St. Mark's Basilica
St. Mark's Basilica is considered to be Venice's crown jewel. Seeped in fascinating history, its Byzantine mosaics, treasury, and marble inlays make it a must-visit attraction. With St. Mark's Basilica tickets, enjoy skip-the-line entry, guided tours, and combo experiences.
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St. Mark's Basilica Skip-the-Line Tickets
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Venice Icons: St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Skip-the-Line Guided TourInstant confirmation
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St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge's Palace Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide and GuidebookInstant confirmation
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Combo (Save 3%): St. Mark's Basilica + Doge's Palace Skip-the-Line TicketsInstant confirmation
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Combo (Save 5%): St. Mark’s Basilica + St. Mark’s Bell Tower TicketsInstant confirmation
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St. Mark's Basilica Guided Tour with Gondola RideInstant confirmation
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Venice in a Day: St. Mark’s, Doge’s Palace, Murano & Burano with Gondola RideInstant confirmation
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1
Admission to the Basilica is free, but visitors should expect to pay entrance fees during holidays or to special areas like the Pala d’Oro altar, the Treasury, St. Mark’s Museum and the Campanile.
2
Avoid midday visits in high season due to heavy crowd density, despite the impressive appearance of the gilded mosaics at that hour.
3
Nearby streets offer more reasonably priced dining options than the restaurants around the square.
4
Feeding pigeons is prohibited, and violating this rule may result in a fine of up to €200.
5
St. Mark’s Square is infamous for scamsters. Watch out for suspicious offers and keep your belonging near and dear.
6
Take the elevator to the top of the Campanile (Bell Tower) and savour the incredible view. The extra €8 is worth it.
7
Since a considerable amount of walking is involved, wearing comfortable walking shoes and clothes is recommended.
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Duration
40 mins - 1 hr
1 hr 30 mins - 3 hrs
Flexible
Cancellation policy
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
About St. Mark's Basilica
St. Mark's Basilica is considered to be Venice's crown jewel. Seeped in fascinating history, its Byzantine mosaics, treasury, and marble inlays make it a must-visit attraction. With St. Mark's Basilica tickets, enjoy skip-the-line entry, guided tours, and combo experiences.
Did you know?
St. Mark's Basilica began as a daring heist in 828 when Venetian merchants snatched the body of St. Mark from Alexandria, Egypt, cleverly hiding it under layers of pork.
Boasting over 85,000 square feet of mesmerizing mosaics, the basilica's 13th-century artwork vividly depicts the perilous sea journey of the stolen relics.
With more than 500 Byzantine columns, some dating back to the 6th century, the basilica stands as a testament to grandeur and historical richness.
The Pala d’Oro, a Byzantine altar screen within the basilica, outshines royal jewels with its staggering count of 1,300 pearls, 300 emeralds, and various other precious gems.
The basilica's outer domes, creating its iconic shape, are ingenious illusions. They are wooden structures covered with lead, giving the impression of immense grandeur while maintaining the city's architectural constraints.
Why visit St. Mark's Basilica?
Highlights
Pala d'Oro
The Pala d’Oro is an exquisite structure made of Byzantine enamel. It is globally recognized to be one of the most sophisticated and accomplished works with both of its sides decked with thousands of jewels and pearls.
St. Mark’s Campanile
St. Mark’s Campanile, a 99-meter bell tower located in Piazza San Marco, is an iconic symbol of Venice. With a simple structure featuring a square shaft made of fluted brick, it culminates in a pyramidal spire. Visitors can buy lift tickets for panoramic views of Venice and its lagoons from the top.
The Domes
St. Mark's Basilica has 5 cupolas — the Narthex, the Western dome, the Central dome, the Northern dome, and the Southern dome —all decked with golden mosaics that depict scenes from the Bible. The best place to view these domes is from the galleries near the museum.
Transept Chapels
There are several transept chapels in St. Mark's Basilica that are adorned with exquisite Byzantine mosaics, paintings, and marble sculptures. Some of the noteworthy ones are Cappella della Madonna dei Máscoli, Cappella della Madonna Nicopeia and Cappella di San Clemente.
Tomb of St. Mark
The putative corpse of St Mark is held at St. Mark's Basilica. The corpse was stolen and smuggled all the way from Egypt, by Venetian merchants. The main intention of constructing the basilica was to serve as a tomb for St Mark.
The Treasury
The treasury at St. Mark's Basilica houses of the most special collections of Byzantine portable objects. You will find reliquaries, liturgical vessels, and vestments used during religious ceremonies, many of them Constantinople.
Plan your visit
Porta dei Fiori/Piazzetta dei Leoncini - North Side
This entrance is the primary gateway for exploring, prayers, masses and services.
Loggia dei Cavalli (Sunday mornings only)
Entrance to access the Museum, near the North Side entrance.
Loggia dei Cavalli
Specific access on Sunday mornings to the Museum.
Additional entrances
Apart from these, there are separate entrances to the Bell Tower, on the facade’s right-hand side and to the museum, on the second floor of the basilica.
- On Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, the Basilica is open to visitors from 2pm.
- The museum - Loggia dei Cavalli is open on Sundays from 9:30am to 2pm.
- The Bell Tower is open daily from 9:30am to 9:15pm. It is closed in case of adverse weather conditions.
- The final entry time to the Bell Tower is at 8:45pm.
- You can enter the Basilica for free for prayer, mass, and services. Use the entrance Porta dei Fiori on the north-side from Piazzetta dei Leoncini square. The prayers start at 8am and end at 7:30pm daily.
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Millions love heading out with us
Douglas
United States
I usually don't like guided tours, but Mirco was an amazing guide. We would gladly take any tour he leads! He was funny, friendly, and full of information on everything we saw. This tour was one of the highlights of our trip to Venice.
Eric
United States
Our guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. She emphasized the most important aspects of the basilica, the line for entry for those not on a guided tour was so long and the weather was very hot. Worth the money and I highly recommend.
Garyce
United States
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We really enjoyed our night tour of St. Mark's Basilica. It was so nice because it was quiet. Only one other group was there with us as we toured inside with our guide, Martina. She was a wonderful guide who shared very interesting stories and information about the Basilica.
I only wish the Doge's Palace option was available with this tour.
Patrice
Small group visit to Saint Mark's Basilica. A privileged moment that dazzled our 2 teenagers, who were not very keen on church visits. This rare moment will live long in our memories!
View original review in French
Jose
Dominican Republic
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The Basilica is very beautiful and worth seeing!!!!
What gave us the most difficulty, was to validate the entrance tickets... After we went to the entrance in the basilica, we were returned to find the office to validate. Quite a complicated address.
View original review in Spanish
Maria
United States
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The meeting point was clear. Audio guide in app was confusing at first because we had to determine which area was first on the audio. And which way to go through the basilica. There was no mention of an additional fee to see an area of the basilica that was talked about in the audio guide. There were no volunteers to ask once inside. Had to follow the crowd. It was good for first time visit at yiur own pace.
Maria-theresia
Germany
It was quick and easy with the ticket. The visits were worthwhile. We only had to pay for the visit to the upper area of St. Mark's Basilica. We hadn't realized this when we booked the tickets.
View original review in German
Daniel
United States
We are very happy we decided to book this tour. Our guide was extremely knowledgable and very easy to understand. We found it so much better than trying to do it on our own.
St. Mark's Basilica Guide
St. Mark's Basilica Guide
St. Mark's Basilica was made to house the body of St. Mark, the Apostle - who was considered to be the protector of the city. Today, the cathedral stands out for being one of the most important religious sites in Venice inviting thousands of visitors every year. Find out more about the St. Mark's Basilica tickets, tour highlights and lots more before you head down to the floating city.
St. Mark’s Basilica Tickets & Tour Options
St. Mark’s Basilica Tickets & Tour Options
The site offers a variety of ticket options to choose from, depending on their guests’ convenience. These are all the St. Mark’s Basilica tickets: priority access tickets, guided tours and combo experiences.
Skip-the-line Tickets
Guided Tours
Combo Tickets
Priority access tickets allow guests to skip the long waiting lines at St. Mark’s Basilica and save time. St. Mark’s Basilica skip-the-line tickets also include guided tours; on these tours, you’ll be accompanied by a professional, multi-lingual tour guide who will entertain you with interesting facts and trivia about the site.
Why go for St. Mark’s Basilica skip-the-line tickets?
- Skip past the long waiting lines and head straight to the entrance of the Basilica
- Enjoy the company of a multilingual tour guide who will accompany guests along their journey
- Optional glass crafts demonstration
Recommended experiences
Skip the lines and get priority access into St. Mark’s Basilica. You’ll be accompanied by a local tour guide along the way.
Learn about Byzantine art and architecture, and explore different parts of the basilica with the help of a professional tour guide. Guided tours also include priority access, allowing guests to zoom past the long waiting lines.
Why go for a guided St. Mark’s Basilica tour?
- Priority access to enter St. Mark’s Basilica
- Informative guided tour with commentary
- Free visit to see a glass craftsman demonstration
Recommended experiences
Explore St. Mark’s Basilica with a professional, multilingual guide. Enjoy skip-the-line access to the basilica and bypass the long waiting lines.
Select combo tickets and tours if you are looking to explore prominent historic locations in Venice. Cover top experiences like a visit to the Doge's Palace, a gondola ride or a walking tour of the city.
Why go for St. Mark’s Basilica combo tickets?
- Explore some of the top attractions and experiences in Venice, saving time and money
- Gain priority access into historical landmarks and bypass the long waiting lines
- Enjoy the company of a local multilingual tour guide
- Audio-guide devices will be provided for groups exceeding 10 people
Recommended experiences
With this combo tour, you’ll get to visit two iconic attractions in Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. Get priority access and guided tours with your tickets. Get a free glass-blowing demonstration by a trained craftsman.
Get priority access and guided tours of St. Mark’s Basilica with this combo ticket. Along with your visit, enjoy a walking tour of the city’s top attractions, such as Basilica San Marco, Palazzo Ducale, and more.
Get a guided tour and priority access with your visit to St. Mark’s Basilica. Along with your visit, enjoy a delightful 30-minute gondola ride and explore prime spots in the city like the Grand Canal, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Desdemona’s House and Mozart’s House.
These combo tickets enable you to cover top attractions in the city: Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica, with priority access and guided tours. Along with your visit, cover important landmarks in the city on a walking tour.
Plan Your Visit
Plan Your Visit
Opening Hours
Getting There
Best Time To Visit
Tips & Guidelines
What are St. Mark’s Basilica hours?
St Mark's Basilica is open throughout the year between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM. Opening hours are shorter on Sundays and public holidays.
When is St. Mark’s Basilica closed?
St Mark’s Basilica is operating every day throughout the year. Experiences may be postponed or canceled due to unplanned religious celebrations or in case of exceptional high tide - experiences.
How long does it take to tour St. Mark’s Basilica?
It takes approximately 1 hour to tour St. Mark’s Basilica.
Where is St. Mark’s Basilica located?
St. Mark’s Basilica is located at P.za San Marco, 328, 30100 Venezia VE, Italy. Google Map Directions.
How do I get to St. Mark’s Basilica?
You can reach St. Mark’s Basilica, by hopping on a Vaporetto, the boats that run the transportation across Venice. It will take you about 20-30 minutes to reach the San Marco or San Zaccaria stops if you are going from Piazzale Roma, which is situated at the end of the Ponte Della Libertà. If your starting point is the train station (Santa Lucia), you will reach in 25 minutes.
Can I take a gondola to St. Mark’s Basilica?
Yes. You can take a gondola and alight at St. Mark’s Square, or you can opt for a combo ticket that includes access to St. Mark’s Basilica and gondola rides in Venice.
How far is St. Mark’s Basilica from the Doge’s Palace?
St. Mark’s Basilica is about a 2-minute walk from Doge’s Palace. They are located right next to each other.
What is the best time of day to visit St. Mark’s Basilica?
Early morning visits are the best if you want to avoid large crowds. A visit between 11:30 to 12:30 would be ideal to see the mosaic under perfect light.
What is the best time of year to visit St. Mark’s Basilica?
The best time of the year to visit St. Mark’s Basilica is between October to March to avoid large crowds; however, note that the second half of December might be crowded due to Christmas festivities.
Is there a dress code to visit St. Mark’s Basilica?
Since the Basilica is a house of worship, modest clothing is recommended; shorts and tank tops will not be allowed. It is recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes.
Is St. Mark’s Basilica wheelchair-accessible?
People with physical disabilities or wheelchair users can enter St. Mark’s Basilica and also gain access to the Treasury through the Porta dei Fiori, which is equipped with a ramp. The museum, which is located on the upper floor, has both a lift and stairlifts. However, the tours offered are not wheelchair accessible.
Is photography permitted inside St. Mark’s Basilica?
Photos and filming are forbidden inside St. Mark’s Basilica.
Is the storage facility available at St. Mark’s Basilica?
For security reasons suitcases, backpacks and large bags are not allowed inside the basilica. Prior to your visit, you must deposit them at the Ateneo San Basso (St. Mark’s Square- Calle san Basso). The storage service is free of charge.
Inside St. Mark’s Basilica
Inside St. Mark’s Basilica
A trip to St. Mark’s Basilica will not be complete without visiting its crown jewels. Read to find out more about the top highlights before you arrive at the cathedral.
Pala d'Oro
Step in to see one of the most treasured gems of St. Mark’s Basilica - Pala d’Oro. This Byzantine artwork measures at a length of 3.45 meters and a height of 1.4 meters. It is made of gold panels, comprising hundreds of jewels, including 1,300 pearls, 300 emeralds, 300 sapphires, 400 garnets as well as amethysts, rubies and topaz.
Treasury
The treasury houses historical artefacts and other essential collections maintained over centuries; this includes about 283 pieces of gold, silver, glass and other significant materials as well. The entire area has been divided into four sections which can be seen to the right of the main altar. They include Antiquity and the Early Middle ages objects, Byzantine goldsmiths’ works, objects from Islamic and western origin.
Marble Inlays
The marble inlays present within the St. Mark’s Basilica continue to be one of the most significant displays. Venice was filled to the brim with these precious stones following the Fourth Crusade in 1204. These marbles were used in a symbolic manner based on their characteristics and colour; red porphyry was associated with imperial and divine power which is why it was used as interiors of the doge’s tribune.
Museo di San Marco
The museum provides an insight into some of the most iconic objects and artefacts, including the famous Triumphal Quadriga (the four bronze horses), 12th Century Byzantine sculptures, Persian carpets, illuminated manuscripts and more. Built at the end of the 19th Century, the museum also contains Paola Veneziano’s painting on wood which illustrates stories of the life of St. Mark.
Beyond St. Mark’s Basilica
Beyond St. Mark’s Basilica
There is so much to see and discover as you step outside St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. Here are the top things to do when you travel to the floating city.
Gondola rides
A gondola ride in Venice is one of the best ways to see the top highlights of the city, accompanied by a gondolier. A standard gondola ride passes by popular attractions like Rialto Bridge and Grand Canal, St. Mark’s Square among others. This flat bottomed, wooden boat was once regularly used by Venetians, especially those of the upper class; however, today it has become one of the main forms of transportation in Venice.
Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace is considered to be a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. It has been a symbol of political and administrative power of the Venitian Republic from the very beginning. Though it was initially built in 1340, the building was extended and modified in the following centuries. It became a museum in 1923 and is presently one of the 11 museums run by the Venice Civic Museums Foundation.
St. Mark’s Square
St Mark’s square is the largest open space in Venice. The square is situated at the end of the Grand Canal and is the most popular location for taking a gondola ride. As you walk down north of the square, you’ll witness narrow streets full of shops leading towards the famous Rialto Bridge, or you can also choose to go west, where you’ll get to be surrounded by high fashion designer stores and boutiques. St. Mark’s Square is also home to the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica.
St. Mark's Basilica FAQs
St. Mark's Basilica FAQs
Do St. Mark’s Basilica tickets include skip-the-line access?
Yes, St Mark’s Basilica tickets include skip-the-line access allowing you to bypass the long waiting lines.
Do St. Mark’s Basilica tickets include guided tours?
Yes, St. Mark’s Basilica includes guided tours where you’ll be accompanied by a local guide.
Where can I book St. Mark’s Basilica tickets?
It is recommended that guests book St. Mark’s Basilica tickets online now to ensure contactless experiences. Online bookings also provide various offers and discounts.
What are St. Mark’s Basilica hours?
St. Mark’s Basilica is open from 09:30 AM to 05:30 PM.
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