The 5 Best Hostels in Venice

With its picturesque canals, iconic gondolas, and winding alleyways, Venice is an incredibly beautiful, magical, and evocative city popular with honeymooners, backpackers, and cruisers alike.

Unfortunately, its romantic beauty also makes it one of the most visited destinations in the world — and that makes it expensive. Everyone wants to spend time exploring the Renaissance palaces and historic town squares while eating endless amounts of gelato, pizza, and pasta.

The Floating City’s popularity can make it a bit difficult to visit on a budget, but there are a growing number of affordable hostels for budget travelers. While they won’t make Venice a dirt-cheap destination, they can help keep your budget intact as you explore this iconic Italian destination.

To help you plan your trip, below is my list of the best hostels in Venice (if you don’t want to read the whole list, the following are the best in each category):

Want more specifics? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Venice:

1. Generator Venice

European chain Generator’s Venice hostel is located on Giudecca Island, just one stop on the vaporetto from the famous Piazza San Marco. Originally a grain warehouse, the building has been renovated in a rustic-chic style, with tiled floors, exposed brick, and even a chandelier and stone fireplace in the common room. They have dorms with 3-16 beds (and female-only dorms) as well as private rooms. In the dorms, each bed has its own reading light, socket, and locker (though you have to pay for the locker).

The hostel café’s outdoor terrace along the canal is one of the best features of this place, with views across the canal to Venice’s Centro Storico (historic center). It’s a great place to start the morning or wind down after a long day exploring, and it hosts a happy hour every day from 6:30-8:30pm.

The only downside is that there’s no kitchen or fridge if you want to make your own meals or store food. And, while there are a variety of common spaces, Generator Venice has more of a hotel vibe than a hostel feel (it’s also not a super social hostel as there are no organized activities).

Generator Venice at a glance:

• Located off the main island
• Outdoor bar/terrace with nightly happy hours
• Chic hotel feel

Book here!
 

2. Anda Venice

This award-winning hostel is super social — and the best party hostel in Venice, with nightly events like karaoke and beer pong, and DJ sets on the weekends. Though it’s located on the mainland, it’s easy to get to the historic center, as it’s just a couple of minutes’ walk from the central train station. There are both private rooms and dorms (including female-only dorms). Dorm beds have a privacy curtain, a socket, a locker, and a reading light. The mattresses are pretty comfy, though the shower pressure leaves a little bit to be desired.

There’s a 24-hour reception, a bar/club, and lots of common areas too, including a private courtyard with an urban garden and a co-working area, which has workstations with Macs in case you don’t have a computer with you. This is a nice and uncommon perk if you’re working remotely and want to use a desktop, or if you’re not traveling with your laptop and want to use something other than your phone. There’s also a (small) guest kitchen and laundry on-site.

Visitors also get 10% off, a free welcome drink, and a free city map if you’re a member of HostelPass.

Anda Hostel at a glance:

• Located on the mainland
• Social atmosphere with nightly events and a hostel bar/club
• Lots of common areas

Book here!
 

3. Ostello S. Fosca

Arguably the most centrally located hostel in Venice, Ostello S. Fosca is within walking distance to all the city’s main sights, yet it’s also tucked away on a quiet canal so you can still get a good night’s rest. While there isn’t a big social vibe here, the staff are super kind and eager to help with anything that you need.

The location and affordable price point are the main reasons to stay here as the dorms are pretty basic with squeaky (but clean) metal beds. Also, there’s AC only in some of the rooms, so if you stay here in the hotter months, it can get pretty stuffy.

However, this hostel is pretty great if you’re looking for a quiet, centrally located stay. It’s in a lovely historic building with a huge, enclosed outdoor patio and yard to relax in on nice days. There’s also a fully equipped kitchen and female-only dorms, and you can leave your luggage here for free for the rest of the day after you check out.

One thing to note is that there’s a 15 EUR check-in fee if you arrive after 7pm (late check in must be arranged beforehand, and you’re out of luck if you arrive after 10pm). If you know you’ll be arriving late, it might be better to choose another hostel.

Ostello S. Fosca at a glance:

• Great central location
• Fully equipped guest kitchen
• Quiet atmosphere

Book here!
 

4. Combo Venezia

While it bills itself as a hostel, Combo Venezia is more like a boutique hotel than your traditional backpacker hostel. There are no dorm rooms here, but instead affordable private rooms and fully furnished apartments in a beautifully restored historic convent. It’s a good option if you’re looking for more privacy than a traditional hostel and are willing to pay a bit more.

There’s a bar-restaurant on-site with an outdoor terrace right along the canal, 24-hour reception, a huge cloistered courtyard, a communal guest kitchen (as well as kitchens in the apartment-style rooms), laundry facilities, and clean, comfy, modern rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms (with good water pressure!). Considering the central location in Centro Storico, range of amenities, and modern rooms, you get a lot for what you pay here.

Combo Venezia at a glance:

• Centrally located in Centro Storico
• Boutique-hotel atmosphere in a huge, restored convent
• Many common areas, including a canalside terrace, courtyard, library, and lounge

Book here!
 

5. MEININGER Venezia Mestre

Meininger hostels are all around Europe and they never disappoint. Their Venice hostel is clean, comfortable, and modern, offering large and airy dorm rooms with retro decor and bright colors. While it’s not super social (it has more of a hotel feel), it’s in a great location near the train station and everything here is clean and well kept. There’s a large kitchen if you want to cook, but if you don’t there’s a delicious and filling breakfast buffet each morning (for a fee). The Wi-Fi is fast, there’s plenty of common room space, and the beds are super comfy. There are also lockers, outlets near the beds (a big plus), and reading lights. In short, it has everything you need for a great stay in Venice!

MEININGER Venezia Mestre at a glance:

• Pet friendly
• Breakfast buffet available
• Fully equipped kitchen

Book here!***While there aren’t a ton of hostels in Venice — it’s a city known for luxury, after all — there’s a great variety in the ones that do exist. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find one that suits your needs.