Piazza San Marco, or St. Mark’s Square, has been the heart of Venetian life since the 9th century and is often called the “drawing room of Europe,” a nickname coined by Napoleon. The grand, arcaded square has grown over the centuries from a small space in front of St. Mark’s Basilica into one of the most recognizable plazas in the world.
The piazza is dominated by St. Mark’s Basilica, whose gold-toned mosaics cover more than 4,000 square meters and earned it the nickname “chiesa d’oro.” Just beside it rises the Campanile bell tower, reachable by lift for sweeping views over the canals, while the Doge’s Palace, once the political center of the Venetian Republic, sits to the basilica’s right. The Torre dell’Orologio clock tower and the Museo Correr round out the square’s major sights, and Caffè Florian, open since 1720, claims to be the oldest café in Europe.
Arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds and tour boats; a coffee at one of the historic cafés is a fitting way to start a day exploring Venice from here.