15 Best Airbnbs in Venice for Canal Views, Excellent Osterias, and Gondola Access

In six years of living in Venice , I’ve barely begun to scratch the surface. La Serenissima is, really, two cities: The surface-level one, which lures in tens of thousands of tourists every day, and the one a few steps deeper that winds through the backstreets and the shimmering lagoon. The best way to experience that authentic Venice is by staying longer and spending your money more consciously (and locally) in a city that’s been ravaged by overtourism . While Venice has plenty of famous hotels , visitors who want to see this alternative side of the city often opt for an Airbnb, and there are plenty of locally-owned and operated ones to choose from.

Location is important here, but not necessarily in the most obvious way. Venice is a highly walkable city, you can cross the length of it in about 45 minutes. If you’re only staying a couple of days, you might want to max out your time by staying near the main sites, but if you have longer, you’ll get to know the real city better by staying a little further from the center, in elegant Cannaregio or pretty Dorsoduro. You might want to be near a vaporetto (waterbus) stop if mobility is important; otherwise, pick a spot in the twisting calli (alleys) and rippling rii (tiny canals) and lose yourself in this mesmerizing city. Below, read on for a few of my favorite Airbnbs in Venice for a magical Italian getaway.

We've selected these listings based on Superhost and Guest Favorite status, ratings, amenities, location, decor, editor stays, and previous guest reviews.

Number of guests: 2 Bed and bath: Studio, 1 bath Why we love it: Exceptional location, fully equipped kitchen, heated towel rack, washing machine

Want to feel like a local? This is the pocket-sized studio is the spot. I spent four nights here in May and couldn't have asked for a better place to rest my head. The location is what originally drew me to the listing, but while that is the main highlight of the property, it's so much more. It sits pretty right off of Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, an excellent pedestrian boulevard for a drink or a meal . It also provides quick and easy access to all the top attractions while being slightly off the beaten path, so I was able to spend the majority of my time wandering through the back alleys of local areas rather than trudging along the main touristy thoroughfares. Inside, while compact, the studio was roomy enough for a friend and me, with a full-size Murphy bed, a fully stocked kitchen, a wardrobe for unpacking, and even a washing machine, which was much appreciated after our long travels., Jamie Spain

Neighborhood: Castello Things to do nearby: Via Garibaldi, Biennale gardens

Number of guests: 6 Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths Why we love it: Elegant design, wonderful view

You may not have the budget to rent an entire palazzo, but renting an apartment in one of the grandest ones in Cannaregio is hardly a step down. Palazzo Vendramin Costa is one of the most lavish residences in Cannaregio, the peaceful residential neighborhood that’s home to grand Renaissance mansions on wide canals. From here, you’ll have the perfect view, the apartment overlooks waterways and bridges, and even shows glimpses of the Grand Canal, with Ca’ Pesaro (Venice’s modern art gallery) hovering in the distance. Elegantly furnished with minimalist lines playing off original features such as ancient beamed roofs, it’s a gloriously sophisticated retreat in this most grown-up of sestieri.

Neighborhood: Cannaregio Things to do nearby: Fondamenta della Misericordia, Jewish Quarter, Ca’ Pesaro

Number of guests: 6 Bed and bath: 3 bedrooms, 1 bath Why we love it: Spacious and quiet inside, buzzy surrounding neighborhood, exposed brick walls, antique furniture

From May to October each year, this part of the eastern Castello district lights up while hosting the Biennale, art is held on even years, while architecture is held on odd. It takes place in the Arsenale shipyards and the Giardini gardens just off the area’s main drag of Via Garibaldi, and this boho apartment is only a few minutes’ walk away. It’s a beautiful nest: Artful areas of exposed brick on the walls are paired with antique furniture, jewel-colored furnishings and drapes, and a lovely outdoor balcony. It’s perfect for a group of friends visiting Venice for an art fix, though note that there are 44 steps up to the apartment to tackle with your luggage , but those with disabilities may be able to use a stair lift on request.

Neighborhood: Castello Things to do nearby: Biennale, Lido, Bacino di San Marco

Number of guests: 6 Bed and bath: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths Why we love it: Extraordinary views, elevator, floral furniture

It’s all about the sights at this property. Overlooking the Basilica di San Marco and the Piazza beyond it, this is a better view than any grande dame hotel can offer, and it makes for a stay you’ll never forget. Glide in the elevator up to the fourth floor to enter this piazza-side eyrie. The interiors boast pops of color, bright floral patterns, and plenty of black and white art, balancing your attention with the surrounding views, peep the lagoon twinkling in the distance beyond the piazza. There are two double bedrooms and two singles, making it great for families of up to six. The balcony overlooking the piazza is the icing on the extraordinary cake.

Neighborhood: San Marco Things to do nearby: Piazza San Marco, Basilica di San Marco

Number of guests: 4 Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths Why we love it: Hot tub , balcony, proximity to train station

Many visitors to Venice prefer to stay outside the historic center in Mestre, Venice’s sibling city on the mainland, connected to the lagoon by a 15-minute bus, tram, or train ride. You get more bang for your buck in Mestre, and if you have a lot of luggage, you can get an affordable taxi right to the door. This funky two-bedroom apartment is a great spot for younger or more active couples, it’s a tranquil top-floor location (without an elevator) right by a bus stop that whisks you into Venice. There’s a large supermarket just across the street, stock up on spritz and aperitivo to enjoy back home on the pretty terrace. Note that both of the bedrooms have small double beds, so you’ll need to snuggle up. If you’re on a whistle-stop tour of Italy, this is a good place to stay to make the most of your time in Venice, it’s a 10-minute walk from Mestre train station, which is on the high-speed line to other major Italian cities .

Neighborhood: Mestre Things to do nearby: Mestre city, Museo M9

Number of guests: 4 Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths Why we love it: Traditional water entrance, right from the canal outside the house, proximity to the Rialto Bridge

For centuries, Venetian homes have been known for their over-the-top interiors. This one’s no different, except it blends ancient and modern in a thoroughly noisy, fun way. A 10-minute trot from the Rialto Bridge, in the heart of the San Polo district, owner Luigi’s apartment starts with original frescoed walls and Murano glass chandeliers, and then adds bright midcentury furniture, jewel-colored upholstery, and multicolored drapes. A quick hop from the famous Frari church, it even has its own entrance by water.

Neighborhood: San Polo Things to do nearby: Frari church, Rialto Bridge, San Tomà gondola station

Number of guests: 4 Bed and bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath Why we love it: Sweeping open plan living/dining area, fireplace

With its rabbit warren of alleyways, the sestiere (district) of San Marco is one of the oldest, and most evocative, parts of the city. This, in a historical palazzo in Campo Sant’Angelo, is in the middle of it all. Despite the ancient location, it’s thoroughly modern, with fun green walls clashing with a mustard-colored chandelier in the main bedroom, and no fewer than two sofas to relax on (one of them is a sofa bed, if you’re traveling as a group). Working remotely ? There’s super high-speed Wi-Fi too.

Neighborhood: San Marco Things to do nearby: La Fenice opera house, Piazza San Marco, Grand Canal

Number of guests: 6 Bed and bath: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths Why we love it: A rare-for-Venice garden, spacious, colorful interiors

From its famous artworks to its multicolored house façades, Venice is known for its range of colors, and they’re on full display in this bright home on Rio Marin, a wide canal near the train station. An entire floor of a palazzo, sprawling over 2,000 square feet, it can sleep eight, making it a great space if you’re traveling with friends or family, plus it has rare (for Venice) access to a garden. Every room is painted a different color, light blue, green, or barely-there gray, and colorful modern artworks make the rooms pop. Be aware that this is a busy area, it’s one of the main routes into town from the train and bus terminals, so there are a lot of pedestrians.

Neighborhood: Santa Croce Things to do nearby: Frari church, train station, bus terminus

Number of guests: 7 Bed and bath: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths Why we love it: Sweeping large dining room, summer-friendly ice machine, elevator

Sandwiched between St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge is this sunny attic apartment with views over Venice’s terra-cotta rooftops (don’t worry, there’s an elevator). The style mixes up the eras, with a large modern kitchen and bathrooms set alongside antique-filled bedrooms. All three bedrooms, luckily, have warm parquet flooring instead of the traditional stone Venetian terrazzo floors, which are beautiful but notoriously chilly.

This is great for families, one of the double bedrooms also has a single bed, there’s a big communal dining table, and the mix of old and new means the interiors are more robust than in other historic homes. Although there’s an elevator, it’s not suitable for wheelchair users as there are still a few steps.

Neighborhood: San Marco Things to do nearby: St. Mark’s Square, Rialto Bridge

Number of guests: 4 Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath Why we love it: Insta-friendly furnishings, central location

The area around Rialto is the most ancient part of the city, but there’s nothing old-style about this beautiful apartment just steps from the iconic Rialto Bridge and its famous market. Here at Lidia’s place, you’ll find plush, comfy furniture, artwork galore, and striking feature walls, from humbug stripes in the living room to soothing greens in one of the bedrooms. It’s been beautifully put together, and Lidia is a local who comes to meet you and let you in, it’s the kind of experience that Airbnb does best.

Neighborhood: San Polo Things to do nearby: Rialto Bridge, Rialto Market

Number of guests: 2 Bed and bath: Studio, 1.5 bath Why we love it: Canal views, gondola views, courtyard

You get the best of both worlds here. Enter through the porticoed courtyard (or even from the canal), and you’ll realize this is a historic 17th-century palazzo, but once you’re inside the bright, modern apartment, you’d never know. Although it’s small, it’s been beautifully designed, with the bed slotted into its own nook, and ceiling beams painted white to bring in more light. There are fun views of the courtyard from the living room, and you can also see a canal with gondolas sweeping by.

Neighborhood: San Marco Things to do nearby: Rialto Bridge, Piazza San Marco

Number of guests: 6 Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 3 baths Why we love it: Antiques, artwork, great location

Venice is a living museum , so why not stay in one, too? Laura’s magnificent apartment is stuffed with antiques and artworks, giving you a real taste of how Venetians used to live, in fact, some of the only modern things in the apartment are the owner’s own artwork. In San Polo, near the Frari church and a 15-minute trot from Rialto, this is in one of Venice’s most ancient areas. It’s perfect for families , with a sumptuous carved bed in the main bedroom and two singles in the other.

Neighborhood: San Polo Things to do nearby: Frari church, San Polo, Rialto Bridge, Rialto market