Picture-Perfect Venice, Italy: A Guide to the Best Photo Spots in the City

Venice, Italy is a city that has inspired artists and photographers for centuries.

With its winding canals, colorful buildings, and unique architecture, Venice offers endless opportunities for capturing stunning photos.

But with so many options, where do you start?

Whether you're an amateur photographer looking for Instagram-worthy shots or a professional seeking to capture the essence of this magical city, this map has got you covered.

From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, we'll take you on a visual journey through the city, providing insider tips and recommendations on how to capture the perfect shot.

So grab your camera and get ready to discover the most photogenic corners of Venice.

St. Mark's Square

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The Piazza San Marco is one of the most famous squares in the world. It's home to Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark's Basilica) and surrounded by many of the most important buildings in the photogenic city, including the Palazzo Ducale (the Doge's Palace), the Biblioteca Marciana (Marciana Library), and the Museo Correr (Correr Museum). 

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St Mark's Campanile

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Every grand cathedral needs a stunning bell tower, and the Campanile di San Marco is no exception. The tower's construction began in the early 10th century and lasted around 500 years, with many building phases. Despite the effort, the building collapsed in 1902 and was painstakingly rebuilt by 1912. Head inside to buy a ticket before taking the elevator to the top–one of the advantages of being rebuilt in the 20th century. You'll see 360-degree views of Venice's sights from up here, including the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge.

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Riva degli Schiavoni

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The Riva degli Schiavoni runs along the water's edge, parallel to Piazza San Marco. Gondolas are docked here, bobbing serenely at the entrance to the Grand Canal, with boats floating by in the distance. If you want to stand on the gondola pier to snap a perfect shot, you can; but please be respectful of boaters who are actually using the dock.

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Bridge of Sighs

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The Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) connects the jail cells to the Doge's Palace across the Canal. Built around 1600, the story goes those convicts sentenced to imprisonment would walk across the historic bridge from their sentencing to the prisons and sigh while seeing their beloved Venice one last time through the bridge windows.

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Rialto Bridge

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The Rialto Bridge, one of the world's most iconic bridges, spans the Grand Canal and connects the city's two sides. The beautiful stone bridge that stands here today was built in 1591.  There are two sides to the famous bridge, so as you cross the Grand Canal from one side of town to the other, enjoy the stunning views from both sides.

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Palazzo dei Camerlenghi

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If you want to capture the Ponte di Rialto itself, the best photo spots in Venice for this are along the Grand Canal with the iconic Rialto Bridge in front of you. Most people stand on one of the docks to capture the bridge up close. Although this is a great picture and one that I couldn't resist either, it's another bustling spot. You'll be surrounded by other tourists trying to take the same beautiful shot, workers using the docks for their boats, and people eating at the restaurants that line the Canal.  Instead, head over to the Palazzo dei Camerlenghi. A small corner right behind the building offers an unparalleled view of the iconic bridge.

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Ponte degli Scalzi

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The Scalzi Bridge sits right in front of the Stazione di Santa Lucia, Venice's train station. Since this bridge is typically the first location someone goes to when arriving in Venice, it's a special picture since it'll be your first view of this magnificent metropolitan city. 

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Ponte dell'Accademia

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The Ponte dell'Accademia is one of the most photographed bridges in Venice, connecting two city districts–the Dorsoduro and the San Marco districts. Gondolas glide by beside polished wooden boats, while the historic facades of the buildings appear to float over Venice's watery landscape.

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Gondola Traghetto di Riva del Vin (Sestiere di San Polo)

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As you walk along the Riva del Vin next to the Grand Canal in the San Polo neighborhood, pause a moment at the traghetto stop and take in the view. Most days, you'll find gorgeous gondolas docked here, bobbing peacefully in the water all in a row. 

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t fondaco Rooftop Terrace

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The Fondaco dei Tedeschi is an upscale shopping mall found just a few streets from the Rialto Bridge in the heart of Venice. The inside has been meticulously planned to retain the structure's historical character while providing levels of retail area. Dating back to the 14th century, German traders in the Venetian Republic were forced to live here. More recently, it was the city's principal post office.  As one of the most extraordinary free things to do in Venice, you can now enjoy panoramic views of the city from its rooftop. It is free to reserve a ticket to visit the T Fondaco Rooftop Terrace; however, you must do so in advance. It's a popular viewpoint in the city, and tickets usually aren't available same day.

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Teatro La Fenice

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The Teatro La Fenice first opened its doors in the 18th century, only five years before the collapse of the Republic of Venice. The current theater is a replica of the original, which was destroyed by arson in 1996.  Operas by some of the most renowned composers, including Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, and Verdi, have premiered here throughout its history. It's now regarded as one of the most significant landmarks in the history of opera. 

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Punta della Dogana - Pinault Collection

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At the end of the Grand Canal, if you keep walking beyond the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, you'll come to Punta della Dogana. The tip of this island juts out between the Grand and Giudecca Canals. 

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Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

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Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo is a small palace found down a narrow street in Venice. It's famous for its spiraling "snail" staircase–bovolo means snail in the Venetian dialect–which connects six loggia levels and has 80 steps. The ornamentation consists of alternating bricks and white stone from Croatia's Istria region.

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Libreria Acqua Alta

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From the street, this place looks like any other touristy shop spilling postcards onto the sidewalk. Inside, though, is a different story. Libreria Acqua Alta is unapologetically chaotic as if it were an extension of the city itself. It's an eclectic bookstore with many sections, including books about travel, history, art, and more. There's also a bathtub and a gondola full of books inside. 

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San Giorgio Maggiore

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Did you know famous Impressionist painter Claude Monet was artistically inspired by the view from this church, too? Chiesa di San Giorgio Maggiore, also the name of the island on which it is located, is dedicated to Saint George and was the home of the San Giorgio Monastery from 982 to 1812.  The Fondazione Giorgio Cini cultural center and library archive, the Labirinto Borges labyrinth, the open-air theater Teatro Verde, and the Vatican Chapels are also located here on San Giorgio Maggiore island. You'll find it quieter than many other parts of Venice, and it's easy to get there by water taxi.  While San Giorgio Maggiore itself is a beautiful church, the view from the top of the bell tower is magnificent. The Campanile di San Giorgio has one of the most incredible views of Venice, with the entire city spread out in front of you.

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Gondola Dogana Vallaresso

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Almost directly in front of the famous Harry's Bar is a small gondola station called Gondola Dogana Vallarese. If you stand at the end of the pier, you can take a picture of the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute with the Canal behind it.

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Calle del Megio

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Walk to the end of the street named Calle del Megio in the Cannaregio district, right next to the Palazzo Mocenigo: Study Centre of the History of Textiles, Costumes and Perfume.

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Sacca de la Misericordia Marina

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Although most modern Venetians don't own boats, the ones that do need to park them somewhere! The Sacca de la Misericordia Marina is in the Cannaregio District, at the end of the Fondamente de la Misericordia.  This street is the center of local life in this neighborhood, with several outstanding restaurants right next to the Canal. The marina is beautiful to see around sunset, with all the motorboats docked for the evening. In the distance, you can see the Cimitero di San Michele (San Michele Cemetery) island close off-shore and, on a clear day, the snow-capped peaks of the Dolomites far out in the distance.

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Campo San Barnaba

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Ready to–almost–recreate an iconic movie moment? In the movie Summertime (1955,) classic cinema actress Katharine Hepburn fell into a canal right in front of Campo San Barnaba and was rescued by Venetians. 

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Bepi's House

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On Burano, one colorful house in particular on the island stands out from the rest.  Casa di Bepi was once home to film aficionado Giuseppe Toselli, who used to arrange movie nights and sell candies in the town square. Although he has passed away, the house he painstakingly painted over the years has been restored to showcase all the geometric shapes in their glory. 

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Glass Museum (Murano)

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The Museum of Glass on Murano island is a hidden gem that offers visitors a fascinating look into the history and artistry of glassmaking.

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When we focus on capturing the beauty around us, we become more aware of the details, the light, and the atmosphere.

We notice the small things that make a place unique and special, and we develop a deeper connection to it.

Venice is a city that is both beautiful and complex, with a rich history and an incredible culture.

Through photography, we can capture a piece of that beauty and share it with the world.

I hope this guide has inspired you to discover the best photo spots in Venice and to capture your own unique perspective on this extraordinary city. 

(All cover images are my own, except for T Fondaco dei Tedeschi rooftop and the Museum of Glass!)

Want to see more photo spots in Venice? Check out my guide on the Most Instagrammable Places in Venice, Italy

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