Best Views in Venice, Italy
Venice is a cohesive mesh of meandering canals, ornate architecture and remnants from a rich trading history. Although the region is renowned for its glass and lace making, masquerade balls, and world-class galleries showcasing the finest Renaissance artworks, many visitors delight in simply viewing and photographing the panoramic views of Venice.
Around almost every street corner is a grandiose piazza, a historic church or an opulent palace, and along the canals, gondolas and Vaporettos compete for space as they ferry tourists from one dazzling landmark to another.
On a trip to Venice, you can capture architectural gems hidden in courtyards off the beaten path, see the workshops where gondolas are made or even hop aboard one to glide past houses that appear to rise from the water.
If this sounds appealing, pack your DSLR, mirrorless camera or even your smartphone and let’s explore some of the best photo spots in Venice.
Note: I’ve laid these out in geographical order so you can hop from one vantage point to another as you traverse the floating city.
Santa Maria della Salute Church
Ensconced between the Grand Canal and Giudecca Canal, this octagonal-shaped minor basilica is one of Venice’s largest churches. The whitewashed dome is visible from many different locations in the city – and it’s this dome, the cupola, that boasts some of the best scenic panoramic views!
The basilica was built as a memorial to Veneto citizens who perished from a nasty plague in the mid-1600s, and because of this, the church was named “Our Lady of Health” – Santa Maria della Salute in Italian. Inside, visitors can see paintings by Tintoretto and Titian, but the views from the cupola are just as impressive.
The canal views and the city’s terracotta rooftops unfurl before you in all their splendour. Through your lens, see gondolas bobbing up and down while moored at their posts along the Riva degli Schiavoni. Observe palatial buildings at the water’s edge, and gain views of San Georgio Maggiore island and beyond to the Venetian lagoon.
Practical info: The Basilica is open fairly sporadic hours, so it’s best to check here beforehand. You can also book your cupola ticket on the same site. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing (shoulders and knees covered), and be aware that there is no lift access.
Ponte dell’Accademia
In a city sprinkled with many historic bridges, Ponte dell’Accademia is one of a kind. Constructed in the 1930s, it’s one of four crossing the Great Waterway, connecting San Marco to the Dorsoduro district. And it is the only one made of wood – giving it a distinctive appearance.
The views from Ponte dell’Accademia are breathtaking (and free) – possibly my favourite view of Venice.
While standing here, capture the colourful 15th-century Palazzo Barbaro with elegant reliefs and arches decorating the exterior. Watch gondolas as they drift along the Grand Canal and notice the recognisable dome of Santa Maria della Salute.
To witness two different versions of this stunning grand canal view, visit during daylight hours and in the evening.
You could arrive in the afternoon to snap daylight shots, then spend time gazing at Renaissance art in Gallerie dell’Accademia. Follow this by learning about gondolas in a traditional Dorsoduro workshop (another great photo opp), then pause for pizza before returning to the bridge as the sun sets.
Related Reading: Visiting Venice in Winter
Scala Contarini del Bovolo
Built in the late 15th century to join two wings of a palace, this unusual staircase is named after the shell of a snail due to its distinct shape. It’s one of the most revered examples of a spiral staircase in the city, encompassing myriad architectural styles from Renaissance and Gothic to Byzantine Venetian. As a side note, this location is featured in Orson Welle’s film Othello!
At the top of the spiral staircase is a domed, arched observation platform boasting incredible views across Venice. Step back to capture the distant domes of St. Mark’s Basilica, the Campanile and the colourful hotch-potch of houses that span the landscape below.
Scala Contarini del Bovolo doesn’t perhaps have the range of photographic options that other attractions in Venice do, but if you’re seeking authentic landscapes and enjoy street views and aerial photography, don’t miss it.
Practical info: The Scala is open daily from 10am-6pm during summer, and 9.30am-5.30pm during winter. You can buy tickets on the day for €8, or buy in advance and skip the line with this ticket.
Rialto Bridge
The oldest and most famous bridge in all of Venice is the magnificent Rialto Bridge. It’s a unique feat of engineering prowess, divided into sections with shopping arcades in the centre selling everything from silk scarves to masks and trinkets. It’s also a great landmark in the centre of Venice for finding your bearings!
If you’re an early riser, you may be lucky enough to see gondoliers sipping coffee and chatting waterside before beginning a day’s work. You can capture photos of pastel-hued residences with their colourful wooden shutters and ornate Juliet balconies, and observe locals as they sit down for breakfast in cafés shaded by deep red awnings.
The buildings beside the Grand Canal illuminate at sunset with warm, twinkling lights that reflect on the surface of the water. It’s a magical, atmospheric sight, giving you a completely different perspective of the location, and providing some excellent shots!
Practical info: The bridge is free to access but gets very busy throughout the day.
T Fondaco dei Tedeschi Rooftop Terrace
A few steps from Rialto Bridge you’ll find another panoramic view of Venice – from the T Fondaco dei Tedeschi rooftop terrace. This popular free photography hotspot is located above a luxury shopping mall.
The building was once a merchant’s storehouse in which exotic goods were kept following lengthy trips. Therefore, its current purpose as a purveyor of luxury items from high fashion and jewellery to Venetian truffle oil seems rather fitting.
From the rooftop, you can gain great views of the city, from a different angle than most. The Canal Grande weaves between centuries-old buildings and Rialto Bridge is located almost directly beneath for up-close aerial shots.
If a visit to T Fondaco dei Tedeschi is on your wish list of photography locations in Venice, it’s worth noting that visitors can only stay on the rooftop for 15 minutes. It’s also required to book a slot in advance as daily numbers are limited.
Campanile St. Mark’s Square
The Campanile of St. Mark stands resplendently around 99 metres tall in St. Mark’s Square, Venice. Since its original completion in the 12th century, the red brick bell tower with a green roof topped by a golden angel has been used as a lighthouse to guide ships home and Galileo even introduced his telescope to the Doge and Senate of Venice here.
Take the elevator to the top of the tower and enjoy views from the 12 windows – four arches at either side – each portraying a different visual aspect of Venice.
You’ll be able to capture photos of the piazza below, the basilica domes, the lagoon and its islands from here. Aside from the photography, the bell tower also has an interesting and surprising history, so if time permits, a guided tour is an excellent idea.
Practical info: St Mark’s Campanile is open 9.30am-9.15pm daily, though it remains closed in bad weather conditions. Entrance is €10 for everyone over 6 years old and tickets can be purchased at the ticket desk at the bottom of the tower (we didn’t have to wait at all when visiting in February).
The Doge’s Palace & Bridge of Sighs
One of the most iconic buildings in Piazza San Marco is the Doge’s Palace. The Venetian Gothic palace has had many purposes, primarily as the seat of the Doge – the Duke or senior official of the Veneto region. It’s also been a palace of justice and today, the building stands as a museum dedicated to Venice, filled with statues, stately halls, elegant chambers and fine art.
There are many opulent rooms and terraces to photograph inside and outside the palace, but many visitors also come to gain views from the Bridge of Sighs.
The Ponte de Sospiri, or Bridge of Sighs, links the interrogation rooms of the Doge’s Palace with the new prison across the narrow stretch of canal. The bridge was, rather morbidly, named for the final gasp or sigh emitted from the mouths of prisoners as they glimpsed the city one last time on a journey to their cell or execution.
The bridge is enclosed on either side with only small windows for viewing, so there can be a lot of competition for photographs. It’s wise to arrive early morning or later in the day to avoid the crowds.
Practical info: Doge’s Palace is open 9am-6pm in winter, extending to 7pm in summer. Tickets cost €30 for adults and €15 for children 6-14 years old. Due to the popularity of this attraction, I’d recommend purchasing skip-the-line tickets here before you visit.
Ponte della Paglia
If you would rather photograph the Bridge of Sighs from a distance, rather than jostle for position on it, head for nearby Ponte della Paglia.
Ponte della Paglia is a quaint bridge dating to the 1800s that got its name from the boats that would pass by transporting straw (paglia).
It’s a very popular selfie spot with the limestone Bridge of Sighs as a backdrop. If you’re lucky, you may capture a gondola gliding beneath it just at the optimal moment, inviting the perfect photo opportunity.
As an additional bonus, this bridge is free to visit, and although very busy, most people only linger for a few moments.
St. Mark’s Basilica Roof Terrace
Some of the best views of St. Mark’s Square can be gleaned from St. Mark’s Basilica, particularly the elevated terrace that wraps around the historic building on its south and west exteriors.
Basilica di San Marco is dedicated to Venice’s patron saint and dates back to the 9th century. It’s located next to the Doge’s Palace, serving as the Duke’s chapel, plus, it’s steeped in interesting myths and legends.
Book a tour of St Mark’s Basilica including a terrace visit to gain photos of Torre dell’ Orologio, the Campanile, Venice’s lagoon and the neighbouring Doge’s Palace.
Observe tourists relaxing in cafes tucked beneath arcades and watch birds as they soar above the piazza. While gazing through your lens, try to spot the winged lion statues – a prominent symbol of the Venetian Republic.
If you’re travelling to Venice during carnival season in early February, St Mark’s Square is an excellent place to photograph people dressed in refined Venetian costumes and hand-crafted masks before they attend a lavish city ball.
Practical info: To access the terrace of St. Mark’s Basilica, you’ll need to purchase a museum ticket as well as your general access ticket to the Basilica, bringing the total to €10 for adults. It’s open between 9.30am – 5.15pm daily, but it’s advisable to go early to avoid the crowds. Even then, long lines can be expected in summer or during carnival season.
Riva degli Schiavoni
The stretch of promenade known as Riva degli Schiavoni is just a short walk from St. Mark’s Square. It was named after Dalmatian merchants who sailed to Venice and set up trading stalls along the shoreline next to the Doge’s Palace.
The location offers unique photo opportunities of St. Mark’s Square and its magnificent architecture from a ground-level perspective. You can also see San Georgio Maggiore island and dozens of gondolas moored to candy-striped canal posts.
The promenade is often busy with tourists, but a wonderful time to visit is at sunrise or sunset around the golden hour. Grab a coffee or glass of wine, and have your camera at the ready to capture daily life along the Grand Canal. Or wander down from Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace) to Museo Storico Navale di Venezia – the route takes you over several bridges concluding with exceptional shots of the lagoon.
San Georgio Maggiore Island
San Georgio Maggiore is a picturesque island in Venice’s lagoon, which, unbeknown to many, featured in several of Monet’s impressionist paintings.
The tiny island sits directly across from St. Mark’s Square and is said to date back to the Roman era. It was originally home to a Benedictine monastery and later became a free port and a storage facility for the city’s artillery.
Upon arrival to the island, look back from the dock to gain fabulous views of the most iconic landmarks of St. Mark’s Square, then head for the Church of San Georgio Maggiore. With its towering campanile bell tower, this church has some of the best views of Venice and the lagoon.
From here you can obtain birds-eye vistas of some of the most famous landmarks in Venice such as Doge’s Palace, the Campanile di San Marco and Basilica di San Marco, and the Riva degli Schiavoni.
Practical info: Take Line 2 on the Vaporetto to reach the island. The Basilica is open 9am-6pm most days and access to the bell tower only costs €5. There is an elevator to whisk you to the top.
View from a Gondola
There’s no better way to snap photos of the Venetian backwaters than on a gondola ride. Yes, the trips can be a little pricey (it has recently increased to €90 for a daytime tour – payable to the gondolier), but it’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that you’ll cherish for years to come.
One of the main benefits of hopping aboard a gondola is the slow speed of travel, making it easy to take photos close-up of the intricate details as you glide along the canals. You’ll see parts of the city that are only accessible by small boats and gondolas.
If you are on a budget and travelling alone, you can also book a shared gondola tour such as this one, to keep costs down.
Or the Vaporetto
If splashing out on a gondola is out of the question, don’t discount exploring the city via Vaporetto (water bus). This mode of transport also allows for picture-perfect views of Venice and the beautiful islands of the lagoon.
If you take the Vaporetto from the airport, or train station, it’s also a fabulous way to arrive in the city, as you’ll whizz past some of the best viewpoints in Venice on the way, to help you get your bearings for later explorations!
Don’t Forget to Make Your Own Way!
Despite this being a list of the most beautiful views in Venice, unfortunately, none of them are a well-guarded secret. So don’t forget to step off the tourist trail occasionally and explore the lesser-known corners of the island too.
Some of my favourite photos of Venice have been taken in the quiet corners, the unknown neighbourhoods, and the outer islands of Venice.
The best photo spots in Venice will inspire you to grab your camera and hop on a flight to the Italian city! There are dozens more outstanding viewpoints to discover, from canal-side hotel balconies, restaurant terraces, and if time permits, you can even venture to the outlying lagoon islands of Burano, Murano, and Torcello which each have their unique take on mesmerising Venetian scenery.
