Location
How to reach us
Nestled within the picturesque labyrinth of narrow streets and squares in the heart of the liveliest part of Venice where a myriad of shops and boutiques, market stalls, little restaurants and bacari (typical hostelries) liven up every angle, among all the three star hotels in Venice, Hotel Castello is located in an ideal position for experiencing the authentic Venetian atmospheres and for discovering the splendid areas such as Saint Mark’s, which is just a 3 minute walk as well as Rialto, which is just 7 minutes on foot, rich with marvelous testimonies of art and history that contribute to making Venice one of the world’s most unique cities.
Upon exiting the hotel you will immediately find yourself in Saint Mark’s square, which is framed by the Procuraties, a long series of porticoes that house boutiques selling typical craftwork made by Venice’s artisans: jewellery shops selling gold jewellery and precious stones, Murano glass, Burano lace and historical cafés whose fame stretches well beyond Venetian confines. Caffè Ristorante Quadri, which opened in 1775 was often frequented by those from literary and artistic circles, among whom Sthendal, Lord Byron and Richard Wagner, it still retains the refined charm of the atmospheres of the Venice of the 1700’s just like Caffè Florian, where amidst rooms and Rococò alcoves that have been preserved perfectly, characters such as Carlo Goldoni and Casanova, Goethe and Foscolo, Proust and D’Annunzio would often meet to sample the establishment’s famous coffee and delicious hot chocolate.
Saint Mark’s Basilica, which radiates mosaics closes on one side and the extremely light gothic dimensions of the Ducal Palace open up on the other side of the square, as far as Saint Mark’s Basin, an expanse of water of inestimable beauty. From here a walk along the Riva degli Schiavoni as far as the ancient Arsenale, which was the largest shipyard in the world for centuries (with over 16,000 employees!) where the Republic of Venice used to build its fleet: it is a splendid sight.
The view stretches over the part of the lagoon that goes from Saint Mark’s to the islands of San Giorgio and Giudecca, where the outline of Palladio’s churches can be seen, as far as the Lido, Venice’s beach that separates the lagoon from the open sea, which was once brimming with the ships of the Serenissma, the Republic of Venice. To get an idea of the marine power of the city, we recommend a visit to the Naval History Museum, which is the most important museum of its kind in Italy, located at the end of Riva degli Schiavoni.
Even if directions lead you off course and you end up taking a longer route, we like to recall what a famous poet once wrote:
« Wandering through calli and campi without a fixed itinerary is perhaps the greatest pleasure one can enjoy in Venice. Blessed are those poor in topography, blessed are those who do not know what they are doing—that is, where they are going—for to them is reserved the kingdom of all surprises… »
Diego Valeri, Sentimental Guide to Venice.
By plane
From Venice “Marco Polo” Airport: take the Alilaguna Blue Line waterbus and get off at the San Zaccaria stop after approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. From there, walk along Calle delle Rasse to Campo SS. Filippo e Giacomo, where the hotel sign will be on the left.
From Treviso “Antonio Canova” Airport: take the ATVO Treviso Airport Bus Express and get off at Piazzale Roma after approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. From there, take waterbus number 1 or 5.1 towards Lido and get off at San Zaccaria. Then walk along Calle delle Rasse to Campo SS. Filippo e Giacomo, where the hotel sign will be on the left.
By train
From Venice Santa Lucia railway station, take waterbus number 1 or 5.1 towards Lido and get off at San Zaccaria. Then walk along Calle delle Rasse to Campo SS. Filippo e Giacomo, where the hotel sign will be on the left.
By car
The historic center of Venice is car-free. The most convenient parking is at Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto. From the highways, follow the signs for Venice. At the end of the Ponte della Libertà bridge connecting the city to the mainland, turn right to park at Tronchetto or continue straight to Piazzale Roma. From both terminals, take waterbus number 2 towards Lido and get off at San Zaccaria. Then walk along Calle delle Rasse to Campo SS. Filippo e Giacomo, where the hotel sign will be on the left.
BY PLANE
From Venice “Marco Polo” Airport: take the Alilaguna Blue Line waterbus and get off at the San Zaccaria stop after approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. From there, walk along Calle delle Rasse to Campo SS. Filippo e Giacomo, where the hotel sign will be on the left.
From Treviso “Antonio Canova” Airport: take the ATVO Treviso Airport Bus Express and get off at Piazzale Roma after approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. From there, take waterbus number 1 or 5.1 towards Lido and get off at San Zaccaria. Then walk along Calle delle Rasse to Campo SS. Filippo e Giacomo, where the hotel sign will be on the left.
BY CAR
From Venice Santa Lucia railway station, take waterbus number 1 or 5.1 towards Lido and get off at San Zaccaria. Then walk along Calle delle Rasse to Campo SS. Filippo e Giacomo, where the hotel sign will be on the left.
BY TRAIN
The historic center of Venice is car-free. The most convenient parking is at Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto. From the highways, follow the signs for Venice. At the end of the Ponte della Libertà bridge connecting the city to the mainland, turn right to park at Tronchetto or continue straight to Piazzale Roma. From both terminals, take waterbus number 2 towards Lido and get off at San Zaccaria. Then walk along Calle delle Rasse to Campo SS. Filippo e Giacomo, where the hotel sign will be on the left.
- St. Mark’s Square — 3 minutes
- Rialto Bridge — 7 minutes
- Doge’s Palace — 3 minutes
- Riva degli Schiavoni — 2 minutes