You must visit Venice at least once in your life. With magical winding canals and historic buildings, the best way to explore is to enjoy getting lost and discovering your own fabulous corners. After visiting three time, I can definitely tell you it is one of the most Instagrammable cities I’ve visited and on my last visit you could see me picking up my camera every two minutes to snap! If you’re planning a trip to this iconic place then make sure to save this post to find the best photo spots 🔖
1. Ponte dei Sospiri
First up is Ponte dei Sospiri which must be one of the most easily recognisable and well known spots in Venice. In English it’s known as the Bridge of Sighs and other bridges around the world have taken its style and name. Whilst the bridge looks incredibly romantic, it names come from the last sighs of prisoners that would be transported over the bridge to prison!
Ponte dei Sospiri is one of the busiest spots in Venice (it’s right by St Mark’s Square and the main dock for day-trippers) so you need to get here as early as possible to have the best chance of enjoying it for yourself. I was here at 6.45am and there were already a handful of other photographers around.
2. Libreria Acqua Alta
One of the most beautiful bookshops in the world? Of course this is one of the best Instagram spots in Venice! You could spend hours finding your next paperback in this second hand bookshop but don’t leave without taking lots of photos. Especially of their Instagrammable staircase of books 📚
3. Rialto Bridge
Another of Venice’s most famous bridges is the Rialto Bridge. It is one of only a handful of bridges that houses little shops along its length as well as being a passageway across the water. I looks sparkling clean just now as it has recently undergone renovation and it really does look gorgeous. Find this little corner looking towards the bridge for the best IG location around here at the end of Naranzaria.
4. St Mark’s Square
During the day, St Mark’s Square is the bustling heart of Venice where pigeons and tourists flock in equal numbers! It is one of Italy’s most important and most famous palazzos and the architecture that surrounds it describes that to you. Come early in the morning just as the sun is rising to take your photos without anyone else around and with so many fabulous corners you’ll come away with a carousel worth of shots 📷
5. Scala Contarini del Bovolo
The Scala Contarini del Bevolo is a fantastic external spiral staircase in the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo. The beautiful design resembles a snails coils and that is in fact what its name translates to. You can take this photo without paying to go into the Palazzo but if you do you’ll be rewarded with fabulous views over Venice from the top!
6. Sunset over the Grand Canal
One of the best places to capture the colours of sunset is from the Rialto Bridge overlooking the Grand Canal. As the sun begins its descent towards the horizon the sky comes alive with colour as the buildings lining the canal have one last splash of sunlight for the day. It’s a popular spot and well worth it!
7. Gondola Dogana Vallaresso
Dotted around Venice there are many gondola stations which either operate as taxi stops where you can take the water taxi from one side of the water to the other or as places where you can take a private gondola ride along the waterways. The stations make fabulous photo ops as the gondolas sit lined up, tethered to the old wooden poles rising out of the water around the piers. My favourite is the Gondola Dogana Vallaresso as there is a lovely view across the canal towards Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute.
8. The Insta Famous Dock
One of Venice’s most popular spots on Instagram is an unassumingly simple dock which looks out over a section of canal. It’s so popular because of the array of colours visible behind and also because it is pretty quiet! Since it’s not on a main tourist thoroughfare and all there is to do is capture the perfect shot, it’s not on most tourists radars. This means you can come at pretty much any time of the day and it should be quiet. If you’re ready to wait then capture a passing gondola for extra Venice points! Find it on Google Maps here.
9. Ponte de Piscina
In the above photo from the little dock you’ll notice a bridge in the background. This is also a rather beautiful Instagram spot by itself and worth capturing while you’re here. If you want to take a photo waling over Ponte de Piscina then very kindly ask your friend / partner / family member to wait at the dock while you go round to the bridge! You’re welcome 😉
10. Burano
The Venice archipelago is made up of 118 islands set within the Venetian Lagoon. Most visitors will only visit the areas around San Marco but head out on a ferry across the lagoon to Burano and you’ll be rewarded with quieter streets and a whirlwind of colour. Every house here seems to be painted a different colour which is as charming to see as it sounds.
There are so many spots in Burano that are perfect for brightening up your Instagram feed that one spot on this list doesn’t seem enough! I am working on a post specifically on Burano photo locations so keep your eyes peeled and make sure you subscribe to receive an email when it’s ready!
11. St Mark’s Basilica
St Mark’s Basilica is one of the most beautiful religious sites in Europe and so provides plenty of photographic opportunities. From the outside, capture the fantastic domes and the marbling details. Head inside to admire stained glass windows and fantastic ceilings. Book your Fast Track Entry & Audio Guide here!
12. Sunrise from the Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge is one of the spots in Venice that you’ll find yourself drawn back to (not just because it’s the best crossing of the Grand Canal!!). At sunrise, you’re more likely to enjoy it without hoards of other tourists surrounding you and with fantastic soft lighting as well.
13. Ponte de Canonica
Ponte dei Sospiri itself is already on this list as a focal point. In this Instagrammable location Ponte de Canoica is the focus with the Bridge of Sighs providing a lovely backdrop instead. This view of the Bridge of Sighs is much quieter than the front so you’ll be able to get a better photo later in the day and enjoy the view yourself more peacefully!
14. St Mark’s Square Gondolas
There are so many fabulous gondola docks around Venice (I’ve already mentioned one on this list!) and one of the most beautiful is the St Mark’s Square gondola dock. You have a wonderful combination of the gondolas, quaint lamp posts and a view to the charming Island of San Giorgio Maggiore in the background.
Which is your favourite spot to photograph in Venice?
Cat x
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Make sure you avoid making these mistakes on a trip to Venice:
