Dorsoduro Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

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! (1,147 reviews)
Great hotel and excellent staff..

Reviewed on 24 Jan 2026

Palazzo Veneziano
Hotel Messner

Hotel Messner

3.5 out of 5
Dorsoduro 237 Venice VE
The price is NZ$117 per night from 27 Jan to 28 Jan
NZ$117
27 Jan - 28 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 (261 reviews)
Very good 👍

Reviewed on 22 Dec 2025

Hotel Messner
Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace

Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace

5 out of 5
960 Fondamenta Nani Venice VE
The price is NZ$542 per night from 29 Jan to 30 Jan
NZ$542
29 Jan - 30 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! (678 reviews)
Great to stay just south of San Marco. Great restaurants withing a short distance. We were just a few minutes walk from the Academia and Peggy Guggenheim museums and very minimal distance from the Academia Bridge. The hotel is lovely. Breakfast was great and a good way to start the day. Servers at ...

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace
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$303 per night from 27 Jan to 28 Jan
NZ$303
27 Jan - 28 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! (770 reviews)
Overall is great. But it is a little bit cold at night. AC seems like not working very well.

Reviewed on 15 Jan 2026

Avani Rio Novo Venice Hotel
Palazzo Guardi

Palazzo Guardi

Sestiere Dorsoduro 995 Venice VE
Stay at this family-friendly affittacamere in Venice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (721 reviews)
Great breakfast included with our suite. Beautiful room on the canal. Weather was cold so windows stayed closed for the most part, but would be great spot to have open and enjoy the sounds of the city during warmer weather. Heat worked great and staff was wonderful. Very convenient location to all ...

Reviewed on 10 Jan 2026

Palazzo Guardi
Hotel Montecarlo

Hotel Montecarlo

3 out of 5
Calle Specchieri 463 San Marco Venice VE
The price is NZ$210 per night from 28 Jan to 29 Jan
NZ$210
28 Jan - 29 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Venice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,283 reviews)
great location near San Marco Square....best staff ever

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

Hotel Montecarlo
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

Old canals and Rialto bridge in Venice

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 Campo San Polo 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 Grand Canal.

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 Grand Canal while you're exploring the area.

Venice City Center
Venetian Ghetto featuring heritage architecture, boating and a bridge

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 Jewish Museum of Venice.

Cannaregio


Dorsoduro Travel Guide

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