There are cities everyone should visit at least once in their life, and Venice is one of them. With a history dating back to March 25, 421, when the dedication of its first church, Rialto's San Giacomo, took place, Italy's most romantic destination has served as the protagonist of countless legends, poems, and tales, and crucial historical moments, all while retaining a special place in its citizens' minds and in the fantasy of returning, as well as prospective, visitors alike.
Playing host to the Biennale Architettura and the International Art Exhibition (also known as the Venice Biennale, May 9-November 22, 2026), the former of which has just returned to the city's Arsenale, where it will remain open to visitors through November 23, 2025), some of the world's best design hotels, and countless artisanal workshops specialized in hand-blown Murano glassware, Venice is a must-see destination for arts, crafts, and interiors enthusiasts, too. Despite its ever-growing popularity, as a northern Italian-born-and-bred lifestyle journalist, I can assure you that finding a holiday home that meets — and exceeds — expectations has become as complicated as the plots of some of the books set in the city. That's why I spent hours looking for the best hotels in Venice (or shall I say the best hotels in Venezia?), so that you can keep disappointment away while sojourning in some of its most striking palazzos.
