Venice is a photographer’s dream (and let’s admit, incredibly photogenic).
It’s also true that even though St. Mark’s Square and Rialto are extremely beautiful, hence everybody wants to capture them, it can get quite crowded over there.
Taking a good shot can really turn into a painful experience.
By now, you know how much I like to explore Venice off the beaten path and share the most beautiful but quiet corners of the city for travellers to enjoy, too.
For this reason, whether you’re a professional photographer, an amateur, or simply someone who loves capturing the beauty of Venice, this off-the-beaten-path photo walk is perfect for you.
Spoiler: this guide doesn’t include the most famous attractions, but it does include some of the best (and often unknown) Instagrammable spots in Venice.
Venice Instagram spots (Off-the-beaten-path photo walk)
I’ve shared many different Venice itineraries on this blog in the past, but below you’ll find a curated route that takes you through some of Venice’s most photogenic yet peaceful corners. It will allow you to connect with the kind of places where you can take your time framing a shot without bumping into crowds every few seconds.
Venice Instagram spots map
Here’s a handy map you can save to your phone with the best Venice Instagrammable spots off the beaten path which I’ll be covering below. It’s also a great way to explore lesser-known areas of the city while capturing unique shots.
If you want to explore these neighbourhoods further and see where to eat and drink like a local in the bacari, check out my Dorsoduro neighbourhood map and Santa Croce neighbourhood map, perfect companions for this walk.
9 of the Best Instagrammable photo spots in Venice
These are some of the most beautiful, quiet, and atmospheric photo spots in Venice, all (re)discovered during a photoshoot walk with Olga Mufel, a Venice-based photographer who specialises in couple and family portraits, elopements and wedding proposals. You can find her on Instagram to see more of her work.
Let’s dive in!
1. Gondola stationed in front of Rio dell’Orso
📍 Rio dell’Orso, Campo Santo Stefano, San Marco
This spot offers a classic Venetian view: a gondola moored along a quiet canal, with reflections dancing on the water and pastel-coloured facades behind. It’s just steps from the Grand Canal but feels surprisingly calm. Early morning light here is perfect for portraits or detail shots of the gondola’s elegant iron prow.
2. Rio di San Vio
📍 Between Accademia and Salute, Dorsoduro
A narrow canal lined with elegant palazzi, hotels like the stunning Hotel American-Dienesen and bridges, Rio di San Vio is one of those postcard-perfect places that somehow remain uncrowded. From the Fondamenta Venier and Bragadin, you get a picture-perfect canal composition, with gondolas and water taxis passing by. Take a seat on the steps by the water, and even on the small wall along the fondamenta for that Instagram-perfect shot.
3. Piscina Sant’Agnese’s well
📍 Piscina Sant’Agnese, Dorsoduro
A hidden little square, a former area of the city where fish were once bred or kept, and where now you can now enjoy peaceful silence. The old well in the centre makes for a beautiful focal point, especially for portrait photography. It’s one of those spots that feels untouched by time, a slice of authentic Venice you’d completely miss if you were to walk towards La Salute and skip this side of Dorsoduro.
4. Gelateria Nico
📍 Zattere, Dorsoduro
No Venice photo walk is complete without a gelato stop. Gelateria Nico is one of the city’s most beloved gelaterias, located right along the Zattere promenade. Capture your gianduiotto with the Giudecca Canal behind you, the golden light, calm waters, and that unmistakable Venetian charm.
5. Zattere
📍 Fondamenta Zattere al Ponte Lungo
Zattere is one of the most relaxed areas for a stroll, especially in the early morning or at sunset. Locals come here for a Spritz or gelato, and the views across the water towards Giudecca and hotel Hilton Molino Stucky are stunning. It’s great for candid street photography or wide shots capturing Venice and its lagoon.
6. Ponte Trevisan
📍 Campiello dei Trevisani, Dorsoduro
This elegant bridge has one of my favourite angles of Venetian canals, with the soft reflections, narrow fondamenta, and pastel tones that shift beautifully with the light. It’s rarely crowded, so you can set up your camera without any rush.
7. Ponte de le Eremite
📍 Near Chiese de le Eremite
Continue on Fondamenta Borgo until you reach this small bridge which is another quiet gem. The view from here, a canal lined with small boats and locals walking past, is quintessentially Venetian. It’s especially pretty in the early morning when the light hits the façades just right.
8. Rio di San Barnaba
📍 Dorsoduro 2785, near Ponte dei Pugni
You might recognise this spot from the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade! The floating fruit and vegetable barge adds a splash of colour, and the bridge makes a lovely photo backdrop. It’s a lively but not overcrowded corner, great for a couple of cicchetti and Spritz too, but also great to capture daily Venetian life.
9. Campo de Castelforte San Rocco
📍 Santa Croce, near Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Just steps away from the busy San Toma area, this campo feels worlds apart. The ochre tones of the buildings and the nearby canals create a warm, cinematic look, especially during the golden hour. A perfect way to end your photo walk with one last set of shots.
Photography Tips by Olga Mufel
Here’s some photography tips Olga Mufel shared with me and that you should also keep in mind while planning a photo walk or photoshoot in Venice.
- 1. Choose your must have spots: Don’t try to do all of Venice – pick a few favourite locations and let the rest unfold naturally.
- 2. Timing changes everything: Rialto at 11AM and Rialto at 7am are two different worlds. Match your dream location with the best time.
- 3. Instagram vs. your real story: Forget the checklist. Let the photos reflect your Venice, not what you already saved on Instagram.
- 4. Wear something timeless and comfortable: Choose outfits that feel like you and match the elegance of Venice. For families and couples think of coordinated colours and matching styles.
- 5. Trust your photographer and plan with ease: Share your inspirations, involve your family or partner early, and then relax, your photographer will guide the rest.
Venice Instagram spots
Exploring Venice through your camera lens doesn’t have to mean following the crowds to St. Mark’s or Rialto.
You’ll find that the real beauty of this city is in its hidden corners, the reflections on quiet canals, the sound of footsteps on old bridges, and the way light moves through narrow calli.
This off-the-beaten-path photo walk offers not just great photography opportunities but also a more authentic experience of Venice.
You’ll discover neighbourhoods like Dorsoduro and Santa Croce, meet locals, and see the city at its most peaceful and genuine.
Other Venice itineraries you might like:
- Venice water bus guide
- Where to stay in Venice
- Street Food in Venice
- Non touristy things to do in Venice
- Venice neighbourhood maps
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