The Best Airbnbs and Vacation Rentals in Venice, Italy

Tree trunk-sized wooden beams add plenty of character to this bijou, whitewashed attic holiday apartment in Venice, with a slanting mini-kitchen and small skylights that add to the feel of an artist’s garret. Sleeping four across a double and a pull-out sofa bed, it works for families, too – and being in the central Castello sestiere (neighbourhood) means key sights such as St Mark’s Square and the Bridge of Sighs are a 10-minute walk away.

Right on the waterfront in Cannaregio, this light, bright one-bed holiday rental in Venice is the stuff of interior magazine dreams – geometric shower tiles set against sunflower-yellow walls, blue-painted staircases, distressed wooden pillars and framed vintage maps. Most charming of all is its teeny roof terrace, surrounded on all sides by Venice’s story-book rooftops and pealing bell towers – just try to tear yourself away from an aperitivo up here.

There’s all the colour and charisma of a Murano glass boutique in this group-friendly pad, which sleeps six across two double rooms and a twin. Set close to the Grand Canal, its feature walls have graphic prints of flowers, berries and glassware, while its rustic forest-green shutters open out on a classic Venetian alleyway. Everything’s chic, high-quality and a little bit quirky – the fully stocked kitchen and dining area is a highlight – and it’s central enough that you can set off to the sights on foot.

This high-ceilinged, two-bedroom holiday apartment in the Castello district of Venice is a delightful mix of palatial and homey. Think brass bedsteads, frilly armchairs and paintings of saints alongside vintage signs and utensils dangling from wooden hooks – all brought together in a fabulous peach-painted terrace, where you can sit out under the pergola until late, surrounded by the quaint windows and architectural flourishes of old Venice.

A little al fresco dining area above the rooftops is the cherry on top of this smart little three-bed Airbnb in Venice, sleeping up to seven. Just off St Mark’s Square, it’s surrounded by the postcard-worthy tiled rooftops and spires of the city, and, while the decor may be a little more 1800s than 18-30s, it’ll suit fans of a traditional aesthetic. A kitchen and comfy living area make it one to settle into for more than a weekend.

Set in San Polo, one of Venice’s oldest neighbourhoods and home to the Rialto Bridge, this trio of modern two-bed apartments is wrapped in history. With snug sofas, striking wall murals and kitchenettes with dining tables for self-caterers, the vibe is more space-efficient than super-luxe. The canalfront exterior of the building is far more prepossessing, and the picturesque streets all around are exactly what you come to Venice for.

A theme of carnival colour parades throughout this bijou Venetian flat in the Castello neighbourhood, thanks to a primary-hued chandelier, scarlet sofa and colour-pop glassware in the kitchen. It’s sought after for its tiny, rooftop-level balcony directly facing a scenic canal, but just as cherished are its solid wood dining table, stylish breakfast bar, two classically styled queen bedrooms and carefully curated antique furniture.

This pocket-sized vacation apartment in Venice is housed on the third floor of an 18th-century building, so you’re ticking off the historic box from the get-go. Inside, the flat has been thoroughly modernised with bright, wooden decor, and it’s also located in a prime position just minutes from the Rialto Bridge. The owner even offers private tours of the Venetian islands on the family boat during the summer months. And if you need any more convincing, it comes at a pretty decent price, too.

If you truly want to stay in the heart of Venice, it doesn’t get more central than this little holiday rental apartment situated right on the Grand Canal in Venice’s most prestigious district, San Marco. Casa Zucchi is within easy reach of all the museums and famous sites that Venice has to offer, plus the best canal-side restaurants. Regularly reviewed as having one of the best views in Venice, it doesn’t come cheaply, but if you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime Airbnb experience, this certainly won’t disappoint.

Less than a five-minute walk from the Rialto Bridge, the oldest of the bridges across the canal, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more convenient base in Venice than Rialto Bridge Penthouse. This glamorous apartment, which houses five guests over three bedrooms, sits within a customary Venetian building, with rustic whitewashed beams, brightly coloured walls and Asian antiques. Elsewhere, the two terraces with city views are fantastic spots in which to enjoy an Aperol Spritz.