New splendor for the Venice Accademia Galleries

At Venice Accademia Galleries, art can be enjoyed twice as much

Venice has been tightly linked to art ever since and we now have one more reason to visit La Serenissima, the most Serene, since the Accademia Galleries have doubled their exibition spaces!

Figures speak by themselves: spaces dedicated to installations have increased from 6.000 squared metres to 12.000 squared metres, there are 30 brand new exibition rooms and a whole new wind dedicated to temporary exibitions. There will also be a cafeteria available and a conference room for special events.

There couldn't have been a better Christmas surprise for the city of Venice which has been waiting for this for such a long time (8 years of works!); such a refurbishment rightfully makes of Venice's Accademia Galleries one of Europe's greatest museums. The new spaces are the result of a careful restoration of the monumental complex of Santa Maria della Carità, former main seat of the Accademy of Fine Arts. Not to be missed is Palladio's spacious internal courtyard (dating back to 1561/1563) and the renowned oval spiral staircase (mentioned even by Goethe who described it as "the most beautiful spiral staircase in the world"!).

To learn more about events, installations and temporary exibitions, have a look a the Gallerie dell'Accademia's offical website.

If you were to decide to experience directly the splendor of the Accademia Galleries here are some strategical suggestions about budget accommodation in Venice.

If you are art-addicted we suggest you stay at Albergo Alla Salute, a budget hotel with a key location (only few minutes walking to both the Accademia Galleries and the Guggenheim Museum) and very affordable rates. If you are a HostelsClub.com Membership Card holder you are entitle to a 10% discount!

If you are instead looking for a romantic accommodation a stone's through from Saint Mark's Square, Hotel Astoria is unbeatable in terms of value for money (there also a 10% discount for Membership Card holders)!

Finally we also have a piece of advice for backpackers, who can opt for Ostello Santa Fosca, 84% overall rating, laid back and relaxed atmosphere, clean and comfortable rooms and rates starting from 17€!