You can save by scouring the internet for budget-friendly accommodations, but it might take you days to find a clean, comfortable place to stay. To save you time and money, we’ve picked some of the best budget hotels in Venice of the year from our guide, so you can rest easy knowing you booked one of the city’s hidden (and affordable) gems.

More tips for saving in Venice
• Island hopping in the Venetian Lagoon
• 10 Things to do in Venice on the cheap

Best budget hotels in Venice

You’ll have plenty of euros left over when you book a room at one of these hotels. We’ve picked our favorite cheap sleeps in the city that offer plenty of Venetian charm. And the best part? These cheapo picks won’t cost you much, with average nightly prices starting at just $121 per night!

Hotel Della Mora has very low rates for such a prime location right on a canal.

Hotel Dalla Mora

Neighborhood: Santa Croce
Average double nightly rate: $121

The Hotel Dalla Mora offers rooms with canal views and a location just off of one of Santa Croce’s main shopping streets. Original art decorates the place, and the hotel remains peaceful thanks to a lack of televisions throughout. Read the full review

Enjoy simple and spotless rooms at Cà Del Dose.

Cà Del Dose

Neighborhood: Castello
Doubles from $124

With a great location near the Piazza San Marco, Cà Del Dose offers clean, comfortable hotel rooms and apartment stays. Rooms are simple, but you’ll find TVs, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and even snacks and coffee in the rooms. Some rooms also have terraces. Read the full review

You’ll find gorgeous rooms full of character at Hotel Guerrato.

Pensione Guerrato

Neighborhood: San Polo
Average double nightly rate: $149

Dripping in Venetian charm, Pensione Guerrato has been popular in travel guidebooks and on EuroCheapo for years. With a convenient location near Rialto Bridge, gorgeous and charismatic interiors, and even air conditioning, it’s no wonder this hotel is so well-loved. Read the full review

The cozy salon at the artsy Antica Locanda Montin. Photo: EuroCheapo

Antica Locanda Montin

Neighborhood: Dorsoduro
Average double nightly rate: $151

From the quiet Dorsoduro location to the canal views to the 100-year-old restaurant downstairs, there’s so much to love about Antica Locanda Montin. This family-run hotel offers cozy, old-fashioned rooms, two of which even have balconies. You’ll find free Wi-Fi here, but the peaceful ambiance is in part to a lack of TVs. Read the full review

You’re surrounded by antique style in the 15th-century building of Locanda Al Leon.

Locanda Al Leon

Neighborhood: Castello
Doubles from $164

The Locanda Al Leon is a charming family-run guesthouse that boasts perks like spacious bathrooms, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Add luxurious décor and select rooms with stunning views, and you have quite the deal. Read the full review

Book a budget hotel in Venice

There’s no shortage of charming hotels in Venice that won’t break the bank. If you want to browse more excellent options, check out our full list of budget-friendly hotels in Venice.

Photo credits: Booking.com, unless otherwise noted

The post The 5 best budget hotels in Venice for 2026 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

To really get into la dolce vita, it’s better to limit yourself to a few cities or towns and take your time in each one. Delays and unforeseen events (along with these common tourists mistakes) can derail even the best-planned schedules and cause stress, which is the opposite of what your vacation should be about.

If you’re planning to be in Italy for 10 days and want to see the best cities the country has to offer, while also leaving time to enjoy spontaneous events and relax, follow this itinerary. This schedule takes you through the greatest hits of Rome, Florence, and Venice for an unforgettable and affordable vacation.

In another post, we offer tips for exploring Italy by car, including small villages and towns. However, for this trip, we’re hitting up the country’s big three cities, so we’ll travel by high-speed train.

Related: 11 Simple ways to save on your trip to Italy

Day 1: Arrive in Rome

Fly into Rome, take the train in from the airport and spend the afternoon and evening relaxing.

Take a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood of your hotel (we recommend staying at one of these budget hotels with central locations), and indulge in your first Italian meal. Roman food is unique to the rest of Italy, so ask your concierge or host for their recommendations on the best amatriciana or cacio e pepe in the neighborhood. If you find yourself near the Spanish Steps, you can try one of these restaurants.

Affordable hotels in Rome:
• All budget hotels in Rome

The Duomo is the heart of Florence and must-see for your first day. Photo: Dennis Jarvis

Days 2 & 3: Explore Florence

You’ll see everything Rome has to offer soon, but today we’ll take a train to Florence, about two hours away from Rome’s Termini train station. Book these tickets well in advance for the lowest prices (from €17!) directly from Trenitalia, the national railway. (By the way, don’t be confused if you type “Florence” into the search and nothing comes up. You need to search for “Roma” to “Firenze.” Another note: If Trenitalia’s website shows up as unavailable for your region, you can book the same tickets at the same rates, plus a €3.50 fee, through the U.S.-based Italiarail.com.)

Florence, the heart of Tuscany, is also one of the most beautiful and culturally important cities in the country. Arrive in the early afternoon and, after checking into your hotel, spend the rest of the day wandering around the famed Basilica (the “Duomo”) and climbing to the top. You’ll be hungry after the walk, and when in Florence, make sure to eat a panini or the famous dish, Bistecca alla Fiorentina! (Read more posts about eating for cheap in Florence.)

The next day is for sightseeing (Read: 5 ways to save on sightseeing in Florence). After a tasty breakfast, spend the day exploring Florence, whether you want to visit Michelangelo’s David sculpture in the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, pore over art in the Uffizi Gallery, or shop for handmade leather goods and souvenirs.

Cheap hotels in Florence:
• All budget hotels in central Florence

It’s hard not to fall in love with the Grand Canal in Venice. Photo: Gerhard G.

Day 4 & 5: Strolling in Venice

Head to Venice by train from Florence, a ride that takes approximately two hours. Again, book those tickets in advance through Trenitalia (and search for “Venezia”).

Once in Venice, you can immerse yourself in the romance of the canals and beauty of handmade blown glass. Venice is known for its seafood, so take advantage and feast on octopus and calamari. Unfortunately, Venice is also known for overpriced, tourist trap restaurants, so ask a local for recommendations. (Read more of our posts about food in Venice.)

When choosing a hotel in Venice, we like to go close, but not too close, to St. Mark’s Square. The Castello neighborhood is a nice option, with several affordable options that are tucked away and quiet-ish, but still super-convenient. Want a canal view? Consider these budget hotel picks. Want more options? Here’s a list of our favorite hotels in Venice.

On your second day in Venice, start your day at a delicious Venetian bakery, and then get ready for an unforgettable walk. From the Piazza San Marco (where every building turns a lovely shade of pink during sunset), to Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s brilliant Basilica, there’s plenty to do.

From our Venice sightseeing guide: visit these 10 sights for under €15, check out these lesser-known museums, hit up these 5 free sights, or take a walk through the Jewish ghetto.

Of course, one of the best things to do in Venice is sip a glass of wine while watching the gondolas glide by. You can also hop on a ferry, if a gondola ride is too expensive for your tastes. (It is for ours!)

Hotel picks for Venice:
• All budget hotels in Venice

Days 6 – 8: A Roman Holiday

Today, you’ll head back to Rome by train, passing through hill country and several castles along the way. It’s only three hours on the high-speed train from Venice, but the trip takes much longer on a regional train. (If booked in advance, the fast train will probably be about the same price as the slow one!)

When choosing a hotel in Rome, check out this list of our favorite budget hotels. This includes several that are near the train station, as well as those in extremely convenient locations near the Pantheon and Piazza Navona and Spanish Steps. (See all recommended hotels in Rome.)

Once checked in, take a night stroll through the city. The piazzas are bustling until late in the evening, and the city sparkles at night. If you have time, visit the Trevi Fountain by moonlight.

Related:
• 25 Free things to see and do in Rome
• 10 Easy ways to save on your next trip to Rome

Plan what you want to see in Rome, and split it up over the next few days. A tour of the Vatican will take about half a day, as will a tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum.

Related:
• 10 Tips for visiting St. Peter’s Basilica & the Vatican Museums
• Rome’s 4 commonly overlooked treasures

But give yourself at least one day to explore Rome away from the big sights. Explore outdoor markets, shop for Italian fashion, relax in one of Rome’s many gardens and parks, and just wander along the city’s cobblestone side streets!

Don’t forget to eat lots of gelato and drink house wine! Seriously, the house wine is much cheaper and just as good as most of the bottled stuff. It’s local! (Read more about eating and drinking in Rome.)

The beautiful waters of Anzio, Italy are just a quick and cheap train ride away from Rome. Photo: Helen Cook

Day 9 – Day trip

If you’re in love with Rome, go ahead and spend another day checking more attractions off of your wish list.

If you’re up for something new, there are several fun day trips easily accessible from Rome. Whether you want to enjoy some sun at nearby beaches, the hillside villages of Castelli Romani, or the ruins of Ostia Antica (one of the best-kept secrets in all of Italy), getting out of the city is worth it to see a different side of Italy before you leave. Most trains depart from Termini Station.

Day 10 – Arrivederci Italy

Have one last cappuccino and cornetto for breakfast and you’re off! Of course, your memories from 10 days in bella Italia will last a lifetime.

Your Italy tips

Have you been to Rome, Florence or Venice? Tell us how you like to save when you are sightseeing (and eating!) during your trip.

The post 10-day itinerary for Italy: An affordable trip to Rome, Florence and Venice appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

An obvious way to skip the crowds is to visit Venice during the winter when rain and fog deter most tourists.  If you can’t plan your trip during the off-season, try to visit during the week.

A third — and particularly helpful — tip for avoiding the crowds in Venice is to visit the main sights during the off-peak times. As a general rule, it’s best to visit attractions when they open in the morning, during the lunch hour or right before closing. Read on for more specific information.

More tips for Venice:
• 5 Best budget hotels in Venice
• 10 Things to do in Venice on the cheap
• 5 Cheap hotels in Venice with canal views

How to avoid crowds at Venice attractions

Here are some of the city’s top attractions, along with the best times to visit them:

Palazzo Ducale (Doges Palace) and the Bridge of Sighs

St. Mark’s Square
Open: 9 am – 7 pm (9 am – 6 pm from November – March)
website

The Palazzo Ducale was the center of power during the times of the Republic of Venice. Every room is full of amazing frescoes. After feasting your eyes on the beautiful paintings and architecture, consider checking out the Secret Itineraries Tour. The tour takes you through the palace’s dungeon and torture chamber, which is connected to the palace by the Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs).

Best Times To Visit: Stop by the Palazzo when it opens at 9 am, between 12:30-1:30 pm (when tourist groups are having lunch) or about an hour before closing time.

Hotel Picks: Accommodations near Palazzo Ducale

Museo Correr (Archaeological Museum)

San Marco 52, 30124 Venice
Open: 10 am – 6 pm (10 am – 5 pm from November – March)
website

The Museo Correr is Venice’s civic museum. Here you’ll find exhibits that offer a fascinating insight into the art and history of the city.

Best Times To Visit: When the museum opens at 10 am, between 12:30 – 1:30 pm, and about an hour before closing time.

Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark’s Basilica)

St. Mark’s Square
Open: 9:30 am – 5:15 pm (2 pm – 5:15 pm on Sundays and holidays)

The Basilica di San Marco, perhaps the city’s most famous sight, is an amazing monument made unique by both its wealth of history and the magnificence of its façade and interior. The basilica is famous for housing St. Mark’s relics.

Best Times To Visit: Avoid Sunday mornings and holidays since the Basilica will be used for mass service. There is always a big queue at the entrance, no matter what time, but now you can book your ticket in advance to skip the line.

Hotel Picks: Browse accommodations near St. Mark’s

Campanile di San Marco (St. Mark’s Tower)

St. Mark’s Square  (opposite the Basilica)
Open: 9:30 am – 9:15 pm (closed during inclement weather)
website

A visit to this amazing church tower affords a great bird’s eye view of Venice.

Best Times To Visit: Avoid lunchtime, and get there very early in the morning or just before closing time.

The Rialto Bridge in Venice. Photo: Photo: Ekaterina

Rialto Bridge and its markets

The Rialto Bridge is located in the oldest (and most central) quarter of Venice, and it has been a bustling hub for centuries. The area is always packed with tourists, be it summertime or wintertime.

Best Times to Visit: Go early in the morning before 9 am. Not only will you see the local fish and vegetable market, but you can also enjoy a relatively peaceful scene at the bridge. You should also visit late at night after 10 pm, as the majority of tourists will be heading to bed or eating dinner.

Hotel Picks: Accommodations near Rialto Bridge

Gallerie dell’ Accademia (Academy Galleries)

Vaporetto stop Accademia, just off the Accademia Bridge
Open: Monday, 8:15 am – 2 pm; Tuesday – Sunday: 8:15 am – 7:15 pm
website

The Gallerie dell’ Accademia boasts a rich collection of Venetian paintings from the Byzantine and Gothic periods as well as work from Renaissance artists such as Bellini, Carpaccio, Giorgione, Veronese, Tintoretto, Tiziano and Gianbattista Tiepolo.

Best Times To Visit: I do not want to repeat myself, but as before, be there early (before 9 am) or go an hour before closing times (although this will obviously give you less time in the museum). Groups usually go during the day.

Hotel Picks: Affordable accommodations near Academy Galleries

Bonus Tip: Book online, and explore other areas

My final tip on avoiding crowds is to book your tickets online. For the majority of museums in Venice, you can do this on www.veneziaunica.com. Also, explore other areas of the city, away from the main sites. By treading off the tourist past, you will see my Venice.

The post Venice: How to avoid the crowds at the city’s main attractions appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

From hotels to flights, rental cars, and train tickets, there are several things to keep in mind before you hit “book”. Regular readers might recognize a few of these tips from posts in previous years (including “10 Ways to Save Before Leaving for Europe”). They’ve been included below if they’re still important today, and if they represent a budget travel faux pas worth avoiding.

Related: The best budget hotels in Paris, Venice, Barcelona, and London.

Note: This post was updated in September 2024 with new information and current pricing.

1. Don’t over-pack your itinerary with too many destinations.

American travelers (myself included) tend to over-pack our itineraries when planning trips to Europe. It’s understandable — for many, vacation days are scarce and trips abroad infrequent. There’s a natural tendency to try to jam as many cities and countries as possible into our trips, as we don’t always know when we’ll be back!

However, this can be costly (not to mention exhausting), as over-packing trips with too many destinations in too few days leads to more time on the road, and more gas or train tickets. In extreme cases, it can sabotage a trip, turning it into a blur of hotel check-ins and check-outs (with constant packing and unpacking), while watching a never-visited landscape race past the car windows. If possible, slow down. You’ll save on transportation and gain more time to explore your destinations.

Looking for a helpful itinerary? Check out our 10-day itineraries for Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

On Kayak, click into “Multi-city” to search for flights into one city and home from another.

2. Don’t race back to fly home.

When searching for flights from North America to Europe, don’t forget about “multi-city” and “open jaw” tickets. These are flights into one destination and home from another. These tickets often cost about the same amount as simple round-trip flights, but, depending on your itinerary, can save you the hassle and expense of returning to your arrival city.

For example, imagine you’re flying from Atlanta to Paris and then spending 10 days visiting France and Italy, winding up in Rome. You might instinctively book round-trip tickets from Atlanta to Paris, and then try to figure out how to speed from Rome back up to Paris at the end of the trip to fly home. Instead, click into “multiple destinations” or “multi-city” when researching flights, and search for Atlanta to Paris, and then Rome to Atlanta. You can often find a flight for about the same price as the simple round-trip airfare.

Note: If you’re planning to rent a car, “open jaw” flight can make rentals a bit trickier and more expensive. It’s almost always cheaper to pick up and drop off the car in the same location, and dropping off in a different country can add a huge fee to your rental (we’re talking about hundreds of euros). However, you could still book an “open jaw,” rent a car for travel in one country and then switch to train tickets for reaching the last leg of your trip.

3. Don’t assume you need to rent a car from day one.

Many travelers renting a car for their trip instinctively start their rental on the day they arrive, picking it up at the airport. However, if you’re planning to spend at least one day visiting your arrival city, you shouldn’t rent that car until you’re leaving town. This will help you save on the rental and parking, and help preserve your fragile jet-lagged sanity.

For example, imagine that you’re flying into Rome, spending two days visiting the city, and then heading off to explore Italy by car for a week. Start the car rental on the third day of your trip (the day you’re leaving town, not arriving). You’re going to be visiting Roman ruins and the great sights of the central historic city and the Vatican—the last thing you’re going to want to think about (or pay for!) is parking. You’ll be getting around by foot, bus, and Metro, or taxi.

The same holds for Paris, Amsterdam, London, Barcelona… really any major city with a well-preserved historic center. Driving your way around the town’s big sights isn’t going to happen (or at least it’s not going to happen twice). That car will wind up in an expensive garage.

Get the car on your way out of town. This will also give you flexibility in terms of pickup location, as rental car agencies offer a wide variety of pickup spots in most major cities, often with many options around the major train stations.

Related: Search rental cars in Europe | How to calculate the “real cost” of renting a car

The Hotel de Nice in Paris won’t show up on page one, but it’s worth filtering for.

4. Look past page one for that hotel.

So you’re searching, and searching, and searching for that perfect hotel. Remember when researching on most major hotel reservation websites that the hotel results are often ranked by those that the website wants you to book. In most cases, these “page one” results are hotels that pay the site the highest commission. It’s in the website’s best interest to show you these hotels first.

For budget-minded travelers, this often means looking past these “page one” results, no matter how many bells, whistles, and “Only 1 room left!” freak-out messages they throw at you. Filter by guest rating, neighborhood, and price, and start digging around to find the good stuff.

On EuroCheapo, we’re a bit different as we’ve already done this filtering and ranking for you (and we don’t believe in freak-out messages). We list our hotels by “CheapoFactor,” which is a formula that presents the top-rated hotels (including those reviewed by our editors) that have the lowest rates in the most central neighborhood. If you do a hotel search (in the box above or from our homepage) you’ll see these hotels by default.

Related: Our favorite cheap hotels in Paris packed with old-world charm

5. Don’t sacrifice location for small hotel savings.

If you’re struggling to decide between hotels that are within your budget, I recommend giving preference to the hotel with the more central location. Budget travelers, in particular, have a tendency to choose a hotel in a far-flung location that’s €10 cheaper than one in a more central neighborhood. I’m a strong proponent of paying a bit more for something more central, as you’ll save time and money on transportation (especially if you wind up taking taxis).

Related: How to save on hotels in Europe

You can almost always save by not using a rail pass. Above, Munich’s main station. Photo: jseita

6. Don’t assume that you need to buy a rail pass.

As we’ve mentioned in several posts throughout the years on the blog, European rail passes sold to American travelers usually don’t save you any money. Unless you’re spending most of your travel days taking long-distance high-speed trains, buying a rail pass is probably going to be an unnecessary expense.

These days, the official websites of Europe’s main railways (SNCF in France, Trenitalia in Italy, Renfe in Spain, and Deutsche Bahn in Germany, among many others) are easily searched in English and offer great deals on high-speed and long-distance trains when booked a few months in advance. Buy these tickets like the locals: Book early and get great discounts.

For example, during a recent to Paris, Munich, and Venice, I took two trips by train, one high-speed (TGV and ICE) from Paris to Munich, and one Intercity train from Munich to Venice, on a romantic voyage straight through the Alps. Booked directly through the official rail websites about two weeks before the trip, the first ticket cost €74, while the second trip was only €69. These two trips covered several countries and cost only €143 for first-class travel. A rail pass would not have made these more affordable.

Having said that, there are still some reasons why you might want to book a rail pass. They do allow for greater flexibility in your schedule — you can determine your schedule at the last minute and not worry about paying more for the ticket (although you still risk sold-out trains). And yes, if you plan to take a great number of long-distance trains, it can pay for itself. They come with some other benefits, as well, like a family discount that allows two children to travel for free with a Eurail pass-carrying adult.

Related: Read previous posts about booking rail tickets, how to book slower trains in Europe, the three-month rule for high-speed tickets, how to save on French rail tickets, and booking German rail tickets.

7. Don’t pre-book the small stuff.

It’s now easier than ever to pre-book activities in each of the cities you’ll be visiting. You can book museum tickets and passes, walking tours, boat cruises… The list is endless and quite tempting. However, try to remain calm and limit the number of smaller activities that you pre-book, as you risk wasting cash and causing disappointment.

In the fun lead-up to your departure, there’s a tendency to forget about the unplanned realities that always creep into a trip. Things happen, people get tired, blisters form, the weather doesn’t cooperate. Making plans and compiling itineraries is a great idea — but pre-booking every small attraction puts you at the risk of burning out, skipping things, and wasting money. You’re not going to know what speed you’re able to travel at until you get on the ground.

Having said that, a couple of high-profile sights are worth pre-booking, especially during high season when their lines could lead to long waits, or worse, not being able to get in (I’m looking at you, Louvre…).

These include:

• tickets to the Eiffel Tower (book in advance through the tower’s website)
• tickets to the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay
• tickets to the Alhambra in Granada,
• the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam
• tickets to the Vatican museums
• tickets to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence (again, skip the ticket line)

8. Don’t write off guidebooks.

Okay, I know that I’ll hear from detractors on this one, as it’s now fashionable to ditch heavy guidebooks in favor of apps and free information that you can pull up on your phone, tablet, and laptop. But I’m here to say that the best guidebooks out there can greatly enrich your trip and yes, can help you save time and cash by allowing you to put away your electronic devices.

When I was in Athens on a recent trip, I spent several days running around town with my Rick Steves‘ guidebook, following their informative (and often humorous) walking tours, getting restaurant advice, and gaining an understanding of how the city worked. That book was my companion, folded, dog-eared, and often tucked under my arm. Its value became doubly-obvious when I witnessed a couple in the ancient Agora trying to read information off of their iPad in the blazing hot sun. It wasn’t happening.

Relying on electronics is risky and can be unnecessarily costly. Batteries die. Sun makes it hard to read. And data charges are incredibly expensive. Don’t underestimate the value that a $20 guidebook provides.

9. Don’t forget to call your phone carrier.

As we have written in several previous posts, if you plan to use your phone abroad, call your carrier before leaving to discuss your international options. First, you should make sure that your phone works abroad and has been activated for international use. Secondly, you should discuss with your carrier the costs associated with using your phone to place calls, send texts, send emails, and access the internet.

AT&T, for example, has recently changed their international packages, and now offers an “International Day Pass”  that bundles together unlimited texting, data (to send emails and use the Web), and cheaper calling rates. These packages start at $12 per day and make good sense for anyone considering using their phone while traveling. (Verizon offers similar plans.)

“Winging it” without knowing how much you’ll be charged is not recommended. Call your carrier, get a plan if you plan to use your phone, and then make sure you set up your phone to avoid accidental data charges (in brief: turn off cellular data and restrict the number of apps that can use cellular data). And, as a plan, stick to free Wi-Fi networks for downloading and sending emails, checking the Web, and using apps.

Another option? Buy a SIM card for your phone when you get to Europe. Here’s our handy guide: Buying a SIM Card in Europe: The cheapest way to use a smartphone while traveling. We have also done the research to find the best SIM Cards to use in France, Spain, and Germany.

Withdrawing cash from ATM machines like this one in Berlin is almost always cheaper than converting dollars on your own. Photo: skohlmann

10. Don’t waste money getting euros before the trip.

Should you buy euros before your trip to Europe? Travelers waste a lot of money purchasing euros from their bank (or worse yet, from a currency exchange counter) before arriving in Europe. In most cases when exchanging money from home before a trip, you will pay dearly in fees, lousy exchange rates, or both. If exchanging a bit makes you more relaxed, go for it — just don’t overdo it.

I often arrive in Europe without a euro in my pocket. I head straight away to an ATM at the airport and withdraw cash using my American ATM card. It’s simple, and the exchange rate that I’m getting for the transaction is almost certainly better than any rate I’d get from my bank back home (especially once fees are factored in). Call your bank before you leave to ask about international ATM transaction fees, as they vary widely depending on the bank, the type of account you have (banks often wave transaction fees for premium accounts), and the type of ATM accessed abroad (your bank may have international locations or partnerships with local banks).

What if there isn’t an ATM at the airport? I’ve never experienced this. I have experienced long lines at the ATM, which has led me to use my credit card for purchases (rail or bus tickets into town, for example) until I found an ATM in the city without a line.

Related: Questions to ask your bank before you leave.

Your tips?

Have another mistake to avoid to add to our list? Share with us in the comments section below!

The post Planning a trip to Europe? Avoid these 10 costly mistakes appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Hotels, restaurants and gondola rides can quickly and adversely affect your budget.

So we decided to list 10 favorite activities that Venice offers for under €15. Who says Venice has to be expensive?

Venice travel tips
• The Best cheap hotels in Venice: 7 picks from our guide
• Italy 10-Day Itinerary: Rome, Florence and Venice
• 5 Budget hotels with canal views

10 Cheap things to do in Venice

Let’s start with some activities for art lovers:

1. Visit the Gallerie Dell’Accademia

The Accademia is the world’s greatest museum for Venetian Renaissance art. It hosts an amazingly rich collection of Venetian paintings from the Byzantine and Gothic 14th century. Feast your eyes on works by Bellini, Carpaccio, Giorgione, Veronese, Tintoretto, and Tiziano, not to mention Tiepolo and Canaletto, Guardi, Bellotto and Longhi.

Admission: €15; €2 for reduced admission or €10 for early morning arrivals before 9 am
Free entry: 1^st Sunday of the month (no online tickets) and for visitors under 18.
Hours: Mon 8:15 am – 2 pm, Tues to Sun 8:15 am – 7:15 pm (ticket office closes one hour earlier)
Entrance: Near the Vaporetto Stop: Accademia – Line 1 and 2

Website

2. Tour the Museo Arte Orientale Ca’ Pesaro

The Museo Arte Orientale Ca’ Pesaro offers one of the most important collections of Japanese art from the Edo period in Europe. The collection was acquired by Prince Henry II of Bourbon during his travels to Asia, between 1887 and 1889. You can admire more than 30,000 artifacts, like swords and daggers, Japanese armors and precious porcelains, with wide sections dedicated to Indonesian and Chinese art.

Admission: €14, reduced €11.50
Hours: Nov to March: Tues to Sun, 10 am – 5 pm, April to October: Tues to Sun, 10 am – 6 pm
Entrance: Near the Vaporetto Stop: San Stae, line 1

Website

Now for some religious activities:

Basilica San Marco is a must-see on a Venice vacation. Photo: Ivan

3. Visit the Basilica San Marco

Boasting an incredibly rich ensemble of domes, columns, statues and mosaic-covered interiors, the Basilica San Marco (“St. Mark’s Church”) is the true heart of Venice and the final resting place of Saint Mark. There are always long queues outside, but you can follow our guide on how to avoid crowds.

Admission: Church only €6, Church and St. Mark’s Museum €15, Church and Pala d’Oro €12, Church and Loggia Dei Cavalli €10, Bell Towers €12
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:30 am – 5:15 pm; Sunday, 9:30 am – 5:15 for Museum and Loggia Dei Cavalli, 2 p.m. – 5:15 pm for the church
Entrance: Near the Vaporetto Stop San Zaccaria – Lines 2, 51 and 41

Website

4. Take a tour of the Jewish Museum and synagogues

This is the world’s first ghetto and it hasn’t changed since it was created back in the Middle Ages. The Jewish Museum of Venice was opened in 1953 and displays valuable artifacts, sacred furnishings and the nuptial contract of the Jewish community that for centuries has lived in this neighborhood. The tour also includes a visit to the five synagogues of the city, all founded during the 16th century.

Admission: €14, reduced €12, guided tours €15 or €2 in advance
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 10 am – 5:30 pm; Friday, 9 am – 3 pm
Entrance: Near the Vaporetto stop Ponte delle Guglie, Line 41, 42, 51, 52 or S. Marcuola, Line 1 or 2

Website

5. Visit the Chiesa dei Frari

Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in Venice, a religious treasure situated in the middle of the Venice, makes up one of the largest groups of buildings in the city. The massive church, commonly called “Frari,” dominates the area of San Polo with its Gothic forms and creative use of bricks. Inside, gaze at amazing masterpieces by Titian, Donatello, and many more local artists.

Admission: €5, €2 reduced
Hours:  Monday to Friday 9 am – 7:30 pm; Saturday 9 am – 6 pm; Sunday 1 pm – 6 pm
Entrance: Near the Vaporetto stop San Toma, Line 1

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Take a vaporetto ride for a low-cost tour of the Venetian canals. Photo: Mark

How about some outdoor activities, with perfect spots for panoramic photos of Venice?

6. Take a ride to San Giorgio Island

This important Benedictine monastery was built on the small island of the same name by Andrea Palladio. It is designed around the church and two cloisters. Since 1951, it has been run by the Giorgio Cini Foundation. Take the short vaporetto ride to the island and enjoy the view.

Admission: Free for church, €6 for Bell Towers
Hours: April to October 9 am – 7 pm, November to March 8:30 am – 6 pm, Sundays closed for mass from 10:40 am – 12 pm
Getting there: Vaporetti Line 2, Isola di San Giorgio stop

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7. Walk the beaches of Lido

Take a boat out to the sandy beaches of Lido, where the city’s aristocrats used to stroll during the summer. If you head over during the Venice Film Festival, you might chance upon some movie stars. The beach is free and there are some very nice restaurants in the area.

Getting there: Lido Line 1, Lido stop

8. Park it

Immerse yourself in one of the few green spots in Venice: the Giardini, created by Napoleon (after knocking down many old churches and convents) when he conquered the city in 1807. The rubble was used to create a small hill, which now hosts the Padiglione della Biennale.

And last, but not least, two of my own favorites:

9. See how gondolas are built at Squero San Trovaso

This boatyard is located along the Rio San Trovaso and dates back to the 17th century. This squero (“boatyard”) is one of the few still operating in Venice and you can watch for free from the outside.

Also, note the unique boathouse, the building shaped like a mountain house. The reason for its sloping shape is twofold: Both the carpenters and the timber came from Cadore (a mountain area of the Dolomites); and secondly, the slope was useful in case of rain, and serves as storage for tools.

If you want to take a tour and see gondolas being built and repaired, you need a group of at least 25 people. The tour usually lasts 30 minutes. Email ahead to info@squerosantrovaso.com for more information.

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10. Take a Cheapo Vaporetto tour

Take Vaporetto Line 51, relax and take in the view of the lagoon. The vaporetto circles around the city and connects the Lido to Fondamenta Nove, on the northern lagoon side of Venice’s historic center. From there, it continues through the Cannaregio Canal to the train station and Piazzale Roma before heading up the Giudecca Canal with stops at San Zaccaria, Giardini, and S. Elena on its way back to the Lido. The tour only costs the price of a normal Vaporetto ticket (€9.50, valid for 75 minutes), and offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city!

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Your favorite cheap activities in Venice

Have anything to add to our list of great things to do in Venice on the cheap? Tell us about it in the comments section.

The post 10 Things to do in Venice on the cheap appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

A single trip on a vaporetto costs €7.50 (valid for 60 minutes), whether you take the boat for one stop or for a whole Grand Canal tour. Fortunately, there is a system designed for tourists that will help you save some serious money.

More Venice tips
• 10 Things to do in Venice on the cheap
• The most romantic hotels in Venice that won’t break the bank
• Roll With It: Venice is not going to ban rolling bags

Tourist Travel Cards

In recent years ACTV (Venice’s bus and boat system) realized that they had to come up with a tourist transportation card, so they created several different types of “time-limited travelcard,” each valid for a different period of time.

Travel cards are available for:

1 Day: €21
2 Days: €30
3 Days: €40
7 Days: €60

There is also a three-day youth card (for people between 18-29 years old) that costs €28. (Prices are accurate as of June 2022. Visit the ACTV website for current prices.)

With these travel cards you can hop on and off any vaporetto (including those to the islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello) and on all buses traveling within the city of Venice (including to Mestre and Marco Polo Airport). These cards eliminate the need to queue every time to buy a ticket and to carry change with you.

The tickets are not exactly cheap, but considering you have unlimited use of the transport system, they are well worth it. Just think how much it would cost if you wanted to visit Murano-Burano and Torcello and you had to pay for every single trip!

To learn more about the tickets, including instructions on how to use them, check out this handy ACTV webpage in English.

Where to buy Tourist transportation tickets

You can buy these transport passes at any vaporetto stop (there are usually ticket offices at the stops, otherwise you can buy on board and they almost always speaks English), in Piazzale Roma (in the ACTV ticket office), or in any tobacco shop that displays the “ACTV” sign. Here’s a full list of ticket offices.

You can also buy them online.

Tip: Consider Venezia Unica City Pass

In 2009, the Comune di Venezia introduced a combined card, City Pass Venezia Unica, for transport, museums, parking, and even Wi-Fi connections and access to public toilets. The prices vary because you can create your custom combination, depending on your needs during your trip. However, you can save up to 30% on a variety of museum passes. The savings vary depending on the period (low season, high season, special events, etc.).

Unfortunately, the card can only be purchased online and must be purchased more than two days before your arrival date in Venice. So the earlier you book it, the greater the saving. Since there is an initial cost just to buy the card, this pass is ideal for frequent visitors or those coming for a longer stay. For more information and to buy a card, visit the official website.

The post Venice: Save on vaporetto tickets with a Tourist Travel Card appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But what about your hotel? It’s easy to spend a fortune if you’re not careful, but luckily, it’s also possible to find a cheap and charming hotel in Venice. Before you lay down a few hundred dollars for a night’s stay, browse through our budget hotel listings to find rooms as low as $47 per night.

Here are four of our favorite cheap hotels in Venice that have an old Venetian charm to them. All of them receive excellent guest reviews and put you close to many of the popular attractions in Venice. Just book as early as possible to find the best price!

Related:Cheap hotels in Venice with canal views | Budget hotels in Venice with great locations

4 cheap and charming hotels in Venice

The entrance to Casa Cosmo Lodging House. Photo: Booking.com

Casa Cosmo Lodging House

Address: San Marco 4976
Rates from $74

For one of the best deals in Venice, book a room at Casa Cosmo Lodging House. Nestled away on a tiny street near the Rialto Bridge, tracking down this hard-to-find hotel is well worth it. Breakfast of coffee and a brioche is delivered right to your room every morning. Head to the rooftop terrace to relax before or after a day of sightseeing.

So what’s the catch? They only have five rooms, so it can be hard to find a reservation for your vacation dates. Read the full review.

Score a charming and cheap room at Locanda Art Deco. Photo: Booking.com

Locanda Art Deco

Address: San Marco 2966
Rates from $70

Spend your evenings away from the throngs of tourists at this guesthouse featuring early 20th-century style. Tucked away near Campo Santo Stefano, the rooms here come with beautiful private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and a free continental breakfast. There are only six rooms, so book ahead to find the best deal. Read the full review.

A double room at Al Gazzettino. Photo: Booking.com

Al Gazzettino

Address: San Marco 4971
Rates from $69

Located just a few minutes from Rialto Bridge, this three-star hotel has classic Venetian-style rooms with free breakfast. Although rates can be unpredictable, if you book a non-refundable room, you can lock in a super cheap price. Six rooms have canal views, but you’ll pay extra for those. Read the full review.

We love the style (and price!) of the rooms at Locanda SS. Giovanni e Paolo. Photo: Booking.com

Locanda SS. Giovanni e Paolo

Address: Castello, Barbaria Dele Tole, 6401
Rates from $47 for a single room

This popular budget hotel proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to stay in a beautiful 18th-century palazzo. An intimate guesthouse overflowing with Venetian style, the six rooms are surprisingly spacious. You won’t find a TV or phone, but there is air conditioning and Wi-Fi in the public areas. Read the full review.

More budget hotels in Venice

Want to see more hotel options? Read all of our editor’s picks in our guide to budget hotels in Venice.

Do you have a favorite cheap hotel in Venice? Let us know in the comments section below!

The post Venice: 4 cheap and charming hotels from our guide appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Carnevale Venezia 2019 kicks off on February 16th and comes to its grand finale on March 5th. The world-renowned festival itself is said to come from the Italian words “carne” (meat) and “levare” (to remove or withdraw). In former times, Venetians went all out partying and feasting just before the somber fasting of meat during the long period of Lent.

Today, Carnevale is still a huge occasion to have a bit of fantasy and fun. Here are ten tips for travelers headed to Venice on a budget this year or any year for Carnival.

Venice Hotels: 5 Budget accommodations with canal views

1. Masquerade for Free

In the old days, masks disguised the city’s citizens, hiding the identity, social status, and even sex of the wearer. Traditionally, they were crafted from paper mâché or leather. Original masks and costumes can be pricey; make-up artists around the city offer face-painting for less.

If you’re feeling lucky, fill out the form for free entry to the Best Masked Costume Contest. Final awarding happens on Sunday, February 24th.

Getting dressed up for Carnevale is an adventure.

2. Stay at the Lido

Lido is a great place to set up your home base during Carnevale if you want to save on accommodations. “We paid just €70 for a 3-star hotel for three people with a nice street view — affordable especially during high season,” says Maria, a UK resident. If you stay at this beach island, you can easily get to Venice and back by boat.

3. Take the Local Ferry for Canal Crossing

Instead of shelling out €80 for a 30-minute gondola ride, Jayne Seddon of Venice Events recommends doing as the locals do: taking the Traghetto, a ferry across the Grand Canal, for €4. Jayne also suggests eating at the pasticcerie (cake shops), where you can order an affordable cappuccino and a fritelle, the popular local snack.

(Tip: Have your coffee while standing at the bar to save.)

4. Join the Free Fest for Kids

Traveling with little ones? Don’t let that be an excuse to join in on the fun. Kids can participate in the 7th International Kids Carnival. There will be workshops, competitions, and crafts, so your young ones can party too. The best part? All the activities are free.

5. Head to Rialto Market

For the freshest seafood sold at local prices, visit Rialto Market early in the morning. You’ll find fishermen with their catch, hustling the way they have for centuries. Even if you’re not there to shop, just observing local market life is an experience in itself.

6. Have a Free Art Lesson

Observe how Venetian artisans manufacture Murano glass in the New Arte Fuga (Via Giudecca, 13), a Lume Glass Factory. You can watch them skillfully creating glass art when you download a coupon for freebies and discounts at New Arte Fuga here.

7. Island-hop with Interactive Apps

See Murano, Burano and Torcello for just €20 per person. Take the four-hour boat tour of three islands in Venice — guides can speak English, Spanish, German, French, and Italian. Isola di Burano, a unique and colorful city, is well worth exploring on a trip to Venice.

Then, back in Venice, check out the beautiful, recently reopened Scala Contarini del Bovolo. Movie buffs will recognize the magnificently arched spiral staircase from Orson Welles’ 1952 film, Othello. Use this interactive guide app from Artplace Museum.

8. Know Your Stuff

Read Detourism, the local online magazine with text in English. Its publishers say their idea of “de-tourism” is to enable visitors to travel the city slowly and experience a more authentic Venice. From the canal cruises to the backstreets, you can read and uncover hidden stories.

9. Do a Pub Crawl “Venetian style”

The folks at Venice Events organize fantastic Venetian bar hops. You come in costume, then meander through the labyrinth of the city’s small alleyways and squares.  The pub crawl goes to four local barcari (bars), and €45 per person includes wine, aperitivi, and insights from your guide.

10. Party at The Arsenal

An old shipyard, called The Arsenal, now on its second edition of “Nights at The Arsenal” is the new hottest place for night owls to party. Pyrotechnics, theater magic and thumping dance floors are energized with live music by international DJs.

While each event at the Arsenal has an entrance fee, you can get a better deal online when you purchase the digital ADA ticket (“All Day Access)” for discounts, private entrances and a pass to all events for just €50 a head.

Special thanks to Venice Events for help with this article. www.venice-carnival-italy.com

The post Venice Carnival: 10 ways to save money and see more appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

It hasn’t happened for a number of reasons.

First, and most obviously, cost: Canal-side hotels almost always charge more for the views. Venice has been welcoming tourists for hundreds of years, and those in the hotel business caught on long ago that they could charge more for rooms overlooking the city’s famous waterways, even the tiny, inconsequential canals.

Secondly, when I visit Venice for work, I’m almost always alone, and hotel owners almost always reserve their romantic canal-side rooms for doubles. Single rooms in Venice, in fact, are quite often afterthoughts (if they were thought of, at all).

While I can’t do much about the plight of the single traveler in Venice, I can offer some advice for budget travelers looking to book a hotel with a view. Fortunately, there are a few budget hotels left in the city with canal views. These tend to be romantic hold-outs who have chosen not to renovate themselves into four-star boutique properties with sky-high rates. (For that reason alone, we should support them!)

5 Venice hotels with canal views

Here are five of my favorite affordable hotels in Venice that offer rooms with canal views. Note: As many of these offer only a handful of rooms with the views, be sure to be clear when reserving that you’re interested in a room with a view.

Related: 5 Cheap and charming hotels in Venice | Budget hotels in Venice with great locations

The view of a passing gondola from a room at the Doni. (And yes, the gondolier is texting.)

Albergo Doni

From $58

The Doni is a Cheapo classic, a small, family-run place located a couple of tiny bridges away from St. Mark’s Square. It’s an old-fashioned and modest hotel, run by the grandchildren of the original owner. Four rooms at this creaky and unpretentious hotel have canal views. Read more.

The Locanda Silva is close to St. Mark’s Square but hidden from the tourists.

Locanda Silva

From $63

Another sweet, family-run hotel nestled along a quiet canal near St. Mark’s Square, the one-star Silva has low rates and simple rooms with AC. Modern art (painted by family members) hangs throughout, and six rooms look out to the small waterway. The Silva is a nice option for visitors wishing to be near San Marco, without sleeping in the midst of the crowds. Read more.

Guests at the Dalla Mora can also relax on the hotel’s roof terrace.

Hotel dalla Mora

From $76

Perhaps the best deal in town, 10 of the 14 rooms at the one-star Hotel dalla Mora have prime canal views. The hotel is located in the charming Santa Croce neighborhood, a bit removed from the tourist bustle of San Marco, and offers very well-kept rooms with AC, and no TV. The Dalla Mora is also a family affair, run by two brothers who have created something special (and popular — book well in advance). Read more.

View of the Accademia Bridge and Grand Canal from the Hotel Galleria.

Hotel Galleria

From $129

This one-star hotel is the most expensive on the list for a good reason: Its rooms don’t just look out to any old tiny canal, they open to the Grand Canal. Located quite literally at the base of the Accademia Bridge in Dorsoduro, the Galleria is named for its neighbor, the Galleria dell’Accademia, Venice’s most important art museum. Rooms are lovingly decorated with old-fashioned details, but the real star here are the views of the Grand Canal, bridge, or art museum. Read more.

View from the Antica Locanda Montin.

Antica Locanda Montin

From $101

Situated along a small canal in Venice’s dreamy Dorsoduro district, the Montin is a convenient restaurant-hotel combo with an impressive collection of paintings. Dine downstairs in its popular Venetian restaurant, then climb the staircase to your room, passing through a salon decked out with artwork. Rooms are simple, although dressed up with paintings, and two special rooms have small terraces overlooking the canal. Read more.

More budget hotel picks

Looking for more affordable hotel options in Venice? Check out our favorite budget hotels in Venice and read all of our reviews in our Venice hotel guide.

The post Venice: 5 budget hotels with canal views appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

You might think that its impossible to find delicious and affordable restaurants in such an iconic (and overpriced) tourist destination, but if you follow locals’ advice (like these tips compiled by our friends at Spotted By Locals), you’ll discover plenty of traditional, less-frequented restaurants, osterias and bacaros that haven’t lost their charm.

Venice travel tips:
• The best budget hotels in Venice for 2019
• How to save on vaporetto (ferry) tickets in Venice
• 10 Things to do in Venice on the cheap

Venice cheap eats: 5 recommended restaurants

Here are five affordable restaurants in Venice that won’t make a dent in your wallet. All of these places offer snacks for a few euros or even a full lunch for only €15. Hungry? Read on!

Bacareto da Lele

Address: Campo dei Tolentini 183

This bacaro (a neighborhood bar with snacks) in Santa Croce is very popular with locals and usually has long queues outside it at lunchtime, but that is only natural: “there aren’t many spots in Venice where you can have a glass of wine for €0.60 and a sandwich for € 1 or € 2”, reaffirms local Enrica.

Its central location right beyond the first bridge you’ll cross when entering the city even makes Bacareto da Lele an ideal starting point for a traditional Venetian ‘bacaro tour’.

Enjoy a canal view with your food from Osteria Al Squero. Photo: Annamaria Bergamo

Osteria Al Squero

Address: Dorsoduro, 943-944

A ‘squero’ is a gondola workshop, and this traditional osteria is located just across a canal from the one at Saint Trovaso. The unexpectedly quiet atmosphere at Osteria Al Squero is one of its biggest pluses, as is the rich selection of inexpensive crostini that go for only €1.50 each.

Local Annamaria recommends the ones with sarde in saor (sardines cooked with onions and raisin); salmon, pink pepper and lemon; tuna and olive oil; and the one with bacon and mushrooms sauce.

Related: 3 budget-friendly Venice restaurants popular with locals

Trattoria dalla Marisa offers a classic atmosphere. Photo: Matteo Giarraffa

Trattoria dalla Marisa

Address: Calle Canna, 30171

Mainly frequented by students and workers stopping by for lunch break during their busy studying and working days, family-owned Trattoria dalla Marisa serves simple and genuine homemade Italian cuisine that brings back sweet memories of their grandmothers to locals.

It’s as old-fashioned, with wooden walls and pictures hanging everywhere, as it is cozy and welcoming, even to non-Italians. The shared tables complete the intimate experience, though you can also opt to sit by the canal. Perhaps the best part? They offer a rotating lunch menu for a very generous €15.

Snacking on a canal with a rice ball from Bacarretto. Photo: Matteo Giarraffa

Bacarretto

Address: San Croce, 2098

It might be on the other side of Italy, but that doesn’t mean that while in Venice you shouldn’t take the opportunity to sample some specialties from Sicily. The locals themselves love regional cuisines and varieties and local Matteo would recommend the mixed fried antipasto, their caponata and a delicious cassatina (ricotta cake) for dessert.

Everything is seasonal and made fresh at Bacarretto, and if you’re in a hurry or don’t want to pause your exploring for that necessary pit-stop, you can also get an arancinetta for €2 (rice ball) or two to enjoy on the go.

Related: 3 “Pasticcerie” to try for breakfast in Venice

Dig into a delicious pizza at Al Faro. Photo: Ristorante Pizzeria Al Faro Facebook

Al Faro

Address: Calle Ghetto Vecchio, 1181

Ristorante e Pizzeria Al Faro is in Cannaregio, in the heart of the Jewish Ghetto, where the word itself comes from. Visiting this neighborhood is worth it on its own, but stopping by Al Faro is a definite must: the quality of the pizza in Venice isn’t that good, because traditional wooden ovens are forbidden, yet despite that, this pizzeria, in particular, manages to not only make some great pizza but also have them ready within 10 minutes after ordering — and for very affordable prices.

Local resident Matteo suggests trying the “Al Faro” with buffalo mozzarella, pumpkin cream, porcini mushrooms, speck and olives (€12).

Related: Search for cheap hotels in Cannaregio

Your favorite cheap eats in Venice

Do you have a favorite place to eat in Venice? Tell us in the comments below.

The post Venice Cheap Eats: 5 tasty and affordable restaurants appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.