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Landmark · Venice

St Mark's Basilica Tickets & Guide 2026 | Venice's Golden Church

The gilded domes, mosaics and spires of St Mark's Basilica glowing in golden evening light in Venice
Photo: dconvertini, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

By Emma · Updated · 3 min read

TL;DR
  • Book a timed, named ticket online to skip the long queue
  • Shoulders and knees must be covered, and large bags aren't allowed
  • Sightseeing starts at 2pm on Sundays and holy days
  • Don't miss the museum terrace and the bronze horses
Type
Landmark
Where
Venice
Time needed
1-2 hours
Admission
from about €10 (2026) with a timed slot, more with Pala d'Oro and museum

For almost a thousand years St Mark's Basilica has been the heart of Venice. The current church was consecrated in 1094 to house the relics of St Mark, smuggled out of Alexandria by Venetian merchants in 828. As the Republic grew rich, it filled the basilica with treasures from across the Mediterranean, including loot from the sack of Constantinople in 1204. The result is a dazzling blend of Byzantine, Gothic and Romanesque styles that earned it the nickname Chiesa d'Oro, the Church of Gold.

What you'll see

  • The mosaics: domes and vaults shimmer with gold-ground mosaics telling stories from Genesis to the Last Judgement. They're at their most magical when the lights are on, usually around midday.
  • The marble floor: an undulating carpet of 12th-century geometric and animal patterns in coloured stone.
  • Pala d'Oro: behind the high altar, a Gothic-Byzantine altarpiece studded with nearly 2,000 gems and enamels. A separate ticket is needed.
  • St Mark's Museum and the Loggia dei Cavalli: climb to the terrace above the main door for close-up views of the mosaics and a superb panorama of St Mark's Square. Inside are the original four gilded bronze horses, brought from Constantinople; those on the facade are copies.

Tickets and opening hours

Tickets are sold by the Procuratoria di San Marco and are named at the time of booking. Official 2026 prices for individual visitors are:

  • Basilica admission: €10
  • Basilica + Pala d'Oro: €20
  • Basilica + Museum and Loggia dei Cavalli: €20
  • Full ticket (basilica, Pala d'Oro, museum and loggia): €30
  • St Mark's Bell Tower (Campanile): €15, sold separately

Children under 11 are free, and there are discounts for under-18s, students and over-65s. Entry for prayer and Mass is free through a separate door, but not for sightseeing. The basilica opens Monday to Saturday from 9.30am (last entry 4.45pm, closing 5.15pm) and on Sundays and holy days from 2pm. Prices and hours change, so check current prices on the official site before you book.

Book the first slot of the morning. By late morning the queue along the Piazzetta can stretch for an hour in summer, and a timed ticket takes you straight in.

Before you go

  • Dress code: shoulders and knees covered for everyone; staff do turn people away.
  • Bags: backpacks and large bags aren't allowed inside. Leave them at the free left-luggage office nearby (Ateneo San Basso, just off the square) before your slot.
  • Photography: not permitted inside the basilica.
  • Visit length: 30-45 minutes for the basilica alone, an hour or more with the Pala d'Oro and museum.

Venice access fee

Venice charges day-trippers an access fee on selected busy days. The 2026 trial ended on 26 July, and the city has announced the fee will return in 2027 on set dates from late March, with details due by the end of 2026. Overnight guests are exempt but may need to register. Check the official Venice access fee site before a day trip.

Flights from London to Venice take about 2 hours. Pair the basilica with the Doge's Palace next door, and see our tips on Venice on a budget and our wider Italy guide.

Where is St Mark's Basilica?

Open in OpenStreetMap · 45.43444, 12.33972

Frequently asked questions

Is St Mark's Basilica free?

Not for sightseeing any more: the basilica now charges an admission fee for tourist visits, with free entry only for worship.

Is the Pala d'Oro worth the extra?

If you enjoy goldsmiths' work and medieval art, yes. If time or budget is short, the museum terrace is the better add-on.

Can I go up the bell tower?

Yes, the Campanile has a lift to the top and needs a separate ticket. It closes in bad weather.

What's the best time to visit?

Weekday mornings outside summer are quietest. Avoid days when cruise ships are in port if you can.

Written by

Emma City breaks & deals editor

Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.

More from Emma

Opening times and ticket prices change often; check the official website shortly before you visit.