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

Piazza San Marco, Venice

4.6
#1 of 188 in Historic Sites in Venice
Must see · Historic Walking Area · Landmark
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.
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Tours to Piazza San Marco

FROM $96 BOOK WITH VIATOR Best of Venice Tour with St Mark’s Basilica and Grand Canal Boat tour
4.2
Duration: 3 hours
Tours from $96 »
FROM $24 BOOK WITH VIATOR Murano, Burano and Torcello Half-Day Sightseeing Tour
3.4
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Tours from $24 »
FROM $54 BOOK WITH VIATOR Venice Walking Tour and Gondola Ride
3.8
Duration: 129 to 147 minutes
Tours from $54 »

Piazza San Marco reviews

Rate this attraction
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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
36,938 reviews
Google
4.7
TripAdvisor
  • By demskyr
    If you have been looking forward to seeing Venice your entire life as my wife and I had, then this will not disappoint!  more »
  • By AlexandraG2627
    Well, I am addicted to Venice and the carnival. It is just magic, cannot call it differently. Each time I walk with my costume on San Marco, it feels like a fairytale. Unfortunately, I do not...  more »
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Google
  • By steve mcmarson
    Venice is an incredible city to explore. As a wedding photographer I found it intriguing. The presence of large crowds in most areas required patience and seizing opportunity from moment to moment to get clear backgrounds. Give yourself plenty of time to see the place properly and to get into the quieter areas away from the usual tourist path.
  • By Siu Long
    You say Venice and the fist thing that comes to the mind is this square. Amazing, elegant, sober. It is incredible how the whole square has a coherent architectural style despite the fact that the building that surround it have been built in very different ages. You can't miss it.
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