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


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
The price is NT$4,429 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
NT$4,429
NT$5,185 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
includes taxes & 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! (1,616 reviews)
"Amazing breakfast buffet, incredible location to St. Mark's Square. Staff were very accommodating, helpful, and friendly. The beds were comfortable."

Reviewed on 2025/8/8

Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo
Splendid Venice – Starhotels Collezione

Splendid Venice – Starhotels Collezione

4 out of 5
San Marco Mercerie 760, Venice, VE
The price is NT$10,106 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
NT$10,106
NT$11,429 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
includes taxes & 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! (1,003 reviews)
"They had a great bar and restaurant. There were other great restaurants very close."

Reviewed on 2025/8/6

Splendid Venice – Starhotels Collezione
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
The price is NT$28,422 per night from Aug 20 to Aug 21
NT$28,422
NT$31,612 total
Aug 20 - Aug 21
includes taxes & 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 2025/6/2

The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice
Hotel Rialto

Hotel Rialto

4 out of 5
San Marco 5149 Ponte Di Rialto, Venice, VE
The price is NT$5,346 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
NT$5,346
NT$6,194 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
includes taxes & 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! (1,003 reviews)
"The Rialto bridge view from our room was incredible! The day/night view was spectacular. The area is busy but that is a given since a Rialto is one of Venice highlights. The location is great as you can literally walk everywhere from here. Will highly recommend it!"

Reviewed on 2025/8/6

Hotel Rialto
Unahotels Ala Venezia - Adults Only

Unahotels Ala Venezia - Adults Only

3.5 out of 5
San Marco 2494, Campo Santa Maria Del Giglio, Venice, VE
The price is NT$3,950 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
NT$3,950
NT$4,589 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Very easy to get to. Down an alley way and the water bus was there. Quiet area with a few restaurants about."

Reviewed on 2025/8/5

Unahotels Ala Venezia - Adults Only
Hotel Bella Venezia

Hotel Bella Venezia

4 out of 5
San Marco 4710 - Calle Dei Fabbri, Venice, VE
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (872 reviews)
"We had a very early checkout due to our flight and we had to book a water taxi to get off the island at 3AM. The gentleman in the lobby had slept in the lobby and helped us get safely to our boat! Great location and great staff, highly recommend!"

Reviewed on 2025/8/6

Hotel Bella Venezia
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
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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