Sestiere Dorsoduro
Punta della Dogana
At the edge of Venice, where art faces the sea
Contemporary art museum in a former customs house, set at the tip of Venice where the Grand Canal meets the open lagoon.
Salute + 2-min walk
www.pinaultcollection.com
+39 041 240 1308
Standard admission is €18. Availability can vary with ongoing exhibitions. Ticket includes entry to Palazzo Grassi.
Additional resources
What makes this place special
Views over San Marco Basin
The prime waterfront position opens onto a sweeping panorama across Venice’s iconic lagoon basin.
Dogana da Mar
Originally a 17th-century customs house, the building taxed and stored goods arriving by sea before transferring them to ships for distribution through Venice's canals.
Triangular shape
The building's interesting shape results from the spatial constraints at the narrow eastern tip of Dorsoduro.
An iconic weathervane
Atop the tower at the tip of the triangle, two Atlas figures lift a gilded globe with the statue of Fortuna indicating the wind's direction. The statue reminded traders of fate's unpredictability.
The transformation
Much like Palazzo Grassi, the building was spectacularly redesigned by architect Tadao Ando to host rotating contemporary art exhibitions from François Pinault's collection.
Discover more about Punta della Dogana through 24 photos with explanations.
Open galleryA virtual preview
Contemporary art invites personal interpretation, and a virtual visit is a useful way to decide whether this collection is worth your time.
Explore highlights from the gallery's collections on Google Arts & Culture, from the comfort of where you are.
Who is Mr. Pinault?
François Pinault is a French art collector known for his interest in contemporary art and for supporting a range of emerging and established artists.
Two of his museum spaces are located in Venice, each offering a different perspective on contemporary art within historic settings.
A front-row seat to Venice
Punta della Dogana occupies one of the most privileged locations in Venice, standing at the narrow tip of Dorsoduro where the Grand Canal meets the San Marco Basin.
From the promenade beside this meeting point, marked by the historic weather vane of the former customs house, the city opens around you as if standing at the prow of a ship, with water on three sides.
Looking from left to right, the view spans the mouth of the Grand Canal, with Santa Maria della Salute standing prominently at its entrance, then St. Mark's bell tower and the Doge's Palace, followed by San Giorgio Maggiore, and finally Giudecca and its broad canal.
Few places in Venice offer such an open perspective over the lagoon and the city's most iconic landmarks.
The viewpoint is also a natural stop on one of Venice's most rewarding waterfront walks: from Santa Maria della Salute to Punta della Dogana and onward along the Fondamenta delle Zattere.
Early mornings are especially rewarding here, when the promenade is still quiet and almost empty.
The Doge's Palace facade is often bathed in soft pink hues as the morning light spreads across the water, before the basin slowly stirs with boat traffic.
It's one of the most atmospheric moments to watch Venice slowly wake up.
Take the traghetto
St. Mark's Square sits directly across the Grand Canal from Punta della Dogana and can be reached quickly by this larger gondola rowed by two oarsmen.
At just €2, it's the cheapest gondola ride in Venice.
Your questions, answered
Common questions about visiting Punta della Dogana, answered to help you plan your visit.
Is it worth visiting if I'm not into contemporary art?
Even if the art isn't your main interest, the building and its location are a major draw. For architecture enthusiasts, it's a real highlight.
How can I visit the other Pinault Collection at Palazzo Grassi with the same ticket?
The entrance ticket to Punta della Dogana is valid for both venues, but only for one day, so both sites must be visited on the same day.
Do I need to enter the building for those sweeping views of Venice?
No. While you can see the San Marco Basin from inside, especially from inside the small tower supporting the weathervane, the best views are outside the building, at the very tip of the promenade.
What to see nearby
These top spots are just a short walk from Punta della Dogana:
tops 5 mins
Santa Maria della Salute
tops 5 mins
San Moisè
5-10 min away
Santa Maria del Giglio
5-10 min away
St. Mark's Square
5-10 min away
Teatro La Fenice
5-10 min away
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
5-10 min away
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