City Guide Venice

Venice city guide and information on the six-districts of Venice that include San Marco, San Polo, Castello, Cannaregio, Dorsoduro & Santa Croce.

Venice is one giant open-air museum, and boasts the largest historical centre in Italy. Make sure when you visit the city of Venice that you don't miss the opportunity to experience the many diverse attractions & districts this city offers to its visitors.

Divided in two by the Grand Canal, the districts of Cannaregio, Castello and San Marco occupy the northern part of the historical center of Venice, while to the south of the Grand Canal we find the Santa Croce, San Polo and Dorsoduro districts. The Dorsoduro district also incorporates the Island of Giudecca. Each of the six sestiere has its own unique character and specific attractions: keep reading to know all the places to visit in Venice!

Please refer to the indvidual guides of each of these districts for further information on the different areas of Venice

Guide of San Marco, Venice

This area is certainly one of the best places to visit in Venice. The oldest and most visited part of Venice boasts Piazza San Marco and it's famous landmarks that include St. Marks Basilica, the Doges Palace, Bridge of Sighs, St. Marks Bell Tower, La Fenice Opera House, along with some of the main shopping areas of the city.

Guide of San Polo, Venice

San Polo is one of the most endearing parts of Venice. Seldom visited by tourists it's made up of a labyrinth of back streets and meandering canals that boast some of the most photogenic and romantic parts of the Hidden Venice that includes such attractions as the Frari Church, Rialto Market and the Scuola di San Rocco. The places to visit in Venice are certainly not lacking!

Guide of Dorsoduro, Venice

The Dorsoduro district of Venice lies on the opposite side of the Grand Canal from the district of San Marco connected by the Accademia bridge that spans the Grand Canal. This tranquil part of the city boasts a delightful promenade from where you can enjoy delightful views of the Grand Canal, Guidecca Canal and Bay of San marco. Tourist attractions in the Dorsoduro include the Peggy Guggenheimer Museum, Accademia Gallery, & the lively Campo Santa Margherita.

Guide of Santa Croce, Venice

The least visited of all of the districts of Venice, located near the main bus terminal and railway station of Venice, Santa Croce is another charming area of the Hidden Venice to explore. As you wonder through its narrow alleyways you'll encounter numerous attractions that include the Ca' Pesaro modern art museum, the Fondaco dei Turchi ( a merchants warehouse dating from the medieval times), as well as numerous artisan workshops waiting to be discovered.

Guide of Cannaregio, Venice

Another part that is surely one of the best places to visit in Venice! Home to the Jewish Ghetto, the Cannaregio district of Venice is one of the few areas of the city where the locals still live. It boasts numerous fine restaurants, including the highest concentration of Ethnic restaurants in Venice, some spectacular views of the Venetian lagoon and distant mountains, as well as some very delightful and diverse churches of Venice.

Guide of Castello, Venice

Home to the original Cathedral of Venice, the Castello district of Venice is named after the previous fortifications that use to protect this part of the city from raids by pirates. Nowadays, it's more famous for bi-annual modern art festival called the Biennale, along with the old ship yards of the Venetian republic known as the Arsenale with its naval museum and the open spaces of the public gardens from where you can admire distant views of the Lido it's a relaxing part of the city.