Located in the northwestern corner of the city, Cannaregio is a large residential sestiere with an elegant yet tranquil character, dominated by long parallel canals running from East to West. Its northern edge, the Fondamente Nove, looks out onto the cemetery island of San Michele, the glassblower’s island of Murano, and the more remote islands of Burano and Torcello in the northeastern lagoon. 

Cannaregio is also home to Venice’s train station, meaning that it is a common entry point to the city, and what an entry at that: the building’s facade spills out onto the Grand Canal making for one of the most incredibly located railway stations in the world. Heading east from the station you will find the charming Strada Nuova, Cannaregio’s main artery for pedestrian traffic, fringed with shops, bars and restaurants, and a common route for people heading on to Rialto and St. Mark’s.

Just a few steps away from Strada Nuova the crowds drop away and the canals open up, creating a much more spacious atmosphere than many of the other sestieri. Along the parallel canals of Rio della Misericordia, Rio della Sensa and Rio Sant’Alvise you can find excellent bars, live music and restaurants with canal-side al fresco dining. The northwestern end of this area is home to one of Cannaregio’s most important historical features: the world’s oldest Jewish Ghetto. Beginning in the 16th Century the Jewish population of Venice was forced to live in this area, separated from the rest of the city by two bridges that were only accessible during the day. Owing to the lack of space within the Ghetto, there was nowhere to build but upwards, and the area is now also famous for the city’s tallest residential buildings, some boasting seven storeys. 

This sestiere offers an understated authenticity that can sometimes be hard to find in Venice, and Truly Venice can help you to get the most out of this charming neighbourhood with its range of the best apartments in Cannaregio.