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Venice > Where to stay > 17 hotels by cruise piers

17 Venice hotels closest to cruise ships

If you're traveling with heavy or bulky luggage, these hotels are great choices for a pre- or post-cruise stay in Venice, Italy.


Hotel Santa Chiara, Venice, Italy

ABOVE: The Hotel Santa Chiara is a longtime favorite of cruise passengers. It's a short walk from airport buses, taxis, and an elevated tram to the Marittima cruise terminals.


You may have read news stories about large ships being banned from central Venice. (See Cruising Changes in Venice for more details.)

If you're nominally cruising from Venice on a ship bigger than 25,000 GRT, your ship will likely depart from a pier on the Italian mainland. (Your cruise line can provide the exact location.)

However, there's a good chance that you'll check in at central Venice's Marittima cruise terminals and be bused to your ship's location. And if you're on a small ship or river vessel, your ship may be using the cruise terminal at the San Basilio/Santa Marta pier, which is close to Marittima.

If you are checking in or disembarking at Marittima or San Basilio, this article is for you. We've provided descriptions and photos of 17 hand-picked hotels that will make it easy to find a convenient place to stay. (Being close to the terminals can be a blessing if you're traveling with heavy, bulky luggage.)

Hotels near the Marittima cruise terminals

Map of Piazzale Roma with hotels

ABOVE: This map's red labels show 10 hotels on or extremely close to the Piazzale Roma, within easy walking distance of airport buses, taxis, and the People Mover to the Marittima cruise terminals.

Marittima is Venice's main cruise basin, with terminals that check in passengers for many cruise lines. 

A People Mover elevated tramway runs between the Marittima basin and the southwestern corner of Piazzale Roma, on the edge of Venice's historic center. (The Piazzale Roma is also served by airport buses and land taxis.)

If you stay at a hotel on or near the Piazzale Roma, you can easily walk a short distance to the People Mover station, where airport-style trams take only about two minutes to reach Marittima. (Alternatively, a land taxi can take you to either Marittima or San Basilio, since both ports are accessible by car.)

Four hotels are directly on the Piazzale Roma, with no bridges to cross:


Hotel Santa Chiara ****

Near public water buses on Piazzale Roma

Hotel Santa Chiara, Venice

Hotel Santa Chiara photoAlong with the AC Hotel Venezia, Ca' Doge, and Casanova FourRooms (see below), the four-star Hotel Santa Chiara is one of the most convenient hotels to Marittima if you don't want to haul your bags over bridges. Superior rooms have canal views, while some of the cheaper rooms are at the Residenza Parisi (near the Piazzale Roma vaporetto stop).

Click here for walking directions (including a video), or click the button to check guaranteed lowest rates, reviews, and availability:

Booking.com


AC Hotel Venezia by Marriott

A 79-room design hotel on the Piazzale Roma

AC Hotel Venezia canal side

AC Hotel Venezia entrance on Piazzale RomaThe AC Hotel Venezia is a mid-priced, European-themed "design hotel' in a contemporary building that fits in beautifully with its surroundings. The hotel's entrance is on the quiet side of the Piazzale Roma, less than a minute on foot from ATVO airport buses and the People Mover to the Marittima cruise terminals. You can see more photos in our illustrated review.

AC Hotel Venezia side streetMost of the 79 queen and twin rooms face a quiet pedestrians-only side street or a landscaped courtyard, while 14 "water view" queens at the back of the hotel (large photo above) overlook a traditional Venetian canal.

Click here for walking directions, or click the button to check guaranteed lowest rates, reviews, and availability:

Booking.com


Ca' Doge

Across from the People Mover station on Piazzale Roma

Ca' Doge photo

Ca' Doge, a six-room B&B, is popular with cruisers because it's just across the street from the People Mover station at the western corner of the Piazzale Roma.

Click here for walking directions (including a video), or click the button to check guaranteed lowest rates, reviews, and availability:

Booking.com


Casanova FourRooms

A small, economical B&B with private parking

Casanova Fourrooms B&B

The Casanova FourRooms is a tiny B&B between Ca' Doge and the Hotel AC Venezia (see above), next to a walled parking lot where you can leave your car for a steep daily fee. Despite its unassuming appearance, the B&B is air-conditioned and equipped with modern conveniences (including private bathrooms). The location couldn't be handier if you're arriving by bus, taxi, or cruise ship.

Click here for walking directions, or click the button to check guaranteed lowest rates, reviews, and availability:

Booking.com


Six other hotels are slightly away from the traffic of Piazzale Roma (but are still easy to reach with a maximum of one low bridge to cross):


Casa Sant'Andrea

2½-minute walk from the Piazzale Roma

Casa Sant'Andrea, Venice

The Casa Sant'Andrea is located in a 16th Century monastery just behind the Piazzale Roma and the People Mover, facing a quiet canal. Rooms vary from singles to quads, with or without private bathrooms (depending on rate).

Pets are welcome, Wi-Fi is free, the buffet breakfast includes gluten-free options, and--unusually for a B&B in Venice--the Casa Sant'Andrea has both an elevator and a 24-hour reception desk.

Click here for walking directions, or click the button to check guaranteed lowest rates, reviews, and availability:

Booking.com


Hotel Arlecchino ***

2½-minute walk from Piazzale Roma

Hotel Arlecchino photo

The Hotel Arlecchino is on the Fondamenta delle Burchielle, one small bridge away from the Piazzale Roma. Singles, doubles, triples, and quads are available, and guests have access to the garden of the Hotel Olimpia next door.

Click here for walking directions (including a video), or click the button to check guaranteed lowest rates, reviews, and availability :

Booking.com


Hotel Olimpia ***

3-minute walk from Piazzale Roma

Hotel Olimpia photo

The Hotel Olimpia is an excellent hotel just beyond the Arlecchino, alongside a canal next to the Piazzale Roma. The hotel offers a variety of room types, including junior suites, and it has a private garden with beach umbrellas and deck chairs. Free Wi-Fi is available in all public areas.

Click here for walking directions (including a video), or click the button to check guaranteed lowest rates, reviews, and availability :

Booking.com


Alloggi Marinella

4½-minute walk from Piazzale Roma

Alloggi Marinella photo

The Alloggi Marinella, a.k.a. the Locanda Marinella, is one block beyond the Arlecchino and the Olimpia (see above), on a quiet pedestrian street lined with trees. The B&B has a courtyard where breakfast is served in good weather.

Click here for walking directions (including a video), or click the button to check guaranteed lowest rates, reviews, and availability :

Booking.com


Il Veliero Romantico

4½-minute walk from Piazzale Roma

Il Veliero Romantico photo

A tiny B&B, Il Veliero Romantico, is just beyond the Alloggi Marinella (see above) on the Rio Terà dei Pensieri. It has three twin-rooms plus a shared dormitory with another three beds.

Click here for walking directions (including a video), or click the button to check guaranteed lowest rates, reviews, and availability :

Booking.com


Hotel Papadopoli Venezia (Sofitel) ****

4½-minute walk from Piazzale Roma

Hotel Papadopoli Venezia photo

The Papadopoli Venezia is just beyond the public gardens that are reached via a low footbridge from the Piazzale Roma. It belongs to Sofitel's McGallery Collection of boutique hotels, and it's a good choice if you're looking for an upscale hotel with a bar, restaurant, concierge, and other services on the premises.

Click here for walking directions (including a video), or click the button to check guaranteed lowest rates, reviews, and availability:

Booking.com


For more hotels that are within a five- to 10-minute walk from Piazzale Roma, click here.

Also, hotels near Aligaguna Linea Blu airport-boat stops are handy for Marittima, because the waterbus line has its final stop in the Marittima cruise basin, right by the ships.


Hotels near the San Basilio cruise terminal

Map of San Basilio cruise terminal area with hotels.

San Basilio and its neighboring quay of Santa Marta are used by smaller ships and river vessels. They're accessible by road from the Piazzale Roma, which means that any of the hotels listed above are good choices if you don't mind hiring a land taxi for the short ride to the pier.

Alternatively, if you aren't burdened with large quantities of luggage, the properties below are worth considering. All are extremely close to the San Basilio cruise terminal.


Palazzo Veneziano ****

Palazzo Veneziano entrance courtyard

The Palazzo Veneziano is a newish boutique hotel in a great location: It lies directly on the Zattere, facing the Giudecca Canal. From the hotel's entrance, it's an easy walk to the San Basilio cruise terminal with only one tiny bridge to cross.

The Palazzo Veneziano has 84 attractive rooms and suites, all with marble bathrooms, wooden flooors, and other luxury touches. Some are on two levels, and a few offer Jacuzzis and private terraces.

Click here for walking directions, or click the button to check guaranteed lowest rates, reviews, and availability:

Booking.com


Excess Venice Boutique Hotel & Private Spa ****

Hotel San Sebastiano Garden photo

The Excess Venice Boutique Hotel & Private Spa (formerly the Hotel San Sebastiano Garden) is on the Fondamenta San Sebastiano,  only about five minutes from the pier over level ground after you've crossed one small bridge. The 18-room hotel has a private garden where you can enjoy breakfast or drinks outdoors in good weather.

Click here for walking directions (including a video), or click the button to check guaranteed lowest rates, reviews, and availability:

Booking.com


Avogaria 5 Rooms

Avogaria Locanda photo

The Avogaria 5 Rooms is a "design B&B" just beyond the Hotel San Sebastiano and down a side street. For a touch of luxury, book a junior suite with private garden.

Click here for walking directions (including a video), or click the button to check guaranteed lowest rates, reviews, and availability:

Booking.com


Hotel Avani Rio Novo ****

NH Venezia Rio Novo

The Hotel Avani Rio Novo, a member of Spain's NH hotel group, is about midway between the San Basilio cruise terminal and taxis or airport buses at the Piazzale Roma. It occupies a contemporary building with 144 air-conditioned guest rooms and suites. (Some of the rooms are connecting, making the hotel convenient for families.) The hotel also has a bar, restaurant, and gym.

Click here for walking directions, or click the button to check guaranteed lowest rates, reviews, and availability:

Booking.com


Hotel Ca' Nobile Corner ***

Hotel Ca' Nobile Corner photo

The Hotel Ca' Nobile Corner is on the Campo Santa Margherita, just beyond the MyPlace Campo Santa Margherita apartments listed above. You enter the hotel through a large doorway that leads into a courtyard with steps leading upstairs to the reception lobby.
The Ca' Nobile Corner's nine rooms combine traditional features such as beamed ceilings with modern decorative touches. Doubles, twins, junior suites, and deluxe suites are available. (All rooms have teakettles and refrigerators.)

Click here for walking directions, or click the button to check guaranteed lowest rates, reviews, and availability:

Booking.com


Hotel Tiziano ****

Hotel Tiziano photo

The Hotel Tiziano  is behind and to the north of the San Basilio terminal and Santa Marta quay, with one small bridge to cross. (It's just off the map above, as indicated by the arrow.) The hotel has 14 rooms and is close to the IUAV university of architecture and design.

Caveat: Although the Tiziano is close to the piers, it's a bit out of the way for sightseeing.

Click here for walking directions, or click the button to check guaranteed lowest rates, reviews, and availability:

Booking.com

Next page: 9 more hotels nearby (and four apartments)


In this article:
17 hotels closest to cruise ships
9 more hotels (and 4 apartments)

Also see:
Venice Cruise Terminal Hotels
Venice for Cruisers

MAP CREDIT: Map by Anders Imboden, using base data from the Comune di Venezia and Regione Veneto under license IODL-2.0.


About the author:

Durant Imboden photo.Durant Imboden has written about Venice, Italy since 1996. He covered Venice and European travel at About.com for 4-1/2 years before launching Europe for Visitors (including Venice for Visitors) with Cheryl Imboden in 2001.

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