St Mark's Square

The beating heart of Venice's civic and social life

St Mark’s Square (“Piazza San Marco”) will make you feel like you’re stepping back in time. This was once the social, religious and political centre of Venice, and still remains one of the largest open spaces in the city. 

Today, the square is surrounded on all sides by museums. There’s the Correr Museum (“Museo Correr”), the Olivetti Exhibition Centre and the National Archaeological Museum. They display Venetian art, original typewriters and Antiquity artefacts, respectively. 

On the streets below, you can amble through rows of ancient Italian columns at your leisure. You’ll find the walkways are lined with high-end, luxury shops and boutiques. The restaurants and cafés here offer an unmatched atmosphere, but bear in mind their popularity mean that their prices are higher than other spots in the city. 

Alternatively, the square is close to a Venetian institution – Harry’s Bar. You can sip on a classic bellini in a timeless setting. 

Alongside the museums, eateries and boutiques, there’s also a number of important historical buildings found in the square. Saint Mark’s Basilica (“Basilica di San Marco”) stands proud on the eastern end, side-by-side with the Doge’s Palace (“Palazzo Ducale”). 

The square is also conveniently located in the heart of Venice, just a 30-minute walk from Santa Lucia train station.