Ponte dell’Accademia

This walk begins at the Ponte dell’Accademia, built in 1933, one of only four bridges that cross the Grand Canal. It connects the San Marco and Dorsoduro districts and offers one of the most photographed views in Venice. From the bridge, you can see the dome of Santa Maria della Salute and the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. The bridge is named after the nearby Accademia Gallery, which houses a major collection of Venetian art.

Peggy Gugenheim Collection

As you walk along Calle de la Chiesa, you’ll pass the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, one of Europe’s most important modern art museums. Housed in the unfinished Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, this canal-side museum was once the home of American heiress and art patron Peggy Guggenheim. The collection includes works by Picasso, Pollock, Dalí, Kandinsky, and many others, offering a striking contrast to Venice’s classical art heritage. Even if you don’t enter, the museum’s sculpture garden and Grand Canal terrace are visible from the path and add a layer of cultural richness to this part of Dorsoduro. 

Punta della Dogana

Walk around the church to reach the Punta della Dogana,  the triangular tip of Dorsoduro, once used as a customs checkpoint for ships entering Venice. The building dates to the 1600s and was restored in the early 2000s to house contemporary art exhibitions from the Pinault Collection. Even if you don’t visit the museum, the location offers wide views of San Marco, the lagoon, and the Grand Canal. It’s a symbolic spot that reflects Venice’s history as a maritime and mercantile powerhouse.  Retrace your steps and turn south along the Fondamenta Zattere ai Gesuati.

Ospedale degli Incurabili

As you continue along the Fondamenta Zattere ai Gesuati you’ll pass the site of the former Ospedale degli Incurabili, a 16th-century hospital established to care for patients with chronic and incurable illnesses. Though the hospital itself no longer operates, the building remains a significant landmark and now houses part of the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia, continuing its legacy as a place of learning and creativity. The name “Zattere agli Incurabili” reflects both the area’s historical role in public health and its enduring connection to Venice’s civic and cultural life. Continue walking until you reach Ponte Longo, a small bridge that marks the transition point for the East and West walks.

Ponte Longo

The Ponte Longo is a modest stone bridge tucked into the southern edge of Dorsoduro, connecting the Fondamenta Zattere to the inner lanes of the district. While it may not be as grand or photographed as Venice’s major bridges, it plays a quiet but important role in local life—linking residential areas, student paths, and scenic canal views.

Before crossing the bridge, turn and walk north along the Fondamenta Nani, a peaceful canal-side path lined with local cafés and gelaterie. It’s a great spot to pause for gelato or cicchetti, especially in the late afternoon when the light softens and the canal reflects the surrounding buildings. Gelato options here are included below.

Squero di San Trovaso

Look to your left across the canal from Osteria Al Squero, the Squero di San Trovaso is one of the oldest gondola workshops in Venice, dating back to the 17th century. Gondolas are still built and repaired here using traditional methods. Though the workshop isn’t open to visitors, you can see it clearly from across the canal. It’s a rare chance to observe a craft that’s central to Venice’s identity.

Gallerie dell’Accademia

Located just steps from the bridge, the Gallerie dell’Accademia is Venice’s premier art museum, showcasing works from the 14th to the 18th century. Housed in a former convent and school of fine arts, the museum features masterpieces by Bellini, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, and Canaletto. It offers a deep dive into the artistic legacy that shaped Venice’s cultural identity. Even if you don’t enter, the building and its surroundings are worth noting as a key cultural landmark in Dorsoduro.  The museum is open Monday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, and Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, with last admission one hour before closing. Adult admission is €15. Continue west along Fondamenta Nani, following the canal toward the Squero di San Trovaso.

Squero di San Trovaso

Look across the canal from Osteria Al Squero, the Squero di San Trovaso is one of the oldest gondola workshops in Venice, dating back to the 17th century. Gondolas are still built and repaired here using traditional methods. Though the workshop isn’t open to visitors, you can see it clearly from across the canal. It’s a rare chance to observe a craft that’s central to Venice’s identity.

Zattere al Ponte Longo

As you walk along the Zattere al Ponte Longo, you’ll pass the Palazzo Veneziano, now part of the Venice Collection of boutique hotels. Though modernized, the Palazzo Veneziano retains its historic façade and reflects how Venice’s noble residences have been adapted for contemporary use. Continue west until you reach the quiet Campo San Basegio.

Chiesa di San Sebastiano

The Chiesa di San Sebastiano is one of Venice’s hidden artistic gems. Built in the 16th century, it’s renowned for its interior frescoes and paintings by Paolo Veronese, who is also buried here. Its richly decorated interior contrasts with its modest exterior and reflects the artistic patronage of Venice’s religious institutions. The church is open Monday to Saturday from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm, with last admission at 4:15 pm. Adult admission is €3.50, with reduced tickets at €1.50. Entry is included in the Venice City Pass. Continue north through the residential lanes to Campo de l’Anzolo Rafael.

Fondamenta Briati

The Fondamenta Briati is named after Giuseppe Briati, a renowned 18th-century glassmaker who helped elevate Murano glass to international fame. While the street itself is quiet, it connects you to Venice’s legacy of craftsmanship and innovation. Cross the bridge back across the canal and follow the Calle de le Pazienza to to Calle Lunga San Barnaba.

Università Ca’ Foscari

The Università Ca’ Foscari, founded in 1868, is one of Italy’s top institutions and a major presence in Dorsoduro. It brings youthful energy to the area and supports a vibrant intellectual and cultural scene. The university’s original campus is housed in the 15th-century Ca’ Foscari palace, built by Doge Francesco Foscari and donated by the city to serve as the headquarters of Italy’s first business school. With its prime location on the Grand Canal, the palace has hosted royalty and scholars alike, and today remains a symbol of Venice’s blend of tradition and innovation. Continue toward the Church of San Barnaba, now home to the Leonardo da Vinci Exhibition.

Ponte de la Maravegie

Continue along the Fondamenta Toletta toward the Ponte de le Maravegie, which connects Calle Lunga San Barnaba to the final stretch of the walk. Its name—“Bridge of Wonders”—adds a poetic touch, and like many Venetian bridges, it offers quiet views of canals and passing gondolas. The name is rooted in both history and legend. One story attributes it to the noble Maraviglia family, who lived nearby during the Renaissance and whose members played prominent roles in Venetian society. Another, more romantic tale tells of a young gondolier named Zuane who fell ill and blamed his misfortune on the least beautiful of seven sisters living near the bridge. One night, he saw her praying alone, and above her appeared seven stars—six dimming while the seventh grew bright. Moved by her selfless love and prayers for his recovery, Zuane abandoned his resentment, regained his strength, won a regatta, and married her. From that moment, the bridge was said to have worked “wonders” in his heart.