St Mark’s Square is a huge open space in Venice. Around the outside are some of the most significant buildings in the city like the Basilica San Marco, the huge bell tower and the Doge’s Palace. There are also countless cafes each with their own coloyred seating areas. Drinking and eating here is very expensive, but we just enjoyed wandering around the square and looking at the various buildings. It’s the beating heart of the city, but it’s also crammed with tourists most of the time too. St Mark’s Square is joined to another smaller piazza that gives access to the Lagoon (pictured below).
Other highlights to look out for include the Torre Dell’orologio clock with two moving figures that strike the hours, the Museo Correr with stunning rooms akin to a palace, the large Marciana Library and the historic Bridge of Sighs. St Mark’s Square takes on a totally different feeling at night when most of the coach tourists have gone home. If you find it oppressive in the day, we’d recommend returning any time from 6pm onwards. We sat on the steps here at 11pm one night and it was lovely and peaceful and the live music was still being played.
LOCATION & MAP
Address: St Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco), 31024 Venice, Italy.
The square is on the southern edge of Venice island near the entrance to the Grand Canal and has its own Vaporetto water bus stop. It’s home to St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) and the huge, orange campanile bell tower.
MORE ON ST MARK’S SQUARE
Hotels near St Mark’s Square – Guaranteed lowest rates from Hotels.com
St Mark’s Square – Wikipedia
Venice Guide Books – Amazon