Hi !
We will be in Venic in july for 3 nights. We have found an apprtement near Campiello L'anconeta in Cannaregio.
Would be a good sport for first timer ? We will have to walk (obviously) to get to the classic tourits spots, but we are looking for more authentic (and less expensive) bar and restaurants would this location allows that ?
Yes, that's where I stayed. You will be very glad you did, the magic of venice is to wander, and if you stay away from the main tourist spots, you'll have a hard time understanding why everyone complains about it being so touristy. Don't even get on the water taxis. Just wander.
I think it is a good location and not one a lot of tourists visit. You have the San Marcuola vaporetto stop nearby and the train station is walkable. Try Trattoria Bar Pontini near Ponte delle Guglie.
You are a short walk to Il Paradiso Perduto (Lost Paradise) on the Fondamenta Misericordia. Decent restaurant that often has live music on the weekends. Can get busy, get reservations. For drinks, get em inside then walk outside and enjoy them along the canal.
Venice is really not that big, so no location is all that far from the major tourist spots. One advantage of your location is that you can get to and/or from the train station easily, without having to haul your luggage over a big bridge. You did well.
We stayed in Cannaregio this summer, up near the Tre Arci bridge. If certainly was easy to use the vaporetti to get around and not a bad walk. In the evening, the area was very quiet. I remember walking along the Cannaregio canal in the evening and all the could be heard aside from low voices from the passers by was the occasional putter of a boat motor.
We have stayed in Canneregio three or four times and always at the Hotel Abbazia on a quiet calle (alley) not far from the train station. It was a former Carmelite monastery in another life. The property is very clean, quiet, and the staff is first rate.
Someone above mentioned Venice being not so large and that is correct. We walked everywhere or took a vaporetto.
To escape the crowds we always try to wander the back streets and just browse around. Venice is an island, so you won't be too lost.Once while roaming the back streets we came across a pizzeria featuring a Rick Steve's tour book in the window. We stopped for lunch and had a great pizza.
Go and have fun.
Buon viaggio,
For a first-time visit, it would not be my choice. A three-night stay in Venice goes by very fast. If you desire efficiency, managing your travel (walking) times is crucial. If you have no sight-seeing goals, then you can plant yourself just about anywhere in Venice. But if you have goals and your time is limited, where you place yourself for lodging will determine just how much you can actually see and enjoy in a day, without wearing yourself out.
Do not worry about the location. Venice is small enough that one can get to any place from any place without too much "lost" time. Then too, getting "there" from any location is part of the beauty of Venice. One never knows what unexpected little treasure will appear along the way.
"For a first-time visit, it would not be my choice. "
I disagree wholeheartedly.
At the beginning and end of your trip, it's good to be near the Alilaguna stops for the airport, and near the train station if that's how you are traveling.
Nothing worse than fighting your way over many bridges to get somewhere with luggage.
I've been to Venice 6 times, and apart from once, have always stayed in Canareggio.
It's convenient for everything; as many people have already said.
One block off the main street, and you will wonder where everyone is.
Lots of great bars and restaurants, but get off the main street for those.
OP: you are in for a treat!!
I'm envious, and hope you will report back when you get home!
