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St. Mark's Square

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Landmark

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St. Mark's Square is the principal public square of Venice, Italy, and has been the heart of the city's social, religious, and political life for centuries. Napoleon is said to have called it 'the drawing room of Europe'. The square is dominated by some of Venice's most famous landmarks, including St. Mark's Basilica at its eastern end, St. Mark's Campanile (bell tower), which stands separately, and the Doge's Palace. The square is unique in Venice as it is the only one called a 'Piazza'; the others are called 'campi'. The square is prone to flooding during high tides, a phenomenon known as 'acqua alta'. Originally established in the 9th century as a small square in front of the first St. Mark's Basilica, it was expanded to its present size and shape in the 12th century. The Procuratie buildings on three sides of the square now house museums, shops, and cafes, including the famous Caffè Florian, which opened in 1720 and is considered the oldest café in Italy.

Location: Italy
Top sights: Negozio Olivetti · Procuratie Vecchie · Human Safety Net

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	5	6	9	14	18	23	25	25	21	16	11	7
Rain mm	53	73	71	71	93	72	66	80	95	87	105	77

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

St. Mark's Square is a public square in Venice that is freely accessible at all times. You can stroll across the square, admiring the Basilica, the Campanile, and the Doge's Palace. During high water (Acqua alta) the square may be flooded.

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Typical hours

The square itself is open 24/7. The surrounding buildings have their own hours - the Basilica is typically open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The Campanile is usually accessible from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM.

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Photography

Photography is allowed throughout the square. Inside the Basilica, photography without flash is permitted, but not during services. Drones are banned across Venice - including over St. Mark's Square.

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Time needed

A visit to St. Mark's Square takes about 30 minutes to soak in the atmosphere. If you also visit the Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Campanile, plan at least 2-3 hours.

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Combine with

Combine the visit with a gondola ride through the canals and a walk across the Bridge of Sighs. The Rialto Bridge and the Castello district are also within walking distance and worth exploring.

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Getting there

St. Mark's Square is in the heart of Venice and is only accessible on foot or by water taxi. From Santa Lucia train station, it's about a 30-minute walk. Alternatively, take a vaporetto (water bus) to the San Marco stop.

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Insider tip

Visit the square early in the morning before 9 AM to avoid the large crowds. The morning sunlight on the Basilica is especially photogenic. Watch out for pigeons - they can beg aggressively for food.

Geography

Coordinates

45.43400, 12.33790

Facts

St. Mark's Campanile (bell tower) is 98.6 meters (323 ft) tall.
The square is 175 meters long and 82 meters wide at its broadest point.
Caffè Florian in the square, opened in 1720, is the oldest continuously operating coffee house in the world.
The square was paved after its expansion in 1177.
The two large granite columns by the waterside were erected in 1172.
The 'acqua alta' phenomenon typically occurs between autumn and spring.