Piazza San Marco, Venice: Address, Piazza San Marco Reviews: 4.5/5
Piazza San Marco
Piazza San Marco
4.5
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
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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.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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from HK$326.13
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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.
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,501 within 5 kms

Ai Do Leoni
116
0.1 kmItalian • Bar

Ristorante Campo Santa Maria Formosa
1,002
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Seafood • Mediterranean

Ristorante La Piazza
1,323
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Seafood • Mediterranean

Ristorante Alle Corone
1,664
0.3 km$$$$ • Italian • Seafood • Mediterranean

Pasticceria Da Bonifacio
238
0.3 km$ • Bakeries • Italian • Cafe

Pako's Pizza & Pasta
756
0.1 km$ • Quick Bites • Italian • Pizza

Ristorante da Toto
389
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Seafood • Mediterranean

Al Conte Pescaor
1,296
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Seafood • Mediterranean

Ai Mercanti
1,728
0.3 km$$$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European

Osteria del Lovo
1,162
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European
Attractions
898 within 10 kms
Su e Zo Per I Ponti Di Venezia
4.7 mSporting Events
Festa Della Sensa
4.7 mCultural Events

Procuratie Vecchie
50
34 mHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings

Procuratie nuove - ex Palazzo reale
45
34 mHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings

Ala Napoleonica
44
35 mArchitectural Buildings
Galerie Bordas - Venezia
38 mArt Galleries
Statua di Orfeo di Antonio Canova
1
44 mHistoric Sites • Monuments & Statues
Statua di Euridice di Antonio Canova
1
44 mHistoric Sites • Monuments & Statues

Campanile di San Marco
9,178
45 mHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Torre dell'Orologio
2,243
46 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
37,242 reviews
Excellent
23,437
Very good
10,067
Average
3,006
Poor
509
Terrible
225
Chau-Minh P
Waterloo, Canada363 contributions
Couples
It’s a nice square with lots of things to do. From a photography perspective, it’s hard to take a good photo since there are so many tourists. Best time to take photos would be super early in the morning or near sunset. Watch out for rose sellers who try to scam you. If this happens to you, make sure to take a lot of pictures.
Written 11 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Winter Peg
Stonewall, Canada2 contributions
Family
Went for a quick weekend getaway. Saturday night on our way back to hotel went by St.Marks to see what was happening. Only one orchestra playing due to the rain…magical. Lightning over St.Marks Basillica, the orchestra playing, people dancing made it a magical moment I will never forget.
Written 9 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Brita S
Aberdeen, NJ106 contributions
San Marco's plaza is definitively a tourist trap, but one that has to be seen. We like it best at night, when the bands at the cafes play music. Be aware of buying anything here though - it's utterly expensive. You can listen to the music without buying that 11 Euro espresso!
During the day it's quite crowded, but evening is not so bad, as many tourists are day tourists only and leave in the evening.
During the day it's quite crowded, but evening is not so bad, as many tourists are day tourists only and leave in the evening.
Written 8 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Vicki B
South Carolina145 contributions
We enjoyed this are much more very early in the morning & in the evenings. During the day it was very crowded & overwhelming. The sunrise was beautiful, but definitely more people there than expected at 6am. Most were there with cameras. Oh, those social media influencers are all over the place posing for forever in the best spots... I think Venice has stopped the cruise ships which has hopefully helped with crowds. Go at night and listen to the outside orchestras playing delightful music! Just know there is a "sit at a table" surcharge for sitting at a table.
Written 7 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TheShis
Tel Aviv, Israel35,760 contributions
Venice's most famous square looked somehow strange not being sunk under a meter of water, but laughs aside, it's an impressive square with several monumental attractions to explore.
Written 6 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KW*BIHi
Island of Hawaii, HI103 contributions
St. Mark's has a lot of shop and kiosk vendors, but the prices are really high. Very "tourist" place. Lot's of great restaurants, but good *tip* - pay with Euro's! A lot of vendors prefer this method.
Written 5 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jsteelem
Belfast, UK416 contributions
Beautiful architecture around the square like the Basilica,Doge,s Palace,Bell Tower and others but long queues for entry into these,not pleasant in hot July sunshine. If you sit on steps you will be ushered off by ones patrolling the square.so if you want to rest the only places are the expensive restaurants.Be careful here as a fee will be added to you bill for the music provided as if 17 euros is not enough for a cup of coffee. Eat in side sreets at a more reasonable price and even better little sandwich bars selling delicious take away ones for a few euros. If ever thinking of returning it would Autumn time,less crowded no queueing unlike the hot and overcrowded high season.
Written 5 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Morris
Lancaster, PA811 contributions
I loved visiting Piazza San Marco at all the different times of day. We were in Venice for 4 days and had visited before so this visit was just to wonder around and enjoy the experience and not so much site see. The early morning is so peaceful and one can appreciate the scale of the Piazza. Midday and afternoon the Piazza is active with live music and packed cafes.
Written 5 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Phil D
Sacramento, California, USA117 contributions
It is all it is billed up to be lots to see and learn about.. Just don't eat on the plaza bad food and expensive. Take a tour and be able to see everything.
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Written 2 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
StFidgeta
3 contributions
Family
This was by far the least enjoyable part of our day tour of our otherwise exquisite Venice for one reason: they do not let you sit down anywhere in the piazza unless you are a customer at one of the very expensive restaurants. If you do sit on a step or ledge, you are immediately accosted by uniformed staff who tell you that you must stand. People are tired and hot, and there is woefully inadequate seating in nearby restaurants for the summer crowds. Yet apparently employing people to keep people from sitting is more important than... say... providing places for people to sit who will of course want to sit.
While we were there we saw the anti-sitting enforcers hassling a woman on crutches because she was sitting down. Good grief! In what universe is this the best use of resources? Imagine if the money being used to pay the (literal) uprightness brigade had been devoted to putting some benches out. People might linger, spend money at shops, enjoy the beauty of the exteriors of St. Mark's and the Doge's Palace... As it is we were eager to leave, opted not to spend money there on principle, and wished it had not been the meetup point for the second half of our day-long walking tour so that we could have avoided it.
While we were there we saw the anti-sitting enforcers hassling a woman on crutches because she was sitting down. Good grief! In what universe is this the best use of resources? Imagine if the money being used to pay the (literal) uprightness brigade had been devoted to putting some benches out. People might linger, spend money at shops, enjoy the beauty of the exteriors of St. Mark's and the Doge's Palace... As it is we were eager to leave, opted not to spend money there on principle, and wished it had not been the meetup point for the second half of our day-long walking tour so that we could have avoided it.
Written 29 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
justjanica
Tigard, OR9 contributions
I heard that musicians play in the square at night. Does that always happen, or only on some nights? How can I find out more?
Glasgow222
92 contributions
We were treated to the most incredible cello music one afternoon, the man was so good he almost moved me to tears. There are a lot of buskers around Venice and they seem to be top notch. I've only ever known of organised music in the square very occasionally in the evening and it does get very quiet once the basilica and palace close. Venice has a tourist office but it is the kind of place you want to just wander and see what you find.
Hi,I’m planing to go to Venecia next week,I would like to know if still flooding
Sue
Bournemouth, UK224 contributions
I agree I would reschedule if possible. Stunning in the dry sunshine. Would not be the same in the cold, wet and damp. Save your money and visit in better times. Pop along to Lake Garda too. Stunning towns surround - especially the north.
Lisa B
Los Angeles, CA7 contributions
Hi there,
I am staying in St Marks square for New Years 2019. Do I need to buy tickets at all for the Square or is it open to the public? Can anyone recommend places to eat after the fireworks?
GrahamWalters
Andover, UK16 contributions
The square itself is open to the public, but there are charges for St Marks Tower, and the Doges palace which is 25euro pp
Expect to pay over 20euro for a coffee in the square, beyond the square is cheaper [but not much]
Fabio V
Vercelli, Italy100 contributions
Vorrei dei consigli su cosa vedere a Venezia in una gita di un giorno. Partendo da Piazzale Roma, quali linee utilizzare con il vaporetto e cosa andare a vedere.
C.T
189 contributions
Come hanno già consigliato evita i mezzi pubblici,sicuramente c'è fila da fare e tempo prezioso sprecato,riguardo le cose da vedere dipende dai gusti,se ti piacciono i musei devi sceglierne al massimo 2, perché per entrare sicuramente c'è fila,ed è già tanto se riesci a vederne 2, oppure girare per i vicoli,fino ad arrivare a Piazza San Marco,basta seguire le indicazioni. Se arrivi dalla stazione o da piazzale Roma,ti do alcuni consigli: 1 utilizza i bagni pubblici (tutti rigorosamente a pagamento )che sono in zona perché una volta entrato nel labirinto dei vicoli veneziani,di bagni neanche l'ombra,e tieni presente che il tragitto stazione- piazzale Roma a piedi circa 30-40 circa minuti solo andata, 2 portati bottigliette acqua sufficienti alle tue esigenze se non vuoi spendere un patrimonio, fontane pubbliche inesistenti, 3 occhio ai borseggiatori, 4 scarpe comodissime,durante il tragitto abbiamo trovato solo, casualmente, una piccola area di sosta con 3 panchine ,e con un po' di fortuna siamo riusciti a sederci per mangiare un panino.....dopo questa esperienza ho capito perché i turisti arrivati in Piazza San Marco bivaccano sui gradini della Piazza,mangiando e bevendo,utilizzando questo bellissimo posto come una grande area ristoro con le conseguenze negative ben note a tutti.Venezia è bella,ma bisogna fornire maggiori sevizi di qualità ai turisti e a questo aggiungere più controlli.
Fabio V
Vercelli, Italy100 contributions
Faremo una gita di una giornata a Venezia. Arriveremo a Piazzale Roma con l'autobus. Mi interesserebbe vedere la basilica di San Marco e la basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. Volevo sapere se c'è il biglietto salta-fila per la basilica di San Marco. Ci sono musei a pagamento? Si può usare il vaporetto per raggiungere le due basiliche? Quali linee bisogna prendere? E' meglio il biglietto giornaliero?
Marco T
6 contributions
Non si pagano, per San Marco nel week end potresti fare un po di coda. Musei a pagamento consiglio palazzo ducale. Quanto al vaporetto calcola che ogni corsa costa 7 euro e vale 70 minuti. Quindi consiglierei l'andata in vaporetto facendo il giro per il Canal grande(esiste anche quello per giudecca molto meno scenografico) fermandosi alla fermata prima della Madonna della salute , visitare la chiesa e poi proseguire per San Marco. Ritorno a piedi che poi è la cosa che ti godi di più. Passeggiare per venezia è bellissimo, perdersi a venezia ancora meglio
joyce g
St. Petersburg, FL3 contributions
I’m taking my grad daughter there fir only one day as we return from a cruise. We leave Marco Polo airport at 6:00 AM so I need to know how long it takes to get from hotel to airport and a Goodman to get there.
missamorgan10
Caerphilly County, UK371 contributions
We travels from the airport to our hotel on the grand canal and it took 55 minutes . Our hotel was a 15mins walk from saint Marco square. We were central to saint Marco. Hope this helps.
Grannypammy
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK6 contributions
We will be calling into Venice in April, my husband is in a wheelchair, how accessible is Venice. Would we be better booking a local guide
mother123458
Ottawa, Canada70 contributions
I think maybe is better to hire a local guide or going in a gondola to many places. Some places are difficult to go in a wheelchair.
Jayne M
Douglas, UK11 contributions
Hi heading there march 11th for 4 nights 5 days. We haven’t booked any excursions or anything or even transfers. Breakfast is included and we’re staying near st marks square. Do you think 1.500euros would be enough for excursions, meals, drinks and transfers? Thanks
Michael Lodey-Young
Stoke-on-Trent, UK59 contributions
Hi we stayed only 5 mins walk from St Marks square and we had a fantastic time the only thing we didn't do was a gondola ride as we had more fun trying all the back streets. We had amazing food and only spent about £450 in total including going up the tower, the palace and church.
Jayne M
Douglas, UK11 contributions
Cheapest transfer from airport to st marks square please?
karl gasparini
Calgary, Canada53 contributions
Take a bus to the train station, then there is a water bus just outside the entrance to the station.
Frequently Asked Questions about Piazza San Marco
- Piazza San Marco admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost HK$332.29, while a popular guided tour starts around HK$54.87 per person. See all 341 Piazza San Marco tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
- Piazza San Marco can be crowded, so we recommend booking e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. See all 341 Piazza San Marco tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Piazza San Marco:
- Skip the Line: Doge's Palace Ticket & Guide Book (From HK$332.29)
- Legendary Venice St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access & Doge's Palace (From HK$707.83)
- Murano, Burano and Torcello Half-Day Sightseeing Tour (From HK$208.18)
- Venice Walking Tour and Gondola Ride (From HK$374.75)
- St. Mark's Basilica Skip-the-Line Guided Tour - T3 (From HK$324.75)
- Hotels near Piazza San Marco:
- (0.02 km) CASA CORTE DELLE ANCORE
- (0.05 km) Saint Mark's Basilica At 200 Meters
- (0.05 km) Best Windows
- (0.05 km) Fenice Apartments In Venice - Not Just A Stay
- (0.06 km) Appartamenti A San Marco
- Restaurants near Piazza San Marco:
- (0.00 km) Guna Restaurant
- (0.02 km) Caffe Aurora
- (0.02 km) Ristorante Quadri
- (0.02 km) Grancaffe Quadri
- (0.03 km) Caffe Lavena
- Attractions near Piazza San Marco:
- (0.02 km) Russian Guide in Venice Lucia Gogu
- (0.02 km) Venice Revisited
- (0.03 km) San Marco 4995
- (0.03 km) Procuratie Vecchie
- (0.03 km) Procuratie nuove - ex Palazzo reale