Sestiere
A sestiere (plural: sestieri) is one of six official districts found in Italian towns and cities. The Italian word sestiere is derived from the word sesto, or sixth. Italian towns are also divided into quartieri (four divisions), terzieri (three divisions), and rioni (an ambiguous number of divisions). Italian towns with sestieri are Ascoli Piceno, Genoa and Rapallo, along with with Venice, the most well-known.
The six divisions of Venice are Cannaregio, San Polo, Dorsoduro, Santa Croce, San Marco, and Castello. Cannaregio, Castello, and San Marco lie north of the Grand Canal, while San Polo, Dorsoduro, and Santa Croce lie south. Historically, these divisions were used to further divide Venice for tax collecting purposes, as each sestiere had its own procurator. Each sestiere has its own house numbering system and unique characteristics.
Cannaregio
Cannaregio is home to 20,000 Venetian residents, making it the highest populated sestiere. There are also a lot of shops and services for the locals, such as food shops, markets, cafes, restaurants, wine bars, and clothing stores. The Cannaregio Canal, the second widest canal, runs from the lagoon to the Grand Canal. The Jewish Ghetto is located in this sestiere. The scenic squares and residential housing gives Cannaregio its local flavor.
San Polo
San Polo, on the other hand, is the smallest Venetian sestiere. It is one of the oldest sections and is home to open fish and vegetable markets, the Frari Church, and antique shops.
Dorsoduro
Dorsoduro is one of the quieter and less touristy locations in Venice, and its coastline along the Grand Canal is very peaceful. Its narrow canals and walkways and walled gardens give it a different feel than other sestieri. Dorsoduro is home to many artists, designers, writers, educators, and students, as it has many museums and universities. It is also one of the best places for nightlife in Venice.
Santa Croce
Santa Croce is the oldest sestiere, as most of the original parts of the University are still in use. It is the least visited part of Venice, and is where all entering street traffic stations their vehicles.
San Marco
San Marco, considered the heart of Venice, is the most visited and most expensive district of Venice. As the most commercialized center, San Marco has lost its residential flavor of local festivals and spectacles. The government was housed in this district, but is now replaced with hotels, shops, and banks. It is the home of Saint Mark’s Square, Venice’s largest square, St. Mark’s Basilica, and the Correr Museum.
Castello
Castello, another one of the older sectors, has the old Venetian Shipyard and museum. There are few tourists, and Campo Santa Maria Formosa is one of the quietest squares. This sestiere is embedded with a maze of narrow streets. Its coastline, however, is lined with first-class hotels.
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