St Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco)
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Cultural Experience,
Must-Do Experience,
Monument - Historical,
Plaza / Square
St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) is filled with centuries of history and is still the symbolic heart of Venice; it has even been referred to as the drawing room of Europe. With the grand St Mark's Church at one end, the Campanile bell tower rising in the middle and the elegant colonnaded arcade of famous cafes on three sides, it is a wonderful place to be - and the hundreds of pigeons think so too.
Sit and have coffee (you'll only be able to afford one) and watch the whole world pass by while a tuxedoed band plays. Then plunge north into the narrow streets full of shops leading towards the Rialto Bridge, or west into the city's pocket of high fashion designer stores finishing with an extremely expensive Bellini at Harry's Bar, the place that invented the peach/champagne drink. Alternately, head out of San Marco to the east and stroll the waterfront on the Riva.
Latest Reviews
Review by Ronald C, May 2013
Doing what: Small-Group Tour: Best of Venice Walking Tour and Grand Canal Water Taxi Ride
A great tour. The first hour was with a guide in a water taxi and was very interesting. The second hour was with a different guide around St Mark's Square and inside the beautiful Basilica. The third hour was a fascinating walk through the wonderful, narrow alleys of the relatively quiet eastern part of Venice, finishing near the Fish Market and Rialto Bridge.
Review by miquel t, April 2013
Doing what: Skip the Line: Venice Walking Tour with St Mark's Basilica
the weather was not to good very wet and windy, but the guide was really good and we had a great morning with no waiting at the basilica, and we were shown all the wonderful buildings and little plazas, we lso had a very good fish meal next to the fish market. thanks for every thing, really recommend your guide.
Review by Brenda M, October 2012
Doing what: Small-Group Tour: Best of Venice Walking Tour and Grand Canal Water Taxi Ride
Really enjoyed this tour. It covered the highlights of Venice on both water and land. Meeting place is on the bridge right next to St. Marks Square. Highly recommend this tour.
Practical Info
Piazza San Marco is the heart of Venice. Many vaporetto (ferries) stop there, at Vallaresso/S. Marco. When you're walking in the maze of Venice streets, look up and you'll regularly see arrows pointing to San Marco.
