Venice is one of Italy’s most famous cities for its romanticism and glorious beauty; therefore, it attracts tons of artists and visitors who are looking to experience the Venetian lifestyle. Finding an accommodation, especially during the summer months and the annual Carnival, is challenging and expensive. For a low-budget, great quality hostel I highly recommend L’Imbarcadero. Read on to learn more about why this is an ideal choice of accommodation for budget travelers.
The budget-friendly hostel
Compared with other hostels and hotels in Venice, this small, unknown hostel is a brand new spot for budget travellers. The price per bed tends to vary from 25 EUR to 30 EUR (roughly 28-34 USD), depending on the season. The hostel sometimes offers last-minute deals. For example, I booked a room in early February for a one-night stay during Carnival for only 25 EUR. A city tax of 3 EUR in total is not included in the price, and you need to pay this in cash.
The ideal location
L’Imbarcadero is located within just a few minutes walk to the central train station (Venice Santa Lucia Station or Venezia Santa Lucia), the bus station (Tronchetto) and the centre of Venice’s nightlife. The waterfront view, which can be seen from the dorm’s windows as well as the hostel’s entrance is magnificent during both day and night. You can even hear the waves from the bedroom. A pier is just at your door step, thus you can easily access the airport and other main attractions of Venice by public boat (vaporetto), but this can be a bit expensive. Venice is not a big city, but exploring the city requires a lot of walking. In many areas, public transportation, such as boats, buses, and trains, are not available and bikes are not allowed. Thus the location of your accommodation is important when choosing where to stay in Venice.
Many great facilities
You can either stay in a 5-bed mixed dorm or a 4-bed female dorm. The big shared shower with a big bath tub, clean toilet, warm shower and decent room temperature is extremely comfortable and seems as if you never left home. You will be given keys for your own locker and main door with 24-hour access. During the winter, the room’s temperature may be a bit chilly, so I suggest bringing your own sleeping bag just in case!
The kitchen
Free breakfast with croissants and bread with jam and nutella (my favourite), coffee with or without milk (a must-try) and juice is available for all guests from 8 AM to 10.30 AM in the dining room. You can also cook and store food in the fridge, which is in the common kitchen area. There’s also a separate lounge for guests to hang out in, but most people gather in the kitchen to have a chat or cup of coffee.
Plenty of activities
During Carnival (between January and February depending on the date of Easter), the hostel staff organize plenty of activities for guests. You will also be given suggestions to get around the city and enjoy various activities for tourists in Venice. Don’t forget to ask about bars and restaurants where locals usually go. There are cheaper places for a great Italian pizza or gelato than crowded shops near the main attractions, especially those in St. Mark’s Square.
Be prepared to spend, be energetic, and meet people from all around the world
Though Venice is an extremely expensive city for tourists in comparison with other cities in Italy, the city’s vibe is a amazing. There are dozens of things to do for visitors, from sightseeing the beautiful lagoons, to mask shopping and enjoying the famous local cuisine. Be prepared to walk a lot, talk with the locals, and enjoy the local cuisine all day and night. Staying in L’Imbarcadero is a good way to meet people from all around the world and hang out with new friends.
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