Sight guide · Venice · Italy
Visiting Basilica dei Frari
This vast Franciscan brick church holds Titian's soaring Assumption of the Virgin over the high altar and his Pesaro Madonna, both still in the places they were painted for, along with Titian's tomb, Canova's pyramid-shaped monument and a Bellini triptych in the sacristy.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Basilica dei Frari is a religious site in San Polo, Venice. Allow 45 minutes–1 hour; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Religious site
- Area
- San Polo
- Time needed
- 45 minutes–1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- art, history, rainy day and architecture
- Best months
- April–May and November
About Basilica dei Frari
This vast Franciscan brick church holds Titian's soaring Assumption of the Virgin over the high altar and his Pesaro Madonna, both still in the places they were painted for, along with Titian's tomb, Canova's pyramid-shaped monument and a Bellini triptych in the sacristy.
Tip: Combine it with the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, a minute's walk away.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 45 minutes–1 hour.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: San Polo.
Best time to visit Basilica dei Frari
Basilica dei Frari is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- April: 17°C (63°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, busy crowds.
- May: 22°C (72°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- November: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, quiet crowds.
When to visit Venice has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Basilica dei Frari is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace.
- No. 11 of the 20 sights in our Venice things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 3 of the 4-day plan.
- One of the picks in venice on a rainy day.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Venice.
Near Basilica dei Frari
Also in San Polo, so you can walk between them:
- Scuola Grande di San Rocco — 1 hour, low cost
- Rialto Bridge and Market — 1 hour, free
If you like Basilica dei Frari
- St Mark's Basilica — San Marco, 1–1.5 hours
- Doge's Palace — San Marco, 2–3 hours
- Gallerie dell'Accademia — Dorsoduro, 2 hours
- Peggy Guggenheim Collection — Dorsoduro, 1.5–2 hours
Staying near Basilica dei Frari
Where to stay in Venice compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Basilica dei Frari?
Plan 45 minutes–1 hour. With Scuola Grande di San Rocco nearby, it fits a half-day in San Polo.
+Is Basilica dei Frari free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Basilica dei Frari?
April–May and November, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Combine it with the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, a minute's walk away.
+Do I need to book Basilica dei Frari in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.