St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) Tours and Activities - page 3
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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
286 Tours and Activities to Experience St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco)
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Guided Tour of Murano, Burano & Torcello Islands around Venice with Private Boat
Plunge yourself into the fabulous reality of the
Venetian lagoon.
Let yourself be transported by a private boat through the islands!
Discovering Venice by sea is an unforgettable experience and while sailing along the coast you can admire all the islands of the lagoon, enjoying wonderful views that no other city could offer.
This 6-hour private boat tour through Murano, Burano and Torcello islands is a little trip in a world that seems like a movie where everything is magical, peaceful, calm and secret.
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From
$1,156.51
Price varies by group size
From
$1,156.51
Price varies by group size
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
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Venice: Grand Canal by Gondola with commentary
97
Traverse the canals of Venice aboard a traditional gondola with your very own gondolier. Float along narrow waterways and hidden passages, admiring the beauty of one of Italy's most magical cities. Pass beneath centuries-old bridges and take in famous attractions such as St. Marks' Bell Tower and San Giorgio Island from the coziness of your flat-bottomed boat.
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From
$40.17
From
$40.17
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Venice: Boat Tour to Murano and Burano with Fish Lunch
12
Visit two of the well-known islands in the Venice lagoon and dine on a splendid seafood lunch during this half-day boat tour of Murano and Burano. Explore the islands famous for glass and lace, respectively, traveling by boat through the lagoon. Savor local seafood during lunch in a traditional osteria in Burano.
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From
$78.27
From
$78.27

72-Hour Venice Transportation Pass
25
With this Venice transportation pass, you can use all Alilaguna boat transfers for 72 hours from the time you exchange your voucher. Get around Venice using any of the three lines to explore the city at your own pace, including the line that connects Venice Marco Polo Airport and the Venice cruise port to the city center, Lido and Murano Island. See the Itinerary section for a list of stops.
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From
$79.13
From
$79.13
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
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Exclusive Private Tour of the Doge's Palace by night
8
Spend an evening exploring the history of the Venetian Republic with a 1.5-hour night tour of the Doge's Palace in Venice. Walk through the magnificent masterpiece of a palace where Venice's rulers once lived.
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From
$217.82
Price varies by group size
From
$217.82
Price varies by group size

Fabulous Venice: Doge's Palace, Golden Basilica, glassblowing & gondola ride
9
Soak up the best of Venice by land and by water in one convenient half-day package. Tour inside the splendid Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica with a guide, discover the ancient art of glassblowing with a live demonstration, and glide through the city’s famous canals on a romantic gondola ride. Later, continue exploring at your own pace with an included ticket to the Procuratie museums of St. Mark’s Square and a self-guided tour using a special smartphone app to navigate through the city’s maze-like heart.
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From
$120.52
From
$120.52
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Skip the line Saint Mark's Basilica Guided Walking Tour in Venice
13
St. Mark's Basilica is one of Venice’s most visited attractions and this skip-the-line tour ensures you don’t waste any time queuing outside. Enjoy priority access and a 1-hour guided walking tour of the Golden Basilica, followed by an optional cruise to visit a glass factory on Murano Island.
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From
$38.96
From
$38.96
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More

Small Group Venice Grand Canal Panoramic Tour
11
It is a truth universally acknowledged that visiting Venice and not taking a boat ride down the Grand Canal is a travelling sin. Experience the Floating City in all of its glory on a 1-hour motorboat tour in a group limited to 12. Ideal for first-time visitors, you’ll pass beautiful palazzo and sail beneath famous bridges such as the Accademia Bridge and the Rialto Bridge.
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From
$36.52
From
$36.52
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Learn More

Doge's Palace Privileged Entrance and Guided Tour
21
Skip the line and leave the modern world behind on a 2-hour guided tour of the Doge’s Palace in Venice. Discover layers of rich history, from 14th-century foundations to a gilded staircase and the picturesque Bridge of Sighs. Step into the world of powerful doges, merchants and explorers, and learn about Venetian culture and traditions through one of the city’s most dramatic landmarks.
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From
$61.31
From
$61.31
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Romantic photo shoot in Venice
3
We'll meet at San Marco Square or Rialto Bridge, as you prefer, and start a two hour tour of Venice where I will guide you through the discovery of numerous wonderful views, far from the traditional tourist routes.
We leave the crowd and dive into the romanticism of Venice, with their bridges and canals.
Ready to have a romantic walk in Venice?
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From
$97.39
$24.35 savings
From
$97.39
$24.35 savings
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Ducal Venice, Historical Walking Tour & Skip the line Doge's Palace
18
Skip the long lines at the Doge’s Palace and explore the historic heart of Venice on a 3-hour tour with a local guide. Walk through the neighborhoods of Saint Mark’s and Castello, where you’ll find a series of historic landmarks, and get a guided introduction to the magnificent Doge’s Palace. This 3-hour Venice tour features headsets so you won’t miss a word of the guide’s stories, and includes skip-the-line tickets at the Doge’s Palace.
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From
$97.39
From
$97.39
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More

3hours Venice walking tour
1
Discover the hidden gems of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Venice on this action-packed walking tour. With its narrow streets and 400 bridges, it can be easy to get lost in Venice, but you won’t have to worry about navigating, as a guide will lead the way. Learn local secrets, and visit multiple top sites in one day such as St. Mark’s Square, the Grand Canal, and Doge’s Palace.
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From
$91.30
Price varies by group size
From
$91.30
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
Learn More

Historical Heart of Venice PM - Skip the line tour
2
A classic Venice sightseeing package, this multi-faceted tour includes guided visits to Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica, topped off with a scenic gondola ride. Groups are kept small to ensure a personalized experience, with each boat capped at six people. Listen to stories from the city’s Renaissance heyday and discover centuries-old Byzantine masterpieces—plus lesser known canals off the main tourist track.
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From
$300.00
Price varies by group size
From
$300.00
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Learn More

Private Venice Nightlife Tour: Drinks, Bites & Local Bars
6
Venice may be known for its sumptuous architecture and magnificent art, but after the sun sets, the city’s bars and restaurants come alive. Experience the vibrant nightlife in the Floating City with this tour through the trendy Cannaregio and Rialto neighborhoods. Stop at popular bars, eateries, and other hotspots to sample wine, drinks, and appetizers while you mix with the locals and savor Venice’s authentic side.
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From
$75.48
Price varies by group size
From
$75.48
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
Learn More

Skip the Line: Doge's Palace Ticket & Guide Book
27
Well-suited to independent travelers, this do-it-yourself tour of Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Square includes a complimentary guidebook with handy background information on Venice’s most standout attractions. Beat the hours-long entrance lines with skip-the-line access, and tour the museums of San Marco at your own pace. Admission tickets also include entry to the Biblioteca Nazionale, Museo Archeologico Nazionale, and Museo Correr.
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From
$30.43
From
$30.43
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Unusual Venice Walking Tour
7
Venture beyond the major tourist spots to discover centuries of Venetian history and secrets. Stroll through the narrow backstreets and along quiet canals that run between St. Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge, stopping to hear the legends behind landmarks like Teatro Fenice and the mysterious Bovolo Staircase. At just over an hour, it's a great way to get off the beaten path in Venice, even with limited time.
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From
$24.35
From
$24.35
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Saint Mark's VIP Night Tour: Exclusive Access Small Group Tour
3
This is an incredible exclusive After-Hours Semi-Private Tour of Saint Mark's Basilica, after the Basilica has officially closed to the general public. The crowds will have gone, and the custodians will have closed the entry doors to the rest of the tourists, except for you. The doors will reopen exclusively for this privileged access tour, that will leave you as the only witnesses of the Golden Church of Venice in the magic of night. With our guarantee of just 6 people per group, a professional expert guide will lead you on an incredible intimate journey through the magic of the Basilica as evening has fallen and it is only for your eyes to witness. In the quiet of night, its incredible splendour will shine as the thousands of square feet of golden mosaics will light up in an astounding light show. Again, only for you to see. This is guaranteed to be a truly unique, dramatic, once in a life-time experience, that you will surely never forget.
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From
$154.78
From
$154.78
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Learn More

Hop on Hop off Venice: Islands, Canal Grande and walking tours!
Embark on a self-guided walking tour of Venice's most popular islands: Torcello, Burano, and Murano. With a 24- or 48-hour boat ticket included on the public vaporetto, transportation between the islands will be a breeze and you can hop on and hop off whenever you like. Download the app to your phone and move at you own pace, listening to the commentary as you go. Highlights include the Gran Canal, St. Mark's and Rialto areas, the Jewish Ghetto, and others.
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From
$45.04
From
$45.04
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Venice Combo: Doge's Palace & Gondola Ride Tour
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• Learn the history of the Doge's Palace at the heart of the Venetian Republic
• Discover the city and its picturesque as you glide down small canals and into the larger Grand Canal
• Embark on a 2-hour tour with a professional experienced guide
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Explore the interiors of the Doge’s Palace with skip-the-line access. See the Bridge of Sighs, the sights of St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge. Enjoy an enchanting gondola ride along the Grand Canal and the inner canals of Venice.
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From
$166.78
From
$166.78
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Good morning Venice: Coffee, deserts with Highlights of Venice
7
Discover Italy’s famous desserts on a morning tour through Venice. See the city’s highlights such as the Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Square, and Doge's Palace and learn about the city’s history from your guide. Sample five different pastries and two different drinks as you walk around the city with your guide, so bring your sweet tooth to this 2-hour tour.
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From
$63.74
From
$63.74
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
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Private Tour: Personal Travel Photographer Tour in Venice
6
Avoid the hassle of pestering strangers to take your vacation photos and the disappointment of coming home with low-quality snaps by booking your own professional photographer. Customize your route through Venice to ensure that you get the images you want and receive the images within five days later.
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From
$227.91
per group
From
$227.91
per group

Small-Group Tour with Evening Access to Saint Mark's Basilica
37
Experience Saint Mark's Basilica after hours on this 1.5-hour evening tour. Look around the chapel with your small group of 15 people, learning about its history and Byzantine architecture without the buzz of a thousand other visitors.
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From
$116.09
From
$116.09
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More

Carnival Mask Treasure Hunt
An amazing treasure hunt around Venice! Getting lost through the labyrinth of Venetian streets to find your personal treasure of carnival!
Diversion couple adventure, funny family game or amusing friends contest: an incredible activity which fits everyone spirit and taste.
Find your treasure and win a real carnival Venetian mask made by a local craftsman.
During the hunt, you will have to take a picture of at least 3 points highlighted on the map. At the end, the treasure will be yours: one Venetian mask, ready to be painted. A professional Mask-maker will happily give suggestions to personalize it!
An amusing way to discover Venetian highlights and secret corners.
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From
$12.16
From
$12.16
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Hidden Venice Walking Tour
22
Get to know some of the canal city's secrets during this 1.5-hour walking tour of hidden Venice. Let an experienced local guide show you some of the city's more off-beat sights. Walk from the popular St. Mark's Square to the Rialto Bridge to find the hidden gems along the way. Enjoy seeing this unique city at a leisurely pace.
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From
$30.01
From
$30.01
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