My Photography & Travel Guide to Venice, Italy
There is something magical about Venice
Venice is one of those cities that I always dream of coming back to. It is really a magical place. I first photographed Venice in April 2018. when I took my first Scott Kelby Workshop. I was just a beginner photographer at the time. It transformed my photography and my interest in photography. Photography has allowed me to see the world differently.
I have been back to Venice 3 times since the workshop, so I hope you enjoy the locations below.
When to Go
The best times to visit Venice are from April to June and September to October. While it is still crowded, the temperatures are much better.
Getting into Venice
The thrill of getting on a speedboat and seeing Venice appear before you is truly one of the best travel experiences. It is even more beautiful if you arrive in the evening and gently glide through the lit canals towards your hotel.
The easiest way to get into Venice from the Marco Polo Airport is to use a Private Water Taxi. I would suggest that you don’t use the one your hotel may offer. It is better to contact the Consorzio Motoscafi and book directly through them on their website. It is a very safe and efficient way to get into the city. The cost, door to door, is about 107 Euros each way.
You can also take a public water taxi, which is much cheaper, but it will take at least 1.5 hours. One more point to consider is that once you get off the water taxi, for example, at the San Marco Water Taxi Station, you will then have a 5-10 minute walk to your hotel with your suitcases in tow. So save yourself the headache and take the Private Water Taxi.
Where to Stay
Deciding where to stay will, of course, depend on your budget. I can only give you the hotels I have stayed in during previous visits. While the city is small, staying close to the main photography attractions is always better.
The Gritti Palace - this is an iconic hotel in perhaps the location in Venice. We love this hotel. The hotel was built in 1475. That was before America was even discovered!! Kind of crazy to think about. The hotel overlooks the Grand Canal and has a direct view of San Giorgio Maggiore Island and Santa Maria della Salute Church.
The St Regis Hotel -while the hotel is virtually next door to the Gritti Palace. The location is fantastic.
Hotel Concordia Venice - the hotel is for the more budget-conscious traveler. It is where we stayed during the Photography Workshop. The location is ideal, being just 100 steps from San Marco Square. The service and rooms were pretty good for an older hotel.
The Best hotel in Venice is the Aman Venice. This is the hotel where George Clooney got married, so you know it has to be good. Would George Clooney go to a bad hotel for his wedding? If you have ever tried an Aman hotel, you know that the rooms and service are the best.
The Elegance of Italian Fashion
Where to Eat and more importantly have Gelato
It is virtually impossible to eat a bad meal in Italy. Throughout our travels in the Dolomites and Venice this Fall, we had delicious fresh food. Of course, to do the job right, we had to make sure to sample plenty of Gelato as well. It is a hard job, but someone has to do it :)).
The fruit markets are amazing and it is so inexpensive to buy fresh fruit in Italy.
Here are a few suggestions of places we like:
Rosa Salva --a coffee shop with excellent espresso with locations throughout the city.
Osteria Al Squero (Dorsoduro, 943, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy) -The bar is very small and has only a few seats inside so the majority of people sit outside on the bank of the canal, enjoying the view of the Church of Saint Trovaso and of the Squero (where gondolas are built or restored) of San Trovaso just in front of the Osteria. The restaurant is famous for Venetian cicchetti, which is like tapas.
Trattoria ai Cugnai dal 1911 (Calle Nuova Sant'Agnese, 857, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy) - The kitchen prepares solid, home-cooked Venetian food, beautifully prepared and very popular with locals and gondoliers. Just two small tables outside, so get here early if you want to eat alfresco.
Ristorante Wistèria (San Polo 2908, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy) -they have a beautiful courtyard and offer outstanding Italian food.
Caffè del Doge (Rialto, Calle dei Cinque, 609, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy) - our favorite coffee shop in Venice--we probably went once a day.
Al 133 ( Salizada San Pantalon, 133, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy) -Great little cafe/bar with a friendly staff. Big cafe lattes, wine, beer, snacks. Quiet garden in the back.
Pasticceria Tonolo - Venezia (Calle S. Pantalon, 3764, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy) - they have fantastic pastries and coffee. Don't miss the Sfogliatelle (the best pastry in Italy!!)
Caffè Quadri (P.za San Marco, 121, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy) - The cafe has been in San Mark's square since 1638!! It is the perfect place to end the day with an Aperol Spritz. It is of course expensive being on San Marco but it is worth trying at least once during your stay.
Torrefazione Cannaregio - Speciality Coffee (Fondamenta dei Ormesini, 2804, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy) - a very popular coffee shop near the Jewish Ghetto area.
Gelato di Natura (Cannaregio, 4454, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy) - after ample research, we have determined that this is the best Gelato in Venice. We loved the Camp San Giacomo da l’Orio location.
Bar All'Arco (Calle Arco, 436, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy) - All’Arco is the quintessential Venetian bacaro (traditional wine bar) where you can try the delicious cicchetti
Osteria Enoteca San Marco (Calle Frezzaria, 1610, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy) -my favorite restaurant in Venice--fantastic food and staff.
Chat Qui Rit | Ristorante Venezia Gourmet (C. Tron, 1131, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy) -we found this restaurant by chance and got lucky. Very good food and service.
Farini (Castello, 5602, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy) is a quick takeaway pizza place that is the perfect place for a bite.
The Elegant Wait Staff @Caffe Al Quadri
Photography Gear
In terms of photography gear, you can go light in Venice. I would bring 1 body (i.e, Canon R5 or equivalent) and a 24-105 or 24-70 mm lens. If you are one of those people who need to bring more gear, you know who you are, so a 15-35 mm lens and a 70-200 mm are a perfect combo.
Photography Locations
While it is important to photograph the classic locations such as the Accademia Bridge, it is equally important to just get lost in Venice. Some of the best spots you will take are from walking aimlessly throughout the city. It is also important to leave the city center around San Marco and explore the "real" Venice where locals live. Most visitors tend to hover around San Marco and the Rialto Bridge, but there is so much more to Venice than these two locations. It would be like going to Paris and just seeing the Eiffel Tower.
One of my favorite new walks is to an area I had never visited, the famous Jewish Ghetto. While the history of the area saddens me, it is now a vibrant, fun area full of hope and laughter. There are also plenty of restaurants where locals eat in this area. You will not find a restaurant menu in 20 different languages and a person standing outside the restaurant encouraging you to come in!!
When I read travel blogs or travel-related social media posts, I often hear of people who want to visit 10 cities in 10 days. At the same time, everyone likes to travel in different ways I have found, as I travel more and more, that I am more interested in slow travel. Traveling slowly allows you to peel the layers of a city and really get to understand the culture, people, food, and general feel of the place.
Gondolas by San Marco Square
This is a classic shot in Venice. You want to get there before sunrise when the lights are still on. Focus on San Giorgio Island in the background the slow your shutter speed to get the movement of the Gondolas.
You can also take the shot with a wider lens
Piazza San Marco
Piazza San Marco is the most famous spot in the city. The piazza gets busy by 8 am, so I would visit Sunrise when you can have the Piazza to yourself. Pro Tip: If you find a small puddle of water, take out your camera or iPhone and place it about 1 inch (2.5 cm) off the ground (invert the iPhone so the camera lens is closer to the ground) and capture the reflections. Or you can just bring a bottle of water and pour it on the ground to get an instant reflection. Photo Tip: Sunrise 📷 Best Lens 15-35 mm & 70-200, ND Filters and Tripod for the Reflections.
Sunrise
This is also a great place to take reflections especially early in the morning.
The Bridge of Sighs
The Bridge of Sighs was named for the “sighs” of the prisoners who passed over it.
Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo
The Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo is just a beautiful church to photograph. I think the best spot to take a photo is from an alleyway across the canal from the Church. In the afternoon, you can take a photo with a fantastic reflection of the church. There is also a nice coffee shop, Rosa Salva, beside the church where you can take a break. Photo Tip: Best TIme of Day: Sunset 📷 Best Lens 15-35 mm, ND Filters and Tripod for the Reflections.
This is also a great place for a reflection
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
This palazzo is best known for its external multi-arch spiral staircase known as the Scala Contarini del Bovolo (literally, "of the snail"). The palazzo is located on a small, less-traveled calle (street) near Campo Manin and is a bit hard to find. No wonder I finally found it on my 4th trip to Venice. Photo Tip: Best Time of Day: During the Day 📷 Best Lens 15-35 mm,
Ponte Chiodo
While there are thousands of bridges in Venice this one is "instagram" famous because it does not have side rails or balustrades. Photo Tip: Best TIme of Day: Day Time 📷 Best Lens 15-35 mm or 24-70 mm.
Ghetto Ebraico "The Jewish Ghetto"
One of my favorite areas of Venice is the Jewish Ghetto or "Ghetto Ebraico" in Italian. It was Europe’s first ghetto. It is now a lively area full of shops, restaurants and institutions of the jewish community. Photo Tip: Day Time 📷 Best Lens 24-70 mm or an iPhone.
There is an excellent coffee shop in the area
Ca' Rezzonico
The Ca' Rezzonico is an incredible museum right on the Grand Canal. It is just opposite of the Rialto Market. The museum is filled with furniture, paintings and sculptures of the Eighteenth-century. Photo Tip: Best TIme of Day: Sunset/Sunrise 📷 Best Lens 24-105 mm.
Rialto Mercato
The perfect time to visit the Rialto market is in the morning when the fruit and fish markets come alive. It is just wonderful to stroll through the market and buy some fresh fruit. The fish market is just amazing to walk through as well. You will not find fresher fish anywhere. Photo Tip: Best TIme of Day: Morning 📷 Best Lens 24-70 or 70-200 mm
Right next to it is the fish market
Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. It was designed and built by Antonio da Ponte; which is funny since Ponte means bridge in Italian. I think the best time to photograph the bridge is at Sunset. Photo Tip: Best TIme of Day: Sunset 📷 Best Lens 15-35 mm, ND Filters and Tripod for the Reflections.
San Giorgio Maggiore
San Giorgio Maggiore (Venetian: San Zorzi Mazor) is one of the islands of Venice. It is just a 5-minute Water Taxi ride from San Marco. You can catch the Water Taxi from the Boat Launches next to San Marco Square.
Monet even painted a series of painting featuring the island. I would recommend visiting at Sunset. You can first visit the Bell Tower in the Church and then take a photo of the Santa Maria Della Salute Church. Photo Tip: Best Time of Day: Sunset 📷 Best Lens 15-35 mm & 70-200 mm, ND Filters and Tripod for long exposures.
The View of Santa Maria della Salute
St Mark's Campanile
Right off San Marco Square, you will see the Campanile. The area is best to photograph at Sunrise when there are a lot fewer people. Photo Tip: Best Time of Day: Sunrise 📷 Best Lens 15-35 mm or 24-70 mm
Ponte dell'Accademia
The last time I was in Venice the Accademia bridge was being repaired. So it was impossible to take a photo from the bridge. This is a great Sunrise & Sunset location. But get here early. When I arrived around 6:30 am there were already about 25 photographers with Tripods on the Bridge. Photo Tip: Best TIme of Day: Sunrise & Sunset 📷 Best Lens 15-35 mm, ND Filters and Tripod for the Reflections.
There are equally beautiful views from the other side of the Accademia Bridge at Sunset.
Libreria Acqua Alta
The Acqua Alta bookstore is fantastic to visit but it is overrun with Instagrammers. It is so crammed that it's hard to take a decent photo. This is the bookstore where all the books are in bathtubs to prevent them from being damaged during the Venice floods each year. Photo Tip: Best Time of Day: Daytime 📷 Best Lens 24-70 mm
Rio di San Giovanni Laterano
Located just around the corner from the Acqua Alta bookstore. This house can only be accessed by boat. Best TIme of Day: Photo Tip: Sunset 📷 Best Lens 15-35 mm, ND Filters and Tripod for the Reflections.
Street Photography
Do not forget to try some Street Photography. You never know what you will get
I love walking around and taking candid shots of people.
I hope you have found this Photography Guide to be helpful. My other Photography & Travel Guides can be found here.