Piazza San Marco
About Piazza San Marco
The Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) is one of Venice’s top attractions. Located in the Square is St. Mark’s Basilica, the Campanile, and Doge’s Palace. During my trip to Venice, I visited Piazza San Marco twice. My first visit was during the day, as I wanted to go inside St. Mark’s and up to the observation deck of the Campanile. The second time I visited the Square was to take pictures at night. I was surprised that there were so few people at night as Piazza San Marco is beautifully illuminated.
I recommend spending a few hours at the Piazza San Marco as the lines were fairly long to get into St. Mark’s and get to the top of the Campanile.
Piazza San Marco - Table of Contents
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St. Mark's Basilica
The most famous sight in Piazza San Marco in St. Mark’s Basilica. When I arrived, there was a long line of people waiting to get into St. Mark’s. Before I could get in line, I needed to check my backpack as there are no bags or cameras allowed in the church.
Finding the bag check was more difficult than I expected. The bag check is to the left of the yellow building in the picture below. Once you get to the yellow building, you have to go about 100 meters down one of the back walkways. I believe the bag check was free, but tips are encouraged. I tipped the attendant €2.
There are no cameras allowed inside St. Mark’s Basilica. Despite not being able to take photos, I immensely enjoyed walking through this almost 1,000-year-old church.
Be sure to visit St. Mark’s at night so you can see the church illuminated. If you are going to take a picture, don’t forget your tripod.
The Observation Deck of the Campanile
The Campanile is the bell tower in Piazza San Marco, which still rings today. I highly recommend a visit to the top to get a bird’s eye view of the Square. There is a lift (elevator), so visitors are not required to climb the stairs. The cost is €8 per person.
Doge's Palace
Doge’s Palace is the former home of the Supreme Leader of Venice, the Doge of Venice. I did not go inside the Palace, instead only looking at it from the outside. If I ever return to Venice, it will be one of the top places on my list to go inside.
Columns of San Marco and San Todaro
Near the water, stand two columns marked with the two patrons of Venice. In the picture below, the column to the left is a winged lion, and the column to the right is St. Todaro.
The winged lion is the symbol of St. Mark, and the San Todaro was the first protector of Venice. To the right of San Todaro is the Biblioteca Marciana (library of St. Mark), and to the left is Doge’s Palace.
Bridge of Sighs
The Bridge of Sighs is not technically part of Piazza San Marco but is connected to Doge’s Palace. The bridge connected the interrogation room to the prison. It is called the “Bridge of Sighs,” as it was believed the prisoner would sigh as they took a look at their last view of beautiful Venice before imprisonment.
I once again recommend visiting the Bridge of Sighs both during the day and in the evening. As much of Venice is, the bridge is beautifully illuminated at night.
Piazza San Marco Tours and Packages
I did not take a guided tour during my visit to Piazza San Marco. Instead, I decided to explore on my own. If you prefer a guided tour, with a local expert, I have linked six tours below. The tours vary in length, attractions, and cost.
Please note, that as an affiliate of Viator, I will receive a small commission if you purchase using one of my links. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
Prices are accurate as of June 2023.
 Venice Photography Walking Tour: A Day in Life of Venice - $245.72 See Venice as a photographer rather than a tourist on this 3-hour private photography walking tour. Choose from a daytime or sunset tour, and then, equipped with your camera or smartphone, explore and take shots of the city’s squares, canals and streets with a photographer guide. Capture the beauty of St Mark’s Square and Bridge of Sighs; delve into hidden corners such as the Rialto markets; and learn tips on lighting, composition, reportage and photographing people along the way. Enjoy the full attention of a guide on this private tour. |
 Legendary Venice St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace - $107.09 If you want to submerge yourself in the incredible history of Venice’s once-great maritime empire, this Venice tour is the perfect excursion for you. Take access of two of the floating city’s most important buildings: St. Mark’s Cathedral, and the Doge’s Palace. As you explore these jaw-droppings spaces, your expert local guide will bring them to life with the histories and stories of how they were built and the human dramas that played out inside. History buffs and casual visitors alike will love the way this tour brings the stones of Venice to life. |
 Skip-the-Line Venice Private Tour of St Mark Square and its Basilica with Optional Boat Tour - $437.26 Stroll through the main attractions of Venice: you will start with the visit of St. Mark’s Square and its monuments. Afterwards, enjoy a priority entrance to St. Mark’s Basilica and its golden mosaics. Eventual option to have a private boat ride of the inner canals! |
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