Relaxing in St. Mark's Square
May 7th, 2015, 07:52 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Relaxing in St. Mark's Square
I realize that there are no public places to sit in St. Mark's square. I guess the BEST option and an enjoyable one is to sit outside one of the restaurants and order a glass of wine. I understand there may be a table charge as well. Need help on ordering house wine and small appetizer (snack) while enjoying the square. OK Fodor folks I'm open to suggestions. Oh! something easy on the budget please.
ACDB
ACDB
May 7th, 2015, 08:35 PM
#2
You can sit at Florian or Quadri and order an Aperol Spritz. Your waiter
will serve you some peanuts with the drink.
I detest sitting in Piazza San Marco. Would rather sit at Rosa Salvo in the piazza opposite San Giovanni e Paolo.
Also like Paradiso across from Bienniale vaporetto stop.
You can get cicchetti and spritz in the
Rialto Market. I like Al Merca and Do Mori.
You can also sit in Piazza San Barnaba outside Pantagruelica.
Also, the Zattere.
No need to sit in the rather plebian Piazza San Marco.
Thin
will serve you some peanuts with the drink.
I detest sitting in Piazza San Marco. Would rather sit at Rosa Salvo in the piazza opposite San Giovanni e Paolo.
Also like Paradiso across from Bienniale vaporetto stop.
You can get cicchetti and spritz in the
Rialto Market. I like Al Merca and Do Mori.
You can also sit in Piazza San Barnaba outside Pantagruelica.
Also, the Zattere.
No need to sit in the rather plebian Piazza San Marco.
Thin
May 8th, 2015, 01:19 AM
#3
If you must sit in the square, you need to be prepared for the bill when it arrives at either of the two places Thin mentions. I remember sitting at Florian where two coffees and a soft drink cost around around £25!
May 8th, 2015, 01:40 AM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't understand all this snotty 'San Marco is for plebs'.
OP - if this is your one and only time in Venice then take a seat at one of the cafes and enjoy yourself. Look at the view, the people, the basilica, the pigeons, the Japanese couples getting wedding photos taken. Enjoy the orchestras, absorb the setting - yes, expect to pay for it but so what. It's Piazza San Marco in Venice.
Don't expect much change from 40 euro for a couple of drinks but you're not paying for the drinks as such - you're paying for one of the world's iconic settings. Enjoy.
OP - if this is your one and only time in Venice then take a seat at one of the cafes and enjoy yourself. Look at the view, the people, the basilica, the pigeons, the Japanese couples getting wedding photos taken. Enjoy the orchestras, absorb the setting - yes, expect to pay for it but so what. It's Piazza San Marco in Venice.
Don't expect much change from 40 euro for a couple of drinks but you're not paying for the drinks as such - you're paying for one of the world's iconic settings. Enjoy.
May 8th, 2015, 02:20 AM
#5
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If this is your first visit, nothing wrong with a drink in Piazza San Marco and/or a gondola ride, just be aware that they are expensive.
But forget the Aperol - not sure why you are so keen on this sweet cough syrup-like mixture, Thin.
The thing to order is a Campari Spritz!
But forget the Aperol - not sure why you are so keen on this sweet cough syrup-like mixture, Thin.
The thing to order is a Campari Spritz!
May 8th, 2015, 04:13 AM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
St. Mark's Plaza is where we will have to meet tour group after a free mid morning to 5 pm day. Being a senior citizen I felt I would be ready to sit and wait for the group near the appointed meeting 'spot'.
Yes. I will be paying for enjoying what is going on around St.Mark's. The comments are helpful in general. Especially the drink suggestion and awareness of the cost. For lunch I just might try one of the places Thin mentioned.
Others feel free to add your suggestions.
Yes. I will be paying for enjoying what is going on around St.Mark's. The comments are helpful in general. Especially the drink suggestion and awareness of the cost. For lunch I just might try one of the places Thin mentioned.
Others feel free to add your suggestions.
May 8th, 2015, 04:46 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To me beingin St Mark's Square at night when the several different cafe bands play such neat baroque music is a highlight of Venice not to be missed - oh yeh purists ma dismiss it as hokey but I find the contrary - I prefer night for more atmosphere - just watching the nattily-clad orchestras is neat too.
May 8th, 2015, 05:23 AM
#8
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,551
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ACDB
Enjoy it. Your attitude sounds right. You've paid how much money to get over there, you've figured out how to save money on other things, so if you want to sit in a St. Mark's cafe,shell out a bit of cash and watch the world go by, I think you are brilliant.
In the daytime, the action consists of little kids running endlessly around after pigeons, tour groups marching by following the flag leader (note that there are different styles according to culture, which is a hoot), people buying amazing amounts of junky Venice souvenirs made in China, and waiters chasing away people who are not ordering. Just make sure your table is with the sun at a comfortable angle and your viewing angle is equally good.
Alternate an Aperol AND the Campari Spritz so you, too, can become a spritz guru.
And I'm in with PalenQ about the Square at night. It's magic. If people talk about a daytrip to Venice, I always say, "But you'll miss St. Mark's at night!"
It is now our family ritual: one last vaporetto ride under the moon, one last gelato, and a visit to St Marks Square, in no particular order. People who assume that the only people in the square are just tourists forget that a good portion of those tourists are Italian families who understand how to do an evening passengiata with flare.
Heck, practice your tango or waltz--at night, one never need sit a dance out. Go to which orchestra is playing "your" song.
Enjoy it. Your attitude sounds right. You've paid how much money to get over there, you've figured out how to save money on other things, so if you want to sit in a St. Mark's cafe,shell out a bit of cash and watch the world go by, I think you are brilliant.
In the daytime, the action consists of little kids running endlessly around after pigeons, tour groups marching by following the flag leader (note that there are different styles according to culture, which is a hoot), people buying amazing amounts of junky Venice souvenirs made in China, and waiters chasing away people who are not ordering. Just make sure your table is with the sun at a comfortable angle and your viewing angle is equally good.
Alternate an Aperol AND the Campari Spritz so you, too, can become a spritz guru.
And I'm in with PalenQ about the Square at night. It's magic. If people talk about a daytrip to Venice, I always say, "But you'll miss St. Mark's at night!"
It is now our family ritual: one last vaporetto ride under the moon, one last gelato, and a visit to St Marks Square, in no particular order. People who assume that the only people in the square are just tourists forget that a good portion of those tourists are Italian families who understand how to do an evening passengiata with flare.
Heck, practice your tango or waltz--at night, one never need sit a dance out. Go to which orchestra is playing "your" song.
May 8th, 2015, 06:03 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,004
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Piazza san Marco is the greatest man made exterior space in the world. My heart flutters every time I am privileged to enter it. And the first time was July 1960 when I entered it "backwards" after getting off the boat from Chioggia. I'll never forget that experience.
May 8th, 2015, 06:04 AM
#10
There is nothing wrong with people watching or the passeggiata.
However, there is more to Venice than Piazza San Marco.
Do yourself a favour and explore the far reaches of Venice, like Madonna dell'Orto.
And excuse the above Piazza San Barnaba. Should be Campo San Barnaba.
Thin
However, there is more to Venice than Piazza San Marco.
Do yourself a favour and explore the far reaches of Venice, like Madonna dell'Orto.
And excuse the above Piazza San Barnaba. Should be Campo San Barnaba.
Thin
May 8th, 2015, 06:48 AM
#11
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 19,736
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I strongly encourage you to take at least one night in San Marco, sit at a table, listen to the music, and spring for a drink and one of the appetizer combinations offered on the restaurant menus. I don't remember the exact cost, but I was not shocked at the bill.
No one's contending that there aren't other worthwhile things to do in Venice. Of course there are. But if you miss an evening sitting and drinking in San Marco after dark, you will have missed something special.
No one's contending that there aren't other worthwhile things to do in Venice. Of course there are. But if you miss an evening sitting and drinking in San Marco after dark, you will have missed something special.
