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 4.5-star luxury hotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, a marina, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,034 reviews)
"It was a great place to stay. The bartender at the hotel bar was g"

Reviewed on 9 Aug. 2025

Palazzo Veneziano
Palazzo Guardi

Palazzo Guardi

Sestiere Dorsoduro 995, Venice, VE
Book a stay at this family-friendly affittacamere in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, 24-hour room service, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (633 reviews)
Great stay in Venice
"We really liked the location of this hotel, they gave lots of information in advance of how to find it. It was in a quiet location with lots of great restaurants nearby. The room was big and clean, the breakfast was quite basic but what was on offer was nice."

Reviewed on 10 Aug. 2025

Palazzo Guardi
Avani Rio Novo Venice Hotel (previously NH Venezia Rio Novo)

Avani Rio Novo Venice Hotel (previously NH Venezia Rio Novo)

4 out of 5
Calle Larga Ragusei Dorsoduro, 3489, Venice, VE
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$387 per night from 13 Aug to 14 Aug
NZ$387
13 Aug - 14 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star property in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (722 reviews)
"Cleanliness, friendly staffing, modern."

Reviewed on 8 Aug. 2025

Avani Rio Novo Venice Hotel (previously NH Venezia Rio Novo)
IH Hotels Venezia Salute Palace

IH Hotels Venezia Salute Palace

3 out of 5
Dorsoduro 222, Venice, VE
The price is NZ$252 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
NZ$252
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Venice. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (331 reviews)
"amazing spacious room. very comfortable. was able to check in early which was really helpful!"

Reviewed on 7 Aug. 2025

IH Hotels Venezia Salute Palace
Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace

Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace

5 out of 5
960 Fondamenta Nani, Dorsoduro, Venice, VE
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$547 per night from 13 Aug to 14 Aug
NZ$547
13 Aug - 14 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (631 reviews)
"Beautiful hotel, in a quiet and charming area. 15 minute walk to San Marcos Piazza; yet, the peace is priceless!"

Reviewed on 4 Aug. 2025

Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace
Hotel Messner

Hotel Messner

3.5 out of 5
Dorsoduro 237, Venice, VE
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
4.6/10 (206 reviews)
Good stay !
"The location is amazing , you literally staying in the core of Venice , my complain is the a/c for the size of the room it does not blow enough air to keep room fresh you would have to open windows and the bad side of that is that mosquitoes will enter your room and you know the rest , bed was a ..."

Reviewed on 5 Aug. 2025

Hotel Messner
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 Grand Canal and Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari while you're in town.

San Polo
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 Grand Canal while you're exploring the area.

Venice City Center
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 Grand Canal.

San Marco
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 Grand Canal and Casino of Venice.

Cannaregio

Dorsoduro Travel Guide

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