Dorsoduro: gondola yard, tramezzini and student squares: a walk in Venice

From the Accademia past the San Trovaso gondola yard and the Zattere, into the university quarter with its campi, pastry shops and Tintoretto's great hall.

Best time: Late morning to early evening

The route, stop by stop

1
Gallerie dell'Accademia
Venetian painting; allow 90 min if going in.
The core collection of Venetian painting from the 1300s to the 1700s: Bellini, Giorgione's Tempest, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese's huge Feast in the House of Levi, Carpaccio.
2
Squero di San Trovaso
Watch the gondola yard from across the canal; 10 min.
A historic gondola yard where gondolas are still repaired; the best view is from the opposite bank with a glass from Al Squero or gia Schiavi.
3
Cantine del Vino gia Schiavi
Crostini and a spritz at the counter; 20 min.
A 19th-century wine shop and bacaro facing the San Trovaso gondola yard; the counter is lined with crostini (tuna and leek, baccala, pumpkin) at bargain prices.
4
Zattere Promenade
Stroll the sunny waterfront facing Giudecca; 15 min.
The sunny southern waterfront of Dorsoduro facing Giudecca, where Venetians stroll, sit on the rafts of the cafes and watch sunsets.
5
Bar alla Toletta
Tramezzino lunch; 15 min.
Old-school bar known across the city for its tramezzini, the soft crustless Venetian sandwiches, with adventurous fillings made fresh through the day.
6
Ca' Rezzonico
18th-century Venice palace; 60 min optional.
The civic museum of 18th-century Venice in a Longhena palace on the Grand Canal: Tiepolo ceilings, Guardi and Longhi paintings, ballroom and Murano chandeliers.
7
Campo Santa Margherita
The students' campo; 15 min.
A long, less touristy square near Ca' Foscari university with restaurants, wine bars and gelaterias reflecting local life; after dark it fills with students.
8
Pasticceria Tonolo
Cream puff at the counter; 10 min.
The neighbourhood pastry shop Venetians queue at on Sunday morning, known for cream puffs and traditional Venetian sweets.
9
San Pantalon Church
Look up at the giant ceiling canvas; 10 min.
A plain brick facade hides what Spotted by Locals calls the world's largest canvas painting: Fumiani's ceiling that seems to open the church to the sky. Tourists heading to the…
10
Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Tintoretto's cycle; 60 min.
A confraternity hall covered floor to ceiling with more than 50 canvases by Tintoretto; the upper hall is often called Venice's Sistine Chapel.
11
Basilica dei Frari
Titian's Assumption; 40 min.
The great Franciscan Gothic church holds Titian's Assumption over the high altar, his Pesaro Madonna, and a Bellini triptych in the sacristy.

Walking directions

Dorsoduro: gondola yard, tramezzini and student squares

The route, stop by stop

More walks in Venice