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Piazza San Marco
No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area

Piazza San Marco

8.6
4.7/5
1.4k reviews
St. Mark's Square is unique among European city squares, being located in the city center, but not as noisy as other squares, thanks to Venice's quiet waterway traffic. As a Venice landmark, it is favored by tourists, photographers and even pigeons. Piazza San Marco has historically been the political, religious and festival center of Venice, the seat of all important Venetian government institutions, the seat of the Archbishop since the 19th century, and the venue of choice for many Venetian festivals. More than 200 years have passed since the style layout, this trapezoidal square on the edge of the Grand Canal still has its charm. The square is about 170 meters long, 80 meters wide to the east and 55 meters wide to the west. From New Year's Day to Carnival to Christmas, the Venetians host festivals big and small in Piazza San Marco, and even on normal days, people from all over the world flock to this square. There is a circle of exquisite Renaissance-style buildings on the side of the square. St. Mark's Basilica, the Mint, and the Doge's Palace are located on the east side of the square. On the south side are the bell tower and the new and old parliament buildings. Climbing the bell tower can overlook the whole square panorama. . On the west side is the Corell Museum, and on the back is a row of boutiques selling gold jewelry, glass, clothing, home decoration, etc. The storefront is not large, but the window design is very eye-catching. Between the Doge's Palace and the Venetian Prison on the other side of the river is the Bridge of Sighs, and between the square and the Grand Canal is the small Piazza San Marco, where you can see two tall columns standing on the river bank, one of At the top is the statue of San Marco's lion ready to fly. At the top of the other column stands a statue of the holy San Theodore accompanied by a crocodile, both patrons of Venice. During the day, the square is crowded with tourists, and there are groups of tourists everywhere, and large groups of pigeons are flying around the square. If you want to feed the pigeons, you can buy biscuits to feed them. If you encounter a black person who feeds pigeons and corn, don't take it. A small handful of rice is 10 euros. If you accept it, you can ask for money. However, white people generally only give 2-5 euros. If you see Asians in Italy, they will charge more. You can choose to stroll in the square, of course, you can also choose an outdoor cafe seat to sit and rest when you are tired. Although the restaurants and cafes in the square are very expensive, you won't mind because you can stop here for a while and let your eyeballs enjoy the feast of architectural art. The steeple church, Byzantine dome church, mosaic frescoes, marble carvings, and the elegant and elegant Doge's Palace next door are not to be missed. In addition, there are many street performers and mobile vendors in the square, selling some local souvenirs, the price ranges from 3-10 euros, you can buy some as souvenirs if you like. At the same time, the view of the square at night will not disappoint you. If you visit Piazza San Marco around 7:30 pm, you will be impressed by the sight in front of you. In each arch of the buildings around the square, there are lights emitting golden light, which illuminates the original white stone church with golden color, and the whole square is shrouded in a golden splendor. Some restaurants also have their own open-air LiveShow, and it is also a pleasure to watch a free performance here.Venice · 36.2 km from Padua
Doge's Palace
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area

Doge's Palace

8.7
4.7/5
437 reviews
The Doge's Palace, adjacent to St. Mark's Basilica and facing the lagoon, was the political hub of the former Republic of Venice: serving as the residence of successive doges and housing legislative, administrative, and judicial bodies such as the Great Council, the Senate, and the Council of Ten. Originally built in the 9th century as a castle-like defensive structure, its current Gothic main body was constructed from the 14th century onward, suffering multiple fires over time. After two consecutive fires in the 1570s, architect Andrea Palladio proposed a neoclassical redesign, but the republic ultimately restored it to its original Gothic form, creating this masterpiece of delicate Venetian Gothic architecture. Since 1923, it has operated as a museum, with ceiling and wall paintings by Venetian School masters like Tintoretto and Veronese adorning its halls. The two facades facing St. Mark's Square and the lagoon are the signature features of this building: geometric patterns formed by white and rose-colored stone, with a massive solid upper wall adorned with flamboyant spires and traceried windows. Below, the two-tiered arcades and loggias appear light and airy—this unconventional "top-heavy, bottom-light" proportion is precisely what distinguishes Venetian Gothic style. The original medieval capitals and statues replaced during the facade's major restoration now have a dedicated exhibition area. The visit generally follows a fixed route. First, enter the inner courtyard: the north side is adjacent to St. Mark's Basilica, where you can look up and see the church's domes; on both sides of the Giant's Staircase in the courtyard stand the statues of Mars and Neptune sculpted by Sansovino, symbolizing the republic's power on land and at sea; embedded in the walls of the second-floor corridor are several lion-headed anonymous denunciation boxes, where reports were once dropped directly into the lion's mouth, and standing in the corridor, you can also overlook St. Mark's Square and the lagoon. The bronze cistern in the center of the courtyard is exquisitely decorated—fresh water was scarce in Venice, and the whole city relied on rainwater filtered into underground wells for use; it is said that water sellers used to come here specifically to draw water for sale. Then, go upstairs along the Golden Staircase: the staircase is named for its gilded stucco decorations, and at the entrance stand the statues of Hercules, who slew the serpent, and Atlas, who carried the earth on his shoulders; in the past, it was reserved only for nobles and VIPs. Upstairs, the rooms are lined one after another—the Four Doors Room, the Anticollegio, the Sala del Collegio, and finally the Great Council Chamber—with paintings and sculptures covering everything from the ceilings to the walls. In the Great Council Chamber, Tintoretto's massive "Paradise," inspired by Dante's "Divine Comedy: Paradiso," occupies almost the entire side wall; its sheer scale makes it one of the largest oil paintings on canvas, with layers of heavenly figures filling the composition. Another room is lined with world maps, featuring celestial and terrestrial globes on display. The latter part of the itinerary leads first through the armory, which houses medieval weapons and armor, then descends into the dim, underground prison cells, and finally crosses the Bridge of Sighs, built around 1600, to reach the New Prison on the opposite bank—a facility considered one of the earliest buildings in Europe designed specifically as a prison, with its name derived from the sighs of prisoners as they crossed the bridge.Venice · 36.3 km from Padua
Gondola Ride
2026 Europe 50 - Night Attractions

Gondola Ride

8.4
4.0/5
311 reviews
The Gondola Ride is a classic way to experience the charm of Venice's water city: boarding a slender, flat-bottomed traditional wooden boat, gliding slowly along the Grand Canal and narrow alley-like waterways, admiring the stone facades of palaces, old bridges, and water gates from the water's perspective—a view unmatched by walking or larger cruises. Gondolas were first documented in Venice as early as the 11th century; since 1562, local laws have required the boats to be painted black, with the black hull paired with an iron ornament at the bow resembling a comb—its teeth said to represent Venice's six districts—becoming its iconic feature. The boat also hides clever design: the entire vessel is built asymmetrically, slightly tilting left to counterbalance the force of the gondolier rowing with a single oar on the right stern, ensuring straight and steady movement. During the experience, pay attention to the contrast between the two waterways: the grand canal is wide and bustling, with palaces and bridges passing by in succession; after turning into narrow tributaries, the water surface quiets down, with the mottled traces of ancient walls close at hand. The gondoliers, mostly dressed in striped shirts, stand at the stern, maneuvering the boat through bridges and alleys with a single long oar, and some might even sing a few lines of a boat song when in high spirits; if you set sail during dusk, the sunset glow cast on the ancient facades creates an even better atmosphere. Though the entire journey is not long, it encapsulates Venice's daily aquatic life of "streets as rivers and boats as cars."Venice · 35.9 km from Padua

Experiences you can't miss in Padua

Featured Food & drink in Padua

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Padua Food Tour Market to Osteria, 10+ Tasters, Wine, Local Guide
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Duration: 3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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FromBRL 378.17
Padua: Walking Tour & Traditional Cooking Class with Wine
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5% off
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FromBRL 572.73BRL 602.88
Valbona: Castello DI Valbona Visit
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5% off
Limited-time sale
FromBRL 86.78BRL 91.35
Padua: Cooking Class at a Local's Home
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Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromBRL 838.85BRL 883
Padua: Private Pasta-Making Class at a Local's Home
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5% off
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FromBRL 838.85BRL 883
Padova Market to Osteria Food Tour: 10+ tasters & Wine
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5.0/5
· 7 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
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5% off
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FromBRL 399.18BRL 420.19
Food and wine pairings and a professional souvenir glass on Piazza dei Signori
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5% off
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FromBRL 193.80BRL 204.01
Verona: Street Food Tour and City Guided Sightseeing
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Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
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5% off
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FromBRL 404.96BRL 426.28

Featured Day tours in Padua

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Padua: Evening Tour with Admission to the Scrovegni Chapel
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5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
FromBRL 359.29
Padua: Discover the Historic Center
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4.6/5
· 8 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
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5% off
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FromBRL 202.48BRL 213.14
Guided Tour of Giotto's Scrovegni Chapel
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4.9/5
· 33 reviews
Duration: 1–1.5 hrs
Free cancellation
33 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromBRL 225.62BRL 237.5
Padua: Experience Padova Like a Local – Guided Tour
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromBRL 347.11BRL 365.38
Padua Golf Cart Tour
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4.8/5
· 18 reviews
Duration: 1.5 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromBRL 306.62BRL 322.76

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What travelers say about Padua

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LarаOctober 29, 2026
5.0
A very unusual place, the number of 19th century sculptures is amazing, the size of the square is impressive, a place to relax and continue your journey

Prato della Valle

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Marco C.July 24, 2019
5.0
The Scrovegni Chapel, a masterpiece in the history of painting in Italy and Europe in the 14th century, is considered to be the most complete series of frescoes executed by Giotto in his mature age.

Scrovegni Chapel

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Alvin-RocJune 14, 2026
5.0
Extremely satisfied! The tour guide was a teacher-level expert! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up] Their knowledge was comprehensive and professional, their attitude was extremely serious, and they took great care of us, promptly arranging breaks and photo opportunities! Having such a guide made visiting these famous cultural sites truly meaningful! Thank you again!!

Saint Mark's Basilica

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MARK MORDOVTSEVMay 22, 2026
5.0
The photo was taken at Piazza San Marco in the heart of Venice, near the famous St. Mark’s Basilica and the Campanile bell tower. This is one of the most iconic and historic places in the city, surrounded by beautiful architecture, cafes, and live music. The square is easy to reach on foot from Rialto Bridge or by Vaporetto water bus to San Marco station. Sunset and evening are especially beautiful here because the lights and reflections create a magical atmosphere perfect for photos and videos.I would recommend visiting Piazza San Marco both early in the morning and in the evening because the atmosphere feels completely different. Morning is quieter and better for photos without crowds, while the evening feels romantic with live music and beautiful lighting. I also suggest exploring the nearby small streets and canals because some of the most authentic Venice experiences are hidden away from the main tourist areas. Be careful with pigeons and always check restaurant prices before sitting down near the square.

Piazza San Marco

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Anonymous userOctober 28, 2026
5.0
Absolutely! You can see tons of history and cultural significance related to Venice, and it is very special. The great chamber were will leave one in awe. I ended up checking out all four museums and found it worth it to at least see museum correr !

Doge's Palace

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Alaine08January 26, 2025
5.0
Our experience in Venice was unforgettable, thanks to the perfect combination of a serene gondola ride and an insightful walking tour. The gondola ride was peaceful and gave us a unique view of the canals, while our guide was fantastic—knowledgeable, friendly, and engaging. We learned so much about the city's history and hidden gems as we walked through its charming streets. A truly memorable way to experience Venice from both the water and the land. Highly recommend this experience for anyone visiting!

Gondola Ride

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_We***36February 20, 2023
4.0
The botanical garden is not big, so you can take your time to explore it. It's quite nice. There are many varieties of cacti, especially one kind of cactus whose fruit looks very much like dragon fruit, with white flesh and black seeds. It's quite novel. You can go and see it if you have time.

University of Padua Botanical Garden

Trip Moments in Padua

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Padua?

Don't miss these attractions in Padua: Prato della Valle, The Basilica of St. Anthony, and Scrovegni Chapel. If you like Food & drink, try Padua Food Tour Market to Osteria, 10+ Tasters, Wine, Local Guide. If you enjoy Day tours, try Padua: Evening Tour with Admission to the Scrovegni Chapel.

You can give Padua Food Tour Market to Osteria, 10+ Tasters, Wine, Local Guide and Padua: Walking Tour & Traditional Cooking Class with Wine a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Padua: Evening Tour with Admission to the Scrovegni Chapel, Padua: Discover the Historic Center, and Guided Tour of Giotto's Scrovegni Chapel. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 3, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Padua is around BRL 202.48 – BRL 359.29. Rates vary by duration, group size, transportation, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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