![\"pigeons\"](\"http:\/\/www.crossingitaly.net\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/pigeons-300x225.jpg\")
Easily the top destination for travelers to Venice, St. Mark\u2019s Square is in the heart of the city and is truly a memorable site. The square is framed by three arcades along the sides, and the open side is home to St. Mark\u2019s Cathedral. The cathedral is on the eastern end of the square. While the church is a huge attraction for tourists in its own right, spending the morning in St. Mark\u2019s Square is an adventure in a class of its own.<\/p>\n
St. Mark\u2019s Square or Piazza San Marco<\/strong> Unlike many attractions in Venice, St. Mark\u2019s square is free. It\u2019s open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. all days by Sunday. On Sunday, the square is open only in the afternoon from 2 until 5 p.m. Inside the square, you have any number of activities to consider. You can visit St. Mark\u2019s Church or venture into the Doge\u2019s palace. The bell tower in the square is open to the public as well, and once you reach the top, you\u2019re rewarded with spectacular views of Venice \u2013 especially on a clear day.<\/p>\n Enjoying a Leisurely Afternoon<\/strong> When you\u2019re finished with the buildings and ready to take another break, St. Mark\u2019s Square is an excellent place for people watching. The two caffes in the square are very expensive as they are designed for tourist dollars, but grabbing a cup of coffee won\u2019t break the bank and it will let you enjoy a seat on the patio near the orchestra featured in the square. If you don\u2019t want to visit the caffes, buy a bag of corn and feed the pigeons. Many of the most famous pictures of Venice feature the birds on outstretched arms and even heads.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Easily the top destination for travelers to Venice, St. Mark\u2019s Square is in the heart of the city and is truly a memorable site. The square is framed by three arcades along the sides, and the open side is home to St. Mark\u2019s Cathedral. The cathedral is on the eastern end of the square. While […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[314],"tags":[1118,1116,1117,551,12,1120,1119],"class_list":["post-1781","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-veneto","tag-bell-tower-in-venice","tag-st-marks","tag-st-marks-church","tag-st-marks-square","tag-venice","tag-venice-tips","tag-venice-tourism"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nIt\u2019s lovely any time of the year, although it does get a bit dreary in the early spring and winter, the square is often considered the center of Italy, or at least Venice, and it\u2019s usually crowded with tourists. Tourists aren\u2019t the only one fighting for space around the piazza, pigeons have made a home there in large numbers as well. When walking through the square, be ready to do battle at times with the huge number of pigeons who make their home (and deposits) there.<\/p>\n
\nWhen staying in St. Mark\u2019s Square, you should plan on a leisurely visit. It\u2019s hard to not feel the press of time and bodies with the crowds in this immensely popular location, but as much as you can, just relax and enjoy yourself. Pace yourself through the church and other attractions in the square and then take a break before you exhaust yourself climbing the stairs for the tower.<\/p>\n