Sb₂Se₃ nanoribbons have been prepared by a hydrothermal process at 180°C for 20 h. X-ray diffraction pattern indicates that the product was orthorhombic Sb₂Se₃ phase with lattice constants a=11.747, b=11.799 and c=3.987 Å. Field emission scanning electron microscope images show that nanoribbons have diameters in the range of 25–100 nm and lengths up to 30 μm. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy image reveals that the nanoribbon was of single crystal and grew along the [0 0 1] direction. The peak of absorption appeared at 727 nm in the UV-vis spectrum. A possible mechanism on the formation of the nanostructures was also discussed.