If you are looking for the most Instagrammable places in Venice, Italy, you are in for a treat!
Venice is a photographer’s playground, and there is really no bad place to take a photo. This is what surprised me about Venice! Everywhere you turn there is something beautiful and magical to see.
From popular areas like around St. Mark’s Square to secret spots on side canals, this list includes all the best locations in Venice for photos.
Whether you are an amateur or pro, you are sure to snap some amazing pictures as you explore the best things to do in Venice. Since the city is so beautiful, it is easy to take great photos in Venice.
Don’t forget that Venice is where people live. Stay respectful and don’t trespass. Venetians are really nice people but they ask to be respected. Follow the local rules and you should be just fine.
Whether you only have one day in Venice or are visiting as part of your longer Italy Itinerary, you really can’t go wrong with visiting this magical city.
Now, let’s look at where to take pictures in Venice, Italy!
14 Best Photo Spots In Venice (+ Map To Find Them!)
Map of the Best Photo Spots in Venice
I put together this map of the best Venice photography spots to make things easier for your trip!
This way, you will spend less time wondering where you should go and more time enjoying Venice and taking some lovely and memorable photos!
CLICK HERE FOR VENICE PHOTO SPOTS MAP
Insta-Famous Pier
Marked as the “Insta-Famous Pier” on Google Maps, this spot is a random dock behind the Hotel San Moise.
It tops my list because this is one of the more highly coveted Instagram places in Venice. This pier is hidden, but once you know where to look, it is easy to find.
After arriving at the entrance to the Hotel San Moise, face the canal and turn left. You will find the little pier tucked around the corner and the perfect view straight down a small canal.
Gondolas pass by every so often adding a great element to your photos. There is a small bridge and colorful buildings.
If you are taking portraits, try out a few different poses. Remember to respect other photographers and not take too long if people are waiting.
You need to share the best photo spots in Venice, Italy!
Here is the address: Piscina S. Moise, 2065, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Rialto Bridge
This is probably the most famous Instagrammable spot in Venice! The Rialto Bridge is iconic in Venice and everyone flocks to it.
It is a bit overrun with tourists and photographers which can be stressful. I recommend photographing it quickly and then getting on to the quieter Venice photo spots! You can also visit early to avoid crowds.
There are a few ways to shoot the Rialto Bridge. First, you can shoot from a dock at the “San Marco” neighborhood end. This is a popular spot so be prepared to wait in line.
I headed across Rialto Bridge to the San Polo side. As you descend the bridge on this side, there is a stone platform/dock along the right side.
This is a great place for Instagram photos in Venice because it is lesser-known, and you can escape the crowds a bit. Plenty of gondolas pass by so you can take cool photos of that too!
The Rialto Bridge tops my 2-week Italy itinerary for things you should see in Venice so at least seeing it once is always nice.
Scala Contarini del Bovolo
Scala Contarini del Bovolo is one of the more unique Instagrammable places in Venice! This tower offers some of the best views for Venice photos and many don’t know that it exists at all!
It is a bit difficult to find this beautiful winding staircase so make sure to put the name Scala Contarini del Bovolo or Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo into Google Maps!
There is a small entrance fee if you want to climb the tower to see the best views of Venice. I recommend going as soon as it opens so you can get photos without any extra guests in them!
If you just want to see this pretty spot in Venice from the ground, you can choose to do that as well. While the view from the top is stunning, it is a fabulous building to view from the ground as well!
This interesting tower is easily one of Venice’s best photo spots!
Put either of these in your GPS: Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo OR Scala Contarini del Bovolo
Ponte Maria Callas
Ponte Maria Callas is a lesser-known Instagram spot in Venice, and I am happy to bring it to your attention.
The fun part about Venice photography is going off the beaten path and finding your own places to take pictures in Venice! This is one that I found and want to share with you.
Ponte Maria Callas is a gorgeous white stone bridge in a quieter area of San Marco.
This isn’t one of those places in Venice where you have to fight others for a spot. You will be completely alone.
I recommend standing or sitting on the bridge and then positioning the camera across the canal. This way, you can get the pretty towers in the background with the bridge in the foreground.
This composition and view are unlike any other photos I have seen on Instagram, and I am excited to share it!
Here is the address: Ponte Maria Callas, Fondamenta Maria Callas, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
The Bridge Behind Teatro la Fenice
Behind the famous Teatro la Fenice, or Phoenix Theater, there is yet another bridge to check out for your Venice photos. From the front of the theater, walk down the street to the right: C. de la Fenice.
This unnamed bridge is also just a two-minute walk from Ponte Maria Callas so you can shoot both at the same time. It is right next to Ponte dei Callegheri which you can put into Google Maps.
To get the angle like the photo below, have the model stand on the bridge while the photographer stands across the canal near the Ponte Maria Callas.
Since this spot is so unknown, you will have it to yourself! The close buildings and pretty canal create an amazing Venice picture!
This is the approximate address: Calle Caotorta, 3565, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
The Bridge Of Sighs
As I said above, the fun of taking photos in Venice is finding unique angles and doing something different.
You wouldn’t believe that the photo below was taken when there were hundreds of tourists packing the bridges on either side of the Bridge of Sighs/Ponte dei Suspiri.
All I did was step off the viewing bridge and walk down under it along the side.
There were gondolas rowing by, no tourists or other photographers in the photos, and the Bridge of Sighs was front and center in all its glory!
If you already have the Bridge of Sighs on your Instagram bucket list for Venice, I highly recommend trying out this unique photo angle.
It doesn’t require getting up for sunrise and allows you to stand out from all the other photos from Venice! You won’t be fighting any other humans for the view either. What could be better?
This famous bridge is one of the best places to see during an Italy Road Trip which is why so many people visit!
Saint Mark’s Square
After you are done with the Bridge of Sighs, you can walk a couple of minutes to the heart of Saint Mark’s Square.
Personally, I’m not a huge fan of Saint Mark’s Square so I didn’t prioritize it and chose not to wake up for sunrise to shoot it.
Every other photo I took on this list was easily taken without another human in sight and I shot in the afternoon.
If you are wild about Saint Mark’s Square, you will want to wake up for sunrise as that is the only time it is free from people. This is one of my biggest Venice photography tips.
There are many angles that you can take photos from for a unique look to your Venice Instagram photos!
You can also head to the top of Saint Mark’s Campanile for one of the best viewpoints in Venice.
If you are visiting Venice in winter, you will find that the square is much less crowded which makes for great photos!
The San Marco Waterfront (Riva degli Schiavoni)
Across the lagoon from Saint Mark’s Square, there is an island with the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore and the Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore, a bell tower similar to Saint Mark’s Campanile.
You can easily photograph the island from the San Marco Waterfront, creating a classic Venice scene!
The San Marco Waterfront, or Riva degli Schiavoni in Italian, is just a few steps out of Saint Mark’s Square toward the Grand Canal and waterfront. It is also just a minute away from the Bridge Of Sighs.
Although Saint Mark’s Square is busy, you can easily snap photos of the gondolas and the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore across the lagoon at any time of day.
Please note that although you can sit for a few seconds for a photo, sitting for long periods to rest your feet or eat a snack is forbidden along this stretch of waterfront.
There are guards who will tell you not to sit for very long. Taking a quick photo sitting is alright, but sitting for a long time isn’t allowed.
This is one of the most Instagrammable places in Venice for a good reason! It is easy to photograph and you can’t go wrong with the beautiful views in the background!
Libreria Acqua Alta
Who knew that a bookstore could draw in so many people? Libreria Acqua Alta is a lovely and cute bookstore that has rushed onto the scene as one of the more unique Instagrammable places in Venice!
While it isn’t quite as famous as some of the other places on this list, it is well-known in the photography groups. Be prepared to wait in line.
I wouldn’t exactly call this bookstore a “secret” Venice photo spot, but it is certainly lesser-known and worth the visit.
If you love books, spend some time browsing the selection. You may find a unique souvenir to bring home from Venice in addition to your photos!
From A Gondola
One of the most beautiful places in Venice for photos is from a gondola.
Now, if you don’t have the money to drop on a 30-minute ride, I recommend not doing so! There are plenty of other fantastic Venice photography locations you can visit without breaking the bank!
I knew I wanted to take photos from a gondola so I saved up. The price for a private 25-30 minute gondola ride is 80 euros.
If you are closer to the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal, the price rises to 120 euros and goes up as the evening progresses.
I took my gondola ride near the famous Instagram pier that is listed first in this article. I loved it as the ride was quiet along the back canals of Venice. Then I ended with a fantastic ride along the Grand Canal.
If you are looking for the ultimate Instagram spot in Venice, then finding a gondola and getting your photo from it is the way to go. If you don’t have the money or don’t want to spend it, don’t worry!
Book Here: Venice: Grand Canal Gondola Ride with App Commentary
Ponte de La Verona
Ponte de La Verona is another lovely Instagram location in Venice that I had never seen before! If you are looking for secret Venice photography spots, add this one to your list!
The trick is to head to Ponte de La Verona in the San Marco district of Venice and then stand on the bridge while you are shooting down along the canals.
This gives your shot a unique above-angle view. Put your tripod or the photographer on the bridge itself. Then, you will shoot down with the subject walking along the canal or sitting on one of the walls.
I hope you like this more unique, secret place that isn’t popping up in every single feed!
Here is the address: Ponte de La Verona, Calle de la Verona, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
I stumbled across this view of Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute by complete accident. Although it is one of the most popular Instagram spots in Venice, it can be easy to miss if you aren’t paying attention!
This random corner is the perfect spot to grab a photo of the famous Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute from across the Grand Canal!
It is easy to get good photos since there are no people in the background. The only things in the background are the basilica, gondolas, and the Grand Canal. What more could you want?
To find this spot, head to the ferry terminal at San Marco Vallaresso SX and look to your right. You will see the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and then you will see this corner of the dock.
It isn’t hard to find and is quite simple once you know what you are looking for!
Here is the address: Ferry terminal San Marco (Vallaresso) SX, 30100 Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
With Gelato Along The Grand Canal
Gelato is pretty much everywhere in Venice and it makes for a super cute photo opportunity!
Proceed with caution! The gelato melts extremely fast. Make sure to choose a gelato shop that is near the Grand Canal or the canal that you want to photograph.
The moment you get your gelato and pay for it, run as quickly as you can to snap the photo. Don’t forget to bring tons of napkins so you can clean up.
Remember to enjoy eating your gelato during your Instagram photo session in Venice! The gelato is the best part, after all!
Any of the Many Bridges in Venice
If you are looking for cute and easy Venice photography ideas, then crossing over one of the many bridges is just the perfect thing.
People always shoot the bridge with water in the front, but rarely shoot the Venitian bridges from the side! I think this angle is unique and totally deserves a photo shoot.
There are so many bridges in Venice and some are more popular than others. I recommend getting away from the center where there are tons of people and finding bridges that speak to you.
Get lost and wander the small alleys to find bridges without a soul in sight.
Burano Island
Burano Island is just under an hour away by ferry from the Venice mainland.
Although there isn’t too much to do here besides walking around and maybe grabbing a bite to eat, it is like you stepped into a rainbow painting!
It is an old fishing village and is home to a famous lace-making industry. Come for the rainbow houses and stay for the history!
The best way to photograph Burano is during the daytime when the sun is at its highest point or during sunset when the lights begin to come on!
Although it isn’t on the Venice mainland, it is one of the most Instagrammable places in Venice for a very good reason.
If you are tight on time or only have 1 to 2 days in Venice, I recommend skipping Burano as it takes a long time to transit there!
However, if you have been to Venice before and want to find new Instagrammable places in Venice, check out Burano.
Book Here: From Venice: Murano and Burano Boat Tour
I hope you have a wonderful time visiting Venice! With so many Instagrammable places in Venice, you can see why the city is so popular with photographers.
Do you think there is a photo spot in Venice that I missed? Let me know in the comments below and maybe I will get to check it out next time!
Next, check out my complete guide to where to stay in Venice!
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