Overview of the
Venice Districts
Overview of the
Venice Districts
The districts of Venice
and what there is to see there
Venice—meaning the island city itself—is divided into six districts known as Sestieri. Compared with the 150 canals and 400 bridges, the number six seems rather modest.
In truth, Venice isn’t particularly large: the city covers 414.6 km², just over half of which is water. But back to the neighbourhoods… At first glance, the divisions may not be obvious, yet each Sestiere has its own distinct character and contributes to the city’s remarkable cultural diversity.
In the following overview, we describe what makes each Sestiere special and highlight the sights you shouldn’t miss.
What You Really
Need to Know
Venice is the capital of the Metropolitan City of Venice. “The what?” you might be thinking. What exactly is a Metropolitan City?
Let’s approach this from the other end: Venice sits within the region of Veneto. Along the coast lies the Metropolitan City of Venice—a territory far larger than Venice itself. In fact, it covers an area of 2,462 km² and has a population of 836,916 (as of 31 December 2022, according to Wikipedia). Venice is the capital of this wider administrative area.
However, the City of Venice encompasses more than just the historic centre—the old town we usually refer to here. On the mainland are the districts of Mestre, Marghera, Favaro Veneto, Chirignago and Zelarino. Added to these are the islands of Murano, Burano, the Lido, and others. Together with the historic centre, the population stands at 260,520 (2019, Wikipedia).
In this guide, however, we focus exclusively on Venice’s historic old town. It consists of 127 islands and six districts.
Images: from Wikipedia.
The six districts of
Venice's old town
San Marco
San Marco is undoubtedly Venice’s most famous district—unsurprising, given that it is home to the basilica of the same name, the iconic St Mark’s Square, and the Doge’s Palace. This Sestiere is the very heart of the city.
St Mark (San Marco) was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. But why is an entire district named after him? According to legend, in AD 828 Venetian merchants stole the relics of St Mark from Alexandria and brought them to Venice to protect them from Muslim conquerors.
St Mark was subsequently declared the city’s patron saint. In Christian iconography, the evangelist is often represented by a winged lion—a symbol you’ll see not only on Venice’s coat of arms but throughout the city itself.
Castello
Castello is the largest of Venice’s districts. Translated literally, castello means “castle” or “fortress” in Italian—though you won’t actually find one here.
What you will find is the Arsenale, the historic naval shipyard and armoury. While the Arsenale played a crucial role in Venice’s maritime and military power, it was never a castle in the traditional sense. Castello is also home to the Giardini della Biennale, one of the city’s main public parks and a key venue for the Biennale exhibitions, as well as the Basilica of San Pietro di Castello, which served as Venice’s cathedral until the 19th century. You’ll also encounter numerous churches, including San Zaccaria, another important landmark of the district.
Castello receives fewer tourists than many other parts of Venice, which gives it a more authentic, everyday feel. It’s one of the best places to glimpse local life and experience the quieter side of the city.
Cannaregio
Cannaregio is the longest yet, in terms of surface area, the smallest of Venice’s six Sestieri. Lively and full of character, the district is lined with shops and restaurants, blending everyday local life with the bustle of tourism.
This is also where you’ll find Santa Lucia railway station. If you walk north from there, crossing the Ponte delle Guglie, you’ll enter the Jewish Quarter. Historically, Cannaregio was the centre of Venice’s Jewish community, and traces of this rich cultural heritage remain today: synagogues, the Jewish Museum of Venice, and the historic Jewish Ghetto. In fact, Venice’s Jewish Ghetto, established in the 16th century, was the first in Europe.
Near the church of Santa Maria Assunta, you’ll also find the Fondamente Nove “C” vaporetto stop—your departure point for boat trips to Murano and Burano.
Dorsoduro
Located south of San Marco, Dorsoduro is known for its art galleries, universities, and lively student scene.
The name Dorsoduro literally means “hard back.” Hard, however, is the last thing this district feels like. Its many aperitivo bars, osterie, and gelaterias create a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.
The district’s distinctive name actually comes from its slightly elevated position compared with other parts of the city. Here you’ll find landmarks such as the Church of Santa Maria della Salute, one of the two Leonardo da Vinci museums, and the Punta della Dogana. Art lovers will also enjoy the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the Accademia, and the Pinault Collection at Punta della Dogana.
San Polo
San Polo is best known for the Rialto Market and the Rialto Bridge. It is also home to the other Leonardo da Vinci Museum—in our opinion, the best one we’ve ever visited!
This district is a bustling commercial hub, with not only souvenir shops and restaurants but also numerous small businesses.
The name San Polo honours Saint Paul (San Paolo in Italian). The churches of San Polo and San Giacomo di Rialto, both located here, are among the oldest in Venice. Historically, the district’s location on the Grand Canal and at the Rialto Market made it the city’s economic and commercial heart.
Santa Croce
Santa Croce may remind some visitors of Florence, but it lies to the west of San Polo here in Venice.
It is the only Sestiere not directly bordering the Grand Canal. The name Santa Croce translates to “Holy Cross” in Italian.
From a tourist perspective, the district offers relatively little beyond the Church of San Giacomo dell’Orio and the Scuola Grande di San Rocco. Yet many visitors still pass through daily, as Piazzale Roma, Venice’s main transport hub, is located here. This is where you’ll find the cruise terminal, bus station, and a large car park—since cars are only allowed to go this far.
We hope you have the opportunity to explore each district of Venice at your leisure. Walk through the alleys with open eyes to discover its unique charm.
Text and image rights: © Céline Mülich, 2023–2026
With support from Susanne Vukan.
Exception: Image rights for Wikipedia maps
Region Veneto: Author: TUBS, Wikipedia
Metropolitan City of Venice: Author: NordNordWest, Wikipedia
City of Venice: Public domain, Wikipedia
Districts of Venice’s historic city center: Old Town Islands_Venicewiki by Tschubby
other
Tips for Venice
Public Transportation
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Routes through Venice
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Islands and canals
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Parks in Venice
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Churches of Venice
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