Venice – evening magic around the city
IWe share a little bit of the evening magic scenes that happen all around Venice after sunset time to enjoy some time to explore the gorgeous squares, crossing over scenic bridges or even taking a slow gondola ride in some of the hidden canals that showcase the beautiful architecture and quiet street scenes that are really inspiring. Take a look at some of these wonderful street scenes, dining and entertainment venues and lively places to explore around Venice at nighttime.
Venice – evening magic scenes happen all around the city, take a look
- Evening light over St Marks Square
Venice – night time is the magical and romantic hour
Venice at night is when the city opens up and spreads it magic and special charms – when the sun starts to set over the Piazza San Marco , you can see sunset over the Grand Canal crescending slowly down the Adriatic sea. A perfect time to relax and enjoy the moment with these wonderful views across the Grand Canal and the lively Piazza San Marco.
- Looking across from the Grand Canal
Explore the Piazza’s of Venice
The piazza is suddenly alive and full of energy with the cafes all sprawled out with jazz bands, classical music and of course a violin serenading lovers in the square. It’s going to be hard to choose a fun spot with all the touts trying to charm you into sitting down (But beware, the cost of a cup of coffee or aperitif will cost you an arm and a leg for this luxury)
- Lively performances throughout Piazza Saint Marco
Another option is to just enjoy the piazza and window shop through the galleries and into the main street venues. It’s fun seeing all the beautiful displays of crafts, dessert bars and even some contemporary wine bars below.
Peeking into store lit interiors
There’s nothing as fascinating as strolling down the promenade or a quiet street and finding a closed shop illuminated. It just draws you in and check out the wonderful things you can see and the craftsmanship of the local designer on display.
Checking out the local Bacari bars
Hopefully you’ll start to get a little hungry and can find a local bacari nearby (Venetian bar). Time to try a variety of Cicchetti (tapa like bar food that are a specialty to each bar) and enjoy the convivial and friendly atmosphere with the locals and tourists. If your still hungry it would be fun to do more exploring and look at the menus at some of the quiet trattorias or cafes in the off the beaten path alleyways – it’s more of an adventure trying to find some of these hidden gems that are also favorites and well-loved on chat boards like Yelp and Tripadvisor.
- Pub crawl for local Cicchetti
It’s Cicchetti time
Venice pastime of pub crawls or visiting bacari and enjoying local cocktails and Cicchetti or locally made appetizer plates is part of the fun in checking out the local scenes and hanging out the visitors or even locals enjoying some easy time, people watching and participating in the vibe of a place.
- The daily specials at a quiet trattoria
After a nice long dinner, it’s always good to walk off all that excess anti pasta, pasta and entrees by doing more window shopping and walking through some of the well-lit thoroughfares.
- Venetian masks on display
Visit the Grand Canal
Or if you are up to it, check out some of the attractive cafes and bars along the Grand Canal close to the Rialto Bridge – a very scenic and romantic area at night-time. You’ll definitely be hearing opera sung from the gondoliers to their paying guests. It’s just as fun enjoying the views along the esplanade with a nice ombra or local wine by the glass. You can also check out this ultimate guide to Venice for more inspiration to planning a trip to this amazing city.
- Obligatory group photo at the Rialto Bridge
- Panorama at the Rialto bridge
Here’s a quick video snippet of some of the evening unfolding at Piazza San Marco when the cafes role out their seating and the bands, opera music and other performances gets started for the evenings cafe scenes.
Conclusion to visiting Venice at night
Venice is special and night-time is when you want to experience the magic and romance of being in this city with friends or someone special you are traveling with. Enjoying a wonderful glass of Venetian wine, a slow and delicious dinner or a late evening stroll with no planned destination, it’s all part of the fun of being in this gorgeous city. Thank you for visiting us today, please do check out these other bloggers below by clicking on their links.
If you loved reading this post on Venice, please check out some of my posts below:
Cicchetti and the pub crawl experience in Venice
Venice – ten random thoughts, advice and quirky observations
Venice – highlights in black and white
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Venice is so visually superb –
Its one of those places you can never get enough photos as you try to capture stunning scene, after stunning scene ~
But your selection of night shots captures the atmosphere perfectly 🙂
Wow, I really need to get back to Venice. I enjoyed wandering through it during the day, but your night time shots certainly add a touch of magic to the city. I like the blueness of that 2nd photo with the gondolier and looking across the Grand Canal.
What a relaxing way to enjoy the beauty of Venice. I found it amusing to count how many of the masks had such long proboscis.
Venice is gorgeous, day or night, Lovely shots.
Positively dreamy – can’t wait to return to La Serenissima in May! Recently posted about a spa not far from Venice: http://musicandmarkets.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-spa-licious-day-at-miramonti.html
Positively dreamy – can’t wait to return to La Serenissima in May!
I’ve been to Venice at that time of day once, but it was with a travel company on an escorted tour. It was magical but we had little time to explore. That will change next time we go. These photos give us inspiration and a longing to go soon.
I love Venice, but I was there so long ago now, before I even had a digital camera (and before I was big into photography). Seems like a wonderful time in the city. I love the evening panorama especially.
Venice is such a magical destination. Every one of the photos that you published captured the spirit of Venice. Beautiful!
Oh, you had me at the word, Venice. Italy is way up high on my list, but we are waiting until we can go and stay for at least 3 months because I want to have time to truly experience different parts of the country and I want to learn to cook authentic Italian pasta – yum! Lovely photos as always, Noel.
Oh, you’e again tugged at my heartstrings. . .one can not have visited Venice and not be moved by photos like these. Beautiful memories.
thankyou for this look at Venice I would love to visit one day – until then I will absorb the atmosphere through your lens.
I like the idea of taking in the jazz music in the bars or the the gondoliers singing opera without paying the high prices for the privilege, then you’ll find wandering the backstreets for a quiet trattoria away from the tourist crowds.
Yes i just stood up at the bars and paid a fraction of the price Heather!
I’m going to Venice in September, so this post was very timely. I’ll definitely look for the places (and the food) in your photographs!
Love these pics! They really make me want to visit Venice. The Venetian masks are my favourite.
We visited Venice with our then teenage sons in 2004. I enjoyed finding the little tucked away “campos” with the locals at their neighborhood bar enjoying watching a football (soccer) game gathered around an outside TV.
Such magical pictures as usual Noel. When you think about Venice the first thing that springs to mind are the stereotypical gondolas and of course you captured these perfectly in your shots. But there is so much more to Venice than you initially imagine and the one image of the quiet trattoria is particularly inviting. I know that when you travel to cities such as Venice, the opportunities for great photography are endless but you still have to capture them – you truly have done this Noel so kudos to you!!
Such a lively atmosphere in St. Mark’s Square. It must be getting on for 20 years since I was last there but in many respects, things look and sound exactly the same… just fewer pigeons from what I can tell! 🙂
Like many cities, Venice, looks even more enticing by night than it does by day. That last shot with the bridge and the lights reflected in the water certainly is magical.
I wouldn’t want to bump into someone wearing one of those masks though, while walking down one of the cities alleyways at night! Creepy!
What stunning photos, so atmospheric in the evening light. I’ll never tire of Venice, thank you for transporting me there again.
Awesome shots as usual!
I have been following your recent posts of Venice but these photos are just so captivating. I’ve been to Venice during the day twice (day trips) but at night the atmosphere looks something else!
Nice selection of shots, Noel. Evenings are great in Venice. People are down on Venice for all the crowds but it’s important to keep in mind that the vast majority who make up the crowds are only there for a handful of hours during the day, making the evenings very pleasant.
It’s one of my dream destinations. One day I would be sailing in those waters and have a delicious dinner overlooking the bridge. Beautiful travelogue.
Oh how I wish I were sitting at one of those cafes, drinking red wine and watching the people pass by as the lights turn on. Magical indeed!
I really enjoyed the video! We sat at that same cafe trying to stay warm a few years ago. Beautiful photos and I love how you captured Venice coming alive at night. It’s such a wonderful place for strolling at night and window shopping.
Hi Mary,
Night time is really a wonder time to enjoy being in Venice, there’s so much music, beautiful window shopping and delicious aromas wafting in the night air!
Indeed it is beautiful. Venice is incurably romantic. Thank you for tempting me yet again!