Piazza San Marco
Piazza San Marco
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksHistoric Walking Areas
About
It is said that Napoleon called San Marco "the drawing room of Europe." And it is a breathtakingly beautiful place. But the square has long been a lure for massive numbers of pigeons, drawn by the massive numbers of tourists who readily feed them. While the tourists happily post for photos amid the flock, there are concerns that the birds' presence--and what they leave behind--will damage the centuries old architecture and art work.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Admission tickets
from £37.39
All you need to step foot in the door.
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Top ways to experience Piazza San Marco
The area
Neighbourhood: San Marco
The most famous sestiere (district) in Venice has one of the world's most famous squares, St. Mark's (Piazza San Marco). Anchored on one end by the basilica, clustered around it are restaurants, museums, shops, orchestras playing in the square, pigeons, the grand pink Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), the soaring campanile bell tower, an astrological clock tower, plus gorgeous cafes and restaurants like Florian and Quadri. Piazza San Marco is beloved by Venetians themselves. They book a table anytime, which offers a buffer from the fray. This grand outdoor drawing room attracts Venetians for a stroll too, especially late in the afternoon when the hoards of daytrippers thin out. It's simply a grand place to meet.
See what travellers are saying
  • Slavino
    Banska Bystrica, Slovakia13 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We were hyped, but …
    We were very hyped about Piazza San Marco as it is probably the most famous place in whole Venice. This place looks very nice, but it is disgustingly overpriced. I suggest to take a walk through Piazza and then find some reastarant further from here.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 1 April 2023
  • Gary W
    Richmond, Australia885 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Busy Busy Busy
    A large space which most visitors to Venice walk to at some point of their trip. It has the Campanile, the Doges palace and the basilica. The queues can be long and tiring but it is all part of the experience. It is easy to locate as most streets have arrws pointing out its direction. There are plenty of cafes and shops around and near the square.
    Visited April 2023
    Written 5 April 2023
  • Tina
    Norwich, United Kingdom22 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Brilliant day out.
    What an amazing piece of architecture. Definitely a must do in Venice. The church is absolutely beautiful, never seen another like it. Plenty of souvenir vendors, even on a Sunday. Lovely little shops and eateries just off the main square.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 17 April 2023
  • Beverly C
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful
    Our guide was great, sharing lots of details that increased our enjoyment. Firebird Tours arranged tickets ahead of time so no waiting in lines. Wow did that make a difference in how much we got to see.
    Visited April 2023
    Written 4 May 2023
  • Kenneth E
    Erwin, Tennessee519 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning
    A must see!!! This is a main attraction in venice. Doge's palace, st marks basilica and correr museum is located in the piazza. Tons of shops and restaurants all around. Awesome place to just hang out and tons of great photo spots.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 8 May 2023
  • Stephanie S
    Roseland, New Jersey778 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Gorgeous architecture
    Everything about Venice is absolutely gorgeous. The square is a great place with beautiful architecture with the churches and buildings. There are cute little shops and places to eat. Lot of history there and wonderful views of the canal. A great place to walk around and learn about the history of Venice!
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 1 June 2023
  • ONaoura
    Dubai, United Arab Emirates189 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Do visit but do not eat there
    The Piazza San Marco is a must visit; nevertheless, should you expect that the square will be busy with tourists (Unless you visit very early in the morning). The restaurants do offer outdoor beautiful live music (At night time) which you can enjoy walking around enjoying the full view (for free) as much as you would by sitting at one of the overpriced restaurants there. I personally believe the square looks best at sunset/evening time with the street lights on.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 4 June 2023
  • CarsonsMommy
    2,650 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best after 5 pm!
    The living room of the world is a must see best seen after 5 pm when the day trippers have left. Before then it is hectic, crowded, wall to wall bodies. After 5 it is more relaxed, quiet, peaceful. Sometimes if you are lucky it floods
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 7 June 2023
  • Andres72423
    Bridgeport, Connecticut2,930 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Grand Piazza
    An amazing Piazza in Venice with lots of action happening. One of the centerpieces of the Piazza is the Doge’s Palace. The piazza has various of coffee shops, restaurants and bars to frequent. You can sit and people watch as you sip on a coffee or have a beer or something eat. As you walk up to the Piazza they are plenty of vendors and shops to find whatever souvenir you may want to take home. Also it is the entry way to various alleys to find shops, bars and restaurants and your ride on a gondola.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 30 June 2023
  • Gina A
    Carlsbad, California11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Embrace the Venice Lifestyle in the Piazza San Marco!
    My daughter and I sat in the piazza in the afternoon which was amazing ambience. We got to watch the world go by, experience apertivo and soak in the beautiful surroundings. Yes, you are overpaying to sit and take a load off but was well worth it to sip the best Prosecco I've ever had and listen to live music and truly appreciate the Venice lifestyle!
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 15 July 2023
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles37,532 reviews
Excellent
23,631
Very good
10,129
Average
3,024
Poor
515
Terrible
233

ZAH
Hertfordshire36 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Friends
Always wanted to sit and have a drink in the square, unfortunately work was going on which we totally understand so it was the image I had always thought but still a beautiful square in an iconic location.
Written 15 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Berke Ayrancıoğlu
Graz, Austria158 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Friends
The main point of the city. Social, religious and political center. Surrounded by San Marco basilica and tower, Tore dell'Orologion and Ducale Palace. Beware the pickpockets and the scammers trying to force you buy flowers. There are cafes on the edges of the square where you can enjoy a coffee. Although the prices are high, it is very nice to have a coffee in the square.
Written 2 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Twomaples
Canada445 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
Coming from the narrow streets and alleyways the square opens up like unwrapping a wonderful gift. A guide explained it's like 3 monuments in 1: the Doge's Palace, the Basilica and the Library. There are shops to wander by or fabulous views over the lagoon and gondolas to admire. And at carnival time activities are posted and masked characters congregate here. There are many many carts selling wares but keep in mind that authentic Venetian masks are sold in the shops and are stamped. The masks sold here on the square may be "designed in Italy" but are imported.
Written 3 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marie K
Plymouth, UK53 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
Gorgeous place to peruse have a hot chocolate in Florian good for glass and gifts The Square is breathtaking buy your tickets for st marks ahead even in Jan ques are long
Written 2 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nora
Riga, Latvia8 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
Great place to visit! Beautiful architecture. Visited twice and in the second time the floor was covered with water so be prepared and check weather so your shoes don’t get wet! It was really busy place! Overall I can say that it’s beautiful and anyone who will visit Venice can go check this place out👍🏻
Written 31 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JeanBaptiste111
47 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
Took the bullet train from Rome to visit Venice. Piazza San Marco has truly marvelous scenery. The grand architecture, the iconic Basilica, the Campanile tower, and the lively atmosphere with cafes and pigeons adds to this captivating city experience. We Enjoyed Venice and its history.
Written 15 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tommo
Melbourne, Australia50,431 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
We visited this vibrant square located in Venice on our first day. Initially it was partially under water with elevated planks to walk on to prevent your shoes getting wet. Thankfully our next 3 days the square was mostly dry.

Its the hub of Venice and a busy bustling square with lots of cafes and bars and located waterfront. Beware of tourist traps and check the reviews if dining here. I loved the musicians who played music here.

You must visit the San Marco Basillica and the Bell Tower. The Bell Tower has magfnificant views from the top.
Written 15 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Herbert C
891 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
Piazza San Marco in the heart of Venice is probably the most famous public square in the world. Jostling for a spot around the square are the “who’s who” of Venice, each trying to outdo each other with their eye-catching structures - St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, the towering St Mark’s Campanile, St Mark’s Clocktower (Torre dell’Orologio), the old and new Procuraties, Biblioteca Marciana (library), the two large granite columns carrying the symbols of the 2 patron saints of Venice (ie Saint Theodore and Lion of Venice) and even the pigeons. Whichever angle you pose for your photo in this square, you’re almost guaranteed of capturing the best of Venice, like an art masterpiece on an artist canvass. No wonder Napoleon purportedly called it “the world’s most beautiful drawing room”.
Written 11 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

azhad.s
Austria15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
Quoting Napoleon is not what we usually do, but calling Piazza San Marco “the world’s most beautiful drawing room” was genuinely brilliant on his part, so here it is
Written 2 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John P
Melbourne, Australia1,192 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
We visited late December to avoid summer crowds. Gorgeous winter weather meant our gamble payed off but it was still crowded though far from summer numbers I experienced before!
Renting an apartment close by allowed us to visit early morning, to watch the sun rise, gorgeous, late evening to watch the light fade and enjoy reflected street lights, gorgeous, as well as through the day to savour the cathedral and the Doge’s Palace. You could not get bored here, stupendous!
Written 31 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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PIAZZA SAN MARCO: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Piazza San Marco

Piazza San Marco admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost £37.07, while a popular guided tour starts around £4.31 per person.



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