St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

Popular and perpetually busy, St. Mark’s Basilica is the most famous monument in Venice. You can reserve skip-the-line tickets in advance, or book an after-hours tour for private evening access. While the exterior is visited on just about every city sightseeing tour, a guided tour is the best way to experience the interior, given the complexity of its art and architecture.

The basilica anchors St. Mark’s Square, so you can easily combine a tour of the church with a gondola ride and a Doge’s Palace tour.

• The church has been rebuilt, expanded, and delicately restored over the centuries.

• Like most churches in Italy, St. Mark’s Basilica requires visitors to wear appropriate clothing—no exposed shoulders, knees, or midriffs.

• Large bags are not permitted in the basilica. Deposit any luggage at Ateneo di San Basso (in Piazzetta dei Leoncini).

• Both St. Mark's Basilica and the nearby Doge's Palace are wheelchair accessible.

The cathedral is on the eastern end of the Piazza San Marco, adjacent to the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace) along the Grand Canal. The nearest vaporetto (ferry) stop is San Marco–San Zaccaria.

The basilica is most crowded at midday, so aim for a morning or late-afternoon visit. Summer is the busiest time, while Venice is relatively quiet from November through February (aside from the Christmas and New Year holidays, and during Carnival).

St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome is famous for Michelangelo's Pietà and Florence’s Duomo is known for Brunelleschi’s dome, but St. Mark’s Basilica’s greatest treasure—the stunning Pala d'Oro—is older than even those masterpieces. This glittering gold and enamel altarpiece from 976 AD is considered one of the most important, refined examples of Byzantine enamel in the world.

No, visitors can enter without a ticket, but the lines for free admission are very long. To avoid the wait, purchase a skip-the-line ticket for timed entry to the church or a combination ticket for the church plus the Pala d’Oro, Loggia dei Cavalli, Museum, and bell tower.

Yes, if you want to bypass the long line for free admission to the church. Skip-the-line tickets are timed, so they sell out quickly and must be purchased in advance. The same applies to the church’s museum, loggia (terrace overlooking the square), and bell tower.

Yes, the Basilica is one of the top sights in Venice and wows with its dazzling Byzantine mosaics, Gothic Pala d’Oro (golden high altar decoration), and towering domes and spires. The Loggia dei Cavalli has sweeping views over the square, and the museum overflows with religious art.

Yes, St. Mark’s Basilica is a religious site, and modest dress is required. Choose clothing that covers shoulders, knees, and midriff to enter; jeans and sandals are permitted. Visitors are not allowed to bring large backpacks and bags inside.

Yes, there is a public toilet on the Museum and Loggia level of the complex. Alternatively, public restrooms in St. Mark’s Square have wheelchair access and a changing station for infants; there is a small fee to enter.

No, visitors cannot take photos or videos inside the church, and some guards enforce this rule. The only location where photography is allowed is the Loggia dei Cavalli overlooking St. Mark’s Square outside.