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


Top hotels in Dorsoduro

Palazzo Veneziano

Palazzo Veneziano

4.5 out of 5
Fondamenta delle Zattere 1413 Venice VE
The price is Rp3.740.917 per night from 1 Nov to 2 Nov
Rp3.740.917
Rp4.295.948 total
1 Nov - 2 Nov
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! (1,203 reviews)
"We were pleasantly surprised with a lovely upgrade to our room! The hotel rooms are wonderful. Very comfortable and quiet. The lagoon is right outside the front door and is stunning at all times of the day. It is a bit of a walk to the main square but easily doable."

Reviewed on 5 Oct 2026

Palazzo Veneziano
Hotel Messner

Hotel Messner

3.5 out of 5
Dorsoduro 237 Venice VE
The price is Rp1.562.657 per night from 4 Nov to 5 Nov
Rp1.562.657
Rp1.859.653 total
4 Nov - 5 Nov
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. ...
Hotel Messner
Palazzo Dei Guardiani

Palazzo Dei Guardiani

Calle Dei Guardiani, 2405 Venice VE
The price is Rp3.037.720 per night from 5 Nov to 6 Nov
Rp3.037.720
Rp3.502.500 total
5 Nov - 6 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this aparthotel in Venice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and concierge services. Popular attractions Piazzale Roma and St. Mark's Square are located ...
Palazzo Dei Guardiani
Palazzo Guardi

Palazzo Guardi

Sestiere Dorsoduro 995 Venice VE
The price is Rp1.792.943 per night from 5 Nov to 6 Nov
Rp1.792.943
Rp2.133.072 total
5 Nov - 6 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this affittacamere in Venice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (902 reviews)
"Excellent location, great view of the canal, staff were so helpful"

Reviewed on 5 Oct 2026

Palazzo Guardi
Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace

Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace

5 out of 5
960 Fondamenta Nani Venice VE
The price is Rp6.219.483 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
Rp6.219.483
Rp7.042.555 total
3 Nov - 4 Nov
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! (738 reviews)
"A luxury hotel, excellent and helpful staff, we were greeted nicely and the staff without asking showed us a map for all Venice and were to go. The hotel rooms was so comfortable, clean and luxury, the breakfast was amazing with all quality and tasteful food, pastries were amazing. The hotel has ..."

Reviewed on 6 Oct 2026

Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace
Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo

Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo

4 out of 5
Piazza San Marco 1107 Venice VE
The price is Rp2.485.629 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
Rp2.485.629
Rp2.915.131 total
3 Nov - 4 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Venice. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,876 reviews)
"The hotel’s rooms are tiny but somehow it quite fits in Venice. Staff was super nice and so was breakfast"

Reviewed on 6 Oct 2026

Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo
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 Guglie Bridge and Casino of Venice.

San Polo

San Polo is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Campo San Polo and Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari 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 Riva de Biasio Waterbus while in the area.



Dorsoduro Travel Guide