Located right in the heart of the city and named for the eponymous piazza and basilica, San Marco is the civic and religious centre of Venice and where you’ll find the majority of the city’s most famous sights. The classical open space of Piazza San Marco, the ornate domes of the basilica and the gothic loggias of the Doge’s Palace imbue this sestiere with a monumental atmosphere. With stunning views over the Grand Canal and the Venetian Lagoon, San Marco undoubtedly defines many people’s mental image of Venice.

Whilst San Marco is undeniably a visual feast, it is also arguably the sestiere of music, hosting not only the string quartets of the piazza’s Caffè Florian and Caffè Quadri, but also the world famous Fenice opera house and the city’s conservatory.

San Marco is also home to two great shopping districts, one to the north of the piazza in the busy calli (the default Venetian word for street, singular calle) that link it to the Rialto bridge, and one to the west towards the more laid-back square of Campo Santo Stefano and the Accademia bridge, where you’ll find the best of the world’s top luxury brands.

Staying in an apartment in this area will ensure that you’re never more than a short walk away from the bustling energy that these sights attract, as well as being centrally located for convenient exploration of the surrounding sestieri. However, this isn’t to say that a stay in San Marco will be defined by the crowds, and if you’re willing to venture just a street or two away from the piazza or the busier calli, you can still find a much quieter and less well-trodden side of Venice, replete with idyllic canals, leaning bell towers and local restaurants. Whatever your preference, Truly Venice offers a range of some of the best apartments in San Marco.