Where to stay near Venice’s Rialto Bridge

Antonio da Ponte was born to build bridges. This 16th-century architect’s name means ‘bridge’ in Italian, so it’s fitting that his masterpiece is Venice’s Rialto Bridge. With a high arch and top-heavy shape, its design was so ambitious that contemporaries predicted a short-lived future. Yet, over 400 years later, it still stands as one of Venice’s most quintessential snapshots.

The bridge comes into its own at night, when the crowds have died down and the lights reflect off the Grand Canal. To live out your own Venetian dream, check out these four apartments right next door.

Terrazza Rialto

On the top floor of a charming old building, Terrazza Rialto has a decked terrace nestled among Venice’s tiled rooftops. Inside the apartment, there’s a big, bright kitchen that leads straight out onto the terrace – perfect for home-cooked al-fresco dinners. For evenings when you’d rather eat out, check out Osteria Bancogiro, a seafood restaurant overlooking the Grand Canal and only couple of minutes away.

Romantic Rialto

This huge two-bedroom apartment has two separate sitting rooms, giving everyone ample space to relax. Romantic Rialto’s whitewashed walls and white wood furniture add to the bright, fresh interior, and old-time touches like gnarled wooden beams are a nod to the building’s history. After a good night’s sleep, Caffè del Doge is a solid breakfast option – a purveyor of tasty pastries and top-notch coffee, and conveniently located downstairs.

Ca’ della Scimmia

Ca’ della Scimmia is just 50 metres from the Rialto waterbus stop, meaning you can make a grand entrance straight off the boat. Once you’ve disembarked and settled in, you’ll find bars like Naranzaria and Barcollo just round the corner from the apartments, next to the quirky Campo San Giacomo di Rialto. Inside, the apartments have a minimalist decor with touches of red, and wooden ceilings are a reminder of the building’s long history.

San Teodoro Palace – Luxury Apartments

Gilt-framed mirrors, golden chandeliers and leather bedsteads San Teodoro Palace – Luxury Apartments give you a taste of the Venetian high life. Waltz out of your apartment and you’ll reach the Rialto Bridge in three minutes – while excellent restaurants like Osteria alle Testiere and Ristorante Alle Corone are also a short walk away. Staple breakfast ingredients like coffee and jam are provided in your kitchen, and when you need to stock your fridge, you’ll find a supermarket within a couple of minutes’ walk.