Piazza San Marco is achingly beautiful, lined with palaces, museums, elegant cafes and of course, dominated at one end by the Byzantine majesty of St. Mark’s Basilica. But the basilica isn’t the only thing to see on this massive square—the city’s archaeological museum is here, as it the Museo Correr, a collection of antiquities related to the city’s history. Just around the corner from the basilica lies the Doge’s Palace, a busy and much-photographed gondola landing, plus epic views of the Grand Canal and Giudecca island.
Time Out tip: Crowds can be incredibly thick here during daytime hours. If you’re heading back to your hotel after a late dinner, the sparsely populated piazza is unbelievably moody and romantic.
Nearby:
Negozio Olivetti: For a museum of the iconic typewriters in a sleek mid-century modern setting
The Tetrarchs: For a curious statue symbolic of the waning days of the Roman Empire
Café Florian: For a live orchestra to accompany your cappuccino or prosecco