Cannaregio

Geography of the area

Cannaregio is one of six sestieri or districts of central Venice. It's the large northern chunk of the town, between the lagoon and the Grand Canal. It runs from the railway station in the west to the Rialto Bridge in the east.

Our view

Before we rented a flat in Cannaregio we weren't particularly keen on the area. It seemed drab compared with the other sestieri of Venice, 'somehow sad' according to a local friend. But having spent more time in Cannaregio, we warmed to it considerably. Away from the one main street there are some very quiet residential areas, some picturesque canals and secretive, atmospheric corners. It's also good for practical reasons: it has convenient transport links, useful shops and decent bars and restaurants. It doesn't have the tourist cachet of San Marco or the youthfulness of Dorsoduro, but it's a good, well-balanced neighbourhood.

Around Cannaregio

As always in Venice, the best way to get around is on foot. However, taking the vaporetto can save time and energy, and Cannaregio is served by waterbus routes running down the Grand Canal, along the Cannaregio canal, and along the northern shore of the island.

Cannaregio's main thoroughfare is the artery connecting Santa Lucia railway station (Ferrovia) with the Rialto. This chain of streets includes the touristy Lista di Spagna and wide Strada Nova. Along the way are lots of tourist-grade restaurants, a McDonalds, a supermarket, high street shops and souvenir stalls. We find the streets making up this route rather objectionable, but they're useful for shopping, unusually wide and many newcomers to Venice find them charming and photogenic (stay here for a while and you get spoiled).

The Ferrovia-Rialto route is close to the Grand Canal, and roughly follows its curve, with several little lanes leading to viewpoints over the water. This is always a dramatic sight, but the most appealing part of Cannaregio lies quietly to the north, waiting to be explored. Three parallel canals run through a very peaceful area near Venice's northern shore, where the exploring traveller will find a couple of the town's more interesting churches. The quieter stretches of canal here can be amazingly silent and attractive. Heading back southwards you'll come to a livelier stretch of canal along Fondamenta della Misericordia, where there are some good canalside bars and places to eat. It's buzzing in the evenings but not enough to spoil the Venetian atmosphere, and the tourists are mixed with locals.

Cannaregio highlights and tourist attractions

Ca' d'Oro - just about the most beautiful palace on the Grand Canal, it's now a gallery with lovely views over the Grand Canal
Santa Maria dei Miracoli - our favourite church in Venice is in the far east of Cannaregio; an unmissable Renaissance marble treasure.
Fondamenta della Misericordia - an attractive canalside walk, with bars and restaurants.
Campo dei Mori - a small square famous for its turbaned statues; reminders of Venice's wide trading links.
Jewish Ghetto - the origin of the term 'ghetto'; home to Venice's Jewish population for centuries.
Madonna dell'Orto - a pretty gothic church with a brick facade
Gesuiti - an overpowering church with an interior apparently by Laura Ashley: your jaw will drop.
Oratorio dei Crociferi - small chapel with paintings by Palma il Giovane.
Fondamenta Nove - a useful collection of ferry stops for boat trips to the lagoon islands.
Cannaregio Canal - the second largest canal in Venice, this was once the main route into town.
The Casino - housed in a grand Renaissance palace, Ca' Vendramin Calergi, Venice's casino is always keen to attract tourists, offering a free boat shuttle from Piazzale Roma and free entrance with a special leaflet (look at the tourist office or in your hotel). Richard Wagner died in the building: his rooms can be visited at pre-booked times.

Hotels

Unsurprisingly, there is a concentration of run-of-the-mill tourist hotels close to the railway station. Further afield, though, you'll find some more peaceful and rather special places to stay. One of the best is Palazzo Abadessa, a faded but charming old palace down a narrow alley from the Strada Nova, on a quiet canal. (Note that the canal is being drained for maintenance as we write in June 2007). It has a garden and an outdoor terrace for breakfast and drinks. A romantic place to stay.
> Hotels in western Cannaregio (from the railway station to San Marcuola)
> Hotels in eastern Cannaregio (up to the Rialto)
> Compare prices with Booking.com (50 hotels in Cannaregio)

Eating and drinking

We like La Cantina, a little bar with outside tables at Campo San Felice, despite the busy street. They serve good food as well as a selection of excellent wines. There are more nice bars on Fondamenta della Misericordia, including the famous Paradiso Perduto, and a range of restaurants including the good Ostaria da Rioba and the unpretentious Ristorante Diana. Up by the ferry stops at Fondamenta Nove is Algiubagiò, a fine, slightly pricey restaurant which has a more affordable pizza menu. For a cheap, quick meal close to the station, try Brek on the Lista di Spagna, the Venice branch of an efficient self-service chain.

Hidden charms

At Campo San Felice, look out for the tall skinny house set back from the canal: a very bizarre sight. Around the corner from Campo dei Mori is Palazzo Mastelli, famous for its stone relief of an odd-looking camel. Further along the same canal (Rio Madonna dell'Orto) there's a picturesque little bridge from which you can see over an unexpected marina.