Cannaregio or San Polo?

[David]

Hi everyone,

First, I want to apologize for showing up here once every year or two, getting wonderful advice from new and old friends, and then basically not being around. I very much appreciate these forums - much gratitude always to Pauline!

My question this year: We're going to be in Venice for a week at the end of July (we will be visiting the Biennale, but doing other things as well) and I'm looking at some Airbnbs in both Cannaregio and San Polo (and one in Dorsoduro).

I'd love opinions about staying in either either of those sestieri. I know that @Amy is there right now - I'm avidly following her FB posts. I believe that she and Larry have stayed at the same place in Cannaregio a number of times.

Opinions/ideas? Thanks much!

 

[GailS]

I'm a Dorsoduro fan myself but that's largely because of finding a couple of places there years ago that we have liked and returned to. If you have no mobility issues, go with what is a good apartment first. If there are any mobility concerns, look to see where the apartment is vs. transport options (nearest vaporetto or Alilaugna stop for example). If you can post the area of the apartments, more guidance could be given regarding nearby amenities like a place to get coffee/breakfast or food shopping if you don't plan to eat out every meal. In July it will be warm so consider how much walking you want to do in the heat if the apartment is not convenient to transportation. For a week also consider other apartment rental companies like Views on Venice or Truly Venice.

 

[David]

Thanks, Gail. Indeed, we'd like to be not too far from a vaporetto stop. We're mobile. Although I'm pretty indefatigable, Bruce, my husband, gets tired with tons of walking. I'm pretty good at getting info from and reading between the lines of listings - as far as amenities, location, and access. I'm mostly interested in knowing a bit more about the vibes of different sestieri. Although, I'm sure that those change from one micro-neighborhood to another. And thanks for the info on the rental companies. At first glance, I'm not seeing things in my price range (moderate) that go ding.

 

[David]

Here are a few locations I'm looking at.

1) there's a place near San Marcuola - quiet, away from the main street.

2) This one about 3 blocks north of I promessi sposi.

3 ) This one in the middle of San Polo.

4) I know I said San Polo or Cannaregio. This one is in San Marco very close to the San Angelo vaporetto stop.

5) This one in Cannaregio.

Thanks

 

[David]

So, after quickly conferring with Amy about Cannaregio, I made a quick decision to stay in a place not too far from where they have been staying near I Gesuiti. Not one of the properties I linked to above - and one that's a bit more expensive (so much for the budget - oh well).

Amy reminded me about how crowded the vaporetti tend to get during the summer and this location will provide relatively easy access by foot to both the Biennale as well as central Venetian locations. And it's also very close to an Alilaguna stop.

Anyway, thanks again for your input, Gail. Best wishes to everyone.

 

[GailS]

Can't see the link as it is to an url relative to your airbnb account. That area is very convenient to the airport. We stayed there for about a month in 2019 as well as a couple of other shorter trips - all very close to the Gesuiti church that should definitely be on your list to see. The Combo complex is nice for a drink or morning coffee. Bar Puppa that is near for morning coffee has a very nice owner Masoud. Pane Latte Salumi Formaggi that is near the local Coop is very good for charcuterie.

 

[David]

Sorry you can't see the links. Thanks nonetheless for the suggestions. The location is also convenient for the vaporetto to Celestia and then walking to Biennale sites as well as boats to Murano, Burano, etc. It's also not far from some restaurants I'm interested in like I promessi sposi. We'll be arriving by train so also good for vaporetto access from the train station.

 

[jan]

I would totally trust Amy's rec as you apparently have. We also stay in the same apartments as Amy and Larry and love that location. The walk to the Biennale is longish (half hour) but what I love is that there are lots of ways to go. The Puppa bar, mentioned above, has gone down hill and the coffee at the Combo is much better, IMHO. Promessi Sposi is consistently good and convenient but you may need a reso.
We were there for 3 weeks in March if you want to look at my blog.

I remember meeting you at a gtg years ago in lower Manhattan with Marian and others.
Enjoy Venice!

 

[David]

Hi Jan!

Thanks for chiming in. Much appreciated. And thanks for mentioning your blog. I'll check it out. Best wishes to you!

 

[Shyguy]

I would probably choose Cannaregio for a week. It feels a bit more local and relaxed, with plenty of good places to eat, while still being easy to get around Venice from. San Polo is great too but generally busier because of its central location.

 

[David]

Thanks very much. Reservation made in Cannaregio - looking forward.

Jan, I read the first week of entries in your blog from your recent Venice trip. Really enjoyed them - I'll look forward to reading the rest.