In a tranquil nook of the city accessed by boat or on foot over the Ponte dell’Accademia, Dorsoduro offers an authentic flavor unique to Venice. “Dorsoduro is one of the few areas where there is still some true Venetian life,” says Marianna Serandrei. “It’s special because you are out of the crowds, but still near the center, so it’s lively but also very peaceful.” The picturesque peninsula has long been home to artists and art students, as well as the major collections of the Gallerie dell’Accademia, the Peggy Guggenheim Foundation, and most recently, Punta della Dogana (part of the François Pinault Foundation). What’s lesser known are the many contemporary art galleries and artisan boutiques that line this area’s narrow alleyways. Below are a handful of Marianna’s favorite spots, each offering art to admire or adorn: