A Guide to Venice’s Neighborhoods: Best Areas to Stay and Explore

by Cindi H. Fries, Max Travel Abroad LLC

Venice Sestieri Districts

A Guide to Venice’s Neighborhoods: Best Areas to Stay and Explore

Venice is a vehicle free, pedestrian only city of 121 islands connected by 435 bridges, forming a labyrinth of canals and well lit alleyways. It’s divided into six districts, or sestieri, each with its own character. 

For an authentic and comfortable stay, consider staying in either Dorsoduro, San Polo, Cannaregio, or parts of Castello. I don’t like heavy tourist crowds, so I don’t recommend San Marco and Santa Croce sestieri due to heavy crowds. I also suggest that you skip staying in Giudecca or Lido if you want easy access to Venice’s main attractions. 

Venice is a fish. No, really—look at an ariel photo or a map of Venice and you’ll see it, mouth open, eating an oyster. 

Venice is a fish eating an oyster!

No matter the district you choose, be cautious about booking a hotel directly on the Grand Canal—it’s a bustling waterway that can be noisy with deliveries,  unless the windows are soundproofed.

Here’s the breakdown of each district:

St. Mark's Square, San Marco Sestierie

San Marco: The Beating (Tourist) Heart

This is Venice’s political and historical center, home to St. Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace, and the iconic basilica. Expect elegant palazzi, world-famous sights, and plenty of crowds. It’s picturesque, and a must-see for sure—but unless you enjoy waking up to throngs of elbow-to-elbow tourists, it’s not the best place to stay overnight.

What’s here: 

St. Mark’s Square, Basilica di San Marco, Doge’s Palace, La Fenice Theatre, Palazzo Grassi, Harry’s Bar.

Vibe: 

Grand, iconic, historic, and packed with tourists.

Hidden Gem Tip: 

Skip the €15 cappuccino in the square and head to Pasticceria Marchini Time, a tiny, no-frills pastry shop where actual Venetians get their morning caffeine fix.

Cannaregio: Venice’s Local Soul

Cannaregio Sestierie

Once home to Venice’s historic Jewish Ghetto, Cannaregio is a district of quiet canals, lively local spots, and a more relaxed pace than the tourist-packed center. It’s where many Venetians actually live, giving it an authentic atmosphere with charming neighborhood cafes, artisan shops, and a buzzing aperitivo scene. While Strada Nova—the main thoroughfare—is busy with day-trippers, the side streets and canal fronts quickly become peaceful, offering a glimpse into everyday Venetian life.

What’s here: 

The Jewish Ghetto, Ca’ d’Oro, Fondamenta della Misericordia (great for cicchetti and wine bars), Madonna dell’Orto Church (Tintoretto’s parish church), Campo dei Mori.

Vibe: 

Authentic, local, and pleasantly laid-back.

Hidden Gem Tip: 

Take a stroll along Fondamenta degli Ormesini in the evening, where locals gather at small bars and restaurants for aperitivo along the canal—without the crowds of San Marco.

Dorsoduro: The Cool Kid with an Art Habit

This is Venice’s artsy, bohemian district—Dorsoduro sestieri is the home to universities, galleries, and a Venetian dose of nightlife. By day, you’ll find art lovers swooning over Renaissance masterpieces at the Accademia or modernist works at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. By night, with a mix of students, locals, and a few tourists “in the know,” take over Campo Santa Margherita, hopping between lively bars that actually stay open past 10 p.m. (a rarity in Venice).

What’s here:

Accademia Gallery is in Dorsoduro neighborhood, along with the Peggy Guggenheim art museum, Punta della Dogana, Campo Santa Margherita (the best nightlife in town), Squero di San Trovaso, a traditional gondola workshop.

Vibe:

Hip, artsy, with a mix of high end establishments and Mom & Pop Venetian stores.

Hidden Gem Tip:

Pop into Cantine del Vino già Schiavi, a hole-in-the-wall wine bar serving up the best cicchetti (Venetian tapas) in town. You’ll be rubbing elbows with locals, and just a few tourists (its hard to escape the tourists in Venice).

Santa Croce: The Underrated Underdog

Santa Croce doesn’t get the love it deserves, and honestly, that’s fine. It’s the least touristy district in Venice, meaning you can actually find a quiet canal-side bench without someone waving a selfie stick in your face. It’s home to some fascinating history—like the massive Fondaco dei Turchi, a former Turkish trading post turned natural history museum—but it’s mostly a place to wander, stumble into an old-school trattoria, and just soak up real Venice.

What’s here:

San Giacomo dell’Orio (a charming, local square), Fondaco dei Turchi (Venice’s natural history museum), Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista.

Vibe:

Sleepy, residential, and criminally underrated.

Hidden Gem Tip:

Head to Osteria La Zucca, a small, veggie-forward trattoria where even carnivores admit the pumpkin flan is life-changing.

San Polo: The Compact Powerhouse

San Polo is tiny, but it punches above its weight. Home to the Rialto Market, this is where you’ll find Venice’s best food scene, from fresh seafood stalls to family-run bacari (wine bars). It’s also got serious historical clout—this is one of the oldest parts of Venice, packed with Gothic churches and hidden courtyards. Sure, it’s a little touristy near the Rialto Bridge, but wander a few streets away, and you’ll hit quiet back alleys that feel worlds apart

What’s here:

Rialto Market, Basilica dei Frari (Titian’s tomb is here), Scuola Grande di San Rocco (Tintoretto went wild on the frescoes), Campo San Polo.

Vibe:

Small but mighty. A mix of history, food, and lively markets.

Hidden Gem Tip:

Grab a sandwich and a glass of wine at Al Mercà, a tiny, standing-room-only bacaro near the Rialto. It’s simple, cheap, and beloved by locals.

Castello: The Neighborhood that Keeps it Real

Venice’s largest and least touristy sestiere, Castello is where you go to escape the crowds and see what’s left of authentic Venetian life. The further east you go, the quieter it gets, until you reach the Arsenale, Venice’s historic shipyard. This is where Venice built the naval fleet that once dominated the Mediterranean, and while the shipyard itself isn’t open to the public, you can wander its atmospheric surroundings. Castello is also home to the Biennale, Venice’s world-famous art exhibition, so expect to see a mix of locals, artists, and in-the-know travelers.

What’s here:

Arsenale, the Biennale Gardens, Biennale, Basilica di San Pietro di Castello (Venice’s original cathedral), Via Garibaldi (a lively, local shopping street).

Vibe:

Gritty, historic, and wonderfully untouristy.

Hidden Gem Tip:

Walk out to the island of San Pietro and visit the quiet, little-known Basilica di San Pietro di Castello. It was Venice’s cathedral before St. Mark’s took over, and you’ll likely have it all to yourself.

Outlying Islands That Are Part of Venice

These islands are under the jurisdiction of the City of Venice, but are not part of the six sestieri. They each have their own unique identity:

Giudecca – A long island just across the Giudecca Canal from Dorsoduro. It's quiet, residential, and historically working-class, with great views of the city and some top restaurants.

Lido – A long, narrow island that separates the Venetian Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. It’s home to beaches, residential areas, and the famous Venice Film Festival.

Murano – Famous for its glass making tradition and where the Venetian glass furnaces are located. It’s a collection of small islands linked by bridges and canals, just like Venice proper.

Burano – Known for its brightly colored houses and lace-making. It has a more small-village feel and is very photogenic.

Torcello – One of the islands the furthest distance from Venice city, a peaceful, nearly abandoned terra firma island (not man made like many of Venice’s islands) 

Max Travel Abroad Tip: On Torcello, don’t miss the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta — dating back to 639 AD, it’s the oldest church in the Venetian lagoon and holds some of the most breathtaking mosaics in Italyl

Want more advice about Venice?

Read Max Travel Abroad post about What to know before you arrive - Venice for tips and advice for getting oriented to Venice and more!

Final Thoughts: Pick Your Sestiere Wisely

Venice isn’t just one big postcard—it’s a collection of neighborhoods, each with its own quirks. If you want to be in the thick of it, San Marco is your spot (just bring patience and deep pockets). If you want a more local experience, Cannaregio, Dorsoduro, or Castello are where it’s at. And if you want to feel like you have Venice all to yourself? Santa Croce is waiting.

Wherever you stay, just remember: the best way to experience Venice is to get lost in it. The tourists will never leave St. Mark’s Square—but you can.

Max Travel Abroad is ready to help you plan your trip to Venice with tips on finding the hidden gems and how to stay off the people highway.