Dorsoduro Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A canal with a bridge, buildings with blue shutters, and a sign in Italian.
A canal in Venice with historic buildings on both sides.
A historic building with a dome and bell tower by the water.
A brick building with a large wooden door and a window with a diamond pattern.
A narrow canal in a historic European town with boats, buildings, and pedestrians.

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.


Stay near popular Dorsoduro attractions

Activities


Our pick of the best Dorsoduro Hotel Deals

Palazzo Veneziano

Palazzo Veneziano

4.5 out of 5
Fondamenta delle Zattere 1413 Venice VE
The price is NZ$460 per night from 29 July to 30 July
NZ$460
29 July - 30 July
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,163 reviews)
"We had a good stay overall and found the hotel to be clean, comfortable, and well maintained. The staff were friendly and helpful throughout our visit, and the room itself was pleasant. There were a few drawbacks that future guests may want to consider. The location was a bit farther from the main ..."

Reviewed on 26 June 2026

Palazzo Veneziano
Palazzo Dei Guardiani

Palazzo Dei Guardiani

Calle Dei Guardiani, 2405 Venice VE
The price is NZ$429 per night from 12 July to 13 July
NZ$429
12 July - 13 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this aparthotel in Venice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and concierge services. Popular attractions Piazzale Roma and Rialto Bridge are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (162 reviews)
"Bedding is exceptionally comfortable. Staff is responsive and helpful via WhatsApp. But there is not a single full body mirror in the apartment which is very inconvenient. I expect a full body mirror in each bedroom or at least at the apartment entrance."

Reviewed on 28 June 2026

Palazzo Dei Guardiani
Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace

Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace

5 out of 5
960 Fondamenta Nani Venice VE
The price is NZ$682 per night from 29 July to 30 July
NZ$682
29 July - 30 July
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 ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (705 reviews)
"Amazing property, staff and location. Special thanks for Mr Michael."

Reviewed on 23 June 2026

Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace
Antico Panada

Antico Panada

3 out of 5
Calle degli Specchieri 646 Venice VE
The price is NZ$154 per night from 6 July to 7 July
NZ$154
6 July - 7 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Venice. Enjoy free breakfast, room service and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (1,113 reviews)
"Great location but the air conditioning in our room was not adequate. There was a heat wave during two nights we were there. I would go back to this hotel in the fall or spring because it was close to the main attractions. Decent breakfast."

Reviewed on 29 June 2026

Antico Panada
B&B HOTEL Venezia Laguna

B&B HOTEL Venezia Laguna

3 out of 5
Isola Nova del Tronchetto 16 Venice VE
The price is NZ$298 per night from 6 July to 7 July
NZ$298
6 July - 7 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Venice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Piazzale Roma and Rialto Bridge are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (379 reviews)
"Good value"

Reviewed on 28 June 2026

B&B HOTEL Venezia Laguna
Hotel Montecarlo

Hotel Montecarlo

3 out of 5
Calle Specchieri 463 San Marco Venice VE
The price is NZ$287 per night from 28 July to 29 July
NZ$287
28 July - 29 July
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,318 reviews)
"For a hotel built is 1562, this place was amazing. Loved the parts that are still original, updated building but has that old world charm. Staff extremely accommodating and very helpful for getting any and all services, water taxi, luggage, etc. highly recommend this hotel, close enough to the main ..."

Reviewed on 29 June 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.

Our guide on where to stay in Dorsoduro

Find the best Dorsoduro areas for the activities you enjoy most.

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.

San Marco

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.

Cannaregio

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

San Polo

San Polo is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Palazzo Pisani Moretta and Rialto Market while you're in town.

Santa Croce

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



Dorsoduro Travel Guide

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