Dorsoduro Travel Guide

Venice

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

Things to do


Top hotels in Dorsoduro

Palazzo Veneziano

Palazzo Veneziano

4.5 out of 5
Fondamenta delle Zattere 1413 Venice VE
The price is Rp4.496.425 per night from 9 Jul to 10 Jul
Rp4.496.425
Rp5.130.107 total
9 Jul - 10 Jul
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! (1,162 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 Jun 2026

Palazzo Veneziano
Palazzo Dei Guardiani

Palazzo Dei Guardiani

Calle Dei Guardiani, 2405 Venice VE
The price is Rp4.048.916 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
Rp4.048.916
Rp4.617.231 total
28 Jul - 29 Jul
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! (163 reviews)
"This was a great place! Brand new and sparkling clean. It was a little bit further from where everything is, so there was a lot of walking involved - which we truly did not mind. Staff was very helpful and nice with suggestions and such. There is a washer in the apartment, which was convenient. They ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2026

Palazzo Dei Guardiani
Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace

Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace

5 out of 5
960 Fondamenta Nani Venice VE
The price is Rp6.180.727 per night from 26 Jul to 27 Jul
Rp6.180.727
Rp7.003.079 total
26 Jul - 27 Jul
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! (706 reviews)
"Amazing property, staff and location. Special thanks for Mr Michael."

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2026

Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace
Antico Panada

Antico Panada

3 out of 5
Calle degli Specchieri 646 Venice VE
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp1.491.698 per night from 19 Jul to 20 Jul
Rp1.491.698
Rp1.783.862 total
19 Jul - 20 Jul
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! (1,111 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 Jun 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 Rp2.471.771 per night from 5 Jul to 6 Jul
Rp2.471.771
Rp2.861.943 total
5 Jul - 6 Jul
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (389 reviews)
"Everything was great"

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2026

B&B HOTEL Venezia Laguna
Hotel Montecarlo

Hotel Montecarlo

3 out of 5
Calle Specchieri 463 San Marco Venice VE
The price is Rp2.507.055 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
Rp2.507.055
Rp2.900.755 total
28 Jul - 29 Jul
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! (1,317 reviews)
"The staff was so friendly and knowledgeable. The afternoon tea was a delight. Breakfast was alright."

Reviewed on 2 Jul 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.

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