Everything About St. Mark’s Basilica Tickets

The iconic St. Mark’s Basilica is one of Venice’s most important churches, visited by over 3 million tourists annually.

It is dedicated to Saint Mark the Evangelist, the patron saint of Venice

The Basilica is on the eastern end of St. Mark’s Square, the former political and religious center of the Republic of Venice, and is attached to the Doge’s Palace.

Until 1797, it served as the Doge’s chapel under his jurisdiction, with the concurrence of Saint Mark’s procurators for administrative and financial matters.

The present structure is the third church, begun probably in 1063 to express Venice’s growing civic consciousness and pride.

This article will explain in detail everything you need to know about the basilica and can address any of your questions about purchasing the best tickets for St. Mark’s Basilica.

Types of St. Mark’s Basilica tickets

A St. Mark’s Basilica ticket is your one stop solution to entering the basilica.

In addition to its unique design originating from the Byzantine style of architecture, it has been recognized as an important site by UNESCO.

If you love art, history, and architecture, you should definitely check out St. Mark’s Basilica.

It is home to a number of important works of art, including the Pala d’Oro, a gilded altarpiece that was created in the 12th century.

The St. Mark’s Basilica ticket prices range from €15 to €39, depending on the ticket type.

For the combo packages, the tour prices can range somewhere between €42 and  €429.

1. Entry ticket to St. Mark’s Basilica

With a St. Mark’s Basilica entry ticket, you can easily get into the famous cathedral. 

Then you can explore and look at the Pala d’Oro, go to the terrace for a nice view of St. Mark’s Square, and see the Loggia dei Cavalli and other amazing decorations.

You can also skip the line to go into the museum.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to visit the Bell Tower. 

2. St. Mark’s Basilica skip the line ticket

St. Mark’s Basilica skip the line ticket
Image: Wikimedia.org

Go to the Basilica of St. Mark’s without wasting your time waiting in long lines.

This skip the line ticket lets you jump ahead and see all the incredible Gothic art and design inside right away.

3. St. Mark’s Basilica with Venice Grand Canal Tour

With a special ticket, you have the chance to enter St. Mark’s Square and see the inside of the church without waiting in long lines.

You’ll even get a ride on a water taxi to hear stories about the buildings and famous people on the Grand Canal.

Plus, travel on the smaller waterways around Venice and visit the center of the city.

4. Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica Terrace Access Tour

Go on a 2 to 3 hour tour of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica terrace, and you’ll have a great time.

Get to the top floor of St. Mark’s Basilica and see the awesome views of the lagoon and the bronze horse statues in the square.

If the Basilica is closed, check out the Church of San Zaccaria or the Correr Museum instead, then head to the Doge’s Palace and explore it.

5. St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace Tour

St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace Tour
Image: Adisa from Getty Images (Canva), Sansa55 From Getty Images (Canva)

This tour will take you to two great places in Venice:

  • The Doge’s Palace was once the home of important people who ruled the city.
  • Then, you’ll go to St. Mark’s Basilica, which is an amazing church with lots of amazing artwork.

Your guide will show you around and tell you fun facts about both places.

6. St. Mark’s Square Bell Tower Ticket

St. Mark’s Square Bell Tower Ticket
Image: Gagliardi Photography (Canva)

A St. Mark’s Campanile ticket gives you access to the tallest building in Venice, and allows you to get an amazing view of the city and the lagoon around it.

7. St. Mark’s Basilica Guided Tour

On this one-hour guided tour, take in the delicate artwork, learn about the history and architecture of St. Mark’s Basilica, and appreciate its impact on the city

8. St. Mark’s Basilica Guided Tour

The Venice City Pass gives you fun things to do in Venice! You can go explore St. Mark’s Basilica, see a really fancy room called the Pala d’Oro.

You can also ride in a gondola (a boat) and listen to someone talk about it, skip the line at the Doge’s Palace, take a simulated tour of the city, and learn about it using an app.

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Best St. Mark’s Basilica Combo Packages

With a combo tour ticket for St. Mark’s Basilica, you can visit one of the most stunning churches around and check out some of the other cool places around it.

This ticket will let you see St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Pala d’Oro chapel.

St. Mark’s Basilica combo toursTours Price Range
St Mark’s Basilica + Doge’s Palace€80 to €95
Doge’s Palace + St. Mark’s Terrace €42 to €84 (shared tour)
€180 to €350 (private tour)
Grand Canal Venice + St. Mark’s Basilica€109 to €353

Can you buy St. Mark’s Basilica tickets online?

Yes, it is possible to purchase tickets to St. Mark’s Basilica online.

Tickets can be purchased through the official website, as well as through third party vendors such as Viator or GetYourGuide.

Why St. Mark’s Basilica online tickets better?

With the ease, convenience, and affordability of online tickets, it’s no surprise that more and more people are taking advantage of them.

The whole process is quick and simple; you can purchase tickets to St. Mark’s Basilica in a matter of minutes and have a confirmation of your purchase in mere seconds.

You also have the freedom to explore different ticketing websites to find the best deals that fit your needs.

Plus, you can save your payment information for future purchases, making it even easier to purchase tickets to St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice.

All in all, online tickets provide a level of convenience and engagement that is hard to beat.

How online St. Mark’s Basilica tickets work?

To gain access to St. Mark’s Basilica, you must purchase a ticket online and provide your credentials.

Upon completion of the purchase, you will receive an email with the ticket details and a unique ticket ID.

You can either print the ticket or show it on a device when you arrive at St. Mark’s entrance.

At the ticket counter, present the ticket, and it will be confirmed, granting you access to the basilica.

What to expect at St. Mark’s Basilica

Entering St. Mark’s Basilica is like stepping into a world of history and art.

From the bronze horses that greet you at the entrance, to the intricate mosaics and columns adorned with carvings, the basilica is a marvel of artistic expression.

Dating back to between the 6th to 11th centuries, the 500 columns and capitals are a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the ancient Venetians.

But the treasures don’t end there; Stories behind some of the pieces kept on display in the basilica show the daring of the medieval Venetians.

In 828 AD, relics of St. Mark the Evangelist were smuggled from Alexandria, Egypt, by Venetian merchants, hidden under layers of pork in barrels.

Mosaics are also aplenty, covering almost 8000 square meters, and done in real gold, creating a stunning effect when light falls upon them.

The Pala d’Oro, an altar screen crafted in Byzantine style, is also adorned with hundreds of precious gems.

St. Mark’s Basilica is an awe-inspiring work of art and architecture, a true testament to the skill and daring of the ancient Venetians.

FAQs

Do I need a ticket for St. Mark’s Basilica?

No. St. Mark’s Basilica is free to enter, but you may need to queue depending on the time of year.

If you would like to reserve a spot to skip the line, you can purchase a St. Mark’s Basilica skip-the-line ticket for €21.

How do I skip the line at St. Mark’s Basilica?

Unfortunately, there is no way to skip the line at St. Mark’s Basilica.

Due to its popularity and the fact that entry is free, the basilica can often become crowded.

To avoid long wait times, it is recommended you buy the St. Mark’s Basilica entry ticket and visit as early in the morning as possible when the basilica opens for the day.

Check out the St. Mark’s Basilica opening hours.

Do you need to book St. Mark’s Basilica in advance?

Yes, it is highly recommended to book St. Mark’s Basilica tickets online well in advance to avoid long lines and any last-minute disappointments.

Here are some of the best tickets to St. Mark’s Basilica:
St. Mark’s Basilica entry ticket
– St. Mark’s Basilica skip-the-line ticket
Grand Canal Venice + St. Mark’s Basilica
Doge’s Palace + St. Mark’s Terrace
St. Mark’s Basilica + Doge’s Palace
St. Mark’s Campanile Ticket
St. Mark’s Basilica Guided Tour

Do you need tickets to enter St. Mark’s Basilica?

St. Mark’s Basilica doesn’t cost anything to go inside, but sometimes it can be busy, so you might have to wait in line.

If you buy an entry ticket to St. Mark’s Basilica for €25, you can go past the line and get inside faster.

Where can I buy St. Mark’s Basilica tickets?

St. Mark’s Basilica tickets can be purchased online from the official website.

You can also purchase tickets at the Basilica’s ticket office, located at Piazzetta San Marco, 1, Venice.

Other tour operators also offer tickets for St. Mark’s Basilica, as well as discounted combination tickets that include other sites in the area.

Here are the tour operators offering discounted tickets for St. Mark’s Basilica:
GetYourGuide
Tiqets
Viator

What is the cost of St. Mark’s Basilica tickets?

The cost of St. Mark’s Basilica tickets varies based on the type of ticket purchased. 

The St. Mark’s Basilica entry ticket for an adult is €25; for a skip-the-line ticket, it is €21.

Other tickets vary based on the type of entry they provide, such as
guided tours and combination tickets to other attractions.

Featured Image: Aliaksei skredzeleu

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