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CannaregioGeography of the areaCannaregio 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.
My viewBefore I rented a flat in Cannaregio I wasn'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, I 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. The streets making up this route are not Venice's most appealing, 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 HotelsUnsurprisingly, 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. It has a garden and an outdoor terrace for breakfast and drinks. A romantic place to stay.
Eating and drinkingI 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 charmsAt 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. |
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