Piazza San Marco

Soak in the vibe of Piazza San Marco; it is undoubtedly one of the most famous and most iconic squares in the world and forms the historic core of Venice. According to Napoleon Bonaparte, the Piazza San Marco is the “most beautiful drawing room in Europe”. When you lay eyes on the marvelous Venetian Gothic Doge’s Palace, the Byzantine-influenced Basilica di San Marco and the Library, a Renaissance masterpiece, you will surely agree.
Even though it can be crowded with tourists, you simply can’t visit Venice without spending time admiring the square. Soak it all up from one of the cafés, restaurants and bars but be aware the prices are a lot steeper here than in most other eateries in Venice though the view and ambience is priceless really. Since the Piazza San Marco is often overcrowded during the day, visiting in the evening is recommended if you like peace and quiet. You could combine the Vaporetto no. 1 ride in the evening with a nighttime visit to the piazza, when the buildings are impressively illuminated and the crowds of the cruise ship and day tripper crowds of tourists have gone.