The key tour
Understanding Venice
A private walk to understand the city, not to rush through it: sestieri, calli, vaporetto and local tastes, with a personalized map.
Discover the tour
Plan your trip · The districts
The sestieri of Venice: six districts, one city
How Venice, Italy is divided into six sestieri, where each one lies along the Grand Canal, what to see in each district and why the sestiere is also part of every address.
- Licensed guide no. 05000058
- Guiding since 2008
- Private tours only
- EN · IT · FR
In short
What are the sestieri of Venice?
The historic center of Venice is divided into six districts called sestieri: San Marco, Castello and Cannaregio on one side of the Grand Canal, and Dorsoduro, San Polo and Santa Croce on the other. The division dates back to the twelfth century and is still used today: every Venetian address is made of the name of the sestiere and a house number. The Giudecca is traditionally counted with Dorsoduro. This guide is written by Daniela Zarpellon, licensed tourist guide who has been guiding in Venice since 2008.
How are the sestieri arranged on the map?
Picture the Grand Canal as a reversed S running through the city. On its eastern and northern bank lie San Marco, around the Piazza; Castello, the largest district, stretching east to the Arsenale and the Biennale gardens; and Cannaregio, to the north, from the railway station to the Fondamente Nove.
On the opposite bank are San Polo, the smallest district, around the Rialto market; Santa Croce, where buses and cars arrive at Piazzale Roma; and Dorsoduro, to the south, facing the Giudecca Canal.
Tradition says that the six teeth of the ferro, the metal prow of the gondola, stand for the six sestieri. Whatever its origin, it is an easy way to remember them.
District by district
What to see in each sestiere
Each district has its own character: here are the landmarks that help you place it.
San Marco
The political and religious heart of the Republic: Piazza San Marco, St Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the La Fenice opera house and the shopping streets towards Rialto. The busiest district, best explored early or late in the day.
Castello
The largest sestiere, from the Riva degli Schiavoni to the Arsenale shipyards and the Biennale gardens. Here you find the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo, Via Garibaldi and San Pietro di Castello, the city's cathedral until 1807.
Cannaregio
The most populated district, from Santa Lucia station to the northern lagoon: the Jewish Ghetto, the Ca' d'Oro on the Grand Canal, the Fondamenta della Misericordia and the Madonna dell'Orto, Tintoretto's parish church.
Dorsoduro
Built on firmer ground, as its name suggests: the Gallerie dell'Accademia, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Santa Maria della Salute, Ca' Rezzonico, the squero of San Trovaso and the long Zattere promenade. The Giudecca is counted with it.
San Polo
The smallest sestiere, around the Rialto market and the church of San Giacomo di Rialto, with the Frari Basilica, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco with Tintoretto's canvases and the wide Campo San Polo.
Santa Croce
The gateway for arrivals by road at Piazzale Roma, then quiet campi such as San Giacomo dall'Orio, Ca' Pesaro with its modern art museum and the Fondaco dei Turchi on the Grand Canal. The name comes from a church that no longer exists.
Why do Venetian addresses use the sestiere?
In Venice an address is the name of the sestiere followed by a house number, such as "Cannaregio" and a number: the street does not appear. Numbers run through the whole district, so two doors on the same calle can have very distant numbers. Always ask for the nearest calle, campo or landmark too. Our Venice glossary explains calle, campo, fondamenta and the other words you will see on the signs, and our guide to where to stay in Venice compares the sestieri as a base for your stay.
Learning to read the districts is the heart of our private walk Understanding Venice, designed to help you move on your own for the rest of your stay.
FAQ
The sestieri of Venice: your questions
How many sestieri does Venice have?
Six: San Marco, Castello, Cannaregio, Dorsoduro, San Polo and Santa Croce. The islands of the lagoon, such as Murano, Burano and the Lido, are not part of the sestieri.
Which is the largest sestiere of Venice?
Castello is the largest by area, stretching east to the Arsenale and the Biennale gardens. Cannaregio has the most residents, while San Polo is the smallest district.
Which sestiere is best to visit first?
Most first-time visitors start in San Marco for the Basilica and the Doge's Palace, then cross to San Polo for Rialto and to Dorsoduro for the Accademia. Cannaregio and Castello are ideal for seeing the everyday city.
Is the Giudecca a sestiere?
No. The Giudecca is traditionally counted as part of Dorsoduro, across the Giudecca Canal.
Why are they called sestieri?
Because the city is divided into six parts: in Italian "sestiere" refers to one sixth, just as a "quartiere" originally meant one quarter.
More planning help: getting around Venice, how many days you need, what to see in Venice and all our private tours, or start from the Venice travel guide.
Private tour
Discover the sestieri with a licensed guide
A private walk through the districts that matter to you, at your pace. Free, no-obligation quote – reply within 24 hours.
How I can help
Plan Venice with a licensed guide
Service · Travel planningVenice Stay DesignNot just tours: I help you plan where to stay, the rhythm of your days and what to skip, before you arrive…DiscoverKey tour · Start hereUnderstanding VeniceA private walk to understand the city, not to rush through it: sestieri, calli, vaporetto and local tastes, with a personalized map.DiscoverRelatedUnderstanding VeniceA private walk to understand the city, not to rush through it: sestieri, calli, vaporetto and local tastes, with a personalized map.DiscoverRelatedWhere to stay in VeniceWhere to stay in Venice, Italy: the sestieri, Giudecca, Lido and Mestre compared by a licensed guide for arrival, luggage, bridges and…Discover
