Ostello Santa Fosca

The Ostello Santa Fosca lets you pretend, at least for the night, that you’re an Italian student. Serving primarily as housing for the University of Venice, the complex opens up its rooms year-round to budget travelers.

Located amidst the ruins of a 13th-century basilica—one that was once larger than San Marco’s—the Ostello Santa Fosca has the aura of antiquity. Behold the iron gates, crumbling cloisters and canal-side location! Behold, as well, the bargain beds.

Quick read

Pros: Super Cheapo. Primo location. Friendly staff. Cool historic building.

Cons: No air conditioning. Lock-out and limited reception hours. A bit rundown. No elevator.

Rooms

The Ostello Santa Fosca rents rooms to travelers throughout the year, jumping from 30 beds during the academic year to 160 beds during the summer. Private double rooms are available, as are a variety of dorm options (single-sex or mixed, with three to seven beds).

Rooms are spacious, simple and "student-style” shabby, with red metal beds or bunks. All rooms are outfitted with sinks, tile floors, writing desks and pressboard wardrobes. The 1,200-year-old exposed stone walls of the ancient basilica are a notable “extra” in some rooms.

Lockers can be rented for €2 per day.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are shared and unsurprisingly no-frills. They’re clean, but you’ll never forget that you’ve checked into a student dorm. Bed linens are included, but towels are not (either bring your own or rent one).

Hostel

The Ostello Santa Fosca clearly isn’t for everyone. However, if you’re open to the experience, you can find a room at rock-bottom rates for Venice. Doubles, after all, cost €30-70, year-round. That’s a deal.

A shared kitchen is open to travelers during the summer months, and the hostel also offers vending machines for snacks and drinks. The hostel does not have a curfew, but reception hours are limited (9 a.m. until 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. until 8 p.m.). The TV and game room is open during reception hours only. Note: The hostel is closed during Christmas.

Breakfast is not offered. Wi-Fi is available for an additional charge. Note that there is a surcharge for guests arriving after 8 p.m. (alert the hostel in advance of your arrival).