Trip Planner:   Europe  /  Italy  /  Veneto  /  Province of Venice  /  City of Venice  /  Venice  /  Piazza San Marco

Piazza San Marco, Venice

4.4

#1 of 196 in Historic Sites in Venice

Historic Walking Area Landmark Must See

• ©
• ©
• ©
• © +4
• ©
• ©
• ©
• ©

Venice's principal public space, Piazza San Marco has served as the city's social, religious, and political center for centuries. In fact, Napoleon called the square "the drawing room of Europe." It's the largest square in the city and the only one given the designation of "piazza" (the others are all called "campi"). Originally constructed in the ninth century as a small public space dotted with trees, the square was substantially enlarged in the 12th century and was paved with bricks in the 13th. Several major architectural sites surround the area. The most notable is an imposing church dedicated to St. Mark. Don't feed the pigeons--city law forbids feeding the birds in the square. To visit Piazza San Marco on your trip to Venice, use our Venice trip planner.

more less

Create an itinerary including Piazza San Marco

Start planning

Unable to display map at this time. Please try again later.

© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

Piazza San Marco Reviews

Rate this attraction

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

36,658 reviews

facebook

41 likes

• By patticha511

  Not much to say about the square other than that it is very pretty! We came during Carnevale, so it was jam packed, but still pretty. There are a lot of souvenir shops and restaurants surrounding the....  more »

• By 872deanm

  We went over New Years. It will be one of the most memorable trips ever. There is history and architecture for me, shopping and nightlife for the younger members of the family. Italy over the...  more »

See more on TripAdvisor »

Plan your trip to Venice

• Get a personalized plan

  A complete day-by-day itinerary
  based on your preferences

• Customize it

  Refine your plan. We'll find the
  best routes and schedules

• Book it

  Choose from the best hotels
  and activities. Up to 50% off

• Manage it

  Everything in one place.
  Everyone on the same page.