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San Marco

Home to the Venetian highlights of the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica and Campanile in St. Mark’s Square. The immediate area around St. Marks’ Square can be very congested, but it is a pleasant walk nonetheless over the Accademia Bridge via the spacious Campo Santo Stefano.

Museums & Galleries

Palazzo Fortuny

It is run by the Civic Museums Scheme of Venice and is housed within a lovely old Gothic palazzo once owned by the illustrious Pesaro family.

Museums & Galleries

Palazzo Grassi

This magnificent 18th century palazzo now houses the (highly) contemporary art collection of French businessman, Francois Pinault.

Museums & Galleries

Palazzo Franchetti

Palazzo Franchetti is an important building on the Grand Canal close to the Accademia bridge.

Museums & Galleries

Clock Tower (“Torre dell Orologio”)

Located in St. Mark’s Square right by the Basilica, this is one of the most significant Renaissance buildings in Venice and was built between 1496 and 1506.

Museums & Galleries

St. Mark’s Basilica

Unless you get there early, be prepared to wait in a sometimes lengthy queue to get into the Basilica.

Museums & Galleries

Campanile (Bell Tower)

This is the bell tower of St. Mark’s Basilica which was rebuilt in 1912 in the same style after it collapsed in 1902.

Museums & Galleries

Museo Correr

This is housed in the magnificent Napoleonic Wing of the Procuratie Nuove set of buildings in St. Mark’s Square.

Museums & Galleries

Doge’s Palace

The “Doge” was the name given to the elected leader of the Venetian Republic and this position existed until 1797 when the last Doge, Ludovico Manin abdicated on the conquest of the city by Napoleon.

Theatres & Concerts

Vivaldi Concerts

These are held in the Church of San Vidal near the Accademia Bridge.

Theatres & Concerts

Teatro La Fenice

Hosts opera, ballet and classical music in the most opulent of settings.

Shopping

Shopping in San Marco

Designer Shopping is on Salizada San Samuele which is the main route between St. Mark’s Square and Accademia Bridge.

Gardens

Gardens and Green Spaces in San Marco

There are the Royal Gardens close to St. Mark’s Square, visible from the vaporetto as you pull into the San Marco vaporetto stop.

Churches

Churches of San Marco

Aside from St. Mark’s Basilica, there are numerous churches in the San Marco district that are well worth a visit.

Mid Range Hotels

Hotel Flora

This is a very charming hotel in a great, but quiet, location in San Marco with a courtyard garden which is a very welcome respite in the summer.

Mid Range Hotels

Hotel Ala

This is a really well located hotel in a relatively quiet though central part of San Marco.

Luxury Hotels

Luxury Hotels in San Marco

My main recommendation here is the Gritti Palace which has undergone a very extensive renovation.

Luxury Hotels

Gritti Palace Hotel

This famous luxury hotel, occupies arguably, the finest position in Venice, on the Grand Canal, close to St. Mark’s Square and opposite the Salute church.

Luxury Hotels

Hotel Cipriani

Fabulous but very expensive. Not in San Marco, but the hotel provides a boat that goes between the hotel and St. Mark’s Square very regularly.

Mid Price Restaurants

Mid range restaurants in San Marco

These are in very short supply. If either the Osteria Enoteca San Marco or the ABC Bistrot Quadri do not appeal, I would recommend making your way across the Grand Canal to the Dorsoduro sestiere.

Mid Price Restaurants

Osteria Enoteca

This contemporary styled osteria is open all day from 12.30pm and is located very close to St. Mark’s Square.

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