THE 24 BEST INSTAGRAM SPOTS IN VENICE, ITALY

Venice truly is one of the most photogenic destinations in Italy, a maze of canals and bridges lined with Gothic architecture, dazzling palazzos, ornate churches and moody corridors. The dreamy setting offers up a slew of photogenic backdrops that are as historic as they are beautiful. Below is my complete guide to the best Instagram spots in Venice, a list of must-visit settings for visitors looking to capture the beauty of the city on camera. Additionally, if you’re planning a trip to Venice, check out my Venice Travel Guide and Venice Google Map Pins.

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1. CAMPO DEI MORI

Beautiful square located in the Cannaregio sestiere where the statues of three Moorish brothers (plus one statue of a servant) sit in the ancient walls. According to the legend, the brothers were cursed and turned to stone, and you can still see the statues today around the square. My favorite of the statues guards a turquoise doorway along the Rio della Sensa. This is not a location where you’ll need to worry about crowds of people, but best to shoot when the light is even (under cloud cover, early morning or early evening). GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

2. PONTE DEI CARMINI

Just below the Ponte dei Carmini is a picturesque building overlooking a narrow canal. The little brick corner is absolutely charming, surrounded by pops of green from the water, shutters, plants and doorways. Best to shoot in the early morning when the light is even, and the pedestrian corridor is empty. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

3. GONDOLA RIDE

An authentic gondola ride is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you literally cannot do anywhere else in the world. It’s an amazing feeling to float through the picturesque canals that burst with photo backdrops as you glide bridges, picturesque docks and historic brick buildings that rise out of the water. Prices are €80 before sunset and €100 after sunset for a private 30-minute ride (set prices, no haggling).

4. GELATO AT THE PONTE DEI ZOGATOLI

The Ponte dei Zogatoli overlooks one of the most picturesque canal views in Venice. Gelatoteca Susso is a short stroll away, and makes for a very cute photo prop along the bridge, and then an lovely setting to enjoy the sweet treat. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

5. PONTE DEGLI ASSASSINI, BURANO

For bright and colorful photo locations, visit the island of Burano for the day. Bright houses line the canals, corridors and banks that bisect the tiny island, a strong contrast to the more muted colors of Venice. One of the prettiest photo locations is from the Ponte degli Assassini. The best time to shoot is early or late in the day to avoid crowds of tourists taking selfies on the bridge. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

6. PISCINA SANT’AGNESE HOUSE

This picturesque facade sits on a quiet street in the Dorsoduro sestiere of Venice. The old building is a bright mustard yellow accented with green doors, green shutters and white sculpture. This is not a busy street, no need to worry about crowds of tourists, but it’s best to shoot when the light is even (under cloud cover, early morning or early evening). GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

7. GRAND CANAL FROM ACCADEMIA BRIDGE

A wooden bridge that connects the sestieri of Dorsoduro and San Marco. The scene from the bridge is the best panorama of the expansive Grand Canal – it’s the viewpoint that is slapped on so many postcards of the city. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

8. BRIDGE OF SIGHS

The Bridge of Sighs is an enclosed limestone bridge that connects Doge’s Palace to the city’s historic prison. Visitors can walk through the Bridge of Sighs while touring Doge’s Palace, or there’s a view of the bridge from the Ponte della Paglia, and just below it as well. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

9. DAL MORO’S

Grab a box of the original to-go pasta at Dal Moro’s, in Venice. The fresh, saucy noodles make for a fun, delicious food photo. I took this snap on the alleyway, right in front of the pasta shop. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

10. LIBRERIA AQUA ALTA

An adorable bookstore that sits tucked away in the Castello district of Venice. The small shop is filled wall-to-wall with vintage books for visitors to browse, thumb through and purchase. There’s a small brick corridor outside that leads out of Libreria Aqua Alta that is lined with stacks of old books – very picturesque. There’s also a pile of old “books” that visitors can climb to pose for photos. The shop is a popular tourist destination that gets very busy in the afternoon, best to arrive at opening to avoid waiting in a line. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

11. RISTORANTE AI BARBACANI

This little doorway overlooking the canal is one of the most charming dinner settings in Venice. That said, the food here is not very good. While you’ll leave with unique, amazing photos, the food is expensive and there is a time limit to each sitting because they only have one table like this in the restaurant. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

12. RIALTO BRIDGE

The Rialto Bridge is the famous stone bridge that spans the Grand Canal at its narrowest point, connecting the neighborhoods of San Marco and San Polo. And while it offers up a great viewpoint of the Grand Canal, the bridge itself also serves as an epic photo backdrop from boat piers below. It’s become a popular spot for photos in recent years, be prepared to wait in a line. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

13. CAFE FLORIAN

The oldest coffee house in Venice sits on St. Mark’s Square, and it’s one of the prettiest cafe settings for photos. The cappuccinos, hot chocolates and desserts aren’t cheap, but the experience of sitting in a place filled with so much history makes it worth the splurge. The cafe is easiest to shoot when it opens. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

14. RIO TERRA DEI CATECUMENI HOUSE

The sestiere of Dorsoduro is a treasure trove of charming streets, picturesque houses and fewer crowds. One of the cutest little houses sits on Rio Terra dei Catecumeni, a stone and pink structure accented with turquoise shutters and blooming flower pots. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATIONS HERE.

15. PONTE DEI PIGNOLI

There are dozens of cute canal bridges in Venice, but Ponte dei Pignoli is one that is a must-visit for photos. It has all the elements of the perfect Veneiza postcard – colorful storied buildings, red and white canal poles, green shutters and the most charming bridge crossing. It’s a popular tourist spot, best to arrive early. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

16. BURANO DOORWAYS

Burano might be the most colorful destination in Italy. Spend an hour to two gawking at the corridors of colorful homes, each one offering up facades, doorways, window shutters, curtains and potted plants fit for an Instagram feed. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION OF YELLOW HOUSE ABOVE HERE.

17. CAMPO SANTO STEFANO

Colorful facades and bustling restaurants line the Campo Santo Stefano that most visitors cross enroute to the Academia Bridge. A 19th century statue of Niccolo Tommaseo stands in the middle of the square. The square is very scenic, and a lovely backdrop for photos. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

18. HOTEL ST. MOISE DOCK

This photogenic dock is located across from the Hotel St. Moise. The backdrop is iconic Venice, but what makes the location so special is its prime location on the gondola routes. Gondolas are constantly passing – great for photos, and a lovely setting in general to enjoy the view. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

19. GELATO SHOPS

Snap a photo in front of one of the city’s many gelato shops. There are plenty to choose from, and gelato is always a cute setting for photos. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

20. RISTORANTE SEMPIONE

Ristorante Sempione is another spot where the food is just average, but the restaurant’s canal seating offers a charming photo location. It’s best to make a reservation in advance if you want one of the tables perched over the canal. GOOLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

21. SCALA CONTARINI DEL BOVOLO

This is one of my favorite photo settings in Venice. Scala Contarini del Bovolo is home to a six-story spiral staircase that rises up to sweeping views over the city. The design of the palazzo is a mix of Renaissance, Byzantine and Gothic architectural styles using terracotta brick, stone archways and columns. Timed reservations can be made in advance online, but the photos turn out best when the sky is blue. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

22. BACKSIDE OF RIALTO BRIDGE

There is a cute cement bank that faces the backside of the Rialto Bridge, serving up an epic view of the Grand Canal. It’s a lovely spot to sit and watch the gondolas and larger boats float by, as well as snap a few photos. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.

23. DORSODURO

San Marco is the shining star of Venice, but it’s worth a trip over the bridge to visit the charming Dorsoduro sestierie. This part of Venice is quieter than the more bustling tourist areas, but equally beautiful, home to picturesque canals, lovely piazzas and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. Plenty of photo locations on this side of the water.

24. ST. MARK’S CAMPANILE

St. Mark’s Campanile might be the most iconic sight in all of Venice. The bell tower sits in the heart of St. Mark’s Square, rising 323 ft. up, and visible from several locations throughout the city. I highly recommend taking the elevator up to the top of the tower for 360 views over the city. The panoramas up here make for truly epic photos. GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION HERE.