In Italian, the neighborhoods of Venice are called sestieri. Since the Romans arrived in the Lagoon, this division has not changed.
The Venetian street number system is a little confusing at first glance due to the division. If you want to see what Venice has to offer, you need to know where to base yourself.
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The best neighborhood to feel at the center of the lagoon.
There is a picture book in San Marco. San Marco is named after the city's patron Saint and is the true heart of the city. Want to see some of the world's most famous landmarks? The Basilica and its Campanile are close by. Do you want to shop before you leave? Calle Larga XXII Marzo is a high-end shopping street in Venice and the Fondaco dei Tedeschi is a shopping mall that used to be a palace warehouse.
San Marco is the most famous area of the city because it is surrounded by centuries-old buildings and luxury. If you want to avoid public transport and use your legs more, it is an excellent choice.
The best neighborhood to straddle two worlds.
San Polo is close enough to San Marco to enjoy its polished palaces and chic vibes, but it is also separate enough to feel like its own city. You can either stay close to the Canal Grande and enjoy the landmarks on both sides of the water as well as above it, or you can lose yourself in the alleys and little calls off the main road.
If you want to live the gourmand life, San Polo will be happy to accommodate you. The market is open almost every morning and Sundays are excluded. The sestiere San Polo is a great place to get a good pre-dinner aperitivo.
The best place to look for Venice's hip side.
Some of Venice's most interesting museums and universities can be found in the southern part of the sestieri Dorsoduro. One of the best universities in Italy for the study of languages is located in Dorsoduro. The area is a top choice for students, and as a result, the whole of Dorsoduro has eateries and nightlife.
Dorsoduro has become Venice's own Soho. Keep an eye out for the smaller galleries that are popping up all the time in the area. Dorsoduro doesn't have the same feel as nearby Venetian San Polo due to being a favorite with foreign second- home buyers. Boutique hotels, fine eateries and world- renowned modern and contemporary art can be found there. It is an excellent neighborhood for art lovers, but it is also great for winter breaks as it is the sunniest part of the city.
The best place to be immersed in art.
The sestiere Castello is the true art hub of the city and Dorsoduro can boast some incredible collections. Facing right onto the Lagoon and with a quieter vibe than San Marco, Castello is the domain of the Venice Biennale. The mark left by the Giardini della Biennale can be felt everywhere you walk in Castello.
The Arsenale, where specialized artisans crafted all kinds of ships, is what made Venice a maritime powerhouse and helped it dominate the seas for more than a century. If you want to take a break from all the sightseeing, you can always rest at the Parco dell Rimembranze, which is located on the tip of the sestiere and looks out onto the Lido.
It's the best neighborhood for feeling at home.
Cannaregio is the most populated Venetian sestiere. It is close to Venice's train station, Santa Lucia, and so it bustles with activity, with commuters arriving from the mainland and people going to and from the more central areas of the city. If you want to enjoy the more famous landmarks during the day but then retire to a quieter area for the night, Cannaregio is a good place to go.
The old Jewish quarter used to be here, and the Jewish community and their heritage are still a big part of the neighborhood.
It's the best neighborhood for moving quickly.
Due to the lack of roads and canals, cars and buses are not allowed to move around in Santa Croce. It is where the main entrance to the city is located and where the Santa Lucia train station is. If Venice isn't the only stop of your journey to this part of Italy, then it's a great choice.
Santa Croce isn't as pretty as the other sestieri, but it's still Venice. The Museo di Storia Naturale di Venezia is located within the old Fondaco dei Turchi and is one of the many things to keep you interested.
The article was first published in December of last year.
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