20 Best Instagram Spots in Venice, Italy for Photography (With a Map)
I’ve been to Venice a couple of times now, and most recently I went with my husband in September, which was a perfect time to visit. On every trip I find myself noticing new Instagram spots in Venice, Italy, from cute little bridges to different angles of famous landmarks around the city. Venice has a way of making even casual walks feel photogenic, but a few specific Venice photo spots really stand out if you know where to look.
Some of the best photos in Venice happen unexpectedly, but timing and location make a huge difference. A spot that is calm and dreamy at sunrise can turn into complete chaos by late morning. Here’s exactly where to shoot, the best times to visit, tips to know before you go, framing suggestions, and the exact linked location on Google Maps.
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Map: Best Instagram Spots in Venice, Italy
Here is your cheat sheet for a list of the best Instagram spots in Venice, Italy for photography. In the map below, the pink numbers correspond to the photo locations, and the purple bed icons correspond to my hotel recommendations.
1. Ponte dei Conzafelzi
2. Piazza San Marco
3. Hotel Colombina Dock
4. Bridge of Sighs Viewpoint
5. Pier View by Hotel San Moise
6. Fondamenta de la Verona
7. Libreria Acqua Alta
8. Gondola Dogana Vallaresso (Viewpoint of Santa Maria della Salute)
9. Burano
10. Ponte dei Pignoli
11. Arced Steps of Ponte Del Parucheta
12. Lamps of Piazzetta San Marco
13. Gondola Traghetto di Riva del Vin
14. Gondolas Along Riva degli Schiavoni
15. Rialto Bridge Viewpoint
16. Ponte Bernardo
17. Piazza San Marco by Drone
18. Bridge of Sighs Background (Ponte de la Canonica)
19. Ponte San Boldo
20. Gelato on Ponte de Sant’Antonio
1. Ponte dei Conzafelzi
Ponte dei Conzafelzi is one of those blink-and-miss-it Instagram spots in Venice, Italy that most people walk right past. It’s a small iron bridge with a unique split canal view, and you can see the beautiful façade of Palazzo Tetta in the background. When my husband and I stumbled across it, we couldn’t believe how empty it was compared to the main areas of Venice.
When to Visit: No need to time this one; it’s rarely crowded.
Google Maps Location: Here
2. Piazza San Marco
Piazza San Marco is easily one of the most iconic Instagram spots in Venice, Italy, and yes, it lives up to the hype. The square is massive, framed by buildings with stunning arches, and St. Mark’s Basilica and the Campanile anchoring the space. The history here goes back centuries when this was the political and religious heart of the Republic of Venice.
Recommended Tour: Skip-the-Line: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica Fully Guided Tour
When we went at sunrise, it was calm and I really enjoyed the peaceful nature of it. Later in the day, it turns into a sea of people, which can be overwhelming if you don’t like crowds. As far as Venice photo spots go, this one requires strategy and an early alarm clock…good luck!
When to Visit: Earlier is better here if you want a clean shot.
Google Maps Location: Here
3. Hotel Colombina Dock
The dock at Hotel Colombina ended up being one of my favorite photo spots in Venice (and one of the easiest!) The blue-and-white striped poles against the canal backdrop created that quintessential Venetian look without any effort.
Staying somewhere photogenic like this is honestly underrated. It turns “running out for a quick photo” into one of the best shots of your trip.
When to Visit: Golden hour for the best light, but it’s rarely busy.
Google Maps Location: Here
4. Bridge of Sighs Viewpoint
The Bridge of Sighs is one of the most famous Instagram spots in Venice, Italy, and for good reason. Built in the early 1600s, it connected the Doge’s Palace to the old prison. Legend says prisoners would sigh as they crossed it, catching their last glimpse of Venice.
Recommended Tour: Venice Best of: Doge’s Palace, Prisons, Bridge of Sighs & Gondola
What’s interesting is that this specific corner viewpoint doesn’t draw huge crowds. People know the bridge, but they don’t always find this angle on their own. That makes it one of the more manageable Venice photo spots even during the day. Even if someone is there when you arrive, you usually only wait a few minutes. No one can really photobomb this tight corner view, which I appreciate.
When to Visit: Easy to shoot at any time without much waiting, though I came early (just after sunrise) to avoid harsh shadows.
Google Maps Location: Here
5. Pier View by Hotel San Moise
This little pier near Hotel San Moise is all over lists of the best Instagram spots in Venice, Italy, and I get why. It’s tucked away and not super obvious to find, so you don’t have to fight crowds. Gondolas pass by pretty regularly, so you just need a little patience to get that perfect shot. For framing, my favorite photo included the subject sitting at the end of the dock with the bridge centered over their head and a gondola in the distance (first photo below).
When to Visit: Practically anytime. It stays fairly quiet, though we did have to wait a few minutes for another couple to finish shooting when we arrived.
Google Maps Location: Here
6. Fondamenta de la Verona
Fondamenta de la Verona is one of those canal-side Instagram spots in Venice, Italy that is pretty relaxed. To capture the shot, have your photographer stand on the bridge while you either lean against or sit on the wall. I’m always a sucker for skinny canals and colorful old buildings.
Google Maps helps to navigate Venice up to a point, and I do recommend downloading an eSim in advance. But honestly, some of my favorite moments happened when we wandered in the general right direction and let the city unfold. It will lead you to beautiful destinations spots like this!
When to Visit: Go whenever fits your schedule; it’s usually calm.
Google Maps Location: Here
7. Libreria Acqua Alta
Libreria Acqua Alta is easily one of the quirkiest Instagram spots in Venice, Italy. The bookstore is famous for protecting its books from flooding by storing them in bathtubs, waterproof bins, canoes, and even a full-size gondola. That’s right…you’ll find a gondola full of books in the middle of this bookstore!
The courtyard staircase made of old books is what most people come for. I didn’t get there right at opening, so I waited a few minutes to grab a picture, but everyone moved pretty quickly. It’s free to enter, but you can buy a book to support the shop. I’m a huge book lover, so this was one of my favorite stops!
When to Visit: Right at opening around 9 am to avoid crowds. However, if you come later in the day, it is still doable with a bit of patience.
Google Maps Location: Here
8. Gondola Dogana Vallaresso (Viewpoint of Santa Maria della Salute)
The Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute is one of the most important religious buildings in Venice. Built in the 17th century to commemorate the end of a plague outbreak, its massive dome dominates the skyline at the entrance to the Grand Canal.
Near the Gondola Dogana Vallaresso station, sit on the edge of the pier in the corner facing away from the camera and then look out over the gondolas and the basilica. Venice photo spots don’t get much more classic than this with the combo of the Basilica, Grand Canal, and gondolas!
When to Visit: I loved the colors just before sunset. It’s a busy area but easy to snap a quick photo, as you don’t need to worry about people in the background.
Google Maps Location: Here
9. Burano
Burano might be one of the most colorful Instagram spots in Venice, Italy, and it’s absolutely worth the Vaporetto ride. You can go independently or join a Murano and Burano tour if you want something organized. We went and explored at our own pace, and I’d recommend this approach.
The island is famous for its rainbow-colored houses and long history of lace-making. Fishermen reportedly painted their homes bright colors so they could find them coming home from sea. Is this true? No idea, but I was absolutely obsessed with the pretty colors!
We spent a few hours just strolling, snapping pics (obviously), and stopping for lunch. Compared to central Venice, it feels a bit more laid-back. As far as Venice photo spots go, Burano delivers color in every direction.
When to Visit: Morning, before it gets crowded, though it doesn’t have to be at the crack of dawn.
Google Maps Location: Here
10. Ponte dei Pignoli
Near the Splendid Venice hotel, have your photographer walk to Ponte dei Baretteri to frame you posing in the center of Ponte dei Pignoli. Shoot vertically to capture both the canal and the top of the buildings with the bridge crossing the bottom third of the photo. It’s in a busy area, but we went in the morning and had no trouble grabbing a few clean shots.
When to Visit: Earlier in the day to avoid crowds (but not before-sunrise level early).
Google Maps Location: Here
11. Steps of Ponte del Parucheta
Ponte del Parucheta’s arched steps are one of those underrated Instagram spots in Venice, Italy. It’s cute, quick to swing by, and not swarmed with tourists. We just wandered into it while exploring, and I loved the shape of the steps against the canal. Plus, how cute is the name of the bridge?!
Recommended Tour: Tour of The Real Hidden Venice
When to Visit: Anytime. This is one of the more relaxed spots, no matter when you go.
Google Maps Location: Here
12. Lamps of Piazzetta San Marco
The lamps in Piazzetta San Marco create one of my favorite sunrise shooting locations in Venice. I loved framing the ornate lamp posts against the soft pink-purple sky. It was nice and calm, even though we weren’t the only early risers. Later in the day, this area fills up very quickly. Plus, sunrise gives better light, so I’d recommend an early visit if you can swing it in your schedule.
When to Visit: Sunrise is ideal for fewer people and better light.
Google Maps Location: Here
13. Gondola Traghetto di Riva del Vin
For a unique Grand Canal shot, this is one of the best spots to snap a photo. Right by the traghetto crossing on the San Polo side, you get gondolas in the foreground with the chaos of the Grand Canal behind you. What I appreciated here was being able to capture the liveliness of Venice without feeling like I was fighting for space (like on the Rialto Bridge).
When to Visit: Late morning or afternoon works well to capture movement in the background.
Google Maps Location: Here
14. Gondolas Along Riva degli Schiavoni
Along Riva degli Schiavoni, you’ll find gondolas lined up with Chiesa di San Giorgio Maggiore in the background. The church was designed in the 16th century, and is easily recognized as one of Venice’s most famous landmarks. Unlike the more chaotic Grand Canal viewpoint in #13, this spot is all about symmetry and structure. The repeating gondolas in the foreground, the open water, and the church across the lagoon create a really balanced frame.
Recommended Tour: Gondola Ride with Private Walking Tour
When to Visit: Sunrise for the softest light and fewer people, especially if you want a clean foreground.
Google Maps Location: Here
15. Rialto Bridge Viewpoint
Rialto Bridge is one of the most iconic bridges in the world and one of only four that cross the Grand Canal. It dates back to the late 1500s (which is incredibly impressive!) and has been a central commercial hub for centuries.
While the bridge itself gets packed, there’s a small corner behind it on the San Polo side that works beautifully for photos. The red and white striped pilings add a nice pop of color to the photo. Among Instagram spots in Venice, Italy, this one is a must-do.
I went in the afternoon and didn’t mind people on the bridge in the background. If you want it empty, go early. Otherwise, embrace the energy and go whenever best fits your schedule!
When to Visit: Early morning for fewer people, or anytime if you don’t mind crowds.
Google Maps Location: Here
16. Ponte Bernardo
Ponte Bernardo isn’t on many official lists of Instagram spots in Venice, Italy, but I loved it. It’s just one of those skinny canal scenes with old homes leaning in close. To frame the shot, stand on the stairs leading up the bridge slightly off to the center of the canal so that you can capture the full distance down the canal.
When to Visit: Anytime. This isn’t a famous photo spot (yet).
Google Maps Location: Here
17. Piazza San Marco by Drone
Seeing Piazza San Marco from above gives you a different perspective of Venice. From the air, you see the geometry of the square and can really appreciate the architecture. We flew our DJI Mini 3 Pro drone in the afternoon, and you can clearly see the crowds (and how many more people are there vs. our morning shots!)
When to Visit: Anytime, just check local drone regulations in advance.
Google Maps Location: Here
18. Bridge of Sighs Background (Ponte de la Canonica)
For a wider view of the Bridge of Sighs, stand on the Ponte de la Canonica while you have your photographer head to the bridge beyond that. Unlike the closer viewpoint in #4, this angle pulls the bridge into the background so you can shoot it alongside the canal, an additional bridge, and surrounding architecture.
When to Visit: Go first thing if you want minimal foot traffic.
Google Maps Location: Here
19. Ponte San Boldo
Ponte San Boldo sits in front of Campo San Boldo, which is known for its picturesque bridge. The area offers a glimpse into a typical Venetian life, away from the busy areas of Rialto and Piazza San Marco. I loved the framing here, with the building, bridge, and canal all coming together. Among Instagram spots in Venice, Italy, this one is underrated.
When to Visit: Not a high-traffic location, so timing isn’t critical.
Google Maps Location: Here
20. Gelato on Ponte de Sant’Antonio
We grabbed gelato from Suso and took it straight to Ponte de Sant’Antonio. Holding out a cone over a canal might be the most classic of all Instagram shots in Venice, Italy.
It’s simple and fun, and you can replicate it almost anywhere in the city (there are plenty of gelato shops and even more bridges!) Venice photo spots sometimes just require good timing and good dessert. No one can photobomb your gelato if you hold it high enough.
When to Visit: Anytime. You can easily take this shot even with crowds.
Google Maps Location: Here
Where to Stay in Venice, Italy
Here are my recommendations on where to stay while scoping out the top Instagram spots in Venice, Italy:
- Hotel Colombina for best classic Venetian charm near Piazza San Marco (*My Recommendation*)
- The Gritti Palace for best luxury hotel
- Ai Mori d’Oriente for best hotel in the Cannaregio district
- Hotel Palazzo Priuli for best boutique hotel
- Hotel Antigo Trovatore for the best value near Piazza San Marco
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