Guided Tours

St. Mark's Basilica Night Tour with Optional Doge's Palace

Duration

1 hr 30 mins - 3 hrs

Open today

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Join this peaceful night tour of St. Mark's Basilica as the guard unlocks the doors after the crowds disperse, for an intimate exploration with a guide.

Enjoy the intimacy of after-hours exploration as you gain exclusive access to one of the world’s most extraordinary churches after closing.

With your guide, learn the history of the Crypt, offering a peek into the Church's ancient foundations, while witnessing the charm of St. Mark's Square.

Don't miss the Pala d’Oro Altarpiece, gleaming under the night sky, before exploring the majestic Bell Tower and the 16th-century Marciana Library.

Upgrade for entry to the famous Doge's Palace, a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture that served as a seat of power for the Republic of Venice.

Fun fact: St. Mark's Basilica houses over 85,000 square feet of mosaic, equivalent to covering 1.5 American football fields.

Exclusive access ticket for St. Mark's Basilica (after closing)

Local English-speaking guide

Expertly guided walking tour

Headset

Entry to Doge's Palace (optional)

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

2,165 reviews
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These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
Philip H
Couple
Verified booking
Nov 2025
What a magical experience. you have the whole basilica to yourselves ( there were fewer than 20 of us) and got to see corners of the building you I would never see as an ordinary visitor. Phillipo, our guide, was absolutely superb-the most incredibly succinct and funny explanation of St Marco's place in history but also how the building worked. But the greatest coup de theatre was the start, when the lights inside were slowly turned on and we saw the full extraordinary beauty of the space. The fastest and most incredible hour I've spent in years, and couldn't recommend it highly enough.
Klara H
Solo
Verified booking
6 days ago
Würbach T
Couple
Verified booking
Jun 2026
Christian B
Couple
Verified booking
Apr 2026
Tabaka P
Couple
Verified booking
Jan 2026

This exclusive tour will take you through one of the most unique and awe-inspiring churches in the world: St. Mark's Basilica. Here you’ll get to see the unique mix of Western and Byzantine art. Your expert guide will even take you through the epic story of its construction.

Most importantly, during this after-hours tour, you will not only get to visit St. Mark's Square but also the church and its 43,000 square feet of golden mosaics. You will then descend into the crypt to see where some of Venice's most famous inhabitants are buried (when it isn't flooded). Then you will get to see the beautiful altar and the famous Pala d'Oro altarpiece with nearly 2,000 precious gems. All of this, without noisy crowds - what more can one ask for?

If you've chosen it as an option, you'll also get to see Doge's Palace, a historic landmark that served as the seat of Venetian political power for centuries.

Accessibility

The tour is not wheelchair-accessible.

Additional information

You can only carry small bags as there is no luggage or coat check.

On certain days there may be a short break between the visit to the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica (never more than one hour). This may extend the overall length of the tour.

Dress code: Wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees.

Sites Visited

St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)

St. Mark's Basilica

St. Mark's Crypt

Pala d’Oro Altarpiece

Bell Tower in St. Mark's Square (exterior)

Marciana Library (exterior)

Doge's Palace (optional)

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please display your mobile voucher along with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

If you have purchased reduced-price tickets, please carry your valid photo ID proof for verification. Students must show their valid student IDs.

Kindly ensure that you arrive 15 minutes before the start time of your tour to avoid any delays.

Meeting Point

You will receive the meeting point details on the final voucher once you have placed your booking.

Validity

This ticket is valid for the date and time selected during checkout.