Hotels in Dorsoduro, Venice

Just a short walk across the Grand Canal from Saint Mark’s Square via the famous Accademia Bridge and you will find yourself away from the throngs of tourists and moving into Dorsoduro. Away from the hustle and bustle, this tranquil neighborhood provides everything that you could ever want from Venice. There are wondrous churches and inspiring art, often found in the same place. Located in the south of Venice, the colorful neighborhood of Dorsoduro is relaxed and artistic, and the ideal location for a quiet trip.

Hotels in Dorsoduro

While Venice can be expensive, Dorsoduro hotels accommodate the most modest budgets to the most extravagant. And with the Grand Canal to the north, guests can enjoy some fabulous views of the canals and city. For those looking for luxury hotels in Dorsoduro, the Ca’ Pisani and Centurion Palace Hotels both offer guests simple elegance. Situated on the water’s edge, the Hotel Centurion Palace is outwardly a grand building but with a modern and tasteful interior. Ca’ Pisani is a 4-star hotel in Dorsoduro offering another splendid example of contemporary design, with a rooftop terrace where guests can enjoy views overlooking the city.

Things to see in Dorsoduro

No trip to Venice could ever be complete without a visit to one of the many palazzo museums, and Ca’ Rezzonico in Dorsoduro is a fantastic choice. Not only are the works of art splendid, but it can be visited for a lower price than many of the larger museums in Venice and its smaller size makes it much more manageable. From there, head for the tranquility of the church of San Sebastiano. A beautiful building housing work by Pablo Veronese almost exclusively, this quiet church is tucked neatly away at the western end of Dorsoduro, just off the main tourist trail. If you’re looking for something a little more contemporary, the Peggy Guggenheim Museum displays modern art in a building backing onto the Grand Canal. After that, take a quiet stroll along the Zattere promenade and take advantage of the fabulous views of Giudecca Island as the sun sets over Venice.

Good for older travelers

While certainly not the biggest city in Italy, Venice is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. But for those who want to see the beauty, art, and churches of Venice without the crowds, Dorsoduro is ideal. The neighborhood offers beautiful museums to delight, churches to inspire, and restaurants to entice you, but Dorsoduro is just that little bit more peaceful than central Venice. For your entire trip or even just for a day or two, Dorsoduro offers respite from the bustling city, while still offering plenty of wonder.

How to get to Dorsoduro

Venice is an easily accessible destination. Flights from North America land in major European cities, from where you can take a connecting flight to Venice Marco Polo Airport. To get into the city itself, take a regular bus to the Piazzale Roma and a water bus from there, or take a water bus or taxi direct from the airport to Dorsoduro. There are good train links to Venice from other parts of Italy, and national highways provide an easy drive from Verona, Milan, or Bologna. Within Venice the easiest way to get around is by vaporetto water bus or water taxi. Or just take the time to explore the quaint streets around your hotel in Dorsoduro on foot.