Venice restaurants are expensive but there's an easy way to eat cheaply (see below). Once you add it all up, a basic hotel can be better value. It's more ethical to stay in a hotel, too – the explosion of Airbnbs and vacation rentals have decimated the housing market, meaning many Venetians have had to leave the city.

Eating in Venice has a reputation for being expensive, but the cost depends entirely on your strategy and location. If you dine at a "tourist trap" directly on St. Mark's Square or overlooking the Rialto Bridge, you will likely pay a "view tax" and may be hit with high coperto (cover charges). However, savvy travelers can eat very affordably by embracing the local Cicchetti culture. Cicchetti are small, tapas-like snacks sold in local wine bars called bacari, typically costing between €1.50 and €3.00 per piece. A meal of several cicchetti and an "Ombra" (a small glass of local wine) can be incredibly satisfying for under €15. If you venture into the residential neighborhoods of Cannaregio or Castello, you will find authentic trattorias where a pasta dish costs €12–€15. Avoiding restaurants with "tourist menus" or pictures of food on the sidewalk is the golden rule for finding quality at a fair price. While high-end fine dining in Venice is certainly pricey, the city offers plenty of opportunities for budget-conscious foodies to enjoy world-class Italian cuisine without breaking the bank, provided they are willing to walk a few blocks away from the primary landmarks.