Trying to sleep in Venice.

Think it might be your location as we had no problem sleeping at all. Where in Venice are you ?

Slept well when I was there

Near the Campo San Geremia Church.

Well you picked an extremely busy path in an extremely busy part of the city. Practically next to the station, at the junction of two busy canals, where vast hordes of mankind trek every day from where they enter the city to Rialto.

It could be the location.

I'm surprised at the war zone. What do you mean?

Buy some earplugs.

oooh crumbs, no wonder you aren't sleeping well! Is the war zone rubbish collection in the morning???

Ok yes I believe I did pick a horrible location. If I was to stay here again I would be more careful to pick a location away from the main walkway. And yes the garbage pickup and there was loud banging and pounding, sounded like construction of some kind. But staying in a back ally somewhere probably would elevate some noise. Lesson learned!

We stayed at place off the Cannaregio canal not far from the Tre Arci bridge and the area was blissfully quiet. You could walk down the fondamenta in the evening and hear nothing but the quiet conversation of diners and the low putter of passing motor boats. I've often wondered if folks who pine for a romantic room that opens onto a canal realize that Venetians work on those channels, just like any other street.

From my room at the Hotel Ala (Giglio vaporetto stop), I am awaken from my afternoon riposo by the sounds of gondoliers singing. Got to be one of the best things about sleeping in Venice! Sorry you are in a less musical area. Sometimes I think we forget that Venice is a real city and not just a work of art. A few years ago I decided to get up early and ride the vaporetto up and down the Grand Canal - I was surprised how interesting the early morning activities really are! It's a part of being in Venice I think too few of us investigate maybe.

Yep, you picked a terrible location. Hopefully you'll save a few others from the same fate. I hope it didn't ruin your vacation.

One year we stayed out in Sant' Elena looking for quiet and were awakened early (TOO early, for us!) every morning by church bells playing a lovely tune which I could sing note-by-note by the time our week was up. You can't win, though I would prefer the early awakening to the "drunks in the street" late-night business.

The only time we had such noise was when staying near the Rialto, on San Polo side but too close to the market. I pick carefully now, looking at main 'streets', how many bridges must be crossed to get to hotel from arrival point, and trying out different sestieres. The quietest we've encountered was Dorsodura near Guggenheim, away from canal. Very nice place, but a bit too removed. Cannareggio seemed the best, convenient with more locals, as long as not right on the tourist path from train to San Marco!

We’ve always slept very well in Venice. Our last stay was at Hotel Ala, also mentioned above - one I’ve recommended to several people.

I am blushing. In 2015, we watched the Super Bowl at the Irish Pub Santa Lucia in Campo San Geremia. The game began at 12:30 am Venice time, so it went until 5:00 am. The owner said he'd keep the bar open if we kept the noise down (and the cash register ringing). He checked back at half time and confirmed that the cash register was indeed ringing. And we did try to keep the noise down, but when the Patriots won, it was just a giant buzz-kill.

Yes, it is a busy area with a lot of late night foot traffic.

Hopefully you chose an air-conditioned room where you can close the windows, turn on the drone of the AC, and sleep better. I LOVE being awakened by church bells. That's part of the charm of Europe.

Although we are not staying at Hotel Ala as mentioned above, we will be 2 mins. from there "tucked" away and hopefully can hear the singers from the Gondola's.

Nope no AC! All I heard was the fan and drunks pursuing the streets. No breeze either. Venice was lovely though, just bad accommodations.