Anthony C. —Canada
The Dorsoduro neighborhood is beautiful and a bit less crowded than the touristy areas. We loved seeing a quieter, more local part of Venice. Our guide was really engaging. A really enjoyable tour overall
Dorsoduro Quarter Highlights Private Guided Tour
Private
On raphaeltours.com we mainly offer private experiences. This means that the tour is not shared with other guests and can always be tailored to your needs upon request.
Group photos taken during our tours are property of Raphael Tours and Events. Unauthorized usage outside of this website is strictly prohibited.
Tour Description
Discover Venice’s authentic Dorsoduro district on a private tour. See Ca’ Dario, Peggy Guggenheim’s palace, cross the Accademia Bridge, and optionally ride a gondola or visit the Accademia Galleries.
Key Information
- Experience Private, Walking
- Guided by Licensed national tour guide
- Duration 2.5 hours
- Starting times (Customizable) Morning, Afternoon, Evening
- Languages English, Italian, Spanish, French, German
- Pickup available Upon request
Highlights
- Explore the authentic Dorsoduro district, often missed by classic tours
- Admire the mysterious Ca’ Dario (Palazzo Dario) with its legendary dark history
- Visit the site of the Fondamenta degli Incurabili, a Renaissance orphanage and music school
- Discover places once frequented by Ernest Hemingway, including the historic Harry’s Bar
- Marvel at the Palazzo Contarini-Fasan, linked to Shakespeare’s Othello
- Enjoy hidden streets, lively squares, local color, and authentic Venetian charm
- Option to add a romantic gondola ride through quiet back canals
- Cross the Accademia Bridge with stunning Grand Canal views
- Optional visit to the Accademia Galleries, home to Renaissance masterpieces
Itinerary
- 1 1
Meet Your Guide
Begin your tour in the heart of Dorsoduro, one of Venice’s most authentic and artistic districts, away from the busiest crowds.
- 2 2
Accademia Bridge & Galleries (optional)
Cross the beautiful Accademia Bridge, one of the city’s most iconic crossings, and enjoy sweeping views of the Grand Canal. If you wish, step inside the Accademia Galleries to admire masterpieces by Venetian masters such as Bellini, Carpaccio, Veronese, and Tintoretto.
- 3 3
Ca’ Dario (Palazzo Dario)
Admire this Renaissance palace shrouded in legends of mystery and misfortune. Your guide will reveal the chilling stories of its ill-fated owners.
- 4 4
Fondamenta degli Incurabili
Stroll along this historic canal bank, once home to a Renaissance hospital and orphanage that trained orphans as musicians, leaving a lasting cultural mark on Venice.
- 5 5
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Pause outside the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, home to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, one of the world’s leading collections of modern art, while enjoying its unique location on the Grand Canal.
- 6 6
Palazzo Contarini-Fasan
See the ornate palace traditionally linked to Shakespeare’s tragic heroine Desdemona, offering a glimpse into Venetian legends and literary history.
- 7 7
Hemingway’s Venice
Pass by the legendary Harry’s Bar, once frequented by Ernest Hemingway, a favorite spot for a glass of Prosecco.
- 8 8
Optional Gondola Ride
End your tour with the option to glide through Venice’s quiet back canals on a romantic gondola ride—the perfect way to experience the city’s timeless atmosphere.
Tour Gallery
A collection of photos showcasing the tour experience and destinations
Group photos taken during our tours are property of Raphael Tours and Events. Unauthorized usage outside of this website is strictly prohibited.
Full Description
Step off the beaten path and explore the “other” side of the Grand Canal in the romantic and authentic Dorsoduro district. Often overlooked by visitors, this charming sestiere offers winding alleyways, hidden passages, lively local squares, and a colorful mix of art galleries, cafés, and Venetian culture. With our professional guide, you’ll gain an intimate glimpse into a side of Venice few tourists experience.
Admire the mysterious Ca’ Dario (Palazzo Dario), a striking Renaissance palace with a legendary history of misfortune surrounding its past owners. Cross the elegant Accademia Bridge, one of Venice’s most scenic viewpoints, and enjoy breathtaking panoramas of the Grand Canal. You’ll also have the option to visit the world-famous Accademia Galleries, home to masterpieces by Bellini, Carpaccio, Veronese, and Tintoretto.
Continue along the Fondamenta degli Incurabili, once home to a Renaissance hospital and orphanage, where young musicians received world-class training. As you stroll, discover places once beloved by Ernest Hemingway, including the historic Harry’s Bar, and marvel at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection housed in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, an elegant palace with stunning views of the Grand Canal. You’ll also encounter the romantic Palazzo Contarini-Fasan, traditionally linked to Shakespeare’s tragic heroine Desdemona in Othello.
For a truly Venetian touch, you may choose to add an optional gondola ride through quiet back canals. Glide past ancient palaces in a serene, intimate atmosphere as your gondolier rows you through Venice’s timeless waterways.
What is included
Included
- Private professional guide with in-depth local knowledge
- Recommendations for cafés, restaurants, and galleries in Dorsoduro
Not included
- Meals, snacks, and drinks
- Entry tickets to museums or galleries (e.g., Peggy Guggenheim, optional)
- Gondola ride (available as an optional add-on)
- Gratuities for the guide (optional)
Reviews
Rating: 5 / 5
Based on 1 reviews
Book Dorsoduro Quarter Highlights Private Guided Tour
Dorsoduro Quarter Highlights Private Guided Tour
Private
On raphaeltours.com we mainly offer private experiences. This means that the tour is not shared with other guests and can always be tailored to your needs upon request.
Starting at
95 €
111 $
82 £
155 CA$
170 A$
per person See also in Venice, Italy
Secrets of St. Mark’s Basilica Private Guided Tour
3 hoursSpiritual and Religious Tours
Private
On raphaeltours.com we mainly offer private experiences. This means that the tour is not shared with other guests and can always be tailored to your needs upon request.
(5)
from 95 € per person
from 111 $ per person
from 82 £ per person
from 155 CA$ per person
from 170 A$ per person
Venice Rialto Street Food Tour and Guided Sightseeing
2.5 hoursFood and Wine Tours
Private
On raphaeltours.com we mainly offer private experiences. This means that the tour is not shared with other guests and can always be tailored to your needs upon request.
(20)
from 49 € per person
from 57 $ per person
from 43 £ per person
from 80 CA$ per person
from 88 A$ per person
Best of Venice in a Day Private Guided Tour of Highlights
6 hoursSightseeing Tours
Private
On raphaeltours.com we mainly offer private experiences. This means that the tour is not shared with other guests and can always be tailored to your needs upon request.
(1)
from 265 € per person
from 309 $ per person
from 230 £ per person
from 434 CA$ per person
from 475 A$ per person
Venice Doge's Palace Private Guided Tour
3 hoursMuseum Tours
Private
On raphaeltours.com we mainly offer private experiences. This means that the tour is not shared with other guests and can always be tailored to your needs upon request.
(14)
from 89 € per person
from 104 $ per person
from 77 £ per person
from 146 CA$ per person
from 159 A$ per person
Venice Kid-friendly City Highlights Guided Tour for Families
2 hoursFamily and Kids Tours
Private
On raphaeltours.com we mainly offer private experiences. This means that the tour is not shared with other guests and can always be tailored to your needs upon request.
(1)
from 95 € per person
from 111 $ per person
from 82 £ per person
from 155 CA$ per person
from 170 A$ per person