Piazza San Marco in Venice
Your visit to Venice would not be complete without spending time at Piazza San Marco. As the main square in the city, and the only one referred to by locals as a true ‘piazza’, it’s the cultural hub of Venice, packed with historic sights, restaurants, cafés and shops.
Arriving at Piazza San Marco from the Grand Canal, you’ll be greeted by the archways of St. Mark’s Basilica. The striking cathedral, an example of Byzantine architecture, has some beautiful mosaics inside. Visit the Loggia dei Cavalli to see the Gothic design details up close, and don’t miss out on a visit to the sanctuary or the treasury. Look out for the image of Madonna of Nicopeia in the basilica’s chapel before coming back out into the square.
Next to the cathedral you’ll see the impressive Doge’s Palace with its patterned walls, white arches and intricate Gothic details. Go inside to see the beautiful golden staircase and paintings by Bellini, Titian, Veronese and Tintoretto. Explore the courtyard, stand underneath the Foscari Arch, and climb the Giant’s Staircase.
The 15th century clocktower, Torre dell’Orologio, is another must-visit sight at Piazza San Marco. Climb the tower to reach the roof terrace and get a closer look at the two bronze figures who strike the bell each hour. Look out for the signs of the zodiac and phases of the moon on the clock face too.
After visiting the main landmarks at Piazza San Marco, go and relax with a coffee at one of the many cafés on the square. Florian and Quadri have both been at St. Mark’s since the 18th century.
More Things To Do ideas
Find more Things To Do in Venice: Doge's Palace | Galleria Dell Accademia | Gondola Hire | Grand Canal Venice | Peggy Guggenheim Collection | Rialto Bridge | Rialto Market | Sighs Bridge | St Mark's Basilica | Teatro La Fenice | Venetian Secret Wine Tour | Waterbus Tour on Grand Canal
![Piazza San Marco image](/.imaging/default/dam/legacy/heros/citybreaks/venice/piazzasanmarcovenicehero.jpg/jcr:content.jpg)
Best hotels in Venice
![Hilton Molino Stucky Venice](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV8wMDY0ZWJhMWIzZDE0MmI0YjIxODg1NDE5Y2Y3NmViNC5qcGc.webp)
Hilton Molino Stucky Venice
Italy, Venice
9013 reviews
![Tintoretto Hotel](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV9lM2E1NGJiNDc4NGE0ZDVhYTZmMTg0OGJiM2E0NjE5NS5qcGc.webp)
Tintoretto Hotel
Italy, Venice
650 reviews
![Casa Verardo - Residenza D'Epoca](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV9kY2M5OGE1ZWI3ZmE0OThiYjJhNDI1MzU0M2EzMzg0Ny5qcGc.webp)
Casa Verardo - Residenza D'Epoca
Italy, Venice
1139 reviews
![Ca' Marinella](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV84MDNlYjdmNmE5Mzc0MzllODBmYzk1ZTRiNzM5M2Y3MS5qcGc.webp)
Ca' Marinella
Italy, Venice
140 reviews
![Carlton on the Grand Canal](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L0RhdGFPYmplY3RzL1RoaXJkUGFydHlQcm9wZXJ0eS9pbWcvaW1hZ2VzL2ltYWdlXzRiZmE3OWJhZWI0NzQyYzU4NzAwYzZlYWZjMjk1MjM0LmpwZw.webp)
Carlton on the Grand Canal
Italy, Venice
3827 reviews
![Ai Mori d'Oriente](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV8zNzRkZDRmNGM5MjQ0MThiYjg3Njg4OTcyN2M4NzdkNC5qcGc.webp)
Ai Mori d'Oriente
Italy, Venice
3278 reviews
![Crowne Plaza Venice East Quarto D'altino](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV82MTk3ODljNzFkNWY0MmU2OTYzMzVkYTJjNGRlNjk4ZS5qcGc.webp)
Crowne Plaza Venice East Quarto D'altino
Italy, Venice, Quarto D'Altino
1558 reviews
![Hotel Principe](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV9mODQ1Njg3ZDc5ODA0M2U2YmVlODE3MjZlODU4MThkOS5qcGc.webp)
Hotel Principe
Italy, Venice
2797 reviews
![Antony Palace Hotel](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV9lMjFmYzBkNDRmNjQ0MjFmYWQzMTE0YzIzNjRlN2I4ZC5qcGc.webp)
Antony Palace Hotel
Italy, Venice
1341 reviews
![Hotel Papadopoli Venezia - MGallery](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV82N2UwYzE1ZGFlMTk0ZWJhYmIwMjZiZTM2NDZmMTMxMi5qcGc.webp)
Hotel Papadopoli Venezia - MGallery
Italy, Venice
2967 reviews
![Hyatt Centric Murano Venice](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV9iZWU3YTYyMTliNDA0YjVhOWM2OGVhZGIxYjIxNzgyNi5qcGc.webp)
Hyatt Centric Murano Venice
Italy, Venice, Murano
3675 reviews
![voco Venice Mestre - The Quid, an IHG Hotel](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV9hMDM2ZGJkZWU5NGE0MThjYWU0M2E2NjhkYTdlNmQxMC5qcGc.webp)
voco Venice Mestre - The Quid, an IHG Hotel
Italy, Venice
1721 reviews
![Giorgione Hotel](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV9iOGZiYjRkNzJlY2Y0ZTVhYTlkZjIwOWU5MThiYWVjYy5qcGc.webp)
Giorgione Hotel
Italy, Venice
2354 reviews
![Hotel Panorama](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV80YWM5ZmRjNmM0MWY0YWZhYjRkNTg2NTYxZGEwZGQ1Ny5qcGc.webp)
Hotel Panorama
Italy, Venice, Lido
1033 reviews
![Belstay Venezia Mestre](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV9jOWNjNTVmZGE1MjI0NWM0ODBmMjI0MTBhMTJlYzQzNi5qcGc.webp)
Belstay Venezia Mestre
Italy, Venice, Marghera
1052 reviews