Among the six sestieri that make up the heart of the city, Venice's Dorsoduro district is my favorite.
Dorsoduro is like a quieter Venice, relaxing, beautiful and full of hidden treasures.
Let's find out what you can do there!
Venice's Dorsoduro district: article summary
- Relax and unwind at Campo Santa Margherita.
- Enter the Chiesa di San Sebastiano.
- Discover the Peggy Guggenheim collection.
- Venice's Dorsoduro district: the Gallerie dell'Accademia.
- Sail on the lagoon to visit Campanile San Giorgio Maggiore
- Stroll along the Fondamenta delle Zattere.
- Enter the beautiful Ca'Rezzonico.
- Stop by the Banksy mural in Dorsoduro
Relax and unwind at Campo Santa Margherita.
This huge, spacious square is one of my favorite places to sit and enjoy the atmosphere of Venice.
With numerous restaurants and bars, a public fountain and a few shade trees, Campo Santa Margherita is a jewel.
What it lacks in canal views, it makes up for in atmosphere. This is often helped in the early evening by a handful of children playing soccer.
If you're looking for a fun place for a spritzYou can't go wrong with Campo Santa Margherita.
Enter the Chiesa di San Sebastiano.
Despite one of the most beautiful church interiors, you're unlikely to find a crowd around the Chiesa di San Sebastiano!
This XVIᵉ century church may look like another standard, if charming, Venetian church on the outside. However, step inside and you'll be greeted by an incredible variety of artwork, including works by Tintoretto and Titian.
Make sure you don't miss the sacristy. at the front left of the sanctuary, accessible via a modest corridor.
Discover the Peggy Guggenheim collection.
Dorsoduro is home to 2 of the city's most important art museums.
Housed in the 18thᵉ century palace along the Grand Canal this popular museum focuses on modern art.
The art came mainly from the personal collection of Peggy Guggenheim. She began publicly exhibiting the work in the 1950s.
Venice's Dorsoduro district: the Gallerie dell'Accademia.
Located just after the Ponte dell'Accademia At the entrance to Dorsoduro, the beautiful Gallerie dell'Accademia focuses on pre-19th-century art.
The museum mainly features works by Venetian painters.
Sail on the lagoon to visit Campanile San Giorgio Maggiore
If you stand on the popular Riva degli Schiavoni near the Piazza San Marco and Bridge of SighsYou'll be treated to an excellent view of a curiously small island with a church and steeple overlooking the lagoon.
The San Giorgio Maggioreand this little island is actually part of Dorsoduro!
A quick vaporetto ride will take you to San Giorgio Maggiore, a quick place to visit.
The Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore is a magnificent building, but the main reason for the visit the island is in fact the bell tower, or campanile.
The bell tower receives far fewer visitors than the famous bell tower of Saint-Marcdespite an equally impressive view.
An elevator will take you to the top of the bell tower, and you'll be rewarded with an absolutely magnificent view of the Venetian lagoon and the center of Venice.
Even more striking is the view from the top of the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore. offers a perfect view of the place Saint-Marc.
Stroll along the Fondamenta delle Zattere.
Located along the lagoon at the end of Dorsoduro, the Fondamenta delle Zatteresometimes called the "Venetian Gateway", is a long promenade offering peace, quiet and excellent views.
Far fewer tourists visit the Zattere than the more popular Riva degli Schiavoni, located on the lagoon near Piazza San Marco, and a delicious change of pace.
In addition to beautiful views of the Giudecca and a vaporetto ideally located, you'll also find some of the best gelato in Venice at the much-loved Gelateria Nico.
Enter the beautiful Ca'Rezzonico.
Located along the Grand Canal in Dorsoduro, this magnificent Venetian palace is a pleasure to visit.
The palace itself was built in the 1600s. However, a tumultuous history led to the building being more or less an empty shell until its acquisition by the city of Venice in 1935.
If you're looking for a wonderful museum to visit where you have plenty of space to appreciate the art, visit Ca' Rezzonico is one of the best places to visit in Dorsoduro.
Stop by the Banksy mural in Dorsoduro
Hidden in plain sight, it would be easy to miss the Banksy mural in Dorsoduro. However, it's well worth a look!
Entitled "L'Enfant Migrant" (The Migrant Child), the striking mural is located near the water of the canal, nearly as if it were threatening to disappear.
You'll find the work across the canal from Campo San Pantalon, a short walk from Campo Santa Margherita. Banksy's work is clearly marked on Google Maps as "Banksy's Migrant Child".
Venice's Dorsoduro district has a lot to offer. Very little frequented by tourists, it's a place I recommend you visit to enjoy the calm and authenticity of the town.
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