If you’re planning a trip to Venice, don’t miss a chance to see Venice from up high. Nothing beats seeing La Serenissima from above, and lucky for you, Venice has many places to get a bird’s eye view.
Most visitors make their way up to the top of the San Marco bell tower or even the upper terrace of the Basilica di San Marco.
I’ve got a little secret for you: turn your head to the northeastern corner of Piazza San Marco and set your sights on Venice’s often overlooked tower – the Torre dell’Orologio, or Clock Tower.
I live in Italy with my family, and I’ve visited Venice for over two decades – with friends, for work, and now with my family. I’ve seen Venice from many viewpoints, and the view from the top of the Venice Clock Tower is one of my favorites.
Let’s take a look at the visit and climb and why you may want to add it to your itinerary!
Why Climb Venice’s Clock Tower?
Climbing the Torre dell’Orologio is a worthwhile experience because
- it’s a small group tour (12 people max)
- it’s guided so you learn fun facts and interesting tidbits about the tower and the the clock watchers
- the views of Piazza San Marco, the Basilica di San Marco, the lagoon, are unique, and the photo opportunities are excellent
- the ticket includes entry to the Museo Correr
You may want to skip it if:
You’re not able to (or don’t want to) walk up and down steps. A good alternative would be the bell tower in Piazza San Marco – you’ll get whisked to the top by elevator!
You want to keep your Venice plans flexible. The clock tower visit needs to be reserved and the tickets often sell out way in advance.
You don’t want to go on a guided visit. You can’t see Venice’s clock tower on your own – it’s a guided tour.
You get claustrophobic. There are some tight spaces and narrow staircases in the tower. The wide staircases and open sides make Scala Contarini del Bovolo a good alternative.
Read more about
Climbing St. Mark’s Bell Tower
Climbing Scala Contarini del Bovolo
How to Purchase Tickets for the Venice Clock Tower Visit
You must purchase your tickets from the official website.
I’ve yet to see Torre dell’Orologio tickets for sale on 3rd party sites (like GetYourGuide or Viator).
Make sure you choose ENGLISH (Italian and French are the other tour language options). There are English options 7 days a week, and Fridays have the most tours (3).
Keep in mind that these tours sell out quickly in the late spring, summer, and early fall months, AND the tour group limit is 12 people, so buy your tickets as soon as you know you’d like to visit!
You may want to check out my Tips for Your First Visit to Venice
How the Venice Clock Tower Visit Works
You’ll need to arrive early to the Museo Correr entrance (opposite end of Piazza San Marco from the Basilica). You’ll go through security outside (metal detector and bags checked) and then you’ll walk upstairs and inside to get your printed tickets (using the code from your email confirmation). The museum recommends arriving at least 15 minutes early, but if you’re like me and don’t want to be rushed, stressed, or sweaty – arrive 30-60 minutes before your tour start time.
At that point, you’ll wait by the ticket office for your guide to meet you to begin the tour.
While you’re waiting you can use the toilet (there’s one in the café one your left and one in the museum to your right). The one inside the museum is by room 14, and although it takes a couple of minutes to walk to it, it will have a shorter line than the toilet in the museum café.
Helpful Tip: I mentioned arriving early so you have time to go through security and use the toilet. Your ticket to the Clock Tower also includes entry to the Museo Correr. You can visit the Museum before or after your Clock Tower visit. Even if you don’t think you’re interested in the museum, take a quick stroll. You may be surprised, and you’ll get some bonus views of Piazza San Marco.
If you’ve arrived early enough, you can also enjoy the beautiful setting of the Museo Correr Café. Try to get a seat by the window that overlooks Piazza San Marco. The chairs are comfy, and the menu includes coffees, hot chocolate, sandwiches, salads, and pastries. This is also a post-tour option.
Once you meet your guide, the tour begins. My recent visit took 50 minutes, but it can take up to one hour.
Your guide will walk you outside and to the base of the tower, where the visit begins. You’ll visit all five floors of the tower, and your guide will give fun facts and insider information about the construction of the tour, how the clock worked (and works now), the decorations on the tower, and the clock guardians.
Good To Know: Having a guide is one of the best parts of visiting the Torre dell’Orologio. Compared to Venice’s other climbs (including the most popular, St. Mark’s bell tower), it’s the only one that gives you a guide and interesting info about the building and what you’re actually looking at. You get the fabulous view + the inside scoop!
My favorite part of the visit is the roof of the clock tower. You’ll love the close-up look at the Two Moors that strike the bell on the roof. You’ll also get epic views of Piazza San Marco, the Basilica di San Marco, and a straight shot of the lagoon. Best of all, it’s just you, the guide, and 11 other people! Take a few minutes to soak it all in and document it with a few photos.
Here’s what your views are like on the rooftop:
The tour concludes when you make your way to the bottom of the steps and out the exit underneath the archway of the Merceria Orologio.
At that point, you’re free to go. Remember, if you haven’t already visited the Museo Correr, you can head back to check it out.
General things to know:
- It’s not a difficult climb, and there are breaks on each floor when the guide stops to explain what you’re looking at.
- There are spiral staircases in some places and cramped spaces.
- There are railings on the rooftop that are about waist high, but you should still be careful with kids.
Climbing the Venice Clock Tower with Kids
First off, kids must be 6 or older to climb the Torre dell’Orologio. Tip: Bring proof of your child’s age if he/she looks around 6 years old.
Before the tour begins, use the toilet. There’s one in the café but you can also use the one in the museum (Correr Museum, that you’re inside when you’re waiting for the tour guide to meet you).
If you have time before the visit, take a quick walk through the Museo Correr. If your kids are like mine, they’ll enjoy checking out the maps, globes, armor and coins and seeing the views of Piazza San Marco.
You’re climbing up with a group, so you’ll want to make sure your child is patient enough to listen to the guide. Don’t worry, it’s interesting and you’re moving around a lot, and looking at new things, so it’s difficult to get bored. And the guide gives fun facts throughout the tour.
For example, at 11:56am and 11:56pm, hammers on either side of the Two Moors strike the bell 132 times. 132 is the same as the number or steps and it’s the sum of all of the strikes of the previous 11 hours: 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11 x 2 (hits by each of the Moors) = 132.
You’ll also see where a family with children lived inside the tower. Can you imagine living here?!
Kids will also enjoy seeing the wheels with the minutes and learning about how the clock changes for the Befana (Epiphany).
When you finish the tour, be sure to have your child find his/her zodiac sign on the clock face!
Coming to Venice with Kids? Check out
Venice with Kids
Where to Eat in Venice with Kids
Taking Your Kids on a Gondola in Venice
Burano with Kids
Tips for the Visiting the Venice Clock Tower
Arrive early to have a coffee in the Museo Correr Café and take a stroll through the museum. It’s easier to do before your visit because you leave the museum to walk to the clock tower on the other side of Piazza San Marco. Sure, you can walk all the way back, but why not just check it out while you’re already there?
Remember to purchase your tickets as soon as you can to avoid them being sold out.
Don’t stress if you don’t catch every detail from the guide. There are info panels like these throughout the tower:
What to See & Do After Climbing the Torre dell’Orologio
Nearby sites include:
- Basilica di San Marco
- Doge’s Palace
- Bridge of Sighs
- St. Mark’s bell tower
You could also:
- Have a (pricey) coffee in Piazza San Marco
- Take the vaporetto over to Isola San Maggiore and take the elevator to the top of the San Giorgio Maggiore bell tower (leaves from the San Marco-San Zaccaria stop)
- Take the Ride the vaporetto down the Grand Canal
- Tuck into a bacaro for cicchetti
Read about more Things to Do in Venice
Enjoy your visit to Venice’s Torre dell’Orologio and let me know what you think of it!
Venice bound? Be sure to check out
Going on a Gondola in Venice
Islands of Venice – Which One Should You Visit?
Venice in Winter
Venice at Night