A Walk Through St. Mark'S Square And Its Surroundings

In a nutshell

The most famous square in the world is a wealth of history and culture just waiting to be explored.

Main stops

The programme

We leave the port by boat and head for St. Mark's Square. Here, in the company of our local guide, we begin our walking tour to discover some of Venice's magnificent artistic treasures.
Our first stop is at the Doge's Palace, a symbol of the Republic's government and a magnificent expression of Venetian Gothic architecture. Inside we visit the Armoury with its collection of over 2000 arms of enormous historical interest.
Leaving the rich, prestigious palace, we cross the famous Bridge of Sighs that links the Doge's Palace to the dark, humid prisoners' cells.
We continue towards the Basilica which has always been the city's main church, the place where the doges were sworn in and the centre of Venice's religious and public life. We cannot fail to be enchanted by the magnificent contrast between Byzantine art and Western architecture, the rich marble decorations and the precious mosaics that earned the Basilica the name of "Golden Church".
Before bidding our guide goodbye we take a look at St. Mark's Campanile, nearly 100 metres in height, and the Clock Tower, with the two Moors marking the passing of time.
After the guided tour we have time to admire St. Mark's Square, take unforgettable photos of the most famous pigeons in the world or wander through the famous calli that surround us.
Our guide will be waiting for us at the established time to return to the boat.

Good to know

Places on this excursion are limited. So please reserve early.
This excursion is not recommended for guests with mobility problems.?
As this excursion is conducted mainly on foot, you are advised to wear comfortable shoes.
To access the Basilica you are requested to wear clothes that are appropriate for places of worship (with shoulders and knees covered).
Guided tours of the inside of St. Mark's Basilica are not possible on Sundays due to religious services taking place.
Bags are not allowed inside the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica.
The excursion is available both to guests in transit and to guests with flights, trains or transfers from Venice after 5.25 p.m. Guests not disembarking in Venice are advised to refer to 'Diario di Bordo' for the time at which you must be back on the ship.
More details on disembarking instructions, baggage recognition and transfer times are communicated via an informative letter delivered to your cabin.
Costa Cruises offers all excursion participants a luggage deposit situated at the Cruise Terminal where luggage may be deposited and collected until 5 p.m.
On 17 July, the day of the Redentore Festival, excursions are not possible for guests disembarking, but only to guests in transit.

A WALK THROUGH ST. MARK'S SQUARE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS