Natalie is a travel and food writer who has been living in Rome, Italy since 2010. The entrance to the St. Marks Basilica is still free but there is a small reservation fee (3) to reserve your skip-the-line spot. Taste Cicchetti and other Venetian specialties with tons of wine! The Basilica is also an important religious site housing the relics of St. Mark. St. Marks Basilica is known for its complex architecture and history. The vault in the Mascoli Chapel is dedicated to the Virgin, while the Zen chapel contains mosaics of the eight prophets. AUNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, Venice is the most unique city in the world. In 1204, after the Fourth Crusade, Venetian crusaders brought back to Venice precious marbles and works of art which were taken from the conquest of Constantinople. This means that for any purchase you make through one of my links, I receive a small percentage which however does not affect the final price for the customer. Q. There are no dining options available inside the church. Please dont be discouraged by the crowds at the Basilica San Marco. If you cant get skip the line tickets, or you simply want to risk the crowd, then try to go to St. Marks in the afternoon instead of in the morning. 119 Avoid a long line of tourists and visit on a weekday, as soon as the church opens. However, Venice gets busier by the end of February because of the world-famous Venice Carnival. Trattoria Al Gazzettino:This fine Italian restaurant is popular and highly rated by tourists. All rights reserved. Yes, St. Marks Basilica is a world-renowned church and an architectural marvel. Take a long look at the Pala dOro altarpieces intricate details on the life of St. Mark. However, children are welcome to visit or worship, and kids below age 6 can visit the Basilica without tickets. A bit later, in 1159, precious mosaic decorations were added to the walls and ceilings of St. Marks Basilica, replacing the old frescoes. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Taste Cicchetti and other Venetian specialties with tons of wine! You must visit the city of canals at least once to see why so many people have deemed Venice the most beautiful city on earth. These tips on what to wear to the Vatican also apply to San Marco. The prayers start at 8 AM and end at 7:30 PM daily. Your email address will not be published. Good guided tours will include headsets so you can hear the guide as they explain the different features of the glittering cathedral. You can read more about my experience inside St. Marks at night. As with most church museums, it houses various objects with origins to the churchs history. It is run by Headout and works with attractions and tour operators to provide incredible experiences at the tap of a button. If you prefer looking more into specifics to get to really know your way around the church then you should set aside 1.5-2 hours, especially if you are to include the museum. Continue reading for more useful tips on visiting St. Marks Basilica. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The small city of canals can be overrun with groups who arrive for the day and flock to the main square. A. Someone else will worry about getting the tickets; a guide will help you dodge the crowds and will shower you with interesting information about the place you are visiting. Guests are required to maintain silence while inside the Basilica. Q. This is a place that probably gets more tourists than it can actually manage. Board No. document.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent('show-prices')); Theres nothing like experiencing Venices first-hand. When you think of over-tourism, Venice is probably one of the cities your mind travels to. St. Marks Bell Tower tickets cost 8 for adults, 6 for visitors between 6 and 18 years of age. To prevent it from happening again, it was then covered by the marble youre able to admire today. Grab a quick bite to eat after your visit to St. Mark's Basilica. If you do, youll be asked to deposit them at the deposit in Ateneo San Basso, located in Piazzetta dei Leoncini, right in front of the Gate of Flowers. If you really want to experience St Marks in a unique way, book an exclusive Alone at Night in St Marks Tour and be the ONLY tour company in this gorgeous basilica. Try going after 1:30 pm when things tend to quiet down a bit. The transept chapels inside the Basilica are known for their stunning design and decoration. Is St. Marks Basilica wheelchair friendly? Youre better off exploring other attractions or eating a delicious Venetian lunch mid-day rather than waiting in tourist lines at the Piazza San Marco. Here is how to buy official tickets and even get last minute priority entrance to skip the line at St. Marks Basilica in Venice: From April 1st to November 1st, the Basilica allows you to book online to skip the lines during the most crowded times of the year. There are plenty of way to see St Marks in all its glory! Peak Season vs Low Season: Venice is always packed with tourists. The lines are particularly bad if there is a cruise ship docking in Venice that day. Guide dogs are allowed. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The Treasure of St. Marks is a collection of precious objects and masterpieces kept inside of the Basilica throughout the centuries. Enjoy authentic pizza, pasta, and a variety of cheese. At that time Venice was a major connecting point between east and west and this obviously shows in the design of the building. Why You Must Visit St. Marks Basilica When In Venice, Way N. 1: Make reservations via the official website, Other Useful Information For Visiting St. Marks Basilica, Other attractions near St. Marks Basilica, the official website of St. Marks Basilica, How To Get Doge Palace Tickets And Skip The Line, 17 Reasons To Visit Italy As Soon As Possible, 37 Unmissable, Fun And Cheap Things To Do In Rome, A Great Itinerary For A Summer Week In Trentino, 5 Short But Rewarding Hikes In The Dolomites Of Trentino, 67 Extremely Useful Travel Tips For Italy, What To Do And What To Avoid When Planning A Trip To Italy, The Best Guide To Hiking In Cinque Terre, Italy, A Useful Guide To Caserta Royal Palace, Italy. Visiting St. Marks Basilica is free. Winter, from December to February, is marked by cold weather and occasional flooding. The largest crowds tend to flock to the square, and thus the church, in the late morning. You cant explore the church during mass, but youll be allowed to sit and listen to the service. Visitors can store their luggage in the Luggage Store at the Piazzetta dei Leoncini. Another important chapel, the Chapel of St. Isadore, is a stunning area, decorated with Venetian art. St. Mark's Basilica, known in Italian as Basilica di San Marco and popularly as San Marco Basilica, is a medieval church in Venice. Side note: keep in mind that St. Marks is a church, and you have to be dressed appropriately if you want to go inside. Guests and believers can visit the crypt to learn about the life and times of St. Mark. Like all other churches in Italy, St. Marks Basilica is free to visit. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The tour starts at 9:00 pm and costs 89. Face masks are mandatory inside St. Marks Basilica. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The treasury also contains vases, glasses, and art collections in gold and silver. St. Marks Basilica is a church, therefore they require that knees and shoulders are covered in order to enter. Log in or Sign up to save your favorite LivItaly Tours. Antico Martini This historic restaurant has been welcoming guests from all over the world since 1720. Spend at least an hour on your visit to St. Mark's Basilica. Youll leave with a full stomach! You can beat the crowds and spend that time wisely by having a pre-lunch drink and Venetian snack! You dont even have to print the voucher just show the confirmation you get via email. Best Time to Visit St Marks Basilica in Venice. The church closes for religious holidays and you can find a full list of closures update on the basilicas website. With all the hidden wonders and masterpieces inside, discovering it on your own might be tricky. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The artwork tells stories from the Holy Bible, myths and local legends, episodes from the Virgin Mary and Jesus life, and most of, all St. Marks. Plenty of Food and wine included! What is the best time to visit Venices St. Marks Basilica? Ristorante Rosa Rossa:A beautiful restaurant with cozy wooden interiors. Copyright LivItaly Tours 2022. Note: This post may include affiliate links to companies that I personally use and recommend. Bookmark helpful articles like this one in your browser. The Doges Palace is adjacent to the church and is well worth a visit. So, if you want to get inside Venices most famous church, it is best to plan ahead to skip the line at St. Marks Basilica. The contrast between the bright ceilings and darker marble floors actually represents the contrast between life in heaven and life on earth. Visit St. Mark's Basilica during the weekday, preferably in the morning hours. Reservations via the official site cost 3. Its original name was Basilica dOro, Golden Basilica, because of the over a thousand square meters worth of golden mosaic tiles. Routes 1, 2, and 51 will take you there. The most interesting objects and also the bulk of the collection are objects that were brought to Venice after the conquest of Constantinople. Top 11 Things to See in and Near St. Marks Basilica, 11 Astounding Facts of St. Marks Basilica, How to Visit Ground Zero and 9/11 Memorial Museum:, How to Visit Sagrada Familia: Tickets, Hours, Tours,, How to Visit the Acropolis in 2022: Tickets, Hours,, How to Visit the Statue of Liberty: Tickets, Hours,. St. Marks Basilica does not allow visitors with luggage. St. Marks Basilica is a religious site and a proper dress code is mandatory. There are several ways of getting St. Marks Basilica tickets, depending on whether you want a budget friendly solution or a more in depth visit. While it is generally true that the afternoons are less crowded than the mornings, you can also go to a very early morning mass if you want to get right inside the basilica. You can purchase a Venice Museum Pass in advance for 27 (or 20 if you wait in line at the museums) which allows you entrance to the Doges Palace and 9 other Venice museums, including two that are right one St. Marks Square. However, for a small fee you will be able to skip the line at the entrance, which is actually quite convenient if you have limited time in Venice. There is one restroom on the level of the museum. Brandon Shaw Last Updated: September 22, 2021. Q. A. Top 11 Things to See in and Near St. Mark's Basilica, 11 Astounding Facts of St. Mark's Basilica, tickets or tour of the St. Marks Basilica, 10 hidden gems in Venice: The Citys best-kept secrets. You can book your guided tour of St. Marks Basilica here. What are the St. Marks Basilica opening hours? Hi, my name is Claudia. The marvelous architecture blends Byzantine, Romanesque, Islamic, and Gothic influences. There are, however, certain times of day where crowds at St. Marks thin out. 2 ferry and alight at the ferry station in Rialto. Why should I visit St. Marks Basilica? Otherwise, they cost 32 or more. Guided tours are great. There is no additional cost for children 5 and under, but you should add them to your reservation. Doing a tour in Venice is by far the best way to understand St. Marks Basilica and our tours include much more than that. The church would at times decorate the images of saints with this cloth and over time it was replaced with gold or silver. Q. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The approximate travel time is about 25 to 35 minutes. The Bell Tower is open from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm in the winter season (October 1 to March 31) and from 8:30 am to 9:00 pm in the summer season. Tuttinpiedi This is a street food place of the finest and is loved by the locals, too. St. Marks Basilica is one of the most important tourist attractions in town. A. Can I visit St. Marks Basilica in a group? Use your limited time wisely to admire the grand columns, rare artifacts, and brilliant Byzantine mosaics. Groups are smaller and tours a bit more expensive, but if you want to have the church to yourself they are definitely great! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A. If you choose to book an experience through the link, I may earn a small commission. It does not store any personal data. Whether they stay for a day or for a week, chances are the first place they will go to is St. Marks Square, or Piazza San Marco, as it is called in Italian, where they find some of the most iconic attractions in town Doges Palace, St. Marks Basilica and St. Marks Bell Tower, among others. St. Mark is the patron saint of Venice. Stolen in the 9th century, they were found in Egypt, and then smuggled back to Venice. The museum at St. Marks Basilica showcases liturgies, carpets, mosaics, and precious tessera. Impossible to miss! BEST TIME TO VISIT ST MARKS Look out over the city of Venice, and maybe even catch. in Via Domenico Millelire 23, 00136, Roma, Autorizzazione della Provincia di Roma Protocollo n.14312 rilasciato If you are planning a trip to Italy, these other posts may be useful: Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "aa1493da4c70aaaa92c7660b7f599e7e" );document.getElementById("bf5f1d039c").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. A treasure trove of Byzantine portable objects, the treasury at St. Marks Basilica displays artworks made of enamel, metals, and hand stone carvings. Cannaregio is an amazing break from the crowds and our food tour is the most authentic way to experience it. Sure, you could be one of the first people in this line, but youre going to have to get up extremely early. All admissions and transport included. (500 meters away), Hotel Concordia:Hotel Concordia is a beautiful location with a charming European design. Learn more about me here, My Adventures Across The World participates in several affiliate programs. There is a way around this. Cover your shoulders, chest and knees. Mass takes place every day at 8:30 am; 10:00 am; and 6:45 pm. You can order fish and other seafood & authentic Italian dishes. People who say Venice is too touristy have not done enough research. She is the founder and editor of this blog and prefers all of her days to include coffee, gelato, and wine. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Learn how your comment data is processed. The names of the architects and artists who contributed are unknown, but the predominant style is Greek-Byzantine with strong German and Arabic influences. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Most tours of the Basilica are combined with the adjacent Doges Palace. The approximate travel time is around 30 minutes. Brandon is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. The best way to explore Venice landmarks is by foot or ferry. It is mandatory to wear proper attire all the time. But most importantly, you will get to access to the inside o There is over 22,000 sq ft ( 2099m) of flooring that is covered in exquisite marble. You do not have to print out the voucher showing it on your smartphone is fine. There are several ways to skip the line at St. Marks Basilica (or San Marco in Italian) depending on when you visit if you want to take a tour, and how far in advance you plan. So why should you get St. Marks Basilica ticket? While you are there be sure to climb the bell tower for amazing views of Venice! Plus, our guides are local and super passionate about what they do. St. Marks Basilica Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Monday through Friday | Sunday and public holidays 2 p.m. 4 p.m. Keep in mind that during the low season, from October until March/April, the Basilica closes at 4:00 p.m. St. Marks Museum Hours: 9:45 am- 5:45pm ( Last entrance at 5:00pm). The church served as the Doges chapel until 1807 when Napoleon turned it into a public basilica. And here is another tip: most people visit St. Marks Square and the Basilica in the morning, so if you go there around lunch time (after 1:00 pm) chances are there will be less people. I have broken down here the various options you have to visit the church and the areas inside, considering the price and opening times vary depending on the site. How much does it cost to visit St. Marks Basilica? Go up St. Marks Bell Tower for stunning views of the city. Everyone visiting St. Marks Basilica will have to go through security checks. As you get inside, youll be under the Arc of the Apocalypse, followed by the Dome of Pentecost and Dome of Ascension until you reach the incredibly decorated presbytery. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Visitors can enter the Basilica for free for prayer, mass, and services. Now, the palace stands as a reminder of how the law was carried out in Venice. The spring season falls from March to May and summer stretches from June to August - both being a peak time for tourists. The number one sight to see? Here are more tips to skip the line at St. Peters Basilica and the Vatican Museums. Copyright 2022 The Tour Guy. Follow me as I fill my life with dreams, drop the weight and inspire you to live your dreams. Tours of St. Marks Basilica start at only 4 if you opt for the one with the audioguide. For those who want to chance it, be sure to check what times the Basilica San Marco opens. We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. 107.1 A. St. Marks Basilica tickets start from 39. Inside the church there are the remains of St. Marks. You can also book a 15-minute slot to visit the terrace at Fondaco dei Tedeschi. Q. For those in Venice during the summertime, be sure to bring a fan, sunscreen, and plenty of water so you dont pass out while waiting in line. Marciana:This highly-rated Venetian restaurant serves pizza, pasta, and authentic Venetian cuisine. Do not feed pigeons or you may have to pay a fine of up to 200 for violating the rule. It has been moved here from its original position outside on the Terrace of the church in order to keep it preserved. You can book it here. We suggest going on a guided tour for a more memorable visit. The place is very small, in fact, Tutti in piedi translates to everybody on foot. Since most tourists have already passed through the basilica for the day, nighttime is the best time to visit St Mark s for people looking for relative privacy. Dont bring any bulky items as that will slow down the security process. Your email address will not be published. The only city in Italy that gets more visitors than Venice is Rome, but keep in mind that Rome is much larger! Getting St. Marks Basilica tickets is easier than you may think. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". By Ferry:If you are traveling from the heart of Venice, walk to Ferrovia 'B' ferry terminal, near Santa Lucia train station. Sadly, the line never really gets any shorter from morning through noon. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The Bell Tower is open daily from 9:30 AM to 9:15 PM. If you are on a budget or not a tour person, you can sometimes find self-guided tours with skip the line access for as low as 12. Be prepared to stand in a long line, often one-hour long, to access the Basilica. You can buy a reserved priority entrance from the church itself or enter with a guide who has special access. Attending mass in St. Marks can be a beautiful experience, but please keep in mind that you cannot wander around the basilica while the service is taking place. Between 1 April and 2 November each year, you can book your St. Marks Basilica tickets there. Venice is the Italian city that is having the toughest battle with over-tourism. You cannot wander through the church if there is a mass taking place, but you are welcome to take a seat and join the services. Check out our Venice Tours. There are some stairs to climb up to the 2nd floor, but nothing too intense. She regularly contributes to guidebooks, magazines, and more, sharing her love of la dolce vitabetween pizza slices and gelato breaks. Also, spend some time admiring the Sacramental Altar in the south and the original Horses of San Marco. A. Visitors are encouraged to maintain social distance inside the Basilica. This one-hour walking tour is the best value. The best time of the year to visit the canal city is from September to November after the summer season. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The 7 am mass is the best time to visit with the smallest number of people. Weve all heard that the early bird catches the worm, but does that saying hold true with the Basilica San Marco? The museum was established towards the end of the 19th century. It is 3 meters in width and 2 meters tall. The word Pala comes from the Latin word Palla for cloth. Cannaregio is an amazing break from the crowds and our food tour is the most authentic way to experience it. This includes the iconic 4 horse chariot in bronze, the icon of the Madonna Nicopeia, enamels of the Golden Altarpiece, relics, crosses, and chalices. Honestly, theres no way to completely avoid bumping shoulders with other tourists on a visit to this grand basilica. As an official Tour Guide of Rome and Certified Sommelier, he loves to travel the world and share these experiences with his readers. First, select the day, then the number of adults and the time you want to enter the basilica. Most of these objects reached Venice after the conquest of Constantinople. We highly recommend doing tours when you come to a new city. Dress modestly when visiting St. Marks Basilica: this is a place of worship. You really cant miss that but just in case, these are the vaporetti that go there: From Piazzale Roma and Santa Lucia Railway Station: Lines 1, 2 and 51. (600 meters away). The remains of Saint Mark, smuggled from Egypt, were later kept in a tomb inside the Basilica. A. St. Marks Basilica tickets are available online. The night tours are always limited to small groups, and it is really incredible to be inside without the crowds. Weekday vs Weekend: St. Marks Basilica is a top tourist destination. St. Marks Basilica is about a 6 minute walk from the ferry terminal. You need tickets to visit St. Mark's Basilica but it is free to attend mass. Ready to visit? Planning to visit other Italian cities as well? (5 minutes away), Hotel Mercurio Venice:Conveniently located near the iconic Rialto Bridge, Hotel Mercurio Venice is located in a busy shopping district. You can enjoy the frescoes and general calm from the comfort of a seat if you enter in order to worship at these times. Although visiting St. Marks Basilica is free, you are much better off making advanced reservation. Natalie is a food and travel writer who has been living in Rome full time since 2010. St. Marks Basilica is very central, Follow signs for San Marco and you will find it easily. Although a Basilica stood in this exact spot already in the 9th century, the current church was built in the 11th century, in Byzantine style, to be the private chapel of Venice Doge. The high-end retail shop is right next to the Rialto Bridge and offers an amazing vantage point to take in the Grand Canal and the rooftops of the city. Since St. Marks Basilica is a medieval church, facilities like baby changing services are not available. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that youve provided to them or that theyve collected from your use of their services.