St Mark’s Clock Tower, Venice

Tower in Venice

Torre dellOrologio
Torre dellOrologio
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Mister No

St Mark's Clock Tower (Torre dell'Orologio) is one of those Venice landmarks you've probably walked under without realising how much is happening above your head. Sitting on the north side of Piazza San Marco, it frames the grand archway into the Merceria, the historic shopping spine that links the ceremonial world of the piazza with the commerce of Rialto. From the square it looks elegant and self-contained, but the guided visit reveals a working machine, a layered story of civic pride, and a surprisingly intimate climb through tight, timeworn spaces.

What makes it special is how it blends theatre and practicality: a clock designed to impress visitors arriving from the lagoon, while also keeping locals on schedule in a city built on trade and ritual. It's one of the things to see in Venice if you like places that are both beautiful and functional, and it fits easily into a walking tour of Venice because you're already in the city's most walkable, landmark-dense area.

History and Significance of the St Mark’s Clock Tower

The clock tower dates to the last decade of the 15th century, when Venice was advertising itself as a maritime superpower with both money and precision to spare. Placing the clock at the gateway to the Merceria was not accidental: it was a daily reminder that Venice's wealth came from movement and timing-ships, markets, and a city that ran to a civic rhythm as much as a religious one.

The clock face is far more than decoration. It's an astronomical-style dial that speaks to Venice's relationship with navigation and the wider world, and it was designed to be legible from multiple vantage points, including approaches from the water. The tower's message was clear: Venice knew the time, knew the skies, and controlled the routes that mattered.

Over the centuries the mechanism has been altered and maintained, but the building’s role as a symbolic threshold has stayed the same. Even today, standing beneath the arch while the square pulses behind you and the Merceria funnels you toward Rialto, you can feel why this was chosen as the place to put a public statement of order, prosperity, and confidence.

Things to See and Do in the St Mark’s Clock Tower

The experience is a guided visit rather than a free-flow climb, and that’s part of the appeal: you’re taken through the tower’s interior spaces with context, rather than simply rushing to a viewpoint. You’ll see sections of the clockwork and learn how this famous face on the piazza translates into gears, weights, and careful calibration behind the scenes.

One of the standout moments is stepping into the tower's tighter upper levels, where Venice suddenly feels less like a grand outdoor museum and more like a working building with real constraints. The stairs are narrow, the rooms are compact, and you get a sense of how much engineering had to be packed into a relatively slim vertical space.

The tour also gives you a rooftop-style vantage over Piazza San Marco and the surrounding rooftops, which feels different from the panoramic views of the campanile. Here you're closer to the square's architecture and the human scale of the city, with the added pleasure of looking down on the flow of people passing beneath the arch into the Merceria.

How to Get to the St Mark’s Clock Tower

The nearest airports are Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) and Treviso Airport (TSF), with straightforward onward connections into Venice via bus to Piazzale Roma and then vaporetto or walking to San Marco. 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, you can reach Piazza San Marco by vaporetto (often the easiest) or by walking via Rialto for a scenic first route through the historic centre. 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.

Within Venice, aim for Piazza San Marco and the Merceria entrance on the north side of the square; vaporetto stops around San Marco (Vallaresso) and San Zaccaria are common jumping-off points for a short walk. If you're staying centrally, it's often faster to walk than to thread together multiple boat connections.

If you’re traveling by car, park at Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto and continue into the historic centre by vaporetto plus walking, since the area around San Marco is entirely pedestrian. 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 St Mark’s Clock Tower

  • Entrance fee: Adults: €15; €11 reduced.
  • Opening hours: Monday: 11:00 & 14:00 (English); 12:00 (Italian).
    Tuesday – Wednesday: 12:00 & 14:00 (English); 15:00 (French).
    Thursday: 12:00 (English); 15:00 (Italian); 14:00 (French).
    Friday: 11:00, 14:00 & 16:00 (English); 12:00 & 15:00 (Italian).
    Saturday: 14:00 & 16:00 (English); 12:00 & 15:00 (Italian); 11:00 (French).
    Sunday: 11:00 (English); 12:00 & 15:00 (Italian); 14:00 (French).
  • Official website: http://www.museiciviciveneziani.it/
  • Best time to visit: Choose a mid-morning slot if you want a calmer feel in the tower's narrow spaces, or mid-afternoon if you're pairing it with museums around St Mark's Square.
  • How long to spend: Plan around 60 minutes including meeting, entry, and the guided route, then add extra time for the square afterwards.
  • Accessibility: Expect steep, narrow stairs and tight passages, so it’s best for visitors comfortable with confined historic interiors.
  • Facilities: Travel light and keep bags minimal, then plan your café break a few streets away from the square where service is often calmer.

Where to Stay Close to the St Mark’s Clock Tower

For the easiest access to Piazza San Marco and early-morning sightseeing, base yourself in San Marco; for a calmer, more local-feeling stay with an easy walk back to the square, eastern Castello is often the better choice.

If you want to be extremely central for a culture-heavy itinerary, Splendid Venice - Starhotels Collezione puts you right on the Merceria corridor with quick access to the tower. For a classic boutique option very close to the piazza, Hotel Donà Palace is well-placed for both San Marco sights and evening strolls. If you prefer to sleep in a slightly quieter pocket while staying walkable to everything, Hotel Castello works well for a Castello base with easy access back to the square.

Is the St Mark’s Clock Tower Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you enjoy Venice's details as much as its big monuments. The tower is not just a façade you photograph; the guided visit turns it into a story about timekeeping, civic identity, and how Venice presented itself to the world at the height of its power.

It's also a smart choice if you want a viewpoint experience that feels more “inside Venice” than “above Venice.” Instead of a sweeping panorama, you get close-up perspectives on the piazza and a rare look into a working historic landmark.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

This visit works best for families with older kids who are curious about mechanisms and don’t mind stairs. Framing it as “a secret route inside the piazza clock” often keeps attention high, especially if you point out the clock face from below before you go in.

If you’re traveling with younger children, the age restriction and tight interiors can make planning tricky. In that case, it can still be a fun stop to admire from the square while you focus your paid visits on more flexible, open spaces.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, the appeal is how hidden the experience feels in the middle of Venice’s busiest square. You slip away from the crowd into a quieter, more intimate interior, then re-emerge with a rooftop-style perspective that feels earned rather than packaged.

It pairs nicely with a slow, early evening loop: start with the tower, drift through the Merceria toward Rialto, then circle back via calmer lanes. The whole route feels like a story unfolding rather than a checklist of stops.

Budget Travelers

Budget travelers should treat this as a “small ticket, high uniqueness” experience rather than another museum room after room. You’re paying for access to a place you can’t meaningfully replicate for free, and that’s where the value sits.

To keep costs balanced, combine it with free pleasures in the same area: lingering in the piazza’s architecture, walking the Merceria for atmosphere, and taking the long way back through backstreets. One paid visit can anchor an otherwise low-spend day.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.7 (1,899)

Clock Tower on Piazza San Marco is a striking late‑Renaissance landmark with a famous astronomical clock set into an ornate blue-and-gold façade; visitors note its visible height from across the water, hearing the bells throughout the city, and enjoying rooftop views when you book a tour (advance tickets and pickup at the Correr Museum are advised). Inside you can see the intricate clock mechanism showing moon phases and zodiac signs, wooden figures that appear on rare occasions, and the famous bell‑striking figures; tours involve stairs and some spiral sections though an elevator is present for access for some visitors.

Monideep Goswami
a month ago
"It's beautiful and unmistakable! The tower is soo tall that it can be seen from far away, even when you're on a boat. There's an elevator and viewfrom the top is recommended but it's always crowded so I skipped it during my visit. Right next to the Doge's palace, near St. Marco so every tourist visiting Venice would definitely come across...."
Moza Ahli
2 weeks ago
"The Torre dell’Orologio, or St. Mark’s Clocktower, is a striking Renaissance landmark located in Venice’s iconic Piazza San Marco. Built in the late15th century, the tower is famous for its beautifully crafted astronomical clock, which displays the time, moon phases, and zodiac signs. Its intricate blue and gold façade, along with the two bronze Moors striking the bell, makes it one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. Offering a blend of history, artistry, and engineering, the Torre dell’Orologio is an essential stop for anyone exploring the heart of Venice...."
Paul B
6 months ago
"The Torre dell'Orologio or clock tower was designed in 1496, has 5 floors and 132 steps, parts with a spirral staircase. You need to book a tour toenter. I got tickets from torreorologio.visitmuve.it For timings purpose please note that you will need to collect tickets at the ticket office of the Correr Museum at the other end of the square, so arrive early to get to the ticket office and pass through security and bag check. The guide was very good and made it very enjoyable and still informative. Inside you can see the intricate mechanism, inspired by the Zodiac, along with wooden icons that only emerge from the clocktower twice a year. The central part of the tower has the the clock, whose face shows the phases of the moon and sun as well as the signs of the zodiac. At the top is the Lion of St. Mark and a statue of the Mado a, this is part of the famous Two Moors Bell. An added plus is the excellent views you get from the rooftop...."

FAQs for Visiting the St Mark’s Clock Tower

Getting There

It’s on the north side of Piazza San Marco, marking the entrance to the Merceria. If you’re standing in the square facing the basilica, the clock tower is to your left.
Follow the Merceria toward Piazza San Marco, keeping to the main flow rather than trying to shortcut through tiny lanes. You’ll emerge directly beneath the clock tower archway.
The meeting point is at the Ticket Office of the Museo Correr. Arrive a few minutes early so you’re not navigating the busiest part of the square at the last second.

Tickets & Entry

Yes, because visits run as guided tours with limited places. Booking ahead is the safest way to lock in a time that fits your day.
It includes the guided route inside the tower, including the internal spaces and viewpoints along the way. Your ticket also comes with added museum access, which can be a useful bonus if you’re planning a St Mark’s Square museum day.
Yes, children under 6 are not allowed. If you’re traveling as a family, it’s worth planning a simple split strategy so one adult can do the tour while the other stays in the square.

Visiting Experience

Yes, because the experience is completely different: it’s about the clock’s story and the tower’s interior, not a broad panorama. Think of it as a behind-the-scenes Venice moment rather than a “best view” attraction.
It’s manageable for most visitors, but the stairs are narrow and the spaces can feel tight. If you’re uncomfortable with steep steps or confined historic interiors, this may be a better “admire from below” landmark.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Yes, because it sits at the main threshold between Piazza San Marco and the Merceria toward Rialto. Even if you don’t go inside, most classic routes naturally pass beneath it.

Photography

Yes, especially from the piazza where the clock face and archway frame the Merceria beautifully. Inside, photography rules can vary by tour setting, so treat interior shots as a bonus rather than a guarantee.

Nearby Attractions to the St Mark’s Clock Tower

  • St Mark's Basilica: Venice's most famous church, known for shimmering mosaics and a richly layered Venetian-Byzantine identity.
  • Doge's Palace: A landmark of Venetian power where grand rooms, political history, and Gothic architecture meet.
  • Museo Correr: The best place in the square to dive into Venice's civic history, art, and everyday life in the Republic.
  • Merceria: The historic corridor linking San Marco and Rialto, perfect for an atmospheric walk even if you’re not shopping.
  • Rialto Bridge: The classic Grand Canal crossing and a lively area for market streets, canal views, and a change of pace from the piazza.

The St Mark’s Clock Tower 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!

Read our full story here

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!

Planning Your Visit

Hours:

Monday: 11:00 & 14:00 (English); 12:00 (Italian).

Tuesday - Wednesday: 12:00 & 14:00 (English); 15:00 (French).

Thursday: 12:00 (English); 15:00 (Italian); 14:00 (French).

Friday: 11:00, 14:00 & 16:00 (English); 12:00 & 15:00 (Italian).

Saturday: 14:00 & 16:00 (English); 12:00 & 15:00 (Italian); 11:00 (French).

Sunday: 11:00 (English); 12:00 & 15:00 (Italian); 14:00 (French).

Price:

Adults: €15; €11 reduced.

Address: Torre dell'Orologio, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
Venice: 0 km
Official Website

Nearby Attractions

Similar Blogs