St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) Tours
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St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco), often referred to as “the drawing room of Europe,” is one of the most famous squares in Italy. The geographic and cultural heart of Venice—with St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace at one end, the campanile in the center, and the colonnaded arcade topped by the Procuratie palaces lining three sides—this elegant piazza is also steeped in history. Settle in at one of the many coveted café tables and watch tourists (and pigeons) pose for photos while you sip a Bellini and soak in the square’s Renaissance splendor.
The Basics
Located at the center of Venice, St. Mark’s Square is the perfect hub around which to plan your walking tour of Venice. It is just steps from the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) and its famous Bridge of Sighs, the Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal, and the Riva walk along the waterfront. The piazza is home to a number of palaces and sculptures by the Renaissance sculptor and architect Sansovino, so a private or small-group guided tour is key to fully appreciating its rich Venetian Gothic art and architecture.
Things to Know Before You Go
- You can climb to the top of the square’s clock tower, but prebook skip-the-line access to avoid a long wait.
- Kids love to feed and chase the pigeons that flock to the center of this family-friendly piazza.
- The main square connects to the smaller piazzetta square, which is flanked by the Doge’s Palace and the St. Mark’s library (Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana), and opens out onto the Grand Canal.
- St. Mark’s Square is the focal point of Venice’s lavish Carnival celebrations every February.
- Although often crowded, the flat square is easily accessible for strollers and those with limited mobility.
How to Get There
St. Mark’s Square is located along Venice’s Grand Canal. The nearest vaporetto (ferry) stop is San Marco–San Zaccaria.
When to Get There
St. Mark’s Square is an open-air square, so the area is best enjoyed during the milder months of the year. Summer brings the largest crowds to the piazza, but overall, Venice is relatively quiet from November through February.
Flooding at St. Mark’s Square
Venice sits at sea level on the Adriatic, so when tides are especially high during winter, the city is often flooded. St. Mark’s Square is one of the lowest parts of the city center, and when acqua alta, or high water, hits, Venice sets up elevated walkways so locals and visitors can cross the piazza without getting wet.
Address: Piazza San Marco, Venice, Veneto 31024, Italy
Hours: Open daily 24hrs
Admission: Free
293 Tours and Activities to Experience St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco)
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Legendary Venice St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace Group or Private Tour
Delve into Venetian history on this tour that showcases two of the city's most iconic structures and sheds light on the stories behind them both. Enjoy skip-the-line access to both popular attractions. Your first stop is legendary St. Mark's Basilica. Wander around the mosaic-covered interior and Byzantine treasures while a local guide fills you in on how this collection came to be. Then continue to the Doge’s Palace to explore the former political heart of Venice.
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From
$97.82
From
$97.82
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Murano, Burano and Torcello Half-Day Sightseeing Tour
Visit Torcello, Murano, and Burano—three islands in the Venetian Lagoon—on this tour from Venice by motorboat. With a guide, watch glass being blown at a Murano glass factory, see historical cathedrals on Torcello, and admire exquisite handmade lace on Burano. This is a great way to see more than just the central sights of Venice and enjoy a cruise on the water. Select a departure time when booking.
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From
$24.76
From
$24.76
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
St Mark's Basilica After-Hours Group or Private Tour with Optional Doge's Palace
See the wonders of Venice's St. Mark's Basilica without the crowds during this after-hours, small-group tour. Learn about the basilica's famed mosaics from your guide and explore the crypt below the church to see where St. Mark's remains are said to lie. Upgrade to see the Doge's Palace after the basilica and wander the former home of the Venetian Republic's government.
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From
$117.63
From
$117.63
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Group or Private Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola
First time in Venice? Maximize your time in the city with a full-day itinerary that ticks off all the most memorable attractions. Stroll across the Rialto Bridge and browse the lively Rialto fish market, then hop aboard a traditional gondola for a romantic cruise along the Grand Canal. Next, access St. Mark’s Basilica and gaze down over the city from the cathedral’s rooftop terrace. Finally, enjoy skip-the-line entrance to the grandiose Doge’s Palace. This small-group tour is limited to 15 people ensuring a personalized experience.
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From
$159.73
From
$159.73
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Best of Venice Tour with St Mark’s Basilica and Grand Canal Boat tour
See the best of Venice in a day on a tour that combines a guided walk with a cruise along the bustling Grand Canal. Hear the history of St. Mark’s Square and Rialto Bridge from a guide, and visit St. Mark’s Basilica with a skip-the-line ticket to beat the long admission lines. Discover the tucked-away treasures of Venice’s backstreets and charming canals, and then finish on a high note: a water taxi cruise on the Grand Canal.
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From
$97.82
Price varies by group size
From
$97.82
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica Tour
Visit two of the most popular attractions in Venice on this guided tour of the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Listen to your guide's commentary clearly with provided headsets and avoid hours-long queues with skip-the-line admission tickets. Entrance tickets to the Doge's Palace are also included for a hassle-free tour.
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From
$91.63
From
$91.63
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regular temperature checks for staff
Venice Super-Saver: Doge’s Palace, Walking Tour & Grand Canal Boat Tour
Explore the best of Venice at a 10% discount with this Super Saver combo of three popular tours. Skip the line at the Doge’s Palace, where you can wander through ornate public rooms and across the notorious Bridge of Sighs. You’ll also head to the front of the long queue at St Mark’s Basilica to tour the dazzling interior of this Byzantine masterpiece including Pala d'Oro and enjoy a guided walking tour of Venice’s hidden gems. Finally, cruise down the Grand Canal aboard a motorboat and soak in the majestic passing scenery.
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From
$172.11
Price varies by group size
From
$172.11
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Venice Walking Tour and Gondola Ride
Explore the famous sites and hidden charms of Venice on this walking tour, followed by a ride through the city’s canals on an iconic gondola. Follow your local guide through a romantic maze of surrounding backstreets to discover some of Venice’s lesser-known gems. Learn the fascinating history of Venice as you wander through narrow alleys and over stone footbridges, and then hop aboard a Venetian gondola for a leisurely ride along the Grand Canal.
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From
$55.72
From
$55.72
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Skip the Line: Best of Venice Private Tour Including San Marco Doges' Palace and Gondola Ride
Get exclusive, skip-the-line access to the very best of Venice on a private, 6-hour walking and gondola tour of the city. Learn about Venetian art and culture as you trace a route from Piazza San Marco to the elaborate Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Discover the remarkable architecture and history of the Basilica San Marco, and continue through a series of churches, landmarks and picture-perfect highlights. Finish the day in true Venice style with a private gondola ride through the iconic canals of Venice.
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From
$1,130.48
per group
From
$1,130.48
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Venice in a Day Tour with St Mark's, Doge's Palace and Gondolas
Discover several Venetian attractions in one itinerary with this full-day tour. Visit St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, and the Rialto Bridge with an art historian guide leading the way. Stroll along Venice’s romantic canals and climb aboard a gondola for a scenic boat ride. After free time for lunch, skip the line for instant access into Doge’s Palace to see Casanova’s prison cell and walk across the Bridge of Sighs.
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From
$137.93
From
$137.93
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Venice Skip the Line Doge’s Palace and St Mark's Private Tour
Experience the grandeur and history of Venice on this private tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. Admire the shimmering mosaics and golden altars of the city’s most famous cathedral, and see masterpieces by Titian and Tintoretto as you wander through the lavish chambers of the Venetian Republic’s one-time rulers. Skip the long lines at both attractions with priority access (from April to October), so you don't waste a minute of precious vacation time.
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From
$204.30
Price varies by group size
From
$204.30
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Venice Private Tour
Explore top landmarks in Venice with a private guide during this half-day tour. Customize the itinerary according to your interests and visit city highlights including St. Mark’s Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs, and Doge’s Palace. See a glass-blowing demonstration in Murano and climb aboard a gondola for a private ride.
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From
$476.71
Price varies by group size
From
$476.71
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Historic Venice: Doge's Palace, Basilica guided tour & gondola ride
Skip the lines at Saint Mark’s Basilica and Doge Palace and opt a shared guided tour instead. Then, enjoy the quintessential Venice experience—a gondola ride through the city’s canals and waterways. Your ticket also includes access to several landmarks surrounding Saint Mark’s Square, as well as access to a mobile app that provides commentary to a walking tour of the city at your own pace.
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From
$110.20
From
$110.20
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Venice Combination Gondola and Walking Tour
Experience the best of Venice by land and by sea on a 2-hour combo walking and gondola tour. Stroll through the city’s narrow alleyways and historic piazzas with a guide, stopping in front of iconic attractions like the Rialto Bridge, Teatro La Fenice opera house and the mysterious Bovolo Staircase. Then, climb aboard a traditional Venetian gondola for a romantic ride through the city’s canals — a must-do activity when visiting ‘The Floating City!’
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From
$70.32
From
$70.32
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Venice Sightseeing Walking Tour with a Local Guide
Explore the hidden corners of Venice on this walking tour and benefit from local knowledge. Stroll with a small group to the city square of Campo Santa Margherita, see the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, and visit the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. Then cross the Rialto Bridge and walk past the Marco Polo House to St. Mark's Square. Upgrade for a private tour.
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From
$18.57
From
$18.57
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
4-Hour Venice Walking tour with Skip the line Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica
Saint Marks Basilica and the Doges Palace are two landmarks rarely left off any Venice Itinerary, but their popularity means that visitors often spend more time queuing outside than exploring inside. Visit both on this 4-hour tour, including skip-the-line entrance and a walking tour of romantic Venice.
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From
$122.58
From
$122.58
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Exclusive Venice private walking tour (4h) with a licensed tour guide (no group)
Breeze past the crowds with your own private guide and enjoy a walking tour of Venice with just your friends or family. You’ll have all of your questions answered while you stroll to St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco), Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto), Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale), and more. Or customize your half-day tour with shopping and sightseeing.
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From
$321.93
Price varies by group size
From
$321.93
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Venice Sunset Cruise by Typical Venetian Boat
Sail across the Venetian Lagoon on this romantic, 2-hour sunset cruise. Get a new perspective on the towering cathedrals and historic palazzos that line the isles of Venice from aboard a traditional Venetian boat. Pop open a half bottle of Prosecco and soak up the glorious sights of St Mark’s Basin and Venice Lido bathed in the golden light of sunset. Tour numbers are limited to 11 people to ensure an intimate, personalized experience.
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From
$105.25
From
$105.25
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Private Photo Shoot in Venice with Gondola Ride
Make your romantic memories of the canal city last forever with a private gondola ride and photo shoot in Venice.
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From
$681.01
per group
From
$681.01
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Doge's Palace Guided Tour
See the Doge's Palace, which served as the center of power in the Venetian Republic, with this skip-the-line 1-hour guided tour. Marvel at the artistic treasures in the palace, including paintings by Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese. Walk through ornately-decorated halls and imagine Venice in its so-called Golden Age. Walk across the Bridge of Sighs from the Doge's Palace into the infamous prison, where Casanova was once held. Enjoy personalized attention from a knowledgeable local guide.
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From
$73.05
From
$73.05
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Doge's Palace and Saint Mark's After Hours Small Group Tour
Avoid the crowds that fill Venice by joining this small-group tour. In the company of your guide and no more than six guests, explore the city after dark when it is at its least crowded. Visit the Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs before enjoying exclusive access to the Saint Mark's Basilica: you'll enjoy a VIP experience after it has closed to all other visitors.
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From
$246.40
From
$246.40
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Venice Canal Cruise: 2-Hour Grand Canal and Secret Canals Semi-Private tour
Discover Venice’s hidden gems on a 2-hour cruise through the city’s secret canals. Watch scenes of daily Venetian life as you glide through the lesser-known neighborhoods of Cannaregio, Dorsoduro and the Jewish Ghetto. A guide will share insight into the city’s history, architecture and local legends. For a grand finale, head out into the wider waters of the Grand Canal and float beneath the iconic Rialto Bridge. Numbers are limited to nine people on this small-group tour for a more intimate experience.
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From
$142.39
Price varies by group size
From
$142.39
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Venice Skip the line Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica guided Tour
The Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s Basilica are two of Venice’s most beloved destinations, but the two landmarks can have ticket lines to match. See both landmarks with a private guide on a 2-hour tour that includes skip-the-line access, so you can make the most of your time in Venice.
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From
$85.44
From
$85.44
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Venice Super Saver: Skip-the-Line Doge's Palace and St Mark’s Basilica Tours plus Venice Walking Tour
See two of Venice’s most iconic attractions and save 10% when you book them together with this Super Saver. Head to the front of the long queues with skip-the-line access to the famed Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica. Learn the history behind these architectural wonders from your local guide, and explore some of Venice’s lesser-known sights on a walking tour. Complete both tours in the same day with a break in between to spend at your leisure, depending on the operational schedule.
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From
$110.20
Price varies by group size
From
$110.20
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff