Incredibly situated in a lagoon, Venice is made up of six districtsor sestiere.
Their layout is based on tax customs from the 12ᵉ century.
If you're ready to visit the world's most romantic city, here's what you need to know about Venice's neighborhoods.
Venice neighborhoods: article summary
Venice districts: Cannaregio station.
Cannaregio stretches from the railway station to the Rialto and includes the Jewish ghettoa 500-year-old district that plays a role in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice". It's a quiet, residential area, untouched by the tourist crowds.
Cannaregio is marked by a series of canal-side sidewalks running east-west. The Fondamenta Misericordia is a lovely place to stroll in the evening and find a charming osteria to enjoy authentic Italian food and wine.
The magnificent palaceCa' D'Oro"is located in Cannaregio on the Grand Canal. It's a XVᵉ century palace open to the public. Here you can see works of art by Venetian masters such as Carpaccio, Bellini and Titian.
Take a stroll along the quiet side of Castello.
Castello is the largest sestiere, stretching from the Rialto bridge west to l'Arsenale to the east. It's one of the quietest neighborhoods, and many of the of Venice's most luxurious hotels can be found here.
Via Garibaldi, the widest street in Venice, runs through Castello. Lined with boutiques and cafés, it's a charming place to explore and sample Venetian street food. There's even an open-air food and produce market every weekday morning.
If you wish to visit the islands of Murano and BuranoThere are boats on the Fondamenta Nove to take you there. Castello's giardini, or gardens, are among the most beautiful in Venice, stretching all the way to the tip of the island.
Venice districts: San Marco
For over a thousand years, San Marco has been the cultural, religious and political heart of Venice, the city's largest and most famous district. Bounded by Castello and Cannaregio to the east, and linked to San Polo by the Rialto bridge, San Marco is the most visited district in Venice.
The XIᵉ century Basilica of San Marco stands on the place Saint-Marcand its impressive bell tower. You can also walk along the Bridge of Sighs and explore the Palazzo Ducale or the Doge's Palace. There are also some superb boutiques in San Marco, from traditional leather goods and accessories to Italian haute couture.
For art and tradition, visit Dorsoduro.
Cross the Accademia Bridge from San Marco and you're in Dorsoduro, home to the Accademia museum and the Guggenheim art collection. This is a quieter, more authentic district, known for its excellent restaurants and the charming Fondamenta delle Zattere, which runs alongside the Giudecca canal.
It's a breathtakingly picturesque part of Venice, the ideal place to enjoy an ice cream and watch the sun go down.
Campo Santa Margherita is a popular place to relax. There's a lively fish and vegetable market and some of Venice's most interesting nightlife. There's even a gondola workshop accessible to Dorsoduro so that you can see how these iconic boats are made.
Browse the markets and bacari in San Polo.
This is the smallest of Venice's districts, bordering the Grand Canal, Dorsoduro and Santa Croce. Don't let its small size fool you. The area is packed with the best open-air markets, restaurants and bacari, the popular Venetian wine bars. The Rialto market, at the foot of the venerable bridge, has flourished here for centuries.
The church of San Giacomo di Rialto, perhaps the oldest church in Venice, is just around the corner from the market. Take your camera for some memorable shots of this Gothic-Byzantine structure.
Avoid tourists and crowds in the Santa Croce district.
Santa Croce is one of the oldest districts. It lies along the Grand Canal, opposite the railway station, and extends as far as the Piazzale Roma. It's less visited by tourists, which makes it a great neighborhood. Here you can see what "real life" is like in Venice.
Ca' Pesaro, a 17thᵉ century palace housing two fascinating art museums with over 30,000 works of art, is in Santa Croce, as is the opulent Palazzo Mocenigo with its interesting collection of period costumes.
Don't overlook the dolce vita at the Lido.
Visit Lido probably isn't on your visit list. However, if you're looking for something relaxing, charming and away from the crowds, this is the place! Here you can dine in family restaurants and enjoy a peaceful natural setting.
There's plenty to do in Venice's different neighborhoods. During your visit, you'll be able to visit all these places and discover wonders you never imagined.
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