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Destinations > Europe > Italy > Venice

 

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Destination:

Venice

  • Overview
  • Basics
  • Getting Ready
  • Don't Miss
  • Best Hotels
  • Best Restaurants
  • What To Buy
  • Strategies
  • Getting Around
  • Explore By Area
    • San Marco
      Piazza San Marco
      Other Sights
      Suggested Itinerary
    • Dorsoduro
    • San Polo & Santa Croce
    • Castello
    • Cannaregio
    • The Lagoon Islands
  • Key Events
  • Monthly Calendar
  • Contacts

San Marco

Dominated by the Basilica, Doge's Palace and Campanile, but perhaps equally famous for its pigeons, this iconic piazza is the heart of Venice.

topPiazza San Marco


Piazza San Marco

A hillside jewel that’s one of the most unspoiled Romanesque churches in Tuscany. It features a marble façade, a floor inlaid with zodiac themes, and lovely mosaics, as well as a Benedictine shop selling honey and herbal potions.


Campanile (Bell Tower)

+39 041 522 4064
Apr-Jun 9:30am-5pm; Jul-Sept 9:45am-8pm; Oct-Mar 9:45am-4pm
Closed for 2 weeks in Jan

It's worth taking the elevator to the top of this 323-foot tower for the gorgeous views of the city and lagoon (even the Alps, on a clear day).


Basilica di San Marco

Piazza San Marco 1, San Marco, Venice
+39 041 522 5205, +39 041 522 5697
Nov-Mar/Apr (Easter) Mon-Sat 9:45am-4:30pm, Sun and holidays 2-4pm;
Mar/Apr (Easter)-Oct Mon-Sat 9:45am-5:30pm, Sun and holidays 2-5pm
Dress code for men and women. No shorts or skirts above the knees.

Five domes cap the awe-inspiring Byzantine basilica, which features striking mosaics, the magnificent Pala d'Oro altar screen, and many other treasures.


Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace)

San Marco 1, Venice
+39 041 271 5911
Daily Apr-Oct 9am-7pm; Nov-Mar 9am-5pm
Closed Jan 1 and Dec 25

The residence of the rulers of Venice for over a thousand years, this ornate Gothic masterpiece was designed to impress. The prisons and armory are thrilling for kids, as is the famous "Bridge of Sighs" leading to the prisons.

Secret Itinerary Tour
+39 041 520 90 70 (advance booking essential)
9:55am, 10:45am, 11:35am daily
Entrance for the public: Porta del Frumento, Piazzetta San Marco

Go behind the scenes to the Hall of the Chancellory, State Inquisitor's Room, Torture Chamber and prisons. Hear fascinating tales of the Republic, and some of its key figures, including Cassanova. The tour is available in several languages. Book ahead and get admittance to the Doge's Palace too.


Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs)

The bridge which lead to the prisons got its name from the condemned – the prisoners supposedly let out a sigh at their last glimpse of sunlight.


Sala dello Scudo (Museum of Globes and Maps)

One of best kept secrets. Be sure to request a viewing of the map wall behind the curtain.


Museo Civico Correr

Procuratie Nuove, Ala Napoleonica
Piazza San Marco 52, Venice
+39 041 240 5211
Daily Apr-Oct 9am-7pm; Nov-Mar 9am-5pm
Closed Jan 1 and Dec 25
Entrance for the public: St. Mark's Square, Napoleonic Wing, Monumental Staircase

Too often overlooked, this may be Venice's finest museum, with fascinating historic exhibits, Canova sculptures and a picture gallery featuring a famous painting by Carpaccio.

topOther Sights


Palazzo Grassi

San Samuele, San Marco 3231, Venice
+39 041 523 1680

This 18th-century palace was converted in 1980 by Gianni Agnelli of Fiat to become Venice's highest-profile exhibition venue. Located along Grand Canal, it can be visited along with other great houses, either as boat-bys or stops.

topRestaurants

Aqua Pazza

Campo San Angelo, San Marco 3803, Venice
+39 041 277 0688
Some say, the best pizza in town.

Caffè Florian

Piazza San Marco, San Marco 56-59, Venice
+39 041 520 5641
Closed Wed
The oldest and prettiest of Venice's famous coffee houses.

Caffè Aurora

Piazza San Marco, San Marco 48, Venice
+39 041 528 6405
Daily 8:30am-11pm in summer;
Wed-Mon 8:30am-7pm in winter
Delightful coffee house known for its cakes and pastries.

Harry's Bar

Calle Vallaresso, San Marco 1323, Venice
+39 041 528 5777
Daily Apr-Sept 10:30am-1am; Nov-Mar 10:30am-11pm
Reservations: harrysbar@cipriani.com
Reservations essential

Caffè Lavena

Piazza San Marco 133/134, Venice
+39 041 522 4070
Known as the Café of Wagner and Musicians, both Wagner and Lizt wrote some of their most beautiful music while at the café.

Ristorante Gran Caffè Quadri

Piazza San Marco 121, Venice
+39 041 528 9299, +39 041 522 2105
Daily 12-2:30pm, 7-10:30pm
Closed Mon Nov-Mar except during Christmas and Carnival
Reservations: quadri@quadrivenice.com
Grand Restaurant and outdoor caffe on Saint Mark's Square.

Ristorante Da Ivo

Calle dei Fuseri 1809, San Marco, Venice
Tel: +39 (041) 528 5004 Fax: +39 (041) 528 5889
info@ristorantedaivo
Small 8 table restaurant with great local cuisine.

Paolin Gelateria

Campo Santo Stefano (Campo Francesco Morosini), San Marco 2962/A, Venice
+39 041 522 5576
Closed Dec-Jan
One of Venice Best and oldest gelaterias. Best caffé in Santo Stefano Square, with lots of outside tables, but go for ice cream.

Sempione

Ponte dei Bareteri, San Marco 578, Venice
+39 041 522 6022
Daily 11:30am-3pm, 6:30-10pm
Closed Nov-Dec
Reservations: info@alsempione.com

Do Forni

Calle Specchieri 468, San Marco, Venice
Tel: +39 (041) 523 2148 Fax: +39 (041) 528 8132
info@doforni.it
Daily 12-3:30pm, 7-12am
Decor fashioned after Orient Express Train. Hip place for people watching.

topShopping

The street around San Marco offer everything from world famous names in fashion and accessories to artisan shops selling Venetian specialties.

High fashion and accessories
Giorgio Armani

Calle Goldini, San Marco 4412, Venice
+39 041 523 4758

Pucci

Calle Vallaresso, San Marco 1318, Venice
+39 041 520 5733

Laura Biagiotto

Calle Larga XXII Marzo, San Marco 2400, Venice
+39 041 520 3401

Bruno Magli

Calle Vallaresso, 1302 San Marco,Venice
+39 041 522 7210

Prada

Campo San Moise, 1469 Venice
041 528 3966

Bulgari

Calle Larga XXII Marzo, San Marco 2282, Venice
+39 041 241 0553

Jewelry

Gianmaria Buccellatti

Merceria d. Orologio, San Marco 214, Venice
+39 041 522 6540
Tue-Sat 10am-7pm

Jewelry

Fabrics
Bevilacqua

Campo Santa Maria del Giglio, San Marco 2520, Venice
+39 041 241 0662

Range of silks, brocades and velvets, many still hand-produced on original 18th/19th-century looms.

Gaggio

Calle delle Botteghe, San Marco 3441-3451, Venice
+39 041 522 8574

Silks, brocades, velvets.

Marbled Paper
Ebru

Camp Santo Stefano, San Marco 3471, Venice
+39 041 523 8830

Paolo Olbi

Calle della Mandola, San Marco 3653, Venice
+39 041 528 5025

La Ricerca

Ponte delle Ostreghe, San Marco 2431, Venice
+39 041 521 2606 Daily 9am-7:30pm

Murano Glass
Galleria Marina Barovier

Salizada San Samuel, San Marco, Venice

topEntertainment

Teatro la Fenice (Venice Opera House)

Campo San Fantin 1965, San Marco, Venice
+39 041 786 611
info@teatrolafenice.org

Rebuilt to glory after being damaged twice by fire, "The Phoenix" is a delightful venue for plays, opera and ballet.

Teatro Verde

Palazzo Cini, San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice
+39 041 528 990

Open air theatre

Outdoor Concerts

Piazza San Marco

Spring and summertime concerts

topSuggested Itinerary

Expand All | Collapse All
Day 1
Morning

Start early at the Piazza San Marco before the crowds arrive. Take the lift up the Campanile for a bird's-eye view of Venice. Stroll across to the Basillica and be sure to take in the Galleria with the famous bronze horses. Then make your way to the Palazzo Ducale. Be sure to see the map room, armoury, prisons, and the Bridge of Sighs. If you've booked ahead, you can even take a secret tour.

Day 1
Lunch in the Piazza

Caffè Florian, Caffè Lavena or Ristorante Quadri

Day 1
Afternoon

Visit the Museo Civico Correr, then spend the rest of the day shopping in San Marco.

Day 1
Dinner

Harry's Bar

Day 1
Evening entertainment

A performance at Teatro La Fenice, or an outdoor concert in the Piazza San Marco.

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