St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience St. Mark's Square. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Half-Day Murano and Burano Island Tour by Private Boat

• Legendary Venice: Doge's Palace, St Mark's & VIP Terrace Access

• Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica Fast-Track Tour in Venice

• Venice: St.Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Tour with Tickets[

• Venice Saint Mark Basilica Guided Tour

It’s free to visit St. Mark's Square, but many travelers choose to visit as part of a Venice sightseeing tour. Self-guided audio tours start at just US$4, guided walking tours from US$14 per person, and if you want to admire the square from the water, boat tours start at US$23.

Yes, St. Mark's Square is Venice's flagship square, sitting pretty along the waterfront where the Grand Canal meets the Venetian Lagoon. Whether you come to admire must-visit Venice landmarks such as St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace, set sail from the harbor to the Venetian islands, or time your visit to watch the sunset over the water, the views are spectacular. It's more than just a photo spot—this is one of Europe's oldest and most significant squares, and it's worth exploring with a guide to understand the centuries of history behind its famous buildings.

Per one customer who booked the Legendary Venice: Doge's Palace, St Mark's & VIP Terrace Access, "This Venice tour you cannot miss. Francesca was amazing - she shared with great detail about the historical monuments, and was extremely patient with us, especially since we were travelling with a 4-year-old. Could see that this was not only a job but also a passion for her. I highly recommend this tour to any first timer in Venice."

The must-see attractions in St. Mark’s Square are St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, Campanile, and St. Mark’s Clock Tower. Behind the Basilica, you’ll find the Bridge of Sighs. Of course, the other must-see attractions are the people—grab a spot at one of the open-air cafés to soak in the scene.

Yes, guided tours of St. Mark’s Square are available from any number of purveyors. You’ll find small-group options, large-group options, private options, German, French, Spanish, English—the list goes on. They’re the best way to visit, as they often get you skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.

The best time to visit St. Mark’s Square to avoid crowds is around sunrise—the closer to dawn you visit, the fewer people there will be, plus you’ll get to see the square light up in the golden hues of sunrise. You can also visit around nightfall, well after all the cafés and attractions have closed up shop for the day.

Yes, you can “climb” the Campanile in St. Mark’s Square—though it’s an elevator to the top. At 323 feet (98 meters) high, you’ll catch fantastic views of St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Venetian Lagoon, and more. You’ll need a ticket to access the Campanile; book it in advance for skip-the-line access to the tower.

There's no one best photography spot in St. Mark’s Square—they're everywhere. It’s one of Italy’s most beloved piazzas for a reason. Turn your lens on details at St. Mark’s Basilica. Get shots from the top of the Campanile, through the arches of the Doge's Palace, and anywhere on the water.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting St. Mark's Square. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Venice:

• St. Mark's Basilica

• Doge's Palace

• Rialto Bridge 

• Grand Canal 

• Venice Islands

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Venice.