San Marco

Venice

San Marco featuring kayaking or canoeing and a river or creek
San Marco featuring a square or plaza, a small town or village and a statue or sculpture
San Marco featuring a bay or harbor and a sunset
San Marco which includes a river or creek
San Marco featuring a bridge and heritage architecture

One of Venice’s most iconic sights is known all over the world for its historic square, cathedral and surrounding shops and cafés.

Look out over the pigeon-packed square and long arcades beneath the towers and crosses topping St. Mark’s Square, the central attraction in the sestiere (district) of San Marco. Being here is an unforgettably peaceful experience, unlike others you will encounter in Italy or Europe. Wander through the open spaces of the square and enjoy this beautiful scene.

Spend hours studying the fine details of St. Mark’s Basilica, the cathedral on the eastern end of St. Mark’s Square. Its Byzantine exterior dazzles with its manifold arches and gold trim. Inside are some of the most decadent gold leaf paintings of any cathedral, which together symbolize central tenets of Christian iconography. Their beauty is so widely recognized that they have even served as the basis of scientific studies about the biology of artistic appreciation.

Another important attraction in San Marco is Doge’s Palace. Built for the Doge of Venice, the chief magistrate of the former Republic of Venice, today the site serves as a preeminent example of Venetian-Gothic architecture and houses an art museum. Take your time perusing the many chambers of this building, the design of which has been widely imitated throughout the world.

As is the case with most of Venice, San Marco is densely packed with elaborate Baroque churches. In particular, be sure to visit the Chiesa di San Salvatore, which sports a cannonball in one of its columns left behind after a skirmish with Austrian forces.

Before you leave, have a dry martini at the famous Harry’s Bar, a truly expatriate experience. This place has served as the favorite haunt of Ernest Hemingway, Alfred Hitchcock, Philippe de Rothschild and many others. Also try two Italian treats that were invented here, the carpaccio meat dish and the Bellini prosecco cocktail.

While all of Venice is a marvel, San Marco is a wonder set right in the heart of the city. Allow enough time to explore the special treats of this perfectly European sestiere.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


San Marco Hotel Deals

Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo
Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo
4 out of 5
Piazza San Marco 1107, Calle del Cavalletto, Venice, VE
$156 nightly
The price is $182 total per night from Jun 19 to Jun 20
$182 total
Jun 19 - Jun 20
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Venice. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,522 reviews)
"This hotel is well maintained and located to enjoy all activities around the area"

Reviewed on Jun 15, 2025

Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo
Splendid Venice – Starhotels Collezione
Splendid Venice – Starhotels Collezione
4 out of 5
San Marco Mercerie 760, Venice, VE
$316 nightly
The price is $359 total per night from Jul 17 to Jul 18
$359 total
Jul 17 - Jul 18
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,010 reviews)
"Very accessible"

Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025

Splendid Venice – Starhotels Collezione
Hotel Rialto
Hotel Rialto
4 out of 5
San Marco 5149 Ponte Di Rialto, Venice, VE
$215 nightly
The price is $247 total per night from Jun 23 to Jun 24
$247 total
Jun 23 - Jun 24
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Venice. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,014 reviews)
"Stay,Stay,Stay at the Rialto Hotel best spot, best staff, best for everything."

Reviewed on Jun 17, 2025

Hotel Rialto
Hotel Montecarlo
Hotel Montecarlo
3 out of 5
Calle Specchieri 463 San Marco, Venice, VE
$148 nightly
The price is $171 total per night from Jun 24 to Jun 25
$171 total
Jun 24 - Jun 25
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,271 reviews)
"Nice hotel!"

Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025

Hotel Montecarlo
Hotel San Luca
Hotel San Luca
3 out of 5
San Marco 4671 - Calle Dei Fabbri, Venice, VE
$125 nightly
The price is $146 total per night from Jun 22 to Jun 23
$146 total
Jun 22 - Jun 23
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (696 reviews)
"We good"

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2025

Hotel San Luca
The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice
The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice
5 out of 5
Campo Santa Maria Del Giglio O Zobenigo, Venice, VE
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$1,361 nightly
The price is $1,509 total per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
$1,509 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Grand Canal and St. Mark's Square ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (234 reviews)
"Excellent place"

Reviewed on Jun 2, 2025

The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around San Marco

Dorsoduro featuring heritage architecture and a coastal town

Venice City Center

The stunning cathedral and charming cafes are just a few highlights of Venice City Center. Make a stop by St. Mark's Square or Grand Canal while you're exploring the area.

Venice City Center
San Polo featuring heritage architecture and a bay or harbor

San Polo

4.5/5(302 area reviews)

Smallest and most central sestiere, San Polo boasts churches in the west, palaces in the east, and iconic attractions like Rialto Bridge and Scuola Grande di San Rocco.

San Polo
Venetian Ghetto showing boating, a coastal town and heritage architecture

Cannaregio

4.5/5(1,000 area reviews)

Explore historic churches like Santa Maria di Nazareth and Santa Maria dei Miracoli, or admire stunning palazzos such as Ca' d'Oro and Ca' Vendramin Calergi. Enjoy morning markets, local shops, and quaint cafés in this residential, peaceful district.

Cannaregio
Dorsoduro showing a river or creek and a bridge

Dorsoduro

4.5/5(423 area reviews)

Boasting the highest land areas in Venice, this sestiere features the stunning Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute and the picturesque Zattere quay. Easily connect to San Marco via Ponte dell'Accademia.

Dorsoduro
Castello featuring heritage architecture and a river or creek

Castello

4.5/5(666 area reviews)

Castello is beloved for its popular shops. Take some time to explore sights in the area like St. Mark's Square and Venetian Arsenal.

Castello
Default Image

Santa Croce

4.5/5(658 area reviews)

In the northwestern part of Venice, Santa Croce boasts a mix of medieval charm in the east and 20th-century land reclamation in the west. Explore churches like San Giacomo dell'Orio and visit the Museum of the History of Fabric and Costume, while enjoying the convenience of Piazzale Roma's transportation hub.

Santa Croce


San Marco

Choose one or more items to build your trip: