Best Photography Spots in Venice, Italy. The city of Venice is a beautiful place to be and shows up magnificently in photos no matter how you approach it. This city is a popular destination for many and is most known for its canal streets. The best way to travel throughout Venice is by water taxi or gondola which gives you the opportunity to really see everything from a local perspective.
There are endless narrow streets and waterways in addition to the main channels. Getting lost can be a fun experience for traveling and allows you to find all the hidden parts of a city you might not otherwise see. However, for those hoping to get an expansive experience of the city, wandering around alleyways may not be what you’re looking for. Here is a list of the best photography spots in Venice, Italy to help you plan out your days and to make sure you’re including the unforgettable sceneries on your visit to this Italian city.
THE GEAR
The gear we recommend is a good camera and the holy trinity. A wide-angle lens. 14-24mm or something similar. A 24-70mm or something similar and, of course, a 70-200mm or something similar.
If you do not have these particular lenses, do not worry; something similar will be just fine. It would be best if you also had a tripod.
1. Venice Canals
These are all over the city and are used on a daily basis for transportation. Venice canals each have their own unique look to them and you’ll find that no two canals are the same. Venice waterways are all lined with interesting architecture, pedestrians, and boats. You could spend an entire day getting lost in the beauty of these “roads”.
2. Rialto Bridge
This is one of the most popular bridges in the city which is why you can expect to find lots of tourists and photographers in the area. This is why it is best to get here early to get your shots and then move on with the rest of your itinerary. You can shoot this bridge from multiple angles, a few include nearby docks or stone platforms. Pro tip: best time to shoot is at sunrise to avoid the crowds.
Best Photography Spots in Venice Italy
3. Scala Contarini del Bovolo
This is a very distinct and interesting building in the city. It is a tower that gives you some beautiful views of Venice and also looks amazing when photographed from the ground. It has multiple floors with arched windows that give visitors a sense of romance.
4. Bridge of Sighs
The Bridge of Sighs is also a busy spot in the city and is well-known to many visitors. However, as long as you are creative in finding your own angles, you can easily capture a shot of the bridge without a crowd of tourists showing up. The bridge was named because it was the last view that convicted criminals saw before going to jail and it caused many to sigh because it was so beautifully constructed.
5. Saint Mark’s Square
Saint Mark’s Square holds a number of notable photography spots in the city which means plenty of opportunities to find cool angles to capture your pictures from. You can’t have the Best Photography Spots in Venice Italy list without Saint Mark’s Square. This wide-open square has a cathedral, a tower, and a line of repeating architectural designs. Pro tip: Wake up early to shoot the sunrise to avoid the crowds.
6. Doge’s Palace
Doge’s Palace is located in St. Mark’s Square and can be photographed from within the square or from across the lagoon. This palace is in close proximity to many photography locations like the Bridge of Sighs which makes it easy to add to your route.
7. Water Gondolas
There is no shortage of water gondolas in Venice. These can be spotted almost anywhere in the city which means photo opportunities are always available. Take a picture of them traveling along the water channels or catch a ride yourself and capture shots from the perspective of the gondola. Many who operate the gondolas also have traditional uniforms that only add to the ambiance of the city.
8. Venice Carnival
The Venice carnival takes place in February and creates an air of mystery, excitement, and fun. You can capture masked people walking the streets throughout the day and at night you can capture excellent shots of festivities that light up the city.
9. Basilica di Santa Maria
Also known as the Salute, this is a Roman Catholic cathedral that is located along the banks of the city. It is positioned at the entrance of the Grand Canal which makes it nearly impossible to miss. The large domes and white stones of the building make it a stunning sight under the Italian sun.
10. Burano Island
Burano is located off the mainland of Venice and will require a 45-minute commute by waterbus. However, for those who have the time, this is a very quaint area to visit. The water channels are lined with colorfully painted houses that contrast beautifully with the sea and gondolas.
11. Saint Mark’s Cathedral
This cathedral is one of the most famous churches in the city and is the church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. It is located just a short walk from St. Mark’s Square and it is a symbol of Venetian wealth.
12. San Marco Waterfront
This area is located across the lagoon from the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore and is an idyllic view of the sea and classic Venice gondolas. This waterfront gives you the perfect view of blue skies and waters. Just be sure not to sit around for too long since it is not allowed for visitors to rest or picnic along this waterfront.
13. Grand Canal
The Grand Canal is best explored using a water taxi because there is so much to see. While gondolas are also suitable, you’ll want to flag down a taxi if you’re hoping to see more of it. This allows you to capture as many unique views as possible while enjoying the city the way it was meant to be explored.
14. Hands Sculpture
This art installation was created by Spanish artist, Lorenzo Quinn, and is titled Support. These hands are reaching out of the Grand Canal and look as if they are holding up the hotel and preventing it from falling into the waters below. It was created to send a message about climate change and the effects of sea levels rising on the city.
15. Libreria Acqua Alta
This is a lesser-known spot in the city but is well worth a visit because of its unique design. The Libreria Acqua Alta is a bookstore that not only has fun reads to take home but also an interesting courtyard that is completely decorated with walls of books.
16. Alleyways
Mornings are the best time to go exploring the alleyways and water channels of the city. While sunset brings many shadows that can cause difficulties for photographers, sunrise brings a magical light to the waterways of the city. Bring a wide-angle lens with you to experiment with different perspectives.
17. Venice Balconies
Balconies in Venice are unlike any other in the world. Whether you’re spotting them yourself along the alleyways or using your own hotel’s balcony for your pictures, you’ll find that Venice balconies offer impressive views of the “streets” below and tell their own stories.
18. Ponte Maria Callas
This is just one of the many beautiful bridges located in the city of Venice. However, the unique thing about the Ponte Maria Callas is that it also has the Campanile di Santo Stefano in the background which means you can capture the leaning bell tower along with the water channels and buildings. It is less than a 10-minute walk from St. Mark’s Square and while it takes some searching, it should be easy to fit into your daily schedule.
These are the Best Photography Spots in Venice Italy
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