More about: St. Mark's Basilica in Venice Tickets and Tours
St. Mark's Basilica stands near the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Square, the hub of the city's social and religious life. With more than 4,000 square meters of golden mosaics, marble floors and 500 columns dating back to the 3rd century, it is a unique temple in Italy.
Being one of the most visited attractions in Venice, getting quick access to avoid queues or booking a guided tour of the Basilica can be a great idea. Access to the most important jewels of St. Mark's, the Museum, the Treasury and the Golden Spade, is paid.
St. Mark's Basilica tickets with Audio Guide with terrace and optional boat ticket
Access to St. Mark's Basilica at the lowest price
If you don't want to spend too much of your budget to visit the Basilica of San Marco, this ticket will allow you to skip the ticket office queues and visit it at your own pace.
If you are not a fan of guided tours but don't want to give up touring St. Mark's Basilica inside, don't worry. With this ticket, if you buy it online and in advance, you can avoid the long lines that form at the ticket office at the entrance. You also have the possibility to take the guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica after closing time avoiding the crowds inside.
Once inside, you will have as much time as you want to enjoy its architecture, the details of its altar, the spectacular mosaics on its floor and of course, the views of St. Mark's Square from its terrace. Take your time and enjoy the visit. (If you need to, later I will tell you what you should not miss if you want to visit it on your own).
Why I like this option: besides being the most economical, it allows you greater flexibility of schedule to organize the visit at your own pace.
Recommended if... you want to visit the interior of the Basilica without wasting time at the ticket office and at the best price.
Venice Saint Mark's Basilica Guided Tour
Tour St. Mark's Basilica with an expert guide
Discover every corner of this impressive temple in a guided walking tour and access without queues or waiting. A very convenient option if you want to learn about the history and architecture of one of the emblems of Venice...
Tour and marvel at this work of architecture and Venetian icon. Visit St. Mark's Basilica in a guided tour with a small group of about 10 people. Enjoy the works that surround it, its domes and the traces of great artists who have left their legacy.
Access the terrace and take the best pictures, also enjoy a digital map with more than 200 points to visit, which will make this experience unforgettable.
Why I like this option: you will save queues and waits and you can tour the basilica with a guide who will make you appreciate each of its corners and stories.
Recommended if... you want to take a complete souvenir of this visit, learning with an expert along the tour.
How to buy tickets to St. Mark's Basilica
Visiting this jewel of Byzantine art is one of the must-do activities if you are walking around Venice. You can get your tickets at the ticket office, but the influx of tourists to this place is so large, that the queues and waits are usually 45 minutes or more. Besides, you will not be able to be sure to get in at the desired time or day.
That is why I recommend you to buy your tickets in advance for St. Mark's Basilica through the Internet, this way you will save time and you will be able to better organize your travel itinerary. In addition, you will be reassured not only by having access to the Basilica, but also to the Museum, the terrace and the Pala D'Oro.
St. Mark's Basilica ticket prices
Until some time ago, tickets to St. Mark's Basilica were free of charge. Unfortunately and due to the huge tourist flow that the city of Venice receives, this has changed. Now you can buy your tickets online or at the ticket office and the prices according to the season are:
- General admission: between 3€ and 6€.
- Children from 0 to 6 years: free
- Entrance to the Pala D'Oro: about 5€.
- Admissionto the Museum of San Marco: about 7€.
- Entrance tothe terrace and bell tower: about 10€.
Opening hours of St. Mark's Basilica
- St. Mark's Basilica in Venice can be visited every day of the year from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a last access 15 minutes before closing time.
- On Sundays and holidays the opening hours are restricted from 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm and from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm from November until Easter of the following year.
What not to miss on your visit to St. Mark's Basilica
Once you have chosen your type of tour and in addition to exploring this masterpiece of Byzantine art that is St. Mark's Basilica, there are four points of special interest that you cannot miss on your visit and that are payable on site, except in the case of some of the excursions that include your entrance ticket:
Palo de Oro
It is the most important artistic work of the Basilica of St. Mark, a large altarpiece set with enamels and precious stones.
Treasury of St. Mark's Basilica
It is a Byzantine treasure of gold and silver from the sacking of Constantinople.
The Museum and the Horses of St. Mark
This museum is full of works, including the original sculptures of the Horses of St. Mark. Made of gold-plated bronze, these sculptures were found in the hippodrome of Constantinople and were part of the booty stolen during the Fourth Crusade. In addition, the ceilings and mosaics of the basilica can be seen up close from the museum.
Balcony of the Basilica
From the terrace of St. Mark's Basilica, which you will access through the staircase Loggia del Cavalli, you will get a unique view of the majestic St. Mark's Square. This was the royal balcony from which the Doge of Venice witnessed the ceremonies held in the square and from it you will see the arcaded facades of the square, the Bell Tower, the Torre dell Oroglio and the facade of the Doge's Palace.
In the background, you can see the columns of San Marco and San Teodoro and in the distance you can see the island of San Giorgio Maggiore above the Lagoon with its imposing church.
Vicky's Traveller Tip
Remember that as it is a religious temple, you will have to cover your shoulders and knees to enter the Basilica.
How to get to St. Mark's Basilica
St. Mark's Basilica is easy to reach on foot or by vaporetto, as it is located in the center of the city, in St. Mark's Square. If you are traveling to Venice, but not staying in the city, you can reach the basilica from the train station in half an hour walk.
You can take advantage and buy a 72-hour pass, with which you will have unlimited access to three lines of water transport with which you can reach St. Mark's Square and other key points of the city.
Other interesting activities
If you are interested in visiting St. Mark's Basilica, perhaps you should also consider visiting the Doge's Palace (see here my article about the Doge's Palace). Doge's Palace in Venice Tickets and Tours). I also recommend you to complete your trip to Venice with a gondola ride. So that you have no doubts when booking your itinerary, I leave you here the best options: Venice Gondola Rides.