Venice Essentials: Piazza San Marco in an Hour

The stops, in walking order

1. 1

   

   Stop 1: Basilica di San Marco

   ~15 min here

   Basilica di San Marco is the cathedral church of Venice, dedicated to Saint Mark and built to keep his relics.

2. 2

   

   Stop 2: Palazzo Ducale

   ~3 min here

   Palazzo Ducale is the Doge’s Palace: a historic palace that once joined political power, residence, and confinement within a single building.

3. 3

   

   Stop 3: Torre dell'orologio

   ~3 min here

   Torre dell'orologio is the clock tower marking the entrance to the Merceria from Piazza San Marco.

4. 4

   

   Stop 4: Piazza San Marco

   ~3 min here

   Piazza San Marco is Venice’s principal public square, extending into the adjoining Piazzetta beside the lagoon.

5. 5

   

   Stop 5: Campanile di San Marco

   ~3 min here

   Campanile di San Marco is the tall, freestanding bell tower beside Saint Mark’s Basilica.

6. 6

   

   Stop 6: Ponte dei Sospiri

   ~3 min here

   The Bridge of Sighs is an enclosed passage linking the Doge’s Palace with the New Prison across Rio di Palazzo.

More walks in Venice

• HighlightsVenice Essentials10 stops · ~2 hr 45 min · 3.6 kmSee the walk
• Art & MuseumsDorsoduro: Art, Palaces and Gondola Yards7 stops · ~3 hr 50 min · 1.8 kmSee the walk
• Local LifeRialto Market to the Campi of San Polo8 stops · ~2 hr 15 min · 3.1 kmSee the walk
• Jewish HeritageCannaregio: The Ghetto, Tintoretto and Marble Churches5 stops · ~2 hr 20 min · 2.3 kmSee the walk
• Weird & UnusualCurious Venice: Snail Stairs and Book Staircases5 stops · ~1 hr · 2.4 kmSee the walk
• Off the Beaten TrackCastello: Arsenal, Biennale Gardens and Quiet Corners6 stops · ~1 hr 40 min · 5.0 kmSee the walk