Neighbourhood Guides: The Must-Dos in Dorsoduro, Venice

“Located across the Grand Canal via the Accademia Bridge, Dorsoduro offers a glimpse of authentic Venice. The vibrant neighbourhood is home to museums, galleries and churches, free from crowds and exorbitant prices. If you’re planning a trip to Venice, take a look at the best things to see and do in Dorsoduro for a memorable trip.

See the Peggy Guggenheim Collection
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The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is home to masterpieces from European and American artists in the 20th century. Located in Dorsoduro in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, the museum is easy to reach from all over Venice. The museum is housed within an 18th-century palace that was once the home of the American heiress, Peggy Guggenheim, and showcases her private collection of modern artworks. Since her death, the Guggenheim Foundation has grown the collection to include works from abstract expressionism, surrealism and Italian futurist works, as well as American modernist works.

Explore the Gallerie dell’Accademia
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Home to some of the city’s most important works of art, Gallerie dell’Accademia is a must-visit for any art and culture enthusiast. The gallery features 3 buildings that were once used for religious purposes, but now hold the wonders of the city’s art collection. Gallerie dell’Accademia was created by Napoleon as a gallery and educational institution, Accademia Di Belle Arti, to promote the arts. Throughout the gallery, you can trace the history of Venetian art through masterpieces spanning from the 14th to the 19th century, including works from artists like Vittore Carpaccio, Lazzaro Bastiani, Giovanni Bellini, Antonello da Messina and Leonardo da Vinci.

Marvel at San Sebastiano
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Venice has no shortage of spectacular churches, but Dorsoduro is home to the gem of San Sebastiano. The parish church of Veronese boasts gorgeous artworks surrounding the church’s features, such as the nave ceilings and alter. As one of the off-the-beaten-path churches, San Sebastiano doesn’t get as much tourist traffic as some of Venice’s largest churches, so you won’t have to fight the crowd to see its artwork.

Explore Cà Rezzonico
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Venice’s palaces are a must-visit on a trip to the city, but you can opt for a lesser-known gem than the opulent Palazzo Ducale. Cà Rezzonico is a smaller palace and museum with an elegant and sophisticated presence in the city, boasting baroque and rococo features, elegant frescoes and lavish decor. You can see marvels from contemporary Venetian painters, such as Giambattista Tiepolo and Francesco Guardi. In addition to the artwork and furnishings, you can tour the palace to see artefacts like the coat of arms of the Rezzonico family, statuary by Giusto Le Court and the palace’s lavish ceremonial rooms.

Discover gondola making
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In the past, Venice was filled with squeri, or gondola workshops, to accommodate the demand for canal travel. Now, only a few squeri exist in the city to preserve its heritage. Though not all workshops allow visitors, you can catch a glimpse of the process of making gondolas from the outside. One of the most accessible squeri is Squero di San Trovaso, which showcases the painstaking process of constructing a gondola over the course of 3 months. For the best views of the workshop’s inner workings, stand across from the building on the Fondamenta Maravegie canal.

Stroll along the Zattere
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Fondamenta delle Zattere is a great place for an evening stroll to take in the sights of the city. Travelling along the Giudecca Canal, Zattere offers beautiful views of the city’s landmarks and the beauty and charm of Dorsoduro. From the vantage point on the opposite side of the canal, you can see some of the most impressive buildings in the city, such as the Ospedale degli Incurabili, a beautiful building that was once used as an ‘incurables’ hospital to treat people for syphilis in the 16th century.

Experience the nightlife
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If you’re looking for a night out, there’s no better place than Campo Santa Margherita. The large city square is close to the university in Venice, so it’s often filled with students and lively young people looking for fun. There are plenty of bars in the area that serve delicious speciality cocktails and shareable dishes. On most nights, you can find a bar with live music or a DJ, so you can dance the night away.

Search for treasures at Calle Sant’Agnese
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One of the best ways to explore Dorsoduro is on foot, especially if you’re looking to shop. Calle Sant’Agnese is a great place for souvenir shopping. The street is lined with shops and boutiques selling authentic goods, such as traditional silk slippers, Carnevale masks, Murano glass earrings and more. If you want a break from shopping, you can find eateries and cafes nestled between the shops in the area.

Ready to plan your trip?
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Brimming with charm and authenticity, Dorsoduro is a great neighbourhood to choose a base camp to explore the wonders of Venice. When you’re ready to plan your trip, take a look at Dorsoduro holidays on Expedia and learn more about the fun things to do in Venice for an unforgettable experience!”