How long to stay in Venice? I stayed only 2 days and I confess that I left wanting more. What a beautiful city, a true open-air museum, there are so many museums, churches, beautiful bridges, so much to do and see that the recommendation is at least 3 days to get to know the city calmly .
1. Stroll around St. Mark’s Square
St March’s Square (or Piazza San Marcos) is one of the postcards of Venice and is the most important and busiest square in the city .
Located in the most touristic neighborhood of Venice, in San Marcos, the Praça de San Marcos is one of those unmissable walks for those who enjoy history, after all, it is where you can find the most important and historic buildings in Venice.
The tip is to arrive as early as possible to avoid the crowd of people and calmly admire every detail of the square such as symbols, towers and monuments. Among them, two granite towers stand out (the Columns of Saint Mark and Saint Theodore ).
Another highlight of the square to pay attention to is the beautiful Clock Tower , which was built there in the 15th century. Already at the top of the tower, two bronze statues attract the eyes, they are the ones that strike the hours. In addition to the hours, the digital watch also indicates the lunar phases, months and zodiac signs.
And for those who don’t mind paying more for a cup of coffee, one of the oldest cafes in Europe and the world is located in St. Mark’s Square, the famous Café Florian . However, due to its historical importance, prepare your pocket when paying the bill, it is expensive.
2. Enter St. Mark’s Basilica
St. Mark’s Basilica is the most important religious temple in Italy and one of the main tourist attractions in Venice due to its historical richness.
Located next to the Ducal Palace, the beautiful church has over a thousand years of history. It is located on the same site as another church built in 828 to house the remains of the evangelist Saint Mark .
The current construction of the Basilica of Saint Mark, of Byzantine architecture, is shaped like a cross and attracts the eyes of tourists who are amazed by the details of the mosaics that make up the decoration of the walls and floor of the church.
At the entrance, be sure to pay attention to the four horses that are on the facade of the basilica. These are replicas of the “ Hours of Saint Mark ” (or Bronze Horses of Constantine), which are a set of 4 bronze horse statues that were sculpted more than 2,000 years ago, in the 4th century BC. kept inside the Museum of San Marco , which is located inside the basilica.
How to get to know the interior of the Basilica of San Marcos
In addition to the San Marco Museum, the basilica also houses the “ Parochial Treasury of the Basilica ”, where treasures and sacred pieces are kept.
Admission is free to visit the interior of the basilica. However, as competition is great, you have to face huge queues to gain access. If you go during the high season, the wait takes even longer. That said, here’s a tip: if you want to avoid the queues, for the cost of 3 euros you can book a ticket in advance to enter the church through preferential access.
- Opening hours : October to April: Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm – Sundays and holidays from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. From April to October: Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm – Sundays and holidays from 2 pm to 5 pm
- Admission : free
- Note: to gain access to the São Marcos Museum , the Golden Shovel and the Parish Treasury , entrance is paid separately.
3. Belfry Tower
The Campanile of San Marco is another must-see attraction located in the main square of Venice. It is the bell tower of St. Mark’s Basilica and the tallest building in Venice , as well as being one of the oldest buildings in the city. The first tower was built in the 9th century, but in 1902 it collapsed. The current version was rebuilt following the same model as the original.
At 98 meters high, the bell tower is one of the best places to see Venice from above. In the past, it served as a base for observing ships arriving in the city. And for you to have an idea of its historical importance, Galileo Galilei already used the Belfry tower as an observation point to study the heavens.
4. Tour of the Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace (Pallazo Ducale) is next to the Basilica of San Marco and is a mandatory stop for lovers of history and architecture.
Also known as the Doge’s Palace, this masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture was built between 1309 and 1424. In the past it was the home sweet home of the Doges of Venice (top ruler of the Republic of Venice, i.e., who governs) and headquarters government for nearly seven centuries.