Welcome to my guide to places to watch the sunrise in Venice, one of the most beautiful places to watch the day begin anywhere in Europe.
I’ve compiled this Venice sunrise guide to show you the best places to see one, also advising on the best time of year for each sunrise, and where to stay in Venice if you intend to see some sunrises in Venice.
Venice winter mornings are cold. And the narrow back streets don’t offer a hint of what’s to come. Eventually you emerge onto St Mark’s Square, the pre-dawn glow brightening the deep blue sky.
But this is just the prelude. Continue along the Piazzetta, the Doge’s Palace on your left, and through the two pillars that mark the old ceremonial entrance to Venice.
From here, the Molo, the rows of gondolas clank, bob and rock with the tide, with Palladio’s church of San Giorgio Maggiore before you, and a small red strip of sky on the horizon to the left.
Be there early and wait, and enjoy the show as the sky is set on fire. I can’t think of a more life-affirming way to start the day.
Sunrise In Venice – Why You Shouldn’t Miss It
Sunrise is the best time of day to see Venice, the spectacular morning sky and early light on its stunning buildings an unforgettable sight.
It’s also the one time of day when you’ll have the busiest part of Venice – around St Mark’s Square and the waterfront – almost to yourself.
Even during the winter when I’ve shot some late Venice sunrises, there have only ever been three or four other people around.
Sunrise is also one of the best times for photographing Venice, especially with the rich low early light across the lagoon.
Best Places To See Sunrise In Venice
Most of the Venice sunrise spots we’ve listed are within a very small area – around the Piazzetta, the entrance to St Mark’s Square – and the adjacent waterfront, the Molo.
Here you have sunrise views to several of the main Venice landmarks, a staggering series of views that will have you rushing to capture it all on camera.
Best Sunrise In Venice – San Giorgio Maggiore From The Molo
The view of San Giorgio Maggiore from the Molo is one of the most iconic views in Venice, with the gondolas in the foreground. It’s especially striking at sunrise in Venice, when the sun rises to the left of the church, throwing it almost into silhouette in winter.
During the summer months, the sun rises to the north, casting warm early rays onto the church instead.
It’s one of the most photographed sunrises in Venice, and a magical experience throughout the year. In winter, to get the full effect, arrive there up to an hour early to get the dawn glow in the sky, long before the sunrise proper begins.
You can combine it with the other locations visible from the Molo, though you may not get time to capture the prime early light on all of them in one go. The images used in this article are taken from six or seven different sunrise in Venice shoots on the Molo.
Best time of year for this sunrise – winter for the silhouette, summer for the warm light on the church
Santa Maria della Salute Church From The Molo
As the sun emerges over the horizon, keep an eye on Santa Maria della Salute, to your right. The first pink rays of sunlight on the near-white domed Basilica is an astonishing sight.
When I’ve shot this I have tended to move away from my original spot near the Doge’s Palace to somewhere 100 metres or so to the right, roughly level with the Libreria Sansoviniana.
Best time of year for this sunrise – winter, late autumn or early spring
Doge’s Palace From the Molo
While you’re watching the Venice sunrise unfold around San Giorgio Maggiore, it’s easy to forget what’s behind you.
The first light of the day on the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is a breathtaking sight, whether you’re looking at the whole south façade of the Palace or the iconic Venetian Gothic arcades on the lower part of the front.
If you have time, it’s also worth walking under the arches to see the shadows cast by the first light of day.
Best time of year for this sunrise – winter, late autumn or early spring
St Mark’s Campanile From The Molo
The light behind you on the Molo at sunrise in Venice also hits the pillars of the Lion of St Mark and the Statue of St Theodore, and the landmark Campanile of St Mark’s Basilica (Basilica San Marco).
Those early warm rays of light are a wonderful sight, and the Campanile looks great either from the Molo or from the arches of the Doge’s Palace.
Best time of year for this sunrise – winter from the Molo, any time of year through the arches
Piazzetta di San Marco
The Molo is one of the best sunrise spots in the world, but sometimes it’s worth taking a step back. The Piazzetta (which means ‘little piazza’) is the link between Piazza San Marco – the most famous of Venice squares – and the waterfront Molo.
As you’re further back (50-100 metres) from the waterfront more elements come into play – the Doge’s Palace on your left, the ornate lamps and the two pillars to the right.
It’s one of the most beautiful sights in Europe, especially with a warm glow in the sky to kick off a wonderful day in La Serenissima.
Best time of year for this sunrise – winter, autumn or early spring
Santa Maria della Salute From Harry’s Bar, Vallaresso
The gondola station outside Harry’s Bar offers one of the best views in Venice, the gondolas, mooring posts and the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute catching the early morning rays of sunlight during the winter months.
My suggestion is to catch a sunrise on the Molo as described in the sections above, then head along the waterfront to the spot next to Harry’s Bar. However, the very first pink light on the Salute church would look amazing from there too.
Best time of year for this sunset: Winter, late autumn or early spring
Accademia Bridge To Santa Maria della Salute
The other popular location for sunrise in Venice is the Accademia bridge over the Grand Canal, from which you get a stunning view down the Canal towards the Baroque domes of Santa Maria della Salute.
The beauty of this location – apart from the outstanding view – is that it works as a sunrise location year-round. During the winter months, the sun rises to the right of the church, so it’s in silhouette.
As you go into spring, the sun rises further to the north, and by summertime the sun rises so far to the north-east that the early light illuminates the buildings next to Salute, on the south side of the Grand Canal, beautifully.
Best time of year for this sunrise – throughout the year
Giudecca To San Giorgio Maggiore
We chanced upon this summer dawn view of Venice while catching the number 2 vaporetto from Zattere to San Marco.
The waterbus crosses the Giudecca Canal to the island of the same name, and from there – between the Palanca and Redentore stops – you get this view of the silhouette of San Giorgio Maggiore.
Best tine of year for this sunset: Spring or summer
What Time Is Venice Sunrise
Sunrise time in Venice varies significantly throughout the year.
The earliest sunrise in Venice is around the summer solstice, with the sun rising at 5.21 am.
On the shortest days of the year, the sun rises in Venice at around 7.50 pm. It doesn’t change much over the following (and also preceding) six weeks or so, with the sunrise in Venice after 7.30 am at the end of January.
For exact sunrise times in Venice when you plan to visit, check the Time and Date website.
Best Time Of Year To See Sunrise In Venice
Having visited Venice in all four seasons, I have to say that the best time to see a Venice sunrise is on the shorter months of the year.
I made a few trips to Venice in winter specifically to photograph the sunrise, and this also happens, happily, to be one of the best times of year to watch sunset in Venice.
Autumn and springtime are also good times to see a sunrise in Venice, particularly if you’re planning to see one from the Accademia bridge on the Grand Canal.
If you’re seeking a Venice sunrise and sunset, the good news is that the best time of year to see one – January – also happens to be the time when Venice hotel prices are at their lowest.
Hotels near San Marco are as low as 20% of their peak season rate at this time of year, so staying close to the main sunrise locations isn’t exorbitantly expensive like it is in the main season.
I don’t rate summer as the best time to see sunrise in Venice, but it has its merits – the view from Giudecca is from a midsummer morning, as is the view of San Giorgio Maggiore in soft early morning light.
Where To Stay In Venice For Sunrise
It makes sense to stay somewhere fairly close to your Venice sunrise locations, so you can set the alarm, get out early and not have to walk or travel too far to where you want to be.
The best area to stay in Venice if you want to experience sunrise there is around San Marco. This could be in the sestiere of San Marco or in neighbouring Castello, which begins just after the Bridge of Sighs, very close to the waterfront.
You could opt for luxury a few metres from the Molo at the Hotel Danieli, or somewhere a little back from the waterfront, such as the excellent Hotel San Zaccaria, on the Campo (square) and opposite the church of the same name.
I also recommend the Hotel Rosa Salva, on Calle Fiubera, less than five minutes’ walk from St Mark’s Square.
Midway between the Accademia Bridge and Piazza San Marco, the Hotel Ala Venezia is a great option, ten minutes’ walk from the Molo or Accademia. It’s also across the square from Santa Maria del Giglio, one of the finest Baroque churches in Venice.
Closer to the Accademia Bridge, the Novecento Boutique Hotel is a great option, just down from the Campo San Maurizio and only five minutes from the Accademia Bridge. Some friends of mine have also recommended the 1-star Hotel Galleria, across the Grand Canal in Dorsoduro and a two-minute walk from the Accademia bridge.
Sunrise In Venice – Final Thoughts
A Venetian sunrise is one of the most memorable experiences you’ll have wherever you travel in Europe. I’ve been so fortunate to have witnessed a good few, and recommend it to anyone at least once in their lives.
Take a look at some more of our Venice articles here:
- Grand Canal Venice – Visual Guide To The Most Beautiful Street In The World
- Venice Off The Beaten Path – 18 Hidden Gems In Venice
- Things To Do In Burano – The Most Colourful Village In Italy
- 16 Best Day Trips From Venice – Burano, Verona, Padua and More
Check out some of our Venice itineraries here:
And why not check out our Italy Travel Guide for more Italian travel inspiration?
David Angel is a British photographer, writer and historian. He is a European travel expert with over 30 years’ experience exploring Europe. He has a degree in History from Manchester University, and his work is regularly featured in global media including the BBC, Condé Nast Traveler, The Guardian, The Times, and The Sunday Times. David is fluent in French and Welsh, and can also converse in Italian, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Czech and Polish.