Caffè Florian Photoshoot

Caffè Florian: three centuries in St Mark's Square

Caffè Florian opened in 1720 under the Procuratie Nuove in St Mark's Square and is often described as the oldest café in Italy. Its small rooms, decorated with mirrors, velvet benches and painted panels, have welcomed writers and artists for three centuries. Its white-jacketed waiters are part of the scene.

Photos at the Florian

How it fits into a session

The Florian fits naturally into a sunrise session in St Mark's Square: portraits on the empty square first, then a coffee as the city wakes up. It is also a favourite for Carnival costume shoots, when masks and gowns match its 18th-century rooms.

A Florian moment in a St Mark's session

• Sunrise portraits in the empty square.
• A walk under the arcades of the Procuratie Nuove as the café prepares to open.
• Coffee or hot chocolate at a table, photographed with the café's permission.
• A last portrait at the café's windows, with the square reflected in the glass.

The Florian through the seasons

In summer the outdoor tables fill the arcades and an orchestra often plays in the square in the afternoon and evening, which adds atmosphere but also people. In winter the interior rooms are at their cosiest, with warm light on the mirrors and velvet, and a hot chocolate makes a lovely, natural prop.

During Carnival the café is a gathering place for people in historical costume, and its rooms suit masked portraits perfectly.

Photo ideas inside and out

Inside, the small rooms reward close compositions: the two of you at a marble table, reflections in the old mirrors, hands around a cup. Outside, the arcades and the café's lit windows make a romantic frame at blue hour.

Combine it with

St Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace and the Baglioni Hotel Luna are all within a couple of minutes.

A short history of Caffè Florian

Floriano Francesconi opened the café in 1720 under the name 'Alla Venezia Trionfante', but Venetians simply called it 'Florian's' and the name stuck. It was one of the few places where women were welcome in 18th-century Venice, and over the centuries it became a meeting point for writers, artists and politicians. Its rooms, decorated in the 19th century, each have their own theme, from Chinese to Oriental to the Senate room.

Getting to Caffè Florian

The café is under the arcades of the Procuratie Nuove, on the south side of St Mark's Square. By vaporetto, get off at San Marco Vallaresso or San Zaccaria and walk into the square.

Etiquette for photos at the Florian

Order something first, then ask the staff before taking photos inside, especially with a professional camera. Keep the session short, avoid blocking other guests and never move furniture. Outside, the arcades are public, so photos there need no permission, but stay clear of the tables and the waiters' path.

If it rains

The arcades of the Procuratie run around three sides of the square, so you can walk and photograph under cover all the way to the Basilica. A rainy morning inside the Florian, with a hot chocolate, is one of the cosiest moments Venice has to offer.

What to wear and how long to plan

The Florian's rooms are richly decorated, so elegant outfits in simple colours work best: black, cream, deep red, navy. Allow about twenty minutes for a coffee and photos inside, as part of a longer St Mark's session.

Accessibility and a place to celebrate

St Mark's Square is flat and reachable from the San Marco vaporetto stops without crossing any bridges, so the Florian is one of the most accessible stops in the city. It's also a place to celebrate in itself: a glass of prosecco in one of the historic rooms after a sunrise session is a memorable way to toast the day.

Tips for a photoshoot at Caffè Florian

• Ask permission before photographing inside.
• The arcades are best early, before the outdoor tables are set.
• Pair it with a sunrise session in St Mark's Square.

Caffè Florian: frequently asked questions