Venice is an incredible vacation destination if you love history, beautiful architecture, and, of course, plenty of unforgettable Instagram opportunities! The whole city of Venice is stunning and full of beautiful Instagram spots. This guide will show you the Top 20 Venice Instagram Spots so you can snag some incredible photos for your feed. This list is perfect for anyone and everyone who visits Venice, regardless of whether you’re a professional photographer or a casual tourist wanting to create lasting memories.
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Map of Most Instagrammable Places in Venice
Due to the nature of Venice being a series of small islands, the city is relatively compact and getting around by foot is mandatory. That being said, the streets are narrow, winding, and it can be hard to navigate from one place to the other. Use this map of the most Instagrammable places in Venice so that you can capture them all before relaxing and sitting back to enjoy this amazing city.
Top 20 Venice Instagram Spots
Venice is truly in a world of its own, with no other place on earth being just like it. The magnificent architecture and stunning city views of Venice will surely create amazing Instagram photos for your feed, and make everyone jealous of your amazing travels to Venice.
Piazza San Marco Canal View
The first location on this list of the most Instagrammable places in Venice is the stunning Piazza San Marco Canal View. Piazza San Marco, or St. Marks Square, is a very popular public square in Venice that is known for its famed architecture and the buildings that surround the square. Piazza San Marco was first established in 1177, making it an incredibly historical spot in Venice!
Although Piazza San Marco is beautiful itself, we also recommend using the square to photograph views of the canal. Venice is known for its series of canals that can be found throughout the city, and the canal view from Piazza San Marco is the perfect spot to capture some Instagram photos!
Location: Piazza San Marco Canal View
Hours: This Venice Instagram spot can be visited any time of day, and is especially lively on warm nights!
Best Time for Photos: Early morning is a great time to visit Piazza San Marco to avoid the large crowds that tend to gather later in the day.
Tips: Visitors cannot eat or drink in Piazza San Marco, so save your snacks for the next Venice photo spot! If Venice happens to be experiencing flooding when you are there, this is one of the first areas of the city to flood, and everyone will walk along elevated walkways instead.
Piazza San Marco Lanterns
After photographing the canal view from Piazza San Marco, take some time to capture photos of the lanterns as well. Throughout the square you’ll find these beautiful historic lanterns. They have an intricate design and colored glass that gives them a slightly whimsical, romantic quality. Incorporating these lanterns into your photos will really elevate your Instagram game and add a fun sense of variety to your Venice photos.
Location: Piazza San Marco Lanterns
Hours: You can visit this Venice photo spot any time of day.
Best Time for Photos: Sunrise or sunset is an especially beautiful time to capture photos of the Piazza San Marco lanterns.
Tips: These lanterns photograph beautifully from virtually all angles, so don’t be afraid to play around with perspective, and lean against them, twirl from them, or stand below them.
Piazza San Marco with Campanile di San Marco
Another great option for a Venice Instagram spot is to photograph Piazza San Marco with Campanile di San Marco. Campanile di San Marco is a large belltower located within the public square. Campanile di San Marco is actually the tallest building in Venice, making it a great landmark to incorporate into your Instagram photos. Capturing photos with Piazza San Marco and Campanile di San Marco will offer some awesome perspective to just how large and strikingly beautiful the belltower is!
Location: Piazza San Marco Lanterns
Hours: You can visit this Venice photo spot all hours of the day. You can also go inside the belltower from 9:30 AM to 5:15 PM every day of the week, although professional photography is not allowed.
Cost: 8 EUR ($8.70 USD) if you want to visit the top of Campanile di San Marco
Best Time for Photos: To avoid large crowds and capture some beautiful natural lighting, plan your visit around sunrise or sunset.
Tips: Use the full size of Piazza San Marco to your advantage by photographing Campanile di San Marco from up close and then from far away.
Piazza San Marco with Basilica di San Marco
Basilica di San Marco is another beautiful landmark that you can find in Piazza San Marco. Basilica di San Marco is a great Venice Instagram spot because of its beautifully unique architecture that you can’t find anywhere else. The church, which was first built around 1063, features a number of domes and spires that are very striking when photographed. Capturing photos of Piazza San Marco with Basilica di San Marco is a great option if you want to highlight some of Venice’s signature locations and architecture.
Location: Piazza San Marco with Basilica di San Marco
Hours: You can tour the inside of Basilica di San Marco from 9:30 AM to 5:15 PM Monday through Saturday, and 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM on Sundays, but professional photography is not allowed. However, the exterior of the church can be photographed all hours of the day.
Cost: 6 EUR ($6.50 USD) if you want to visit the inside, however it is not necessary to create some beautiful Venice Instagram photos
Best Time for Photos: Sunrise is a great time to photograph Basilica di San Marco if you want to avoid large crowds and harsh sunlight. Taking a photo once the sun just peaks over the top of the building with some sun flair, will really elevate your photo.
Tips: Basilica di San Marco is another Venice photo spot that photographs beautifully both up close and far away! You can wear nearly anything for this Venice Instagram photo spot, however a fancy dress really plays well with the style of the building.
Piazza San Marco Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace)
Piazza San Marco is definitely one of the most Instagrammable places in Venice thanks to how versatile it is. Palazzo Ducale is another landmark located in the square that you can’t miss. Palazzo Ducale, also known as Doge’s Palace, is a classic Venice landmark thanks to its style of gothic architecture that is a signature throughout much of the city. Built in 1340, Palazzo Ducale used to be the residence of the Doge, or duke, of Venice. In 1923, the palace was converted into a museum which you can now visit. The arched walkways around the edge of Palazzo Ducale are the perfect spot for your Instagram photos!
Location: Piazza San Marco Palazzo Ducale
Hours: You can photograph this Venice Instagram spot any time of day, and you can also visit the museum from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, every day of the week.
Cost: 25 EUR ($27 USD) if you want to visit the beautiful inside of Doge’s Palace.
Best Time for Photos: Early morning and evening are the best times to photograph Palazzo Ducale, as they are typically less busy. However, out of all of the Piazza San Marco photo spots, this is the easiest to photograph with large crowds, so you can prioritize this one last.
Tips: If you position yourself strategically you can capture photos with Palazzo Ducale, Campanile di San Marco, and some of the Piazza San Marco lanterns all at once!
Piazza San Marco Caffe Florian
Piazza San Marco truly has it all, including the oldest café in Venice! Caffe Florian is not only the oldest coffeehouse in Venice, it’s also considered one of the oldest cafes in the world. They have been serving coffee here from all the way back in 1720. Both the interior and exterior of Caffe Florian are absolutely beautiful and intricately designed. Outside, Caffe Florian sports plenty of outdoor seating in front of a historic façade. Inside, the café is complete with paintings and plush seating that will make you feel like royalty.
Location: Piazza San Marco Caffe Florian
Hours: Caffe Florian is open from 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM, every day of the week.
Best Time for Photos: Try to visit this Venice photo spot at odd hours throughout the day where it’s less likely to be busy.
Tips: Caffe Florian is a great spot to grab some coffee and snacks after photographing all the beautiful landmarks throughout Piazza San Marco! While the location and café is beautiful, expect to find overpriced food and drinks and relatively poor service.
Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs)
Ponte dei Sospiri, which translates to “Bridge of Sighs,” is a picture-perfect location that definitely stands out as one of the most Instagrammable places in Venice. The enclosed bridge can be found over a narrow canal, connecting the New Prison to Palazzo Ducale. The light-washed limestone architecture of the bridge contrasts beautifully with the blue canal water. Once you see Ponte dei Sospiri in person, you’ll understand why it’s one of the most well-known bridges in Venice and the world!
Location: Ponte dei Sospiri
Hours: You can photograph this Venice Instagram spot any time of day.
Best Time for Photos: Ponte dei Sospiri is a popular destination in Venice, so try to visit earlier or later in the day, outside of peak tourist hours.
Tips: Two great options for photographing Ponte dei Sospiri from the canal side are from the lower walking bridge, looking directly at Ponte dei Sospiri, or from the right-hand side at water level where you will find a small ledge. Alternatively, if you have a zoom lens, you can also photograph the Bridge of Sighs from the other side, however you will be farther away.
View of Rialto Bridge
Another iconic bridge worth photographing on your trip to Venice is the famous Rialto Bridge. Rialto Bridge is one of four bridges that span Grand Canal, Venice’s main waterway. Rialto Bridge is actually the oldest of the four bridges, and its unique architecture makes it a very popular Venice photo spot. The stone bridge, which was first built in 1173, is massive and features a beautiful 24-foot arch and includes outside walkways on each side, two rows of storefronts, and an interior walkway. The best place to photograph Rialto Bridge is actually from this secret location, just around the corner.
Location: View of Rialto Bridge
Hours: One of the best parts about this Venice Instagram spot is you can visit it all hours of the day.
Best Time for Photos: Since Rialto Bridge is one of the most popular Venice landmarks, try to visit early in the morning or around sunset when there will be fewer crowds, even at this off-the-beaten-path photo location.
Tips: Try to time your photographs to include either a Venetian gondola or old wooden motorboat in the background, both extremely typical of Venice.
View from Rialto Bridge
Rialto Bridge is a gorgeous landmark in and of itself, but the views from the bridge are beautiful as well! From the bridge, you’ll be rewarded with an amazing view of Grand Canal and the historic buildings that line the waterway on both sides. The colorful buildings, boats, and beautiful canal water combine to give you a jaw-dropping view. This Venice photo spot is definitely worth a lengthy visit as it is one of the busiest areas on the Venice canal, so you can watch the boats and people go by and marvel at how life works here in Venice.
Location: View from Rialto Bridge
Hours: You can photograph the view from Rialto Bridge any time of day.
Best Time for Photos: The late afternoon is a great time photograph this Venice Instagram spot as there will be a lot going on, adding to the action in the photograph.
Tips: Take your time at this Venice Instagram spot! The scenery is always changing and it’s a great place to watch the hustle and bustle of this charming city.
View of Grand Canal
Rialto Bridge is just one great option for photographing Grand Canal, but the entire waterway is truly picture-perfect. Grand Canal actually follows a natural channel that carves a reverse S-shape through the city of Venice. All along Grand Canal you’ll be able to capture beautiful photos of Venetian boats and historic architecture. The natural movement and beauty of the canal offers a striking contrast to the buildings that line the waterway.
Location: View of Grand Canal
Hours: Grand Canal is a great Venice photo spot because you can visit it all hours of the day.
Best Time for Photos: Morning and evening are great times to photograph Grand Canal to avoid large crowds.
Tips: Really take your time as you follow the Grand Canal throughout the city! It’s a signature Venice landmark that offers lots of opportunities for variety in your Instagram photos.
Fondamenta e Ponte del Parucheta
Fondamenta e Ponte del Parucheta is a quiet area of Venice that is full of small bridges and canals, easily making it one of the most Instagrammable places in Venice. Even though Fondamenta e Ponte del Parucheta is located in the heart of the city, you’ll feel as though you’ve found your own private corner of Venice as you explore this area. Tucked between the historic buildings are small bridges and narrow canals that offer plenty of options for capturing beautiful Instagram photos at every turn.
Location: Fondamenta e Ponte del Parucheta
Hours: This Venice Instagram spot is open to visitors any time of day.
Best Time for Photos: Fondamenta e Ponte del Parucheta is a relatively quiet area of Venice, so you have plenty of flexibility when planning your visit.
Tips: There are lots of hidden gems within Fondamenta e Ponte del Parucheta, so take your time exploring and find a unique angle and photo spot.
Libreria Acqua Alta – Famous Instagrammable Bookshop
Libreria Acqua Alta is an iconic location known for being a top Venice photo spot. This small bookshop is super quirky and crammed full of books that fill every corner of the store. Inside the store there are actual boats that offer more book storage, and the bookshop also has a view overlooking a canal. Libreria Acqua Alta is often considered one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world, and is definitely one of the most unique Instagrammable places in Venice. Walk through the bookshop to the courtyard at the back of the store to see the stacks of books where you will also find others taking photos.
Location: Libreria Acqua Alta
Hours: You can visit Libreria Acqua Alta from 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM, every day of the week.
Best Time for Photos: Although Libreria Acqua Alta is a popular destination in Venice, it doesn’t get too crazy busy, as people are generally willing to take turns photographing the spot. Try to visit earlier or later in the day to avoid large crowds in the afternoon.
Tips: Don’t forget to browse the books during your visit – the shop is full of great finds!
Ponte dell’Accademia
This next Venice photo spot is another historic bridge known as Ponte dell’Accademia. Ponte dell’Accademia, like Rialto Bridge, also spans the Grand Canal, though it first opened in 1854, making it a significantly newer structure. Ponte dell’Accademia stands out among many of the bridges throughout Venice because it is actually made of steel, whereas other bridges in the city are frequently made of stone. The unique architecture of Ponte dell’Accademia and the beautiful views it provides make it an excellent Venice Instagram spot.
Location: Ponte dell’Accademia
Hours: Ponte dell’Accademia is open to visitors 24 hours a day.
Best Time for Photos: Morning and evening are especially great times to visit Ponte dell’Accademia.
Tips: From Ponte dell’Accademia, you can capture beautiful views of the canal and Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute.
Bridge with View of Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute is a beautiful Catholic church located in the heart of Venice, and you can get excellent views of this landmark from the water! Located along Grand Canal, the church is well-known for its signature domed architecture. Other beautiful features of Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute include a pair of belltowers at the back of the building, and the sculptures of religious figures that adorn the building’s façade. Basilica di Santa Maria della Salture is a classic Venice photo spot that you won’t want to miss.
Location: Bridge with View
Hours: You can photograph Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute from this bridge any time of day.
Best Time for Photos: Late afternoon is a great time to visit the bridge if you want to capture the church in a beautiful golden light. This area of Venice is not as well explored, making it perfect to walk through during the busier afternoon hours.
Tips: Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute’s iconic dome is so large that you can catch views of it throughout the whole city of Venice!
Venice Gondola Ride
A list of the most Instagrammable places in Venice would not be complete with capturing a signature gondola ride photo! Although it’s fun to take a gondola ride at the Venetian in Las Vegas, which we did in our guide to the Top 60 Most Instagrammable Places in Las Vegas, truly nothing beats the real deal. Although it can be a bit touristy, taking a gondola ride in Venice is seriously fun and a great way to see the city from a new perspective.
Location: There are a number of agencies in Venice that offer gondola rides, so do some research on which area of town appeals to you the most.
Cost: The price of gondola rides is actually set by the city of Venice, and a 40-minute ride will set you back 80 EUR ($86 USD). Agencies will typically offer extras and add-ons for additional fees as well, though these are optional depending on what kind of experience you want.
Best Time for Photos: There’s no bad time to photograph a Venice gondola ride, but earlier or later in the day will provide exceptionally beautiful natural lighting.
Tips: Don’t be afraid or nervous to take lots of photos – chances are, the gondoliers are very used to it!
Venice Pizza Instagrammable Location
Another classic Venice photo spot that offers room for adventure is photographing a pizza meal along a canal! If there’s one dish everyone associates with Italy, it’s pizza. Why not grab a delicious pizza and celebrate Italy and Venice for the ultimate Instagram photo? All throughout the city you’ll be able to find delicious pizza restaurants and beautiful canal photo opportunities. There is one location that is the most famous to take this type of Venice Instagram photo, however there are multiple other options as well.
Location: Famous Venice Pizza Location and an Additional Venice Pizza Location (where the photo above was taken)
Hours: Specific restaurant hours will vary, but most open in the late morning until late.
Cost: Many pizza places in Venice offer a whole pizza for 10 EUR ($11 USD) or less.
Best Time for Photos: Grab your pizza outside of normal lunch or dinner hours to avoid large restaurant crowds.
Tips: Make sure you find a pizza that’s not only photogenic, but also delicious – you deserve it after a long day of visiting Venice Instagram spots!
Bridges of Murano
Murano is actually a separate island that is linked to the Venetian Lagoon via a series of bridges. Murano is a great Venice photo spot because it is much quieter than the main city, giving you lots of flexibility for your Instagram photos. Throughout the walkways of Murano, you’ll find all kinds of colorful buildings and beautiful bridges, as well as many shops selling the islands famous Venetian glass. The whole island is very photogenic, and you’re sure to capture some amazing photos by just wandering around for an afternoon.
Location: Bridges of Murano
Hours: You can visit the bridges of Murano any time of day.
Best Time for Photos: Murano photographs beautifully all hours of the day, so you can plan your visit for virtually any time.
Tips: Because Murano is a separate island from Venice, you won’t have to worry too much about large crowds of tourists. Take the Venice water bus to Murano, and enjoy the tour of Venice by water along the way!
Colorful Buildings of Burano
Burano is another island located in the Venetian Lagoon that is one of the most Instagrammable places in Venice thanks to its many colorful buildings. Burano is well-known as a quirky side trip from Venice thanks to its brightly-colored buildings. Along Burano’s canals you’ll find buildings of almost every color, including deep reds, bright pinks and purples, and vibrant greens! Burano is a truly unique destination that is well-worth a visit to capture some amazing Instagram photos.
Location: Colorful Buildings of Burano
Hours: Burano is a great Venice Instagram spot because you visit it any time of day.
Best Time for Photos: Generally, morning and evening are good times for photos because the island will be less busy.
Tips: Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes becauseBurano is another spot you’ll want to take your time exploring!
How to Get Around Venice
By far, the easiest way to get around and explore the city of Venice is by foot. Venice is a very walkable city and you’ll likely find some incredible Instagram photo spots just by wandering around. Of course, one of the main perks of walking is that it’s also completely free, and a great way to get some exercise in during your travels!
Another option to travel around the city is to take a water taxi, but we personally feel they aren’t really worth the cost.
One great way to see the city is by taking the boat service to the island of Murano or Burano. The service is very easy to use and will offer you some unique photo opportunities that you might miss otherwise. Tickets start at 7.50 EUR ($8 USD) and change depending on your selected journey.
Top 20 Venice Instagram Spots Summary
We hope you find this guide to the Top 20 Venice Instagram Spots helpful! We absolutely adore Venice, and it is so much fun to walk around and explore the city on foot. Around every corner you’ll find gorgeous architecture and hidden gems that make excellent backdrops for your Instagram photos.
What do you think are some of the most Instagrammable places in Venice? Let us know if we missed any down below in the comments! Don’t forget to pin this post to your Italy Pinterest board, to help plan your next Italian getaway!
