St Mark's Square & Basilica

Where it is & how to get there

• Vaporetto: San Marco or San Zaccaria stops on lines 1 and 2.
• Basilica: A small entry fee applies; skip-the-line booking is recommended.
• Day-tripper fee: Venice charges an access fee to day visitors on peak days; check before you go.

The story of St Mark's Square

St Mark's Basilica was built to hold the relics of St Mark, brought from Alexandria in 828. The present church dates mostly from the 11th century and glitters with more than 8,000 square metres of golden mosaics.

Piazza San Marco, which Napoleon is said to have called "the drawing room of Europe", is framed by the bell tower, the Doge's Palace and elegant arcades with historic cafés. Venice and its lagoon are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Best time to visit

Tips before you go

• Take the lift up the bell tower for the best view of the lagoon.
• Climb the Campanile (bell tower) for views over the lagoon.
• Book the Doge's Palace and its Secret Itineraries tour.

What's around St Mark's Square

• Doge's PalaceGothic palace of Venice's rulers.
• CampanileBell tower with a lift.
• Bridge of SighsFamous bridge behind the palace.
• Caffè FlorianHistoric café on the square.

Questions travellers ask