The Top 10 Things To Do And See In San Marco

San Marco is the oldest and most famous quarter of Venice. In the north, it is confined by Canale Grande; in the east it borders with the Castello and Cannaregio quarters and it is linked to San Polo via the famous Rialto Bridge. As Venice’s most touristy quarter, San Marco is home to some of Italy‘s major sights.
Visit St. Mark's Basilica
Church, Architectural Landmark

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9.45am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm
Climb the Campanile di San Marco
Architectural Landmark

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 9.45am-7pm
Have a coffee at Caffé Florian
Have a coffee at Caffé Florian
Caffé Florian is one of the most famous and traditional coffeehouses in all of Venice. It is located in St. Mark’s square and was first established in the early 18th century. Today it has transformed into a modern place for exquisite coffee, excellent cocktails and delicious snacks. Caffé Florian is popular with both locals and tourists alike and has been able to build an impeccable reputation over the years. Stop by anytime, whether it is for one of the coffee specialties in the afternoon or a casual drink in the evening to relax in a friendly atmosphere.
Opening hours: Sun-Sat 9am-12am
Piazza San Marco 56-59, Venice, Italy, +39 041 5205641

Caffé Florian | Sandro Lazzari / © Culture Trip
Walk over the Bridge of Sighs
Bridge, Architectural Landmark

Go shopping at designer stores
Bridge, Shop
Go shopping at designer stores
Venice is a great city for a day of shopping with its fantastic mix of Italian designer boutiques and small local handicraft shops. As Venice’s oldest quarter, San Marco is home to the city’s most traditional shops while also welcoming new additions every year. Arnoldo & Battois, located just a few steps away from the famous Rialto Bridge, is run by two Venetian designers who specialize in accessories, most notably leather handbags. Recently, their designs have been complemented by an innovative women’s line. If you visit the shop in either January or June, you will be able to profit from great reductions.
Palazzo Ducale
Architectural Landmark

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 8.30am-7pm
See Acqua Alta
See Acqua Alta
Acqua Alta, meaning high water, refers to flooding that regularly occurs in Venice, mainly between autumn and spring. Early records of Acqua Alta in Venice date as far back as the 6th century and the phenomenon is still an integral part of everyday life as a Venetian. Flooding throughout the city varies and depends on a number of factors such as sea level, distance from the channel and the water drainage network. St. Mark’s square, as one of the low-lying parts of the city, is one of the best places to witness high water. The tide only has to be slightly higher than normal to start flooding the square.
Giardinetti Reali
Giardinetti Reali
Giardinetti Reali, a beautiful pocket-sized garden, is located between the Piazza San Marco and the Canale Grande. Even though its location is one of the most prominent in the city, it has still remained a hidden gem in Venice. Contrary to other parks in Venice, the Giardinetti Reali are not crowded by masses of tourists and visitors can still enjoy the beautiful nature in a peacefully quiet atmosphere, right in the heart of Venice.
Go on a gondola tour
No trip to Venice can be complete without a tour on the famous gondolas. Gondolas are a type of light flat-bottomed boats that are especially designed to deal with the shallow waters and mud flats of canals. Dating back as far as the 11th century, gondolas were once the main form of transportation through the canals of the city. Today, they are generally used as sightseeing vessels for tourists who want to admire the city from a different point of view. The Istituzione per la Conservazione della Gondola e Tutela del Gondoliere website features detailed information about the history of gondolas and also includes recommended itineraries.


Sit next to the Canale Grande
The Canale Grande is about 3,800 meters long and constitutes the city’s most important waterway. Since the Middle Ages, the Canale Grande has been the center of the city’s trade and therefore evolved into one of the most upscale parts of town. Magnificent buildings and major sights line up along both sides of the canal. There are also four bridges that cross the Canale Grande on its way to St. Mark’s Square, which form the best viewing platforms of the river.



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