Piazzetta dei Leoncini, Venice

Square in Venice

Piazzetta dei Leoncini
Piazzetta dei Leoncini
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Jean-Pol GRANDMONT

Piazzetta dei Leoncini is one of those Venice corners that feels like a secret, even though it sits right beside the city's most famous landmark. Tucked on the north side of St Mark's Basilica near the Patriarchal Palace and San Basso, it's a small square defined by two crouching lion statues and a calmer, more enclosed atmosphere than the open sweep of Piazza San Marco.

If you're looking for a quick, meaningful detour, this spot is one of the things to see in Venice because it delivers both visual charm and a surprising dose of modern history in a space that many visitors simply bypass. It also slots neatly into a walking tour of Venice, especially when you want a breather from the main square without actually leaving the heart of the city.

History and Significance of the Piazzetta dei Leoncini

The “little lions” that give the square its name are more than decoration: they’re part of the long tradition of Venetian symbolism, where lions speak to power, protection, and the city’s identity. The statues here date to the early 18th century, and their warm-toned stone stands out against the basilica’s marbles and mosaics, making the square feel like a deliberately designed pause-point rather than a leftover gap.

What makes the piazzetta especially compelling, though, is the presence of Daniele Manin's sarcophagus in a niche on the basilica's north side. Manin was the president of the short-lived Republic of San Marco during the 1848 rebellion against Habsburg rule, and his memorial adds a layer of civic memory to an area most people associate only with empire, ceremony, and religion. Standing here, you feel a quieter Venice: not just the Venice of grand façades, but the Venice of political ideals, loss, and local pride.

Things to See and Do in the Piazzetta dei Leoncini

Start with the obvious: take a slow look at the lion statues and the way the square is framed by the basilica complex. Because it’s slightly set apart, you can actually hear yourself think here, and it’s a good place to notice details you miss in the main square-stone textures, small architectural joins, and the gentle choreography of people cutting through on their way elsewhere.

Then walk over to Daniele Manin’s sarcophagus and give it a moment. Even if you don’t know the full story, the memorial has a dignified simplicity that contrasts with the basilica’s glittering grandeur, and that contrast is the point. If you enjoy photography, this is also a practical spot for a calmer “San Marco” shot, with fewer crowds and cleaner lines than the front façade.

How to Get to the Piazzetta dei Leoncini

Piazzetta dei Leoncini is directly beside St Mark's Basilica, on the north side of the building, so the simplest plan is to reach Piazza San Marco first and then skirt around the basilica's left-hand side (as you face the main façade). It can feel surprisingly hidden because the flow of foot traffic pulls most people straight toward the basilica entrance or across the open square, so moving with intention helps.

By vaporetto, the closest stops are San Marco Vallaresso and San Zaccaria, followed by a short walk into Piazza San Marco and around to the basilica's north side. From the mainland, buses terminate at Piazzale Roma, where you'll continue by vaporetto or on foot toward San Marco.

The nearest airports are Venice Marco Polo (VCE) and Treviso (TSF). For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Venice on Booking.com.
If you arrive by train at Venezia Santa Lucia, take vaporetto Line 1 for the scenic route along the Grand Canal or Line 2 for a faster ride toward the San Marco area. Use Omnio to easily compare schedules, book train tickets, and find the best prices all in one place for a hassle-free journey across Italy..
If you’re coming by car, park at Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto and continue into the historic centre by vaporetto and walking. If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you..

Practical Tips on Visiting the Piazzetta dei Leoncini

  • Entrance fee: Free
  • Opening hours: 24 Hours
  • Best time to visit: Early morning is ideal for quiet and photos, while late afternoon feels calmer once the midday crush thins out.
  • How long to spend: 10-25 minutes is enough to enjoy the lions and the memorial without turning it into a forced stop.
  • Accessibility: Expect typical Venice surfaces and occasional pinch points; the square itself is easy once you're there, but bridges and crowds on the approach can be the challenge.
  • Facilities: There are no on-site facilities, so treat this as a quick detour and use cafés and restrooms around the San Marco area.

Where to Stay Close to the Piazzetta dei Leoncini

For a culture-heavy itinerary, base yourself in San Marco so you can reach the main sights early and late; for a calmer evening atmosphere with a more local feel, Cannaregio is a strong alternative while still staying walkable.

If you want maximum convenience for San Marco mornings and evenings, Hotel Montecarlo is a comfortable, highly practical option just steps from the square. For a classic, canal-side stay with a slightly more refined feel and an easy walk to San Marco, Hotel Londra Palace gives you waterfront atmosphere without feeling isolated. If you like being close to the square but tucked into quieter lanes, Hotel San Moisè is well-placed for quick access while keeping the base more low-key.

Is the Piazzetta dei Leoncini Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially if you enjoy small details and “hidden-in-plain-sight” places. It’s not a major time commitment, but it adds texture to a San Marco visit by showing a quieter side of the basilica complex and a powerful slice of Venice’s 19th-century civic story.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

This works well as a short, low-effort stop: the lion statues give kids an instant visual hook, and the square is compact enough to feel manageable. Turn it into a quick “spot the lions” challenge and keep the pace light so it stays fun rather than feeling like a history lecture.

It also helps to pair it with a nearby open-air wander afterward, because kids usually do best in San Marco when you alternate short stops with movement. If the main square is overwhelming, this piazzetta can be a calmer reset point before you continue.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, the appeal is the atmosphere shift: you're steps from the busiest square in Venice, but it feels noticeably quieter and more intimate. It's a good place for a slower moment together-especially early or late-before heading back into the centre's energy.

If you like travel that mixes beauty with meaning, Manin’s memorial adds a thoughtful note to a day that might otherwise be all about spectacle. It’s a subtle stop, but that subtlety can be exactly what makes it memorable.

Budget Travelers

This is an easy win because it’s free and takes very little time, which makes it perfect for adding depth without adding cost. Use it to enrich your San Marco area walk, then save your budget for one paid highlight you care about most.

It’s also a smart “value stop” in peak season: when ticket lines are long, a short detour here keeps your day feeling full without feeling like you’re waiting your holiday away. Think of it as a small bonus that makes the area feel more layered.

FAQs for Visiting Piazzetta dei Leoncini

Getting There

It’s on the north side of St Mark’s Basilica, just off Piazza San Marco, near the Patriarchal Palace and the small church of San Basso. The easiest strategy is to reach Piazza San Marco first, then walk around the basilica’s north flank.
Stand facing the basilica’s main façade and move to your left, following the flow around the side rather than straight toward the central entrances. Once you slip behind the basilica edge, the piazzetta opens up quickly and feels calmer.
Walk via the Mercerie lanes toward Piazza San Marco, then circle around the basilica’s north side once you arrive. It’s straightforward, but it helps to keep your navigation goal as “St Mark’s Basilica” first and “Leoncini” second.
There’s no parking in the historic centre, so driving only gets you to Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto. For a San Marco day, it’s better to plan on vaporetto and walking after you park.

Tickets & Entry

Yes, it’s a public square and you can step in at any time as you move around the basilica complex. The experience is about the space itself, not a ticketed entrance.
No booking is needed because it’s not a museum or a controlled site. The only “planning” is picking a time of day when the San Marco area feels comfortable to you.
It’s adjacent to the basilica rather than an interior section of it, so you can see the piazzetta independently. It works well as an add-on before or after you visit other nearby landmarks.

Visiting Experience

Expect a small, quieter square with lion statues and a memorial niche rather than a dramatic standalone attraction. It’s a short stop that adds depth to a San Marco visit rather than replacing bigger sights.
Ten minutes is enough to appreciate the lions and the Manin memorial and take a few photos. If you’re enjoying the calm, it’s an easy place to linger for a short breather.
Yes, because it’s right beside the basilica and costs you almost no detour time. It’s best treated as a quick layer of context rather than a priority that reshapes your itinerary.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Some tours point it out briefly as part of the San Marco complex, but many groups move through too quickly to pause here. If you’re touring independently, it’s easy to include deliberately for a calmer moment.
A guide helps most if you want the political story behind Daniele Manin and the 1848 events tied to Venice’s identity. If you just want a pleasant detour and a good photo stop, independent visiting is enough.
Combine Piazza San Marco, a quick stop at the piazzetta, and then a stroll toward the waterfront by the Doge’s Palace side before looping back through the side lanes. This keeps you close to vaporetto stops and avoids unnecessary backtracking.

Photography

Yes, because it’s calmer and more controlled than the main square, making it easier to frame architectural details and the lion statues. It’s especially good for photos that feel “San Marco” without the dense crowd backdrop.
Early morning is best for quieter compositions and a softer feel. Late afternoon can also work well if you want warmer light and a slightly calmer atmosphere than midday.
In the square itself, casual photography is typically fine because it’s a public outdoor space. Just be respectful of people passing through and avoid blocking narrow passages around the basilica edge.

Accessibility & Facilities

The square is relatively easy once you reach it, but the approach through Venice can involve bridges, uneven paving, and crowds. If mobility is a concern, plan a simple vaporetto-to-San Marco route and take your time.
No, so it’s best to plan facilities around the broader San Marco area. Treat this as a quick detour rather than a place to settle in for a long break.
Generally yes, but the approach routes and crowd density around San Marco can be the bigger challenge than the piazzetta itself. A lightweight stroller or a baby carrier can make the area feel less stressful in peak hours.

Food & Breaks Nearby

Step a few minutes away from the main square into the side lanes toward Castello for calmer cafés and often better value. Even a short walk can change the atmosphere dramatically.
This is a good prelude to a longer wander that ends with cicchetti elsewhere, because it keeps the San Marco area time short and purposeful. Use it as a small “meaningful moment” before heading to more relaxed neighbourhood eating.

Safety & Timing

Yes, it’s central and generally well-trafficked, though it can feel quieter once the square empties out. Keep the usual awareness for busy tourist areas and you’ll be fine.
Morning is best if you want calm and clear views. Later in the day is better if you enjoy the city’s evening mood, but expect more foot traffic in the surrounding routes.

Nearby Attractions to the Piazzetta dei Leoncini

  • St Mark's Basilica - The iconic basilica of Venice, famous for its mosaics and layered architectural history.
  • Doge's Palace - The former seat of Venetian power, with Gothic grandeur and strong political context.
  • Campanile di San Marco - The bell tower viewpoint that gives you one of the best panoramas over Venice and the lagoon.
  • Museo Correr - A museum facing the square that adds depth on Venice's civic life, art, and history.
  • Riva degli Schiavoni - A scenic waterfront promenade for lagoon views and an easy, atmospheric walk away from the square.

The Piazzetta dei Leoncini appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Venice!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Address: Piazzetta dei Leoncini, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
Venice: 0 km

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