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
"Everything worked out perfect! After booking over Withlocals Lucia already sent me links how to book the right tickets! The 3 hour tour itself was very interesting, she knew everything about the long history of Venice! Also after the tour she organized trips for us and gave us a lot of good recommendations. She was always reachable making sure we had the best time in Venice! Thank you so much Lucia!!! "
"We thoroughly enjoyed our three hours with Alessandro as we began our trip to Venice. He is a passionate historian and teacher. His energy and pace were perfect. We gained a great appreciation of Venetian history, culture, and values, and we appreciated that he knew exactly where to spend extra time to tell stories and ask questions, when to keep walking, and also when to stop for an espresso. He was engaging and deeply knowledgeable. We would highly recommend touring with Alessandro!"
"We had a great tour with Lucia. She captured our son’s attention with scavenger hunt and made him excited to learn about the Doge’s Palace. She was also very helpful with recommendations for other things to do in Venice. "
Learn about their personal stories and find out how you can explore Venice with locals










Our locals will give you the best experiences that Venice has to offer




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!
"Mattia was very knowledgeable about Venice and you could tell how much he loved his city. He took us to not crowded areas and we learned so much. We loved Venice because of Mattia."
"We loved our tour, huge thanks to Denise for making the whole tour so fascinating and enjoyable - even our teenagers loved it and they are particularly hard to please! "
"Wonderful time spent touring St Marks Basílica and Doges Palace with Roko. Very knowledgeable, friendly guide. We learned a lot. Generous with information on lunch and dinner options. Great guy! Highly recommend."
"Nicoletta was a fantastic guide. She was incredibly knowledgeable and flexible. She answered questions about other paintings not on our stop, gave recommendations for seeing other sites and was a pleasure to be with!"
"Mit Velerio hatten wir eine super spannende Tour durch die ruhigere Gegend von Venedig. Sein aussergewöhnliches Wissen, die nette Art und Begeisterung Zusammenhänge und Geschichten zu vermitteln waren großartig. Valerio ist sehr bemüht auf die Bedürfnisse seiner Gäste einzugehen und gibt gerne Tipps, was sehr wertvoll ist. Insgesamt ein super Guide, den man sehr gerne weiterempfiehlt. Bei der Buchung der Tour haben wir uns leider etwas täuschen lassen. Es hat sich erst ganz am Ende der Buchung herausgestellt, dass die "Gondelfahrt inklusive" nicht im Preis enthalten, sondern mit ca. 200,00 € vor Ort dazu gebucht werden muss. Unter diesem Gesichtspunkt ist die Tour sehr teuer, wobei man ausdrücklich betonen muss, dass die Formulierung nicht von Valerio festgelegt wurde und er bestimmt keinen finanziellen Vorteil geniesst. Die Preis-Leistung Bewertung bezieht sich ausschliesslich auf die Preisgestaltung von WITHLOCALS und die Formulierung "Inclusive"!"
"We are a family of four with two boys ages 12 and 9 and one son has Down Syndrome. We all loved this tour, and we've seen many cathedrals and have taken many tours throughout Europe. The way Denise weaved the story of Doge's Palace and St. Mark's kept my boys interested and I loved how she kept engaging my son with DS in the stories, he needs that! We learned a number of interesting facts and stories related to the history of the Venetians and the cathedral was absolutely stunning. Just book the tour (!!) you won't be disappointed."
"We only had a half day to visit and explore the majestic city of Venice, and Lucia was absolutely up to the challenge. She guided us through the traditional attractions with a thorough explanation of the history and culture, and organized our tour with plenty of time to take us into the quiet heart of Venice. We wandered through small neighborhoods to see daily life as the residents live it, with a variety of canals, squares, houses, shops and cafes. Our three-hour tour felt so much longer. She also arranged a ride with our gondolier and personally escorted us on to the gondola to ensure our experience was seamless. "
The best stories aren't found in guidebooks. Skip the crowds and unlock the hidden gems of St. Mark's Square with a private, personalized experience led by a local.




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