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
The price is AU$356 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
AU$356
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,008 reviews)
"Nicely located hotel with good service levels. We were able to check-in earlier than planned (always useful if practicable) and all of the staff we encountered were pleasant and helpful. There was a blip with some goods ordered for the room, but I think that may have been more the supplier's issue. ..."

Reviewed on 13 Jul. 2025

Palazzo Veneziano
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
The price is AU$365 per night from 30 July to 31 July
AU$365
30 July - 31 July
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! (708 reviews)
"The perfect place to enjoy Venice! The hotel is wonderful, and the area around it is peaceful & lively at the same time."

Reviewed on 6 Jul. 2025

Avani Rio Novo Venice Hotel (previously NH Venezia Rio Novo)
Locanda Ca' Zose

Locanda Ca' Zose

Dorsoduro 193/B (Calle del Bastion), Venice, VE
Stay at this affittacamere in Venice. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), daily housekeeping, and minibars. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (611 reviews)
"What a very pretty property! We loved our triple room and also in a great location. Nice quiet area near Peggy Guggenheim museum, and a close walk to St Marks area."

Reviewed on 12 Jul. 2025

Locanda Ca' Zose
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! (610 reviews)
Perfect Family Room!
"We absolutely loved our room, Accademia. It was fantastic with our two young kids—enough room for everyone. Gorgeous canal views. Great location. So nice to have breakfast included, and bag storage so we could explore before our evening departure. Would absolutely love to stay in the same room again ..."

Reviewed on 10 Jul. 2025

Palazzo Guardi
Hotel Messner

Hotel Messner

3.5 out of 5
Dorsoduro 237, Venice, VE
The price is AU$139 per night from 24 July to 25 July
AU$139
24 July - 25 July
includes taxes & fees
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 (195 reviews)
"Lovely old place. Well located. Bit tricky to find at first. Easy walking to main sites."

Reviewed on 15 Jul. 2025

Hotel Messner
Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace

Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace

5 out of 5
960 Fondamenta Nani, Dorsoduro, Venice, VE
The price is AU$503 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
AU$503
11 Aug - 12 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! (621 reviews)
"Beautiful hotel with a peaceful garden dining area. The staff were very friendly and helpful arranging tours and water taxis. The room we were in was very small with no view at all, but very nice with great AC."

Reviewed on 14 Jul. 2025

Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace
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
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 Teatro Goldoni 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 Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo.

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 Jewish Museum of Venice and Ca' d'Oro Giorgio Franchetti Gallery.

Cannaregio

Dorsoduro Travel Guide

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