It does not matter if the destination is a small town or a popular city. The more Instagrammable the site, the more people it attracts.
Places that get the honour of being shared in someone’s feed must meet certain criteria, including uniqueness, and are no longer only visually captivating. And the criteria apply to all visitable places, from restaurants with eye-catching layouts, city installations, and parks that suggest unexplored nature to historical landmarks whose details become the star of Instagram posts.
So, in Piazza Bra, tourists look for the best light to take a selfie in front of the magnificent Arena, perhaps holding hands with centurions who, for the time of a photo, let them get lost in the Roman Verona of a few hundred years ago, imprinting that memory in their minds as well as on their smartphones.
However, Verona is not the only instagrammable city; the entire Veneto area is filled with spots perfect for both photographers and non-photographers. The “Get by Bus” blog compiled a list of the fifty most Instagrammable spots in Italy in 2023, showing the country’s increased popularity over the previous year.
The analysis took into account 700 attractions on the Google Travel service and their respective reviews, as well as the number of mentions on Instagram, both in Italian and English, to rank the 50 most Instagrammable places in Italy. Venice and Verona top the list of those in the Veneto region.
The most instagrammable sites
St. Mark’s Square in Venice
Venice ranks fifth with St. Mark’s Square, jumping four points from last year’s list with more than 1.3 million social media mentions. St. Mark’s Square is a perfect example of Italian architecture, featuring huge monuments and breathtaking views of the sea in photos of the bell tower and basilica and selfies in front of the Clock Tower.
The Arena of Verona
Verona’s stunning amphitheater, the star of one of the world’s most famous opera festivals that attracts thousands of tourists each year and has recently reopened for important international athletic events, could not be left out of the list. Verona’s Arena is one of the best preserved amphitheaters, and because of its outstanding acoustics, it has hosted operas and concerts since the Renaissance. This year, there were 520,159 mentions.
Gardaland Resort, Verona
Italy’s Disneyland is once again attracting tourists, who have returned to experience Lake Garda at pre-covid levels. The endless fun resort has 32 rides, including seven roller coasters, three water rides, and seven family rides, as well as the Legoland water park, a favourite destination for Instagram parents who have mentioned it 509,425 times on social media.
Doge’s Palace, Venice
The Doge’s Palace is a recent addition to the Get by Bus list, with over 300,000 mentions in 2023. It connects to another famous site, the Bridge of Sighs, and is located in St. Mark’s Square. The Doge’s Palace, a Gothic masterpiece and Venice’s symbol, was the seat of the Doge and local magistracies. Today, it allows tourists to immerse themselves in the world of the Serenissima and discover the Venetian splendor through, for example, a visit to the Doge’s apartment, which reopened in July, or the “Secret Itineraries Tour” through the rooms and chambers.
Rialto Bridge, Venice
The Rialto Bridge is the most famous and oldest of the four Venetian bridges. It was built in the late 16th century to replace the previous wooden structure, which collapsed and burned on several occasions. The bridge spans the Grand Canal and is now a must-visit passage for anyone who wants to explore Venice and admire the colourful Rialto market.
Bridge of Sighs, Venice
The Bridge of Sighs leads to another journey into the past. It was named after the sighs of the prisoners who once passed by it on their way to the prison cells or the death chamber. In fact, the Bridge of Sighs is a covered walkway that connects the Doge’s Palace to the ancient prisons. Every day, thousands of visitors flock to the adjacent Ponte della Paglia to photograph one of Italy’s most magnificent bridges, which has served as an inspiration to many architects throughout the world.
Sigurtà Garden Park, Valeggio sul Mincio (Verona Municipality)
One million tulips and 30,000 roses colour Verona’s most beautiful and Instagrammable park. The variety of plants that populate the more than 600 thousand square meters make it possible to enjoy a beautiful landscape during all seasons. Among the most photographed points of interest are the large labyrinth, the Avenue of Roses, and the Great Oak, as well as the various ponds that have given it the title of “Europe’s Second Most Beautiful Garden.”
