A Brief History of St. Mark's Square
Originally a small area in front of the first St. Mark's Basilica, the square was expanded in 1177. For centuries, St. Mark's Square was the center of Venetian civic, religious, and political life.
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Reviews from guests about our tours and locals
"Federica gave us a lovely introduction to Venice. She has incredible knowledge of the city, its culture and its history. She is personable and took the time to answer our many questions. When our tour and gondola ride ended, she made us all feel as if we had made a wonderful new friend in Venice. "
"Federico gave us a fantastic tour of St Marks Basilica and the Doge's Palace. He gave us plenty of interesting information and did not rush us. I would recommend Federico to anyone looking for a tour guide."
"An excellent tour of the basilica and palace by Roko. He was deeply knowledgeable about the subject matter, was thoughtful about the perspective he gave to the tour and was respectful of us and others around us. "
"Marco is incredibly knowledgeable, and a great storyteller! His tour talks about the human story of Venice, not just the history."
"We had a fantastic experience on this tour! There were 7 of us in our group, and our private guide, Marco, was absolutely wonderful. He was incredibly nice, welcoming, and exceptionally knowledgeable. Throughout the journey, he shared fascinating, in-depth details about the history of the buildings and perfectly tied everything back to the grand history of Venice. His storytelling brought the monuments to life and kept all of us fully engaged from start to finish. We truly could not have asked for a better guide. We would absolutely use Marco again and highly recommend him to anyone!"
"We are a family of 4, including twin 10 year old girls, from Houston, TX USA. We only had 3 days in Venice, and we spent 2 of them on tours with Lucia, and she was amazing! My girls adored Lucia and could hardly wait for the second tour with her. She had a fun scavenger hunt ready to go as we first toured the Basilica and then the palace. We all learned so much about the history and culture of Venice, and the hunt kept my girls happy and engaged. In the square, Lucia had us do a fun prisoners challenge activity which we all enjoyed immensely. The palace was beautiful to see, and we learned so much more than we ever would have on our own. Once again, the kids beat the parents in the hunt and Lucia had prizes for them. My girls were thrilled! We ended by touring the political prison, and it was so very interesting to learn about. Lucia is an excellent guide who is very knowledgeable and great with kids and adults. I highly recommend her! If she is available, do not hesitate to book her. She handled all of the tickets and organizing and made everything so fun and stress free. Grazie for another amazing tour!"
"On our fourth visit to Venice,, we decided to take a private tour of St. Mark's and the Doges Palace. We were very fortunate to have Elisabetta as our tour guide. It was an extremely hot day and she was very considerate of our comfort. She procured the tickets for both attractions ahead of time and provided us with a wonderful history of St. Mark's and the palace as well as of Venice itself. Highly recommend Elisabetta!"
"Romy was a terrific guide and went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience. She is well educated and knowledgeable with great information about all the history and culture of Venice. "
"Elisabetta is a native of Venice and very knowledgeable. The walk with her was enjoyable and informative. Her English is very good and she answered each question completely. I would highly recommend the sunrise walk. You see all the beauty of Venice without the crowds."
"Matteo was just what we hoped for. He is enthusiastic, very knowledgeable and considerate. He kept me and my two college age granddaughters engaged the entire time. We were full of questions. He answered them all with a smile and extended our time to do so. We highly recommend him. "
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Welcome to the drawing room of Europe! St. Mark's Square is the beating heart of Venice, a place of immense beauty and history. Imagine the stories these stones could tell. Let a local guide share them with you.
Originally a small area in front of the first St. Mark's Basilica, the square was expanded in 1177. For centuries, St. Mark's Square was the center of Venetian civic, religious, and political life.
St. Mark's Square is a cultural jewel, dominated by St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace. Its architecture tells the story of Venice's power and wealth, a breathtaking open-air museum.
The square hosts some of Italy's oldest cafes, like Caffè Florian. Indulge in the local habit of enjoying an espresso while listening to a live orchestra, a truly timeless experience on St. Mark's Square.
The famous adventurer Giacomo Casanova was imprisoned in the Doge's Palace. He made a legendary escape in 1756, crossing the rooftops of St. Mark's Square to freedom, a tale forever tied to the piazza.
Did you know the two large columns at the entrance to St. Mark's Square from the water mark the official gateway to the city? Public executions were once held between them, a chilling historical fact.
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You'll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You're choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that's okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You'll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You're choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that's okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Don't just see St. Mark's Square, truly experience it! With a private local guide, you'll skip the long lines, discover hidden gems, and hear stories you won't find in guidebooks. Your personalized adventure in Venice is just a click away. Book your tour now!