St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

Mon - Sat 9:45am-5:00pm, Sun and holidays 2pm-4:30pm

Piazza San Marco, Venice, 30124

Ways to visit St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

Popular and perpetually busy, St. Mark’s Basilica is the most famous monument in Venice. You can reserve skip-the-line tickets in advance, or book an after-hours tour for private evening access. While the exterior is visited on just about every city sightseeing tour, a guided tour is the best way to experience the interior, given the complexity of its art and architecture.

The basilica anchors St. Mark’s Square, so you can easily combine a tour of the church with a gondola ride and a Doge’s Palace tour.

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Venice: St Mark's Basilica After-Hours Tour with Optional Doge's Palace

787 Reviews

HK$826.59 per adult

Traveler Favorite

Worth the price, would do it again.

The after-hours tour was a great way to see the basilica, without crowds and with the special magic of darkness and lighting. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and welcomed questions, while showing great respect for the sacred site. Thanks!

Jessie_H, May 2023

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Recent reviews from experiences in Venice

Great experience

Blade_D, May 2023

Legendary Venice St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access & Doge's Palace

Our guide was an expert and a former architect who is a true Venetian. He answered all questions and gave more information and background that we expected. 10/10 recommendation.

Happy

Carl_H, May 2023

Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride

Virginia was wonderful! She was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and very helpful. We enjoyed our tour a lot.

Venoce

Vionnette_O, May 2023

Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica Tour

The meeting place was easy to find. Started on time. The guide was knowledgeable and gave a lot of information. The equipment sometimes had a noise and was difficult to hear.

History and Humor

Joan_K, May 2023

Legendary Venice St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access & Doge's Palace

We've been to Venice and toured the Basilica and Doge's palace twice. We learned more history and interesting facts from Elena than we had in 2 previous tours. She has a wicked sense of humor, too. The pace was good and she took time to answer questions. Highly recommend this tour, especially since we got to skip the long lines.

Good value

w85fgjmw27, May 2023

Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica Tour

Tour guide did a great job and was very informative. The fast pass was nice we bypassed a long line and walked right in.

Great value

Lilian_I, May 2023

Venice: St.Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Tour with Tickets

It was an excellent tour. Our guide Elizabeth was very knowledgeable and thorough. She was also very mindful of our needs, to rest when there is seating available and to point out the WCs. We enjoyed the tour. Great value!

Nice tour and great guide!!!

Daniela_M, May 2023

Skip the Line: Best of Venice Walking Tour with St Mark's Basilica

Amazing guide super funny and knowleageble. Told the stories in a ludic way and we had lots of laughs. We learned a lot and enjoyed the moment.

Amazing tour! Top of the list!

Ann_L, May 2023

Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride

Martina, our guide, made the tour from beginning to end. Lots of walking, lots of history and amazing art.

Fabulous tour

Cynthia_S, May 2023

Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride

It was pouring down rain the day we took this tour but the guide was wonderful! Loved everything! Gondola ride ever in the rain was beautiful!

Loved this!

Richard_J, May 2023

Skip-the-Line: Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica Fully Guided Tour

This tour was worth a repeat so we did it again the next day. One of the most interesting in terms of the government at the time because the prison was right next door.. thank you for knowledgeable & enthusiastic guides.

Inspirational and Fun

Jennifer_F, May 2023

Venice Skip the line St Mark's Basilica tour

Katrina was extremely knowledgeable, very friendly and made the overall experience a delight. It was wonderful to learn about the history of Venice from a local.

Good tour after hiccup

Susan_R, May 2023

Skip the Line Venice Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica Tour - T23

The tour was great after we figured out we had to get paper tickets from the ticket booth at the post office. That wasn’t explained at all in the information. Besides that it was a great tour. Elizabeth was very informed and we learned much. amazing sights.

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Things to know before you go to St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

The church has been rebuilt, expanded, and delicately restored over the centuries.
Like most churches in Italy, St. Mark’s Basilica requires visitors to wear appropriate clothing—no exposed shoulders, knees, or midriffs.
Large bags are not permitted in the basilica. Deposit any luggage at Ateneo di San Basso (in Piazzetta dei Leoncini).
Both St. Mark's Basilica and the nearby Doge's Palace are wheelchair accessible.

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How to get to St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

The cathedral is on the eastern end of the Piazza San Marco, adjacent to the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace) along the Grand Canal. The nearest vaporetto (ferry) stop is San Marco–San Zaccaria.

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When to visit St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

The basilica is most crowded at midday, so aim for a morning or late-afternoon visit. Summer is the busiest time, while Venice is relatively quiet from November through February (aside from the Christmas and New Year holidays, and during Carnival).

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The Pala d’Oro

St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome is famous for Michelangelo's Pietà and Florence’s Duomo is known for Brunelleschi’s dome, but St. Mark’s Basilica’s greatest treasure—the stunning Pala d'Oro—is older than even those masterpieces. This glittering gold and enamel altarpiece from 976 AD is considered one of the most important, refined examples of Byzantine enamel in the world.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

What are the nearest attractions to St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)?

Attractions near St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco):

What else should I know about attractions in Venice?

As well as visiting the St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco), check out these trip ideas to make the most of your visit:

St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

Ways to visit St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

Recent reviews from experiences in Venice

Things to know before you go to St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

How to get to St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

Trip ideas

Cicchetti in Venice: What They Are and Where to Try Them

6 Must-See Venice Neighborhoods and How to Visit

Visiting Venice for the First Time? Here's What to See and Do

6 Must-See Museums in Venice and How to Visit

Top 5 Spots for Culture Lovers in Venice

Top Parks and Gardens in Venice

Things to Do in Venice This Spring

A Spooky City Guide to Venice

Where to Find the Best Views in Venice

Things to Do in Venice with Kids

Venice Gondola Rides and Canal Tours

How to Spend 2 Days in Venice

How to Spend 3 Days in Venice

Skip the Line at the Doge's Palace

Venice Gondola Tours with a Serenade

When to visit St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

The Pala d’Oro

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