It took us three trips to Venice to finally step inside St. Mark’s Basilica. On our first visit, it was closed for renovations. On our second, we didn’t make time for it. By our third trip, we weren’t leaving without seeing it, so we went twice.
We started with the nighttime tour, and it turned out to be the better of the two visits. Seeing the golden mosaics illuminated after dark is absolutely breathtaking. The warm lighting makes the entire basilica glow. Nighttime tours are also done in small groups, which made the whole experience feel more intimate and unhurried.
We came back the next morning to see the basilica in daylight, and the difference was striking. Without the evening illumination, the mosaics looked almost faded by comparison. Still, the morning visit had its own highlights: the view from the terrace, and looking down over the nave from the upper level.
In this guide, we’ll share everything we learned from both visits: the cost in 2026, which ticket is worth it for you, and the mistakes to avoid, based on our own trips to St. Mark’s.
St. Mark’s Basilica: The Essentials
COST | Not free. €10 for the basilica alone; €20 for the basilica plus Pala d’Oro or Museum/Loggia; €30 for the full ticket (everything). Bell Tower is a separate €15 ticket.
BOOK AHEAD | Tickets must be booked online in advance.
HOURS | Monday–Saturday, 9:30 am–5:15 pm (last entry 4:45 pm). Sundays, 2–5:15 pm (mornings are Museum/Loggia only, while Mass is held).
TIME NEEDED | About 1 hour for the basilica alone; 1.5–2 hours with the Pala d’Oro, Museum, and terrace.
IS IT WORTH IT? | Yes, this is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Italy
DRESS CODE | Shoulders and knees covered. No exceptions.
NEARBY | Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Campanile, St. Mark’s Square
Is St. Mark’s Basilica Worth It?
Yes, St. Mark’s Basilica is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Italy, and even the basic €10 admission is worth it. Since the ticket is now tiered, here’s how we’d think about each add-on:
The basilica itself: Absolutely worth it. The golden mosaics alone make this one of Venice’s must-see sights, and the visit is short, so there’s very little downside even on a tight schedule.
The Museum and Loggia dei Cavalli (+€10): Worth it, mainly for the terrace. We loved the views from the terrace. This is the only way to get outside and look out over St. Mark’s Square, plus you get a close-up look at the bronze horses and the mosaics on the exterior of the basilica.
The Pala d’Oro (+€10): Good to see if you have any interest in Byzantine art or medieval craftsmanship. It’s a small, focused thing to see, but the detail in the gold and gem work is extraordinary up close.
The Bell Tower (€15, separate ticket): Absolutely worth it. An elevator takes you to the top and from here, you get panoramic views over Venice, and they are spectacular.
The evening tour: Worth it if crowds bother you or you want to see the mosaics lit up. It’s the most expensive way to see the basilica, but it’s also the only way to see it without a crowd.
St. Mark’s Basilica
Things to Do at St. Mark’s Basilica
Saint Mark’s Basilica dates back to the 9th century AD. This cathedral is dedicated to Saint Mark the Evangelist, the patron saint of Venice, and it holds the relics of Saint Mark.
In 1063, work began to enlarge the cathedral. Over time, more windows were added and the exterior got a major makeover, with elaborate mosaics and the addition of columns, which were spoils from the Fourth Crusade.
A visit to St. Mark’s Basilica is more than just entering the cathedral and gazing up at the golden mosaics. You can see the Pala d’Oro, visit the tombs beneath the cathedral, or climb up the second level to see the four gilded bronze horses and look out over St. Mark’s Square from the terrace.
The Exterior of St. Mark’s Basilica
With its domes, colorful mosaics, gothic adornments, arches and columns, St. Mark’s Basilica is a wonder to behold.
Mosaics on Saint Mark’s Basilica
The western façade, which is the front of the cathedral, faces St. Mark’s Square. Mosaics in the archways depict the Last Judgement and Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to heaven. The replicas of the four gilded horses gaze out across St. Mark’s Square and visitors can enjoy the view from the terrace.
The southern façade is also very beautiful and is adorned with more spoils and gothic adornments.
Southern façade of Saint Mark’s Basilica.
Visit the Golden Interior
The inside of Saint Mark’s Basilica is covered with golden mosaics. In fact, there are more than 8,000 square meters (85,000 square feet) of mosaics inside of the basilica.
Golden tile ceiling
These shimmering mosaics are made with real gold. A piece of gold leaf is sandwiched in between layers of glass and these tiny glass tiles cover the arches, columns, and walls of the interior of the cathedral.
The appearance of the interior of Saint Mark’s Basilica changes, depending on the amount of light that enters the cathedral.
Saint Mark’s Basilica in the evening
PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you really want to see St. Mark’s Basilica shine, take an evening tour, the to see the basilica illuminated at night. During the daytime, the mosaics are only dimly lit by the light that shines in through the windows, although the lights are turned on between 11:30 am and 12:30 on weekdays. The interior of the basilica has a much different appearance when the mosaics are illuminated by the lights.
The Tile Floor
The golden mosaics are a sight to see but don’t forget to look down. The floor of the basilica is covered with over 2,000 square meters (22,000 feet) of marble.
Marble tile floor of Saint Mark’s Basilica
See the Pala d’Oro
The Pala d’Oro is a Byzantine altarpiece that is covered in gold and studded with almost 2,000 gems.
Pala d’Oro
The Tomb of St. Mark
Located underneath of the basilica, in the crypt, is the Tomb of St. Mark. The remains of St. Mark were smuggled in from Egypt and placed in this tomb.
Tomb of Saint Mark
The Treasury
The Treasury contains the spoils from Constantinople, after Venice emerged victorious. There are vases, artwork, and glasses covered in gold and silver and precious gems.
Museum-Loggia dei Cavalli
Inside of the museum are artifacts and artwork from the basilica’s history. It also contains the bones and relics of Christian saints.
Most people visit the museum to see the four gilded bronze horses, which once sat on the terrace. The four gilded bronze horses were spoils from Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade. They were placed on the main façade of the church to demonstrate Venice’s triumph over Byzantium.
However, since 1974, the four horses sit inside the cathedral and replicas now overlook St. Mark’s Square. These have been moved inside, into this museum, where they can be better protected from the weather.
Loggia dei Cavalli
As you head upstairs to visit the museum, you also get a wonderful view of the inside of the basilica from the upper level.
View of the inside of Saint Mark’s Basilica from the upper terrace
The Terrace of St. Mark’s Basilica
For one of the best views of Venice, don’t miss the terrace. This terrace runs along the west and south façade and from here you get a wonderful view, not only of St. Mark’s Square, but also the bell tower, Torre dell’Orologio, the Doge’s Palace, and the Venetian lagoon.
Saint Marks Basilica Terrace
View of the tiled mosaics from the terrace.
The view of Saint Mark’s Campanile from the terrace
Saint Mark’s Square
How to Get to Saint Mark’s Basilica
The closest water taxi/vaporetto stations are San Marco-San Zaccaria and San Marco Giardinetti. From both of these stations, it is a 4-minute walk to the basilica.
You can also ride the vaporetto or water taxi to the Rialto station and it is an 8-minute walk from here.
It takes 30 minutes to walk from Piazzale Rome (the bus and train station) to Saint Mark’s Basilica.
How Much Does it Cost to Visit St. Mark’s Basilica?
St. Mark’s Basilica is not free to visit. Admission increased in 2025, and the days of walking in for a nominal €3 are gone. Here’s what you’ll pay now:
- Basilica only: €10
- Basilica + Pala d’Oro: €20
- Basilica + Museum and Loggia dei Cavalli: €20
- Full ticket (Basilica, Pala d’Oro, Museum, and Loggia dei Cavalli): €30
- Bell Tower (Campanile): €15, booked separately
Tickets must be booked online in advance for a specific entry time slot. On-site ticket offices, where you used to be able to queue up and pay cash at the door, appear to have been phased out. We wouldn’t plan on buying a ticket when you arrive. If you do show up without a reservation, you may find a QR code at the entrance that lets you book a same-day slot, but availability is unpredictable. Book online before you go.
Which ticket should you buy?
- Only have a few minutes? Get the basilica-only ticket. €10 to see the golden mosaics is a good deal.
- Love art and craftsmanship? Add the Pala d’Oro. The gold and enamel work up close is extraordinary.
- Want the view? Add the Museum and Loggia dei Cavalli. This is your only way up to the terrace overlooking St. Mark’s Square.
- Have the time and budget? Get the full ticket and skip the decision-making.
Free admission is available for children under 10, with discounts for students, seniors, and larger groups.
Get updated pricing on the official website.
When is St. Mark’s Basilica Open?
St. Mark’s Basilica is open from 9:30 am to 5:15 pm. Last admission is at 4:45 pm.
On Sunday’s from 9:30 am to 2 pm, you can only visit the Museum-Loggia dei Cavalli, while mass is being held.
Best Time of Day to Visit Saint Mark’s Basilica
Since tickets are now timed-entry, the old headache of standing in a ticket line is mostly gone. You book a slot, arrive close to it, and go through security; no more guessing how early to show up.
That wasn’t always the case. On our first visit to St. Mark’s in July 2022, online tickets weren’t yet an option. For a 9:30 am opening, we got in line at 9 am, and the line was already long. It took us 30 minutes just to get inside once the doors opened, and it only grew longer behind us. If you ever find yourself without a timed ticket, plan to arrive well before opening and expect the wait to grow the longer you stand there.
With a timed-entry ticket, when you visit matters less for avoiding lines, but it still affects your experience in two other ways:
- For fuller mosaics, aim for midday. The interior lights that illuminate the gold mosaics are generally only on for a window around midday on weekdays. Outside that window, the ceiling can look noticeably flatter and darker.
- For fewer people, book first thing or near closing. Last entry is 4:45 pm. Both ends of the day tend to be quieter than the late morning crush, even with timed slots.
The best time of all, though, isn’t during the day, it’s on the nighttime tour. As we mentioned above, seeing the basilica lit up after dark, in a small group, was the better of our two visits. If low crowds and warm, glowing mosaics matter more to you than saving a few euros, this is the one to book.
How to Skip the Line at St. Mark’s Basilica
There are three ways to skip the line at St. Mark’s Basilica:
- Purchase your ticket online in advance. You will book a time slot and enter at your assigned time. This avoids the long wait in the ticket line.
- If you can’t purchase a ticket online from the official website, you can purchase a ticket in advance through a 3rd party seller such as this ticket through GetYourGuide. If you do this, just be aware that you will have to pick up your ticket in Venice in advance, so it adds another step to your visit.
- Take a guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica. We loved this nighttime tour but this daytime tour also gets rave reviews and includes the Doge’s Palace.
Nighttime Tour of St. Mark’s Basilica
If you want to visit St. Mark’s Basilica without the crowds, want to see it illuminated, and learn about the history from a knowledgeable guide, I highly recommend taking an evening tour. You can also add on the exquisite Pala d’Oro.
We took this evening tour of St. Mark’s Basilica. It is a small group tour that lasts two hours and includes a walk through St. Mark’s Square, a visit to the Tomb of St. Mark and the Pala d’Oro, plus a guided tour of the interior of the basilica. It does not include the terrace.
Inside Saint Mark’s Basilica on an evening tour.
The Pala d’Oro
What We Did
On our first two visits to Venice, we never made it inside the basilica because the line was always super long.
On our most recent visit, we took the evening tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and then revisited the basilica the following morning, since we also wanted to visit the terrace (which was not included on the evening tour).
Both were great experiences. The evening tour is more expensive but you will only be one of a handful of people inside the basilica and to see it illuminated is an incredible experience.
Our morning visit was very crowded, but a lot cheaper, and we loved the views from the terrace.
Skip the Line Tours of St. Mark’s Basilica
There are numerous “skip-the-line” tours of St. Mark’s Basilica. These are designed to decrease your wait in line.
They are worth considering but you also need to know that there is a skip-the-line line, meaning that all of those skip-the-line tours still need to line up and go through security, so you could still have a 15- or 30-minute wait to enter the basilica.
With that being said, it could still be quicker than waiting in the general entrance line.
There are lots of options. You can simply get a skip-the-line ticket and tour the basilica on your own. Or you can take a tour that includes the basilica and the terrace. Some tours include both St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.
Tours of St. Mark’s Basilica
Helpful Tips for Visiting St. Mark’s Basilica
Dress Code
Shoulders must be covered and short skirts and short shorts are not allowed. They were turning people away who were wearing short shorts (about mid-thigh) and tight leggings. To be on the safe side, wear shorts or a skirt that goes below your knee.
Backpacks and Luggage
Backpacks and luggage are not permitted inside of the basilica. You can store them at Ateneo San Basso.
What to Do after Your Visit
- After your visit, sit in St. Mark’s Square and have a drink or brunch at Caffe Florian. Ai Do Leoni, which is located across from the north façade of the basilica, is a great spot for lunch.
- Climb the campanile (the bell tower) for one of the best views of Venice
- Tour the Doge’s Palace
- Stroll the canals of Venice
5 Mistakes to Avoid at St. Mark’s Basilica
#1 Assuming you can buy a ticket at the door. On-site ticket offices have been phased out. Book online before you go and don’t plan around walking up and paying at the entrance.
#2 Showing up in the wrong clothing. The dress code — shoulders and knees covered — is strictly enforced, even with a pre-booked timed ticket. Get turned away, and that time slot is gone. Keep a light scarf or wrap in your bag just in case.
#3 Bringing a big bag or backpack. Large bags aren’t allowed inside. There’s a free bag deposit point at the Ateneo San Basso, right next to the basilica, but it adds time you’ll want to budget for.
#4 Visiting on a Sunday morning expecting full access. The main basilica is closed to sightseers until 2 pm on Sundays while Mass is held. Only the Museum and Loggia dei Cavalli are open in the morning. If Sunday is your only day, plan around the 2 pm reopening.
#5 Skipping the terrace to save money. It’s tempting to stick with the basilica-only ticket, but the Museum/Loggia add-on is the only way to get outside for a view over St. Mark’s Square.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to visit St. Mark’s Basilica?
No. There’s a €10 fee to enter St. Mark’s Basilica, with additional fees for the Pala d’Oro and the Museum-Loggia dei Cavalli.
How long does it take to visit St. Mark’s Basilica?
A typical visit takes about an hour, once you are inside of Saint Mark’s Basilica (the line to enter can be quick or take an hour, depending on visitation).
Is Saint Mark’s Basilica worth it?
Absolutely. Visiting St. Mark’s Basilica is one of the best things to do in Venice. With its golden mosaics, marble floors, artwork and artifacts, this basilica displays the power and might of Venice when it was at its peak. St. Mark’s Basilica is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Italy and well worth the visit. If you are concerned about long lines and crowds, take an evening tour of the basilica.
Explore More of Venice & Italy
Planning the rest of your time in Venice or building a bigger Italy itinerary? These guides will help you make the most of your trip.
- Best things to do → Our guide Things to Do in Venice covers 20 amazing things to do in Venice, from the Doge’s Palace and the Campanile to hidden gems, based on multiple visits.
- Only have one day? → Our One Day in Venice Itinerary gives you three different ways to see Venice’s highlights in a single day, depending on your priorities.
- Planning your time → Our 2 Days in Venice Itinerary is our recommended itinerary for first-time visitors, with a detailed day-by-day plan and map.
- Building a bigger Italy trip → Our 10 Days in Italy: 5 Itineraries breaks down five different 10-day routes for every type of traveler, all of which include Venice.
- Have more time? → Our 14 Day Italy Itinerary covers the ultimate two-week trip through Italy, from Rome and the Amalfi Coast to Florence and Venice.
- For all of our Italy content in one place → Visit our Italy Travel Guide.
If you have any questions about how to visit Saint Mark’s Basilica, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below.
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