The sestiere of San Marco lies in the last meander of the Grand Canal before it spills into the lagoon. It encompasses the so-called golden triangle, the area of Venice most frequented by tourists, demarcated by the Accademia (to the west), the Rialto Bridge (to the north) and St Mark's Square (to the south), where the city's wonders are concentrated. Beyond the lively piazza you come across the more typically Venetian side of the area: ageless palazzi, spellbinding canals, labyrinthine little streets and peaceful campi.