Sight guide · Venice · Italy
Visiting St Mark's Square
Venice's only 'piazza' is framed by the basilica, the arcaded Procuratie and the Clock Tower, whose bronze Moors strike the hours.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Matthias Süßen, CC BY-SA 4.0
_at_night-msu-2021-6449-.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
St Mark's Square is a landmark in San Marco, Venice. Allow 30 minutes–1 hour; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Landmark
- Area
- San Marco
- Time needed
- 30 minutes–1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, after dark, photo spot and architecture
- Best months
- March and October–November
About St Mark's Square
Venice's only 'piazza' is framed by the basilica, the arcaded Procuratie and the Clock Tower, whose bronze Moors strike the hours. Historic cafés such as Florian, open since 1720, have outdoor orchestras in season. The adjoining Piazzetta opens onto the lagoon between two granite columns topped by the lion of St Mark and St Theodore.
Tip: Come at sunrise or after 9pm for the square almost to yourself; sitting at a café with music carries a hefty surcharge.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 30 minutes–1 hour.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: San Marco, st Mark's Square, grand hotels, La Fenice and luxury shopping streets.
Best time to visit St Mark's Square
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- November: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- March: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- October: 18°C (64°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Venice has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Venice itinerary visits St Mark's Square on day 1, together with St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace and La Fenice opera house.
- No. 3 of the 20 sights in our Venice things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 4-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Venice.
Near St Mark's Square
Also in San Marco, so you can walk between them:
- Doge's Palace — 2–3 hours, mid-priced
- St Mark's Campanile — 45 minutes, low cost
- St Mark's Basilica — 1–1.5 hours, low cost
If you like St Mark's Square
- Rialto Bridge and Market — San Polo, 1 hour
- Burano — Northern lagoon, Half a day with Murano
- Jewish Ghetto — Cannaregio, 1 hour
Staying near St Mark's Square
Stay in San Marco ($$$$) to walk here: st Mark's Square, grand hotels, La Fenice and luxury shopping streets. All areas to stay in Venice.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at St Mark's Square?
Plan 30 minutes–1 hour. With Doge's Palace nearby, it fits a half-day in San Marco.
+Is St Mark's Square free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit St Mark's Square?
March and October–November, the quietest of the good months. Come at sunrise or after 9pm for the square almost to yourself; sitting at a café with music carries a hefty surcharge.
+Do I need to book St Mark's Square in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.