants of ancient volcanic activity, offering a range of spa and wellness hotels concentrated around Montegrotto Terme and Abano Terme.

Our favourite spa hotel is Hotel Petrarca Terme, which, while old-school in style, is a reasonably priced place to stay offering access to the thermal waters via several pools, both indoors and outdoors. The friendly staff make you feel at ease from the moment you arrive, and the in-house restaurant serves traditional Venetian cuisine daily. I would consider it a great hotel for couples, families, or small groups of friends.

You can also access their spa facilities and swimming pools for the day, even if you are staying elsewhere, for a small cost by purchasing a day pass – we took full advantage of this while living nearby!

From vineyard stays to luxury hotels, from simple country rentals to boutique bed and breakfasts, the Veneto region offers something for all types of guests.

With such a variety, choosing the best accommodations for your travels can be a challenge, but I hope that my guide has helped at least a little. Or, if you were on the fence about whether to visit Veneto, this has given you enough insight to determine if this region is right for you.

If you have any questions about Veneto hotels, apartments, agriturismi, B&Bs, or other accommodations, please don’t hesitate to contact me.