St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco)

At the center of Venice, St. Mark’s Square is the perfect hub around which to plan your walking tour of the city. It's just steps from the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) and its famous Bridge of Sighs, the Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal, and the Riva walk along the waterfront. The piazza is home to a number of palaces and sculptures by the Renaissance sculptor and architect Sansovino, so a private or small-group guided tour is key to fully appreciating its rich Venetian Gothic art and architecture.

• You can climb to the top of the square’s bell tower, but prebook skip-the-line access to avoid a long wait.

• Kids love to feed and chase the pigeons that flock to the center of this family-friendly piazza.

• The main square connects to the smaller piazzetta square, which is flanked by the Doge’s Palace and the St. Mark’s library (Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana), and opens out onto the Grand Canal.

• St. Mark’s Square is the focal point of Venice’s lavish Carnival celebrations every February.

• Though often crowded, the flat square is easily accessible for strollers and for those with limited mobility.

St. Mark’s Square is located along Venice’s Grand Canal. The nearest vaporetto (ferry) stop is San Marco–San Zaccaria.

St. Mark’s Square is an open-air square, so the area is best enjoyed during the milder months of the year. Summer brings the largest crowds to the piazza, but overall, Venice is relatively quiet from November through February.

Venice sits at sea level on the Adriatic, so when tides are especially high during winter, the city is often flooded. St. Mark’s Square is one of the lowest parts of the city center, and when acqua alta, or high water, hits, Venice sets up elevated walkways so locals and visitors can cross the piazza without getting wet.

The must-see attractions in St. Mark’s Square are St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, Campanile, and St. Mark’s Clock Tower. Behind the Basilica, you’ll find the Bridge of Sighs. Of course, the other must-see attractions are the people—grab a spot at one of the open-air cafés to soak in the scene.

Yes, guided tours of St. Mark’s Square are available from any number of purveyors. You’ll find small-group options, large-group options, private options, German, French, Spanish, English—the list goes on. They’re the best way to visit, as they often get you skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.

Visiting St. Mark’s Basilica for church services is free when you use the Porta dei Fiori entrance on the north side. But to see any of the special rooms, exhibitions, or bell tower, you’ll need to pay a small fee. Respectful dress and behavior are expected.

The best time to visit St. Mark’s Square to avoid crowds is around sunrise—the closer to dawn you visit, the fewer people there will be, plus you’ll get to see the square light up in the golden hues of sunrise. You can also visit around nightfall, well after all the cafés and attractions have closed up shop for the day.

Yes, you can “climb” the Campanile in St. Mark’s Square—though it’s an elevator to the top. At 323 feet (98 meters) high, you’ll catch fantastic views of St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Venetian Lagoon, and more. You’ll need a ticket to access the Campanile; book it in advance for skip-the-line access to the tower.

There's no one best photography spot in St. Mark’s Square—they're everywhere. It’s one of Italy’s most beloved piazzas for a reason. Turn your lens on details at St. Mark’s Basilica. Get shots from the top of the Campanile, through the arches of the Doge's Palace, and anywhere on the water.