Temples & religious sites
San Zaccaria
The Church of San Zaccaria is a 15th-century former monastic church in central Venice. It is a large edifice located in the Campo San Zaccaria, just off the waterfront to the southeast of Piazza San Marco and St Mark's Basilica. It is dedicated to Zechariah, father of John the Baptist and was built by the Republic of Venice.
What it is
San Zaccaria is a former convent church just behind the waterfront near Piazza San Marco, built and rebuilt over the 15th century and dedicated to the father of John the Baptist. The main draw inside is Giovanni Bellini's altarpiece of the Madonna and Child with saints, still in its original setting, along with a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture visible in the facade and interior. It's a quieter stop than the big-name sights nearby, useful if you want a look at Venetian religious art without the crowds of the Basilica.
Getting there
From the city centre this is a short walk: from Piazza San Marco it's about 5-10 minutes on foot, heading southeast past the Basilica toward the waterfront. If arriving from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), take the Alilaguna waterbus or a water taxi into the San Marco area, then walk the rest of the way; the boat ride alone typically runs over an hour depending on the line and stops.
Time to allow
Most visitors spend 20-30 minutes inside, longer if you want to study the artwork or the crypt area.
When to go
Mornings tend to be calmer, before tour groups moving between San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs pass through the campo. The square outside can fill with day-trippers in peak season (summer, and around major holidays), though the church interior itself rarely feels as packed as St Mark's Basilica.
Combine with
- Bridge of Sighs (0.2km) — a couple of minutes' walk
- Doge's Palace (0.3km) — easily paired on the same walk
- St Mark's Basilica (0.3km) — the natural next stop
- St Mark's Campanile (0.3km) — for a view over the area you've just covered
All four are close enough to link into a single loop through San Marco without backtracking.
Sources: open data from Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap · Updated August 5, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
