Dorsoduro Travel Guide

Venice

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


Top hotels in Dorsoduro

Palazzo Veneziano

Palazzo Veneziano

4.5 out of 5
Fondamenta delle Zattere 1413, Venice, VE
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Venice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a marina and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in their reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,010 reviews)
"When we first booked this property and were looking at the map we felt it was further away from most other options. After walking Venice for 3 days we realized what a perfect location this was. It’s easy to walk to the busy areas, but at night this hotel was in a quiet area. We got the corner room ..."

Reviewed on 19 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 ₹14,024 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
₹14,024
₹16,328 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star property in Venice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (710 reviews)
Perfect choice for Venice.
"Great location. Wonderful hotel. Clean and modern. Staff were great."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

Avani Rio Novo Venice Hotel (previously NH Venezia Rio Novo)
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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (620 reviews)
Amazing stay in Venezia
"Great place, perfectly located, nice staff, will definitely stay here again."

Reviewed on 20 Jul 2025

Palazzo Guardi
Hotel Messner

Hotel Messner

3.5 out of 5
Dorsoduro 237, Venice, VE
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Venice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
4.6/10 (197 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 ₹28,420 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
₹28,420
₹32,263 total
30 Jul - 31 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star 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! (623 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
Sina Centurion Palace

Sina Centurion Palace

5 out of 5
Sestiere Dorsoduro 173, Venice, VE
The price is ₹45,078 per night from 23 Jul to 24 Jul
₹45,078
₹50,587 total
23 Jul - 24 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Venice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (577 reviews)
"Could not have been happier with this hotel, close to Doges Palace and St Marks but on the other side of the Grand Canal which makes it much quieter and less hectic. The hotel is beautiful, full of stunning art (all available to purchase), the views are great (worth paying up for a canal view imho) ..."

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2025

Sina Centurion 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

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 featuring 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 featuring heritage architecture and a bay or harbour

San Polo

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 heritage architecture and a coastal town

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
San Marco which includes a river or creek and kayaking or canoeing

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 Grand Canal.

San Marco
Venetian Ghetto which includes boating, a coastal town and heritage architecture

Cannaregio

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

Cannaregio

Dorsoduro Travel Guide