St. Mark’s Square in Venice: a handy guidebook to fully discover it

St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) is an open space connecting the south side of the square with the lagoon. The square is located between the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace) and the Biblioteca Marciana. The area is incredibly beautiful and interesting, and definitely a must-see, even if you spend only one day in Venice.

St. Mark's Square is the largest and most important square in Venice and one of the most famous in all of Italy, inspiring even Napoleon who ended up calling it the "Salon of Europe". However, it is not the square surface that gives the square its well-deserved fame, but rather the monuments that surround it and the interesting things to do from the Piazza.

At the open end of St. Mark's Square are two large granite columns. At the top of the first column sits St. Theodore (the patron saint of the city before St. Mark), who is holding a lance with which he is believed to have killed a dragon (this is a copy of the original found in the Doge's Palace), and on the second column is a lion, the symbol of St. Mark. Both statues were believed to guard St Mark's Square and the city in general.

The origin of these two statues is not very clear. From the 12th century onwards, they began to become popular and, in the 18th century, public executions took place between the two. Because of this, if you wish to maintain Venetian tradition while visiting St. Mark's Square, you should avoid passing between the two columns. Throughout history they have been the centre of some public trials and the scene of several miracles.

If you book a tour of St. Mark's Square you will be informed in detail of these and other stories and anecdotes that will captivate you. A two-hour walking tour in which you will discover not only the square but also the Basilica without the long queue that can be seen every day at its gates.

Incredibly beautiful and an absolute must-see, St Mark's Basilica is the jewel of St Mark's Square and arguably one of the most beautiful churches in all of Italy. Built with Byzantine touches, it is full of incredible detail. I recommend you see its fantastic mosaics, the relics of St Mark himself and the four bronze horses (these have a very interesting history).

Touring the interior of the church is free. However, unless you show up early, be prepared to wait a long time before entering: waiting times regularly exceed 45 minutes! To avoid this, I recommend queuing before the basilica opens its doors in the morning. St Mark's Basilica opens at 9.30am, so I suggest being there at 8.30am, especially during the busy season of July and August.

Another more convenientalternative is to book the direct entrance to St Mark's Basilica which saves you from queuing and also includes access to the Pala D'Oro and the terrace which is paid for. You can also opt to book a guided tour of St Mark's Basilica. You'll see how quickly you'll get inside one of Venice's most important monuments.

For the most iconic views of Venice, from St. Mark's Square head straight to St. Mark's Bell Tower, the tallest building you'll see from there and 'part' of the structure of this iconic square.

From the tower itself, you'll have a fantastic view of the Doge's Palace, St Mark's Basilica, the Venetian Lagoon, the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs.

And, unlike most views from the top, this tower doesn't factor effort into the equation. Instead of climbing hundreds of stairs to the top, you can simply take the lift. For more information about St. Mark's Bell Tower visit the following website.

There are several beautiful cafes scattered along the edges of St. Mark's Square where you can relax after your tour of St. Mark's Square. I recommend you try both the Venetian coffee and the pastries served on the side. Plus, you're sure to hear live music while enjoying the spectacular views from the square. The prices are a bit eye-catching, as they include the location in the price. Breakfast in the Salon d'Europe (Napoleon's name for St Mark's Square) comes at a cost.

Caffe Florian is by far the most famous café in the square. It opened its doors in 1720 and is considered to be the oldest coffee shop in all of Europe.

Enjoying an Italian coffee in a 300 year old café while gazing at the almost 1,000 year old basilica and reflecting on all the landmarks of the area is something I highly recommend.

Located right on St. Mark's Square, the beautiful Correr Museum has a tendency to hide in plain sight (largely due to the vastness of the square and the many historic buildings that surround the site). Still, if you book a tour of St Mark's Square you will be told in detail where it is located so you can visit it next.

If art is something you appreciate, this magnificent museum of art and history is sure to quench your artistic thirst. Despite its relatively small size, it includes some of the most curious and sought-after works of art in Europe. For more information visit the museum's official website.

If you look close to the front façade of St Mark's Basilica, you will see four of Venice's most famous statues: the St Mark's Horses. I recommend you stop and take a close look at them, as in the past they were one of the most prized riots, symbolising power and status.

In 1797, Napoleon took the horses and placed them on top of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, until in 1814 they were returned to Venice, where they belonged.

It is worth noting that today the horses facing St. Mark's Square are replicas; however, you can also see the originals if you book a guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica.

It's hard to look up walking through St Mark's Square and not see the impressive St Mark's Clock Tower (or in Italian, Torre dell'Orologio), with its beautiful blue face adorned with golden zodiac symbols. At 500 years old, its façade is still intact and just as striking as when it first opened.

Although it may not look like it has much to offer from the inside, trust me that the tour inside St. Mark's Clock Tower will show you a fascinating and secret side of this beautiful building. So I highly recommend it once you've enjoyed booking a tour of St. Mark's Square.

Tours can only be guided, so you have no choice but to book a ticket on the tower's official website.

Acqua Alta is a phenomenon that occurs periodically in Venice when the Adriatic Sea rises in level. When this happens the city is slightly flooded, especially in its lower areas.

Venice's famous acqua alta (high water) **often touches St. Mark'**s Square. If you go from November to February in Venice, you may see St. Mark's Square in a different light.

As St. Mark's Square is the lowest point in Venice, when there is Acqua Alta, it is the first place to flood. When this happens, the authorities set up wooden walkways for locals and tourists. Several times a year, the square is completely flooded, but there is nothing to worry about as there is no danger. In fact, many visitors want to see Venice in its flooded state and walk around the square on the walkways.

The square comes alive in the evening when the weather is not so warm. It is worth walking around the square among the famous cafes and listening to the various bands playing live music.

Moreover, St. Mark's Square is by far the best place to be at night in Venice. I say this not only because of the lights, the monuments and the pleasant temperatures, but also because of the atmosphere, the ambiance and the happiness that is contagious at that time of day. It seems like everyone is happy!

Here are some tips that will help you make the most of this iconic square and make sure you don't miss anything along the way. Keep in mind that it's a must-see, even if you're only in Venice for a day, and pay close attention to the best times to enjoy the area and the rules that apply to this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Start your tour of Venice in St Mark's Square

While there is plenty to do in the city, such as seeing the bridges of Venice or taking a traditional gondola ride, don't forget that St Mark's Square is the most famous area of the city and the most densely populated with historical monuments to see and visit per square metre.

Starting with a tour of St Mark's Square will allow you to spend the rest of your time getting around Venice to appreciate the other sights. Also, starting with a tour of the square is a smart move, as you can avoid the late hour crowds at some of the square's monuments such as St Mark's Basilica and St Mark's Bell Tower.

Show up either very early or very late

Personally, I recommend visiting Piazza San Marco from 8pm onwards, regardless of whether you are in Venice in spring or winter. This is because you will be able to enjoy a fully illuminated square, more beautiful than usual and with much less hustle and bustle.

If you are looking for the same feeling going to Venice in summer, your best bet would be to visit it early (between 7 and 8 am). Not only will you be able to appreciate every detail of the square more accurately and comfortably, but the temperatures in the early hours of the morning are also more pleasant.

Don't forget to take a stroll around St. Mark's Square at night

St. Mark's Square at night is on another level, not only because its iconic monuments are illuminated to captivate even more tourists, but simply because of its nocturnal atmosphere.

At night you can appreciate how music starts to resound in almost every corner of the square, street performers will make you enjoy pleasant music even without paying anything at all. Best of all, you can also get your energy back at one of the many places to eat near St Mark's Basilica (in the square itself).

Rules to abide by in St Mark's Square

Eating and drinking is prohibited in St. Mark's Square. Littering and feeding pigeons is not allowed. If you are carrying food and need to recharge your batteries, I suggest you go to the Giardini ex Reali, a former royal public garden near St. Mark's Square.