Dorsoduro Tours
Most visitors to Venice head directly to the San Marco district, but if you want to enjoy the quieter side of the city, don’t miss Dorsoduro. Home to important art collections, excellent restaurants, beautiful churches, and impressive architecture, the neighborhood has it all—with a fraction of the crowds.
The Basics
Dorsoduro, one of the six Venetian districts (sestieri) in the city center, is located just across the Grand Canal from the more touristy San Marco. Walk across the wooden Accademia Bridge and along the canal to the Gallerie dell’Accademia—home to masterpieces by Titian, Tiepolo, and Veronese—and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, famous for its modern art. The 18th-century Ca' Rezzonico museum is one of the most sumptuous in the city, and the Church of San Sebastiano and Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute are among the most ornate.
To really get a feel for Dorsoduro, join a walking tour led by a local guide who’s familiar with the district’s big-name landmarks and secret corners. Pair a Dorsoduro tour with a gondola ride or a Venice highlights tour that includes St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Tours of Dorsoduro require a bit of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and a sun hat.
- Because of the thinner crowds and outdoor spaces, the Dorsoduro district is easier to manage with kids.
- This district is known for its excellent restaurants serving traditional Venetian cuisine and cafés serving cicchetti, or Venetian-style tapas.
- If you’re looking to take an evening stroll, Fondamento della Zattere (along the Giudecca Canal) and the Campo Santa Margherita square are both great destinations at night.
How to Get There
Dorsoduro, just across the Grand Canal from San Marco, is easily reached by walking over the Accademia Bridge.
When to Get There
With views of San Marco to one side and the island of Giudecca to the other, Dorsoduro is particularly beautiful at night, just as the sun is setting. Plan to tour its sights by day and then linger at its restaurants and cafés after dark.
Venice's Six Sestieri
Venice has six districts—Castello, Cannaregio, Dorsoduro, San Marco, Santa Croce, and San Polo—in addition to the outlying districts of Lido and Giudecca and Lido and the islands of Torcello, Murano, and Burano.
Address: Sestiere di Dorsoduro, Venezia 30100, Italy
23 Tours and Activities to Experience Dorsoduro
Sort by:Featured
Venice Canal Cruise: 2-Hour Grand Canal and Secret Canals Semi-Private tour
Discover Venice’s hidden gems on a 2-hour cruise through the city’s secret canals. Watch scenes of daily Venetian life as you glide through the lesser-known neighborhoods of Cannaregio, Dorsoduro and the Jewish Ghetto. A guide will share insight into the city’s history, architecture and local legends. For a grand finale, head out into the wider waters of the Grand Canal and float beneath the iconic Rialto Bridge. Numbers are limited to nine people on this small-group tour for a more intimate experience.
…More
From
$141.26
Price varies by group size
From
$141.26
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Accademia Gallery and Sestiere Dorsoduro private tour
Enjoy a private tour to visit the most important and famous museum in Venice, the Accademia Galleries. Inside, you'll see the extraordinary collection of Venetian paintings created between the 14th and 18th centuries by great masters who made the history of European painting. You can admire works belonging to the Byzantine art, to the Gothic period, until you meet the Renaissance artists such as Bellini, Giorgione, Tintoretto and Carpaccio and the 1600 "landscape artists" such as Longhi, Canaletto, Guardi.
The Galleries of the Accademia also host the "Vitruvian Man", the famous pencil drawing made by Leonardo da Vinci at the end of the 15th century. Because of its inestimable value, the work is exhibited only on rare occasions.
At the end of the tour, you'll have the chance to walk, with your guide, around the "artistic" Dorsoduro district "Sestiere Dorsoduro". There, you'll see the most representative spots such as Campo Santa Margherita, Fondamenta Zattere and Campo San Barnaba.
…More
From
$181.18
Price varies by group size
From
$181.18
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Underground Venice
Beneath Venice’s waterfront palazzos, palaces, and churches lies an underground crypt filled with skulls and a mysterious painted skeleton. This walking tour takes you into the depths beneath Venice, where your guide will show you the hidden tomb—complete with religious frescoes and dark recesses. Then, explore two Venetian districts and learn about the city’s dark history of curses, revenge, and mysterious apparitions.
…More
From
$52.65
From
$52.65
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Regular temperature checks for staff
Private tour of the Peggy Guggenheim collection and Dorsoduro
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is one of the most modern art museums in Italy. You can enjoy a much richer experience visiting the collection with this private tour. After exploring the Dorsoduro district, your Venetian art historian will take you to the museum to see works by Picasso, Mirò, Max Ernst, Dali, and more, and learn all about Guggenheim's life.
…More
From
$244.43
per group
From
$244.43
per group
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Watercolors in Venice: painting class with famous artist
Take a break from the usual sightseeing and snapping photos in Venice with this special experience that allows you to be an artist for the day. A local Venetian artist takes you to find the ideal corner of the city to paint, where you can create your own artwork with watercolors.
…More
From
$98.14
From
$98.14
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
60 Minute Private Vacation Photography Session with Local Photographer in Venice
Flytographer 60 Minute Vacation Photoshoot
Connect with a local professional photographer in Venice and capture your most memorable moments during this private photoshoot. Get insider tips on the best things to do in Venice, including where to eat and what to see from your vacation photographer. Return from your trip with beautiful, high-quality, vacation photos.
The best souvenir ever.
…More
From
$350.00
per group
From
$350.00
per group
90 Minute Private Vacation Photography Session with Local Photographer in Venice
Flytographer 90 Minute Vacation Photoshoot
Connect with a local professional photographer in Venice and capture your most memorable moments during this private photoshoot. Get insider tips on the best things to do in Venice, including where to eat and what to see from your vacation photographer. Return from your trip with beautiful, high-quality, vacation photos.
The best souvenir ever.
…More
From
$577.45
per group
From
$577.45
per group
120 Minute Private Vacation Photography Session with Local Photographer in Venice
There is no more dazzling backdrop than Venice, and with this private photoshoot you can capture the magic of your visit with the help of a professional photographer. Meet up for a walk through the city, posing at iconic spots like St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge, as well as quiet corners known only to locals. You’ll receive dozens of images after your shoot as a unique memento of your trip.
…More
From
$750.68
per group
From
$750.68
per group
Libertine Venice, a walk in the lesser known city
Unusual visit to Venice to discover the history of illustrious and scandalous journeys: Veronica Franco, Bianca Cappello, Pietro Aretino, Giacomo Casanova, Lord Byron. The visit to the most secret places of Venice will allow you to discover an intimate and secret Venice, crossing the ancient district of the Venetian courtesans
…More
From
$42.99
From
$42.99
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
A Venetian Aperitif on The Lagoon
Take a break from walking the streets of Venice and board a traditional topa boat for a more relaxing experience. Soak up the views of Venice from the outer lagoon and its islands as you sip a glass of prosecco, beer, or wine and snack on Venetian-style tapas.
…More
From
$63.17
From
$63.17
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Friendinvenice Venice at sunset
In the evening the city is finally for us.
The hasty tourists who decide to visit it, for a few hours, are gone .. and we can finally discover it by mixing with the Venetians they love before going home to take a spritz with their friends .. so let's start with a spritz, maybe in a place where I can amaze you, a place you would never have found without me. Then we will continue with our walk. Visiting Venice means dedicating days to deepening its traditions and its culture; in reality it would take weeks to fully enjoy its atmosphere,. In the Dorsoduro district, one of the most fascinating districts in the city, full of beauty and opportunities; we can immerse ourselves in this atmosphere.
Dorsoduro, once stood in a not very marshy area and therefore considered much more stable than the others. Come on, I hope I can make you feel real Venetians.
…More
From
$122.83
From
$122.83
Gondola Ride with violinist and champagne
Venice is one of the most romantic cities in the world, with its palace-lined canals and warren of twisting lanes. Take the romance to the next level with this private gondola ride through the picturesque canals of Dorsoduro district. Float through the heart of the city to take in the views while enjoying a violin serenade and sipping champagne.
…More
From
$1,052.85
per group
From
$1,052.85
per group
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Secret Gardens of Venice Walking Tour
Discover the gardens and greenery of Venice on a group walking tour. Taking place in the late afternoon, the tour showcases another side to Venice, away from the main sights and crowds. Explore areas such as Dorsoduro and San Barbara, and check out some of the city’s hideaway treasures including enchanting gardens, courtyards, and open spaces.
…More
From
$256.64
Price varies by group size
From
$256.64
Price varies by group size
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Regular temperature checks for staff
Private guided tour of Venice film locations
The tour will take through the movie settings of a number of great movies shot in Venice, especially in Dorsoduro. The settings include Campo San Barnaba, Zenobio Palace, Campo Santo Stefano and Fondamenta Zattere and Santa Maria della Salute.
…More
From
$156.61
Price varies by group size
From
$156.61
Price varies by group size
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regular temperature checks for staff
Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
Walk around Venetian shipyards and traditional lagoon boats
Discover the squeri, the shipyard where traditional lagoon boats are built in the city that has been built to be navigated around.
Enter the world of Venetian squeri, small boatyards where expert craftsmen build and repair wooden boats. These activities are just as ancient as Venice itself, everything is still the way it used to be. Just a few steps away from the usual tourist routes, let’s meet the last master boat builders that pass on the art of building gondolas and all other typical lagoon boats.
A city born on water implies another logical consequence: the use of the "forcola" the venetian oarlock used for rowing in the venetian way.
Be enchanted by the care and patience characterizing these professions carrying on such an ancient tradition.
Walk around discovering lagoon boats moored on canal banks, ending up on a gondola ferry experiencing it is still a useful mean of transportation for local residents of this floating city.
…More
From
$61.29
Price varies by group size
From
$61.29
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Private Tour: Personal Travel Photographer Tour in Venice
Avoid the hassle of pestering strangers to take your vacation photos and the disappointment of coming home with low-quality snaps by booking your own professional photographer. Customize your route through Venice to ensure that you get the images you want and receive the images within five days later.
…More
From
$222.11
per group
From
$222.11
per group
Private Two Hours Venice Photo Walk
Touring a new city can be a very exciting experience, but it can also be quite an adventure if you are unsure of which places to visit and how. Language barrier may also represent a curious obstacle but it can also be frustrating. We offer an innovative and unforgettable Photographic Tours to welcome you in some of the most fascinating and romantic places in the world. We will guide you in an exclusive tour through the most interesting landmarks and monuments.
A 2 hours one-to-one photo walk discovering hidden and secluded parts of Venice, without forgetting the famous landmarks, while taking great shots and with a one-to-one tuition to improve your photography skills!
The tour is one-to-one so there will be just you or accompanied by your family/friends.
The Tour can be tailor-made based on your interests and expectations, can be more Photography workshop vs Venice less touristy Tour:
…More
From
$110.55
Price varies by group size
From
$110.55
Price varies by group size
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Private Photo Session with a Local Photographer in Venice
Want to capture your amazing honeymoon? Family vacation while the kids are still little? Your perfect couples retreat from everyday busy life? A solo trip without asking strangers to take pictures of you? Stop searching, we got you here!
We are the largest network of local vacation photographers in the world! Besides Venice, we operate in over 700 destinations worldwide! We always make sure that every special moment of each client is captured well.
We believe in our service and quality of our photos so much that we even offer a 100% money back satisfaction guarantee for your photo shoot. Which means, if you don’t like the result of your photo shoot, you can contact us within 7 days and claim your money back!
So what are you waiting for? Become one of our hundreds of happy customers by treating yourself to this special experience! Your family and friends will love the result too!
…More
From
$290.48
per group
From
$290.48
per group
Guildes and Trades extenal gondola lab
A different approach to Venice, not by its monuments and worldwide known highlights, but discovering its daily present and past life aspects.
…More
From
$140.83
Price varies by group size
From
$140.83
Price varies by group size
Venice street food walking tour
Escape the crowds in Venice and discover some of the city’s delicious typical foods on an evening food and walking tour. Head to the Dorsoduro district, known to locals for its great bacaris (old bars) and tasty selection of ‘cicchetti’—appetizers that often feature fresh fish. Sample several small dishes accompanied by a glass of wine, and learn about the culture and history of Venice along the way.
…More
From
$85.98
From
$85.98
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Legends & Mysteries: Venice by Night
An exclusive tour discovering the legends & mysteries of Venice.
Where did the "hangman" live?
Who was the "Biasio" of Venice?
Where are the ghosts palaces?
Who was the "Doctor of the plague"?
The city you would have never known without us!
We cannot tell you anything now.. this tour is indeed a real mystery until you do it!
…More
From
$110.55
Price varies by group size
From
$110.55
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Venice Tour of the Main Highlights from Milan with a Local Top-rated Guide
Are you spending your Italian Holidays in Milan and do you wish to get lost in the mystery and history of The City Of Bridges? Great!Catch the first fast train leaving from Milan in the early morning and enjoy your trip to Venice!
Lose yourself in a 4 hour walking tour in this magic city!
Let’s start discovering Cannaregio district and Jewish Ghetto with you expert local guide, along the way up to San Marco Square you will pass by Campo Santa Maria Formosa and Campo San Giovanni e Paolo and you will find out the Marco Polo’s House . Diving into the majesty of San Marco Square while your guide will involve you in its fascinating history. Strolling through the calli and bridges you will admire La Fenice Theatre, San Panthalon Church and much more getting back to Santa Lucia train station!
…More
From
$315.86
Price varies by group size
From
$315.86
Price varies by group size
Taking safety measures
Venice Private Photo Shoot
Celebrate a special occasion or simply experience Venice in a unique way by capturing the authentic and beautiful surroundings, and your best angles, thanks to your personal photographer.
Be guided to the best spots where you will create picture postcard scenes to take home on your SD card straight after your photo shoot.
…More
From
$322.43
per group
From
$322.43
per group
Things to do near Venice
- Things to do in Veneto
- Things to do in Treviso
- Things to do in Padua
- Things to do in Vicenza
- Things to do in Ferrara
- Things to do in Piran
- Things to do in Porec
- Things to do in Bologna
- Things to do in Ljubljana
- Things to do in Florence
- Things to do in Innsbruck
- Things to do in Milan
- Things to do in Pisa
- Things to do in Istria
- Things to do in Friuli-Venezia Giulia