Location: Venice, Italy
Top Attractions: St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, Campanile di San Marco, Museo Correr, and Bridge of Sighs.
Best Time to Visit: Spring (April-June) and Fall (September-November) are the best seasons to visit St. Mark's Square. The weather is pleasant, and the crowds are manageable.
Opening Hours: The opening hours of the attractions in St. Mark's Square vary.
Getting There: St. Mark's Square is easily accessible by foot or waterbus from various parts of Venice. The nearest waterbus stop is San Marco Vallaresso.
The opening hours for St. Mark's Square attractions in Venice, Italy vary depending on the season and the specific attraction. It is open throughout the year, with huge crowds during summers, and fewer people braving the wet and cold in winters.
Monday - Saturday: 9.30 AM to 5.15 PM
Last Entry (30 minutes prior): 4.45 PM
Sunday: 2 PM to 5.15 PM
Last Entry: 4.45 PM
Visitor Note: Along with the Basilica, you can also visit the Museum – Loggia dei Cavalli, which is open every Sunday from 9.30 AM - 2 PM.
The Campanile di San Marco, also known as the Bell Tower, is open every day from 9.30 AM - 9.15 PM.
Last Entry: 8.45 PM.
Note: However, the opening hours of the Bell Tower are dependent on the weather. Access may be restricted in events of harsh conditions.
The Ducal Palace, Palazzo Ducale, or simply Doge’s Palace is open between 9 AM - 6 PM
Last Admissions (one hour prior): 5 PM
The Palace also has seasonal extended opening hours, which can be checked beforehand.
Plan Your Visit to Doge's palaceThe Archaeological Museum is open every day of the year from 10 AM to 6 PM.
However, it is closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Weekends at the Square are packed with tourists any time of day. Try to visit during the weekday, as the footfall might be lesser. If the weekend is the only time you’ve got, try visiting at 9 AM or during the last hour, around 4.45 PM. The wait time after 9 AM will range anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour, as the queues just get longer as the day goes on.
Spring (March-May) and Summer (June-August) are peak tourist seasons in Venice. The temperatures are high and the streets are full of visitors. Try visiting between September to November, just after the season crowd has died down. The temperatures are cooler and the attractions are less crowded. December to February is peak winter, with the harsh colds and flooding keeping most visitors at bay.
Address: P.za San Marco, 30100 Venezia VE, Italy [Find on Map]
By Ferry: Board an ACTV S.p.a-run ferry on Line 1 from Riva del Carbon to Rialto "B" jetty. Alternatively, board water bus line 1 or direct lines 51 & 2 from Piazzale Roma. St. Mark's Square is only 400 m from the ferry terminal.
By Car: Take the road SR11 to reach St. Mark's Square. Paid parking facilities are available in and around the square.
By Foot: St Mark's Basilica is just 580 meters away on foot from Rialto Bridge.
By Water Taxis: These are lined up outside the arrival halls. They take you anywhere in Venice in 20 minutes.
Book Venice Water Bus TicketsOne of the two most iconic buildings in Venice, Doge’s Palace was the residence of the elected ruler of Venice during the Medieval and Renaissance periods. The Palace is reflective of the opulent lifestyle of the Venice lifestyle, being large enough to contain an entire city in its midst. Do catch a glimpse of the frescoes, staircases and massive assembly halls on your visit.
Doge’s Palace TicketsThe Cathedral is by far Venice’s most visited monument, located right in the heart of the Piazza. Famous for being the final resting place of St. Mark, it is recognizable by its massive domes, and glittering mosaics and paintings inside. The Cathedral also houses a museum, Loggia dei Cavalli, a must-visit.
St.Mark’s Basilica TicketsThe Bell Tower has a rich history, being used as an observatory by Galileo in 1609. The tower collapsed in 1902, but was rebuilt ten years later to mirror its original structure. It stands at 98.6 m in height, and is one of the most distinctive structures in the Piazza, topped by lion faces and identifiable by its five iconic bells.
You do not have to pay an admission fee to enter St. Mark's Square.
The Square is surrounded by various attractions including the Basilica, Doge’s Palace and Rialto Bridge.
St. Mark's Square is a promenade located between the Grand Canal and Piazza San Marco in Vienna.
No tickets are required to visit the square, however you will require tickets for the attractions within the square.
The Square is surrounded by various attractions including the Basilica, Doge’s Palace and Rialto Bridge.
While most of Venice is covered with water, this is the largest public gathering space on land, and a great spot to spend the day.
Yes, however the square is crowded throughout the year, and it is advisable not to let the children wander.
Yes, the square is flanked with famous cafes and restaurants for refreshments any time of day.
Exploring the square and all the attractions in it will take you at least a day, factoring in the waiting time at every attraction.