Dorsoduro Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Dorsoduro featuring a bridge and a river or creek
Dorsoduro
Dorsoduro which includes a coastal town and heritage architecture
Dorsoduro showing heritage architecture
Dorsoduro showing a river or creek

One of six districts in Venice, this beautiful area has many sights located along the edge of Venice and on the island of Giudecca.

Originally one of the wealthier oceanfront portions of Venice, Dorsoduro retains some of its extravagance while offering relatively affordable food and nightlife. During the day, tour the ornate churches throughout the area. At night, retreat into a bar or restaurant.

Many come to Dorsoduro to see an array of beautiful churches within a small area. Gaze at the amazing Fumiani artwork that canopies the entire ceiling of San Pantalon. Admire the long, Gothic hallways of the Santa Maria dei Carmini and appreciate the Veronese paintings of San Sebastiano.

Be sure to visit the museum Punta della Dogana. This former customs building has hosted some of the finest art exhibitions in the world and it continues to maintain a handsomely funded collection, courtesy of François Pinault, the French billionaire.

Cross the Accademia Bridge and view the artwork displayed at the Peggy Guggenheim Museum. Patron to many of the most famous modernist artists, Peggy Guggenheim collected art from Picasso, Kandinsky, Mondrian and many others. The American heiress assembled a startling collection housed at this museum, which also features a sculpture garden outside.

Take advantage of Dorsoduro’s night life. Get active on the dance floor of a club or sit down for a beer at a bar. Find late-night fun and inexpensive drinks at Campo Santa Margherita, a legendary square that fills up with locals at night. People watch and enjoy nightlife with friendly Venetians.

With access to lively squares and waterfront views, many people opt to stay in Dorsoduro while they tour Venice. The relatively inexpensive cuisine found in Dorsoduro makes the area popular with locals during lunch breaks. Find the least expensive and most delicious food outside the main squares.

Take the Venice Vaporetto Line 1 to reach Dorsoduro. Many of the attractions here are walking distance from each other. Before you leave, try a marzipan cake at the 120-year-old patisserie, Pasticceria Tonolo.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Dorsoduro Hotel Deals

Palazzo Veneziano

Palazzo Veneziano

4.5 out of 5
Fondamenta delle Zattere 1413 Venice VE
Stay at this luxury hotel in Venice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a marina and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,137 reviews)
Hotel was beautiful and sfaff very welcoming. The room was stunning and the matress very comfy. Breakfast was awesome!

Reviewed on 31 Dec 2025

Palazzo Veneziano
Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace

Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace

5 out of 5
960 Fondamenta Nani Venice VE
The price is NZ$657 per night from 13 Jan to 14 Jan
NZ$657
13 Jan - 14 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Venice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (673 reviews)
Excellent stay ! This is our second stay with my daughter ! Gianni was very friendly and helpful . All the recommendations for restaurants and sites were exquisite . Five star service . Breakfast was complete and delicious! Highly recommend for first time visiting Venezia ! Complimentary taxi to ...

Reviewed on 26 Dec 2025

Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace
Hotel Messner

Hotel Messner

3.5 out of 5
Dorsoduro 237 Venice VE
The price is NZ$102 per night from 12 Jan to 13 Jan
NZ$102
12 Jan - 13 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Venice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
4.8/10 (258 reviews)
Very good 👍

Reviewed on 22 Dec 2025

Hotel Messner
Avani Rio Novo Venice Hotel

Avani Rio Novo Venice Hotel

4 out of 5
Calle Larga Ragusei Dorsoduro, 3489 Venice VE
The price is NZ$286 per night from 11 Jan to 12 Jan
NZ$286
11 Jan - 12 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this property in Venice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (766 reviews)
Clean room, friendly staff, good breakfast

Reviewed on 11 Dec 2025

Avani Rio Novo Venice Hotel
Hotel Rialto

Hotel Rialto

4 out of 5
San Marco 5149 Ponte Di Rialto Venice VE
The price is NZ$212 per night from 14 Jan to 15 Jan
NZ$212
14 Jan - 15 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Venice. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
Clean rooms, wonderful staff. Be advised rooms facing the Rialto bridge can be subjected to quite a bit of noise from the street.

Reviewed on 30 Dec 2025

Hotel Rialto
Hyatt Centric Murano Venice

Hyatt Centric Murano Venice

4 out of 5
Riva Longa, 49 Venice VE
The price is NZ$178 per night from 2 Feb to 3 Feb
NZ$178
2 Feb - 3 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Venice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (998 reviews)
Wonderful week stay in the Island. No better location for lodging on Murano.

Reviewed on 1 Dec 2025

Hyatt Centric Murano Venice
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Dorsoduro

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Santa Croce

4.5/5(62 area reviews)

Santa Croce is known for its charming cafes, and you can make a stop by Piazzale Roma and Grand Canal while in the area.

Santa Croce
La Giudecca showing a lake or waterhole

La Giudecca

La Giudecca is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Giudecca 795 or Mulino Stucky.

La Giudecca
San Polo showing a bay or harbour and heritage architecture

San Polo

4.5/5(33 area reviews)

San Polo is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari and Palazzo Pisani Moretta while you're in town.

San Polo
San Marco featuring kayaking or canoeing and a river or creek

San Marco

4.5/5(162 area reviews)

San Marco is beloved for its popular shops. Take some time to explore sights in the area like St. Mark's Square and Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo.

San Marco
Dorsoduro which includes a coastal town and heritage architecture

Venice City Center

The stunning cathedral and charming cafes are just a few highlights of Venice City Center. Make a stop by St. Mark's Square or Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo while you're exploring the area.

Venice City Center
Venetian Ghetto which includes a bridge, heritage architecture and a coastal town

Cannaregio

4.5/5(119 area reviews)

A noteworthy feature of Cannaregio is its popular shops. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Jewish Museum of Venice and Casino of Venice.

Cannaregio


Dorsoduro Travel Guide

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