2 questions about stayng in Venice

From my 4 visits to Venice, I found the Rialto area pretty safe. We actually stayed in an airbnb last trip that was about a 5 min walk to Rialto (right near Sant Aponal cathedral). Before that we were in the San Toma area where we would be walking back to our B&B via Rialto area in the evenings. I found the Rialto area still fairly busy with tourists and some open shops (in the surrounding streets) and restaurants around 8-9pm. We have usually visited mid-Sept. I felt no compunction at all wandering around at 10pm, or getting up at 7am and heading to Rialto to enjoy it mostly people free. It gets so quiet once the daytrippers leave - your only worry would probably be having too much wine with supper and falling into a canal. :)

(That being said - don't walk around flashing wads of cash)

We've never had an issue with mosquitoes either at that time of year, tho there have been a few who say they have. But we've never slept with the windows open either. The only place I noticed bad mossies in Sept was Florence.

Edit to add - not sure about the cruise ships, but seriously, do yourself a huge favour and hit St Marks Sq at 7-8am...enjoy it almost people free (generally the die hard photographers out that early). See the Bridge of Sighs without fighting for position. When you return to SMS even a few hours later, it will be crawling with people. The best thing I ever did in Venice was to get up early (and make sure to hang around in the evening too - still some people, but so lovely and wayyyy less crowded).

Crime is pretty rare in Venice.

Never had a bug problem there, but we use anti bug plug ins and don't sleep with windows open (or open after dark). I don't like any flying creatures to be attracted to the light in my room so at dusk the windows close.

Do you want to catch a cruise ship or avoid one?

I've observed cruise ship passengers arriving near San Marco around 10 am. There are lots of them, so enjoy the city early, especially around San Marco.

Here is the port schedule for cruise ship arrivals and departures from late September through late October:

http://www.vtp.it/calendario/results.export?password=null&CodTipoNave=&CodNave=&CodArmatore=&partenza=21%2F09%2F2015&arrivo=23%2F10%2F2015

You will see there are ships in port nearly every day. Most arrive in the morning and disgorge a huge number of passengers who spend the day in Venice and depart in the evening. Some spend two days in port and depart the following evening. If you want to see them leave, a good spot is Punta del Dogana.

Have been to Venice and stayed near Rialto a number of times. Have never felt unsafe in that area (or any other) even at night. Just use common sense and you should be fine. Enjoy!!

Thanks everyone for the replies. Lola big thanks that is perfect. It shows river boats and cruise ship by days. It help see when the crowds hit the Island.

The first two question is to help me decide to get and apt. with A/C facing Realto Market or the second apt. No A/C facing Campo San Filippo e Giacomo/a 4 min walk to Piazza San Marco

1. Any area in the historical center of Venice is very safe. Crime is rare there, actually non existent, because it's too hard for criminals to get away quickly.
2. You won't need AC in October unless you think that daily temperatures in the low 70s F (low 20s Centigrade) is too hot for you. Mosquitoes are still alive in October.
3. See Above.

I was not familiar with that campo and had to look it up on Google maps. It is indeed very close to San Marco but not on a tourist path. During the day you could easily move around the city by walking straight north, away from San Marco on the back streets. In the evening, after the ships have left, you could stroll down to the water and enjoy the views. The area right in front of San Marco, and the square itself, still attract people ( and trinket sellers) Innthe evening but you can still find some open space.

Does the other apartment look right AT the Rialto market? Not sure I would like that. It is very crowded during the day--hard to walk through--- and then the fish area is deserted (and wet) at night. I believe Rialto Bridge itself is under renovation and covered with netting and scaffolding, and the walking path may be narrowed. We will be there in October ourselves, in an apartment a bit farther from Rialto Bridge but on the market side. i learned of the renovations after I booked the apartment.

It seems the A/C is a main concern? I don't know that it should be. We spent the entire month of October in Venice two years ago and kept the windows open the whole time---nice breezes and no mosquitoes. Indeed I don't remember if the apartment even had A/C, and if it did, it may have been past the allowable time to use it ( this is restricted n Venice to conserve energy).

If you directly overlook Rialto Market, be aware, like most markets in Europe, that it sets up and opens very early (think noise, hustle and bustle, and plenty of unique Venetian local colour) and finishes pretty early, especially the Fish Market which is finishing by around noon, while the vegetable and fruit market holds on until the early or mid afternoon. You might want to check exactly which market you will overlook.

My experience is also that the area around the vegetable market square gets pretty lively with the party crowd after about 10 pm on Friday and Saturday nights.

Air Conditioning in hotel rooms is not just to stay cool from the summer heat. It's to allow you to close the windows and keep out the mosquitos, cigarette smoke, noise from your room. With no air circulation rooms can sometimes get very stuffy even in October with outside temperatures in low 70s.

Thanks everyone for the replies. Decided to get the apt w/o the a/c. This will be our fist time staying in apartments and we got one in Rome/Floronce/Venice, 8 more days till vacation, can't wait.