Districts in Venice: The Ultimate Guide to the Neighborhoods
July 09th, 2020
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Venice on your mind? It’s one of our favorite cities—a place you have to really experience to believe. If you’re visiting this year (or even thinking of planning a trip), you’ll love this blog post. Everything you need to know about the six sestieri, the unique neighborhoods of Venice. Read it over and let us know what you think—is there a neighborhood you’re dying to visit? Tell us in the comments!
Complete Guide to Venice Italy Areas: Understanding the Six Sestiere
You’ve finally planned your trip to Venice—now the fun part begins. Where will you stay? What will you see? How will you fill your glorious days in La Serenissima?
Your first step is getting acquainted with the layout of this grand old city. Impossibly situated in an inky lagoon, Venice is made up of six wards, or sestiere. It sounds romantic, although the layout is actually based around tax customs of the 12th century.
If you’re ready to visit the most romantic city in Italy and in the world (forget Paris!), here’s what you need to know about the neighborhoods of Venice.
Best Neighborhoods in Venice Italy: How to Navigate the City
There are two ways to get to Venice—flying into Marco Polo airport or arriving by train at the Santa Lucia station in Cannaregio, one of the six sestiere. The S-shaped Grand Canal, or Canalazzo, snakes through the city, neatly separating the neighborhoods three to a side. The Lido lies to the south of Venice, a sort of barrier island.
If it sounds simple—it is, on paper. In practice? Expect to get lost...in a beautiful way. There’s nothing so exciting, romantic even, than losing yourself in the calli and campi where tourists rarely go to experience the authentic side of this charming city.
There are no cars in Venice; you’ll walk or take water transportation wherever you want to go. Venice’s equivalent of a bus system is the vaporetti, which link the sestiere. They generally ply the Grand Canal and can be very crowded in summer—walking may be the best way to go.
There are also six water taxi stations, although the taxis will pick you up anywhere in the city. They can be quite pricey, however.
Whatever you do, don’t cheat yourself out of at least one private gondola ride in Venice—it’s every bit as romantic and exotic as it looks.
Cannaregio Venice: Local Life, Historic Beauty and the Train Station
Cannaregio stretches from the train station to the Rialto Bridge and includes the Jewish Ghetto, a 500-year-old neighborhood that plays a role in Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice.” This is a quiet, residential neighborhood, unspoiled by much of the tourist crowds in other sestieri.
Cannaregio is marked by a series of fondamente, or canal-front sidewalks, running east to west. The Fondamenta Misericordia is a lovely place to wander in the evening and find a charming osteria to enjoy authentic Italian food and wine.
The magnificent Ca’ D’Oro Palace is located in Cannaregio on the Grand Canal, a 15th century palace open to the public. You can see artwork there by Venetian masters such as Carpaccio, Bellini, and Titian.
Castello Venice: Best Area to Stay for Authentic Venetian Experience
Castello is the largest of the sestiere, stretching from the Rialto Bridge on the west to the Arsenale on the east. It’s one of the quieter neighborhoods; many of the most luxurious hotels are located here.
Via Garibaldi, the widest street in Venice, runs through Castello. Lined with shops and cafes, it’s a lovely place to explore and sample Venetian street food—there’s even an outdoor food and produce market every weekday morning.
If you’d like to visit the islands of Murano and Burano, you can find boats on the Fondamenta Nove to take you there. Castello’s giardini, or gardens, are some of the most beautiful in Venice and extend right to the tip of the island. Speaking of gardens, did you know you can tour Venice's Secret Gardens?
San Marco: Most Famous Region of Venice, Italy
For over a thousand years, San Marco has been the cultural, religious, and political heart of Venice—the largest and by far the most famous of the city’s sestieri. Bounded by Castello and Cannaregio to the east and connected to San Polo by the Rialto Bridge, San Marco is the most visited (and most expensive) of Venice’s neighborhoods. Some of the most prestigious hotels in the city are located here.
St Mark’s Square, Europe’s grand drawing room, is home to Caffe Florian, the most famous Venetian coffee house—definitely treat yourself to a cup of coffee or a glass of prosecco and enjoy the parade of passersby.
The 11th century St. Mark’s Basilica is located in St Mark’s Square, as is its striking bell tower. You can also walk over the Bridge of Sighs here, and explore the Palazzo Ducale, or Doge’s Palace. There’s also wonderful shopping in San Marco—everything from traditional leatherworks and accessories to Italian haute couture.
To fully appreciate the grandeur of San Marco, consider our 4-hour Small Group Venice Tour, which combines the magnificent Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica, and a walking tour through the district's historic streets. You'll discover hidden stories behind every corner while avoiding the usual tourist crowds.
Dorsoduro Venice: Art Lover's Paradise in Venice Italy
Cross the Accademia Bridge from San Marco and you’re in Dorsoduro, where the Accademia Museum and Guggenheim Art Collection is located. It’s a quieter, more authentic neighborhood, known for excellent restaurants and the lovely Fondamenta delle Zattere, which runs along the Giudecca Canal. It’s a breathtakingly picturesque part of Venice—the perfect spot to enjoy a gelato and watch the sun go down.
The Campo Santa Margherita is a popular place to hang out. There’s a lively fish and vegetable market and some of the most interesting nightlife in Venice here. There’s even an accessible gondola workshop in Dorsoduro so you can see how these iconic boats are made.
Want to dive deeper into Venice's rich history? Our Best of Venice Small Group Walking Tour takes you through these historic neighborhoods before culminating at the magnificent St. Mark's Basilica – a perfect way to understand the city's evolution through the centuries.
San Polo Venice: Best Neighborhood for Food Lovers
This is the tiniest of Venice’s sestiere, bordering the Grand Canal, Dorsoduro, and Santa Croce. Don’t let its small size fool you, however—it’s absolutely 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 all of Venice, corners the Rialto Market—grab your camera for some memorable shots of this gothic and Byzantine structure.
For a truly authentic experience, join our Private Hidden Venice Tour that takes you through the bustling Rialto Market and introduces you to the local tradition of cicchetti – Venice's answer to Spanish tapas. You'll discover hidden bacari and learn to eat and drink like a true Venetian
Santa Croce Venice: Hidden Gem Among Venice Italy Areas
Santa Croce is one of the oldest neighborhoods; it sits along the Grand Canal across from the train station and stretches all the way to the Piazzale Roma. It’s less visited by tourists, making it a great neighborhood if you’re curious about what “real life” looks like in Venice.
Ca’ Pesaro, a 17th century palace housing two fascinating art museums with over 30,000 pieces of art, is in Santa Croce, as is the opulent Palazzo Mocenigo with its interesting collection of period costumes.
While vaporetti offer a practical way to navigate the Grand Canal, nothing beats a private boat tour that lets you explore both the majestic Canalazzo and the charming minor canals at your own pace. Our Private Grand Canal & Minor Canals Boat Tour gives you the chance to see Venice from its best angle – the water – while avoiding the crowds and learning about the fascinating history behind each palazzo.
Lido di Venezia: Best Place to Live in Venice Italy for Beach Lovers
The Lido probably doesn’t turn up on many “must-see in Venice” lists, but if you’re looking for something relaxing, charming, and far from the madding crowds in Venice proper—a place where you can ride a bike to the beach for a casual afternoon of sun and sand, dine at family-owned restaurants, and enjoy a bit of peaceful wilderness, the Lido is the place for you.
The island is pursuing a piece of the tourism pie with new initiatives promoting sustainable travel, farm-to-fork cuisine, and authentic experiences. Looking for a place to unwind after a whirlwind tour of Venice? Spend a night or two on the Lido.
Plan Your Perfect Stay in Venice Italy: Let's Create Your Dream Italian Journey
We’ve got some amazing Venice tours and itineraries lined up this summer—get in touch today and let’s put your plans in motion! Not quite ready to talk? Sign up for our free email course to learn everything you need to know about planning your tour of Italy.
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