St. Mark's Square is the heart of Venice. This is where you'll spend most of your time. The photo shows St. Mark's Square from the gallery (balcony) of St. Mark's Basilica.
St. Mark's Square at a Glance
St. Mark's Basilica on St. Mark's Square
The main attraction is, of course, St. Mark's Basilica.
The Campanile in St. Mark's Square
This is quite common in Italy: the bell tower (campanile) is located a few meters away from the church. Architecturally speaking, however, NOTHING about it resembles St. Mark’s Basilica.
The Cafes on St. Mark's Square
The famous cafés on St. Mark's Square. View from the gallery of St. Mark's Basilica.
Available Spots
Despite all the warnings that it’s too expensive: You should treat yourself to an hour of relaxation. Many people do, in any case. Often, it’s NOT a question of whether you want to, but whether you can even get a seat. With music and a perfect view: an Aperol Spritz costs €24.00 (as of April 2025 at Caffè Florian).
Mass tourism
Despite all the warnings about so-called mass tourism, you can see that there’s still plenty of room. This photo was taken during peak season. The Correr Museum is located at the far end of St. Mark’s Square.
St. Mark's Square Clock Tower
The clock tower. It is open to visitors.
St. Mark's Square Procuraties
The Northern Procuratie (Venetian building authority). Early in the morning, there’s not much going on yet. The garbage collectors are clearing away the previous day’s trash.
St. Mark's Square in the Morning
In the morning, St. Mark's Square is completely empty.
The White Lines
Please read about the meaning of the white lines in our free Guide „Open Secrets.“ We don't want to repeat ourselves on every page.
Souvenirs
You can buy souvenirs and mementos. Small masks, in particular, are popular with tourists.
The Pigeons
The pigeons are also part of St. Mark's Square. Even though feeding them is prohibited. And even though people refer to pigeons as the „rats of the skies.“.
St. Mark's Square on the Map
The plan is from https://www.OpenStreetMap.org © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Geographically, St. Mark's Square is located in the southern part of the city.