Sight guide · Venice · Italy
Visiting St Mark's Basilica
Venice's cathedral, rebuilt in the 11th century on a Byzantine plan, is covered inside with more than 8,000 square metres of gold-ground mosaics.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Zairon, Public domain
Quick answer
St Mark's Basilica is a religious site in San Marco, Venice. Allow 1–1.5 hours; it is low cost. Queues are long from late morning; book a timed entry online for a small fee.
Key facts
- Type
- Religious site
- Area
- San Marco
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Recommended
- Good for
- art, architecture, history and rainy day
- Best months
- April–May and November
About St Mark's Basilica
Venice's cathedral, rebuilt in the 11th century on a Byzantine plan, is covered inside with more than 8,000 square metres of gold-ground mosaics. Paid extras include the Pala d'Oro, a gold altarpiece set with enamels and gems, and the museum and terrace, where the original bronze horses of St Mark are kept and the loggia looks over the square.
Tip: Cover shoulders and knees, leave large bags at the free deposit nearby and buy the museum ticket for the loggia view.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1–1.5 hours.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: Queues are long from late morning; book a timed entry online for a small fee.
- Where: San Marco, st Mark's Square, grand hotels, La Fenice and luxury shopping streets.
Best time to visit St Mark's Basilica
St Mark's Basilica 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
Our 3-day Venice itinerary visits St Mark's Basilica on day 1, together with Doge's Palace, St Mark's Square and La Fenice opera house.
- No. 1 of the 20 sights in our Venice things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 4-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in venice on a rainy day.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Venice.
Near St Mark's Basilica
Also in San Marco, so you can walk between them:
- Doge's Palace — 2–3 hours, mid-priced
- St Mark's Square — 30 minutes–1 hour, free
- St Mark's Campanile — 45 minutes, low cost
If you like St Mark's Basilica
- Gallerie dell'Accademia — Dorsoduro, 2 hours
- Peggy Guggenheim Collection — Dorsoduro, 1.5–2 hours
- Basilica dei Frari — San Polo, 45 minutes–1 hour
- Scuola Grande di San Rocco — San Polo, 1 hour
Staying near St Mark's Basilica
Stay in San Marco ($$$$) to walk here: st Mark's Square, grand hotels, La Fenice and luxury shopping streets. All areas to stay in Venice.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at St Mark's Basilica?
Plan 1–1.5 hours. With Doge's Palace nearby, it fits a half-day in San Marco.
+Is St Mark's Basilica free?
No, it is low cost. Booking ahead is advised.
+When is the best time to visit St Mark's Basilica?
April–May and November, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Cover shoulders and knees, leave large bags at the free deposit nearby and buy the museum ticket for the loggia view.
+Do I need to book St Mark's Basilica in advance?
Queues are long from late morning; book a timed entry online for a small fee.