Punta della Dogana

Punta della Dogana is the place to go for contemporary art and architecture. The unique triangle building is the current home to the museum and a former Sea Customs House for the Republic of Venice. Punta della Dogana Museum is one of the best Venice museums in the artsy Dorsoduro. 

How to visit Punta della Dogana Museum

How to get to the museum

By checking the Venice map, you'll see that the museum stands at the intersection of the Grand Canal and the Giudecca Canal. The best way to get to the Punta della Dogana Museum is by vaporetto. Get off at the Salute, the closest stop, a few meters from the museum. It is the same stop you'd take for the incredible Santa Maria della Salute. 

How to buy tickets

Punta della Dogana Museum is open daily except Tuesdays. On Wednesdays, Venice residents and students of some local universities can enter for free. 

You can buy the tickets on the museum's official website. The prices are around 12 EUR for a reduced ticket and 15 EUR for a full one. 

History & architecture

The original building was completed in 1682 by Giuseppe Benoni and served its purpose until the 1980s. Later, the building was empty and abandoned for over 20 years. It wasn't until 2007 that the Japanese architect Tadao Ando won the tender and took on the restoration project. 

Today, Punta della Dogana Museum is an exceptional mix of industrial and minimalistic styles. Visitors can enjoy the combination of textures like glass, wood, and signature red brick. 

The restored brick facade is the only element left of the original building. Many parts were changed and renovated. Notice the roof tower with the Fortuna, a sculpture of two Atlases holding the golden globe. It turns and shows the direction of the wind. 

Why you should visit Punta della Dogana Museum

The renovated Punta della Dogana Museum opened its doors in June 2009. Together with Palazzo Grassi and Teatrino, it is one of the three Venice exhibition areas of the Pinault Collection. 

The items on display are like the building itself - modern and fresh. Punta della Dogana differs from other Venice museums due to the modernity and originality of the collection items. 

Pieces on display change regularly, so the museum offers something fresh throughout the year. There are temporary exhibitions with artists like Nancy Spero, Danh Vo, Robert Manson, and others. 5000 sq. meters of this art space are ready for you to explore.

Things to do in the area

Dorsoduro is one of the best-known Venice neighborhoods, full of outstanding attractions. One place you can't miss is the famous Santa Maria della Salute. Inside you'll find art pieces by the finest Venetian painters. Many of the items refer to the times when plague occupied the city. 

In addition to Punta della Dogana, there are two other Venice museums that everyone is talking about. The Accademia Gallery and Peggy Guggenheim Collection are less than 10 minutes away. These locations are a must for those who appreciate art and aesthetics. 

If you want a relaxing place to watch the sunset, head to Zattere. It is a well-known Venice promenade with bars and restaurants and a view of the Venetian Lagoon. Close to Zattere is another famous Venice church, Santa Maria del Rosario, a.k.a. I Gesuati.