St Mark's Basilica: questions and answers

These answers come from the official sources of the Procuratoria di San Marco, which runs the Basilica, checked on 10 November 2026. Where two official pages disagree, we say so and give both.

Tickets and prices

Is St Mark's Basilica free to enter?

Entry for prayer, Mass and other services is always free, through the Porta dei Fiori on the north side, facing the Piazzetta dei Leoncini. The Basilica opens for prayer every day from 7.30am to 7.30pm. To visit as a tourist, along the visitor route, you need a ticket, and paying visitors are not admitted during services.

How much does a ticket cost?

The official full prices are €10 for the Basilica, €20 for the Basilica with the Pala d'Oro, €20 for the Basilica with the Museum and Horses' Loggia, and €30 for all of them. The Campanile is a separate €15. Reduced tickets are half price.

* Reduced: ages 11–18, students up to 26, over-65s. Free under 11.

Where do I buy the official ticket?

From the Procuratoria's online shop at tickets.basilicasanmarco.it. Its conditions say the bare ticket, without added services, may be sold to private visitors only through that shop. Partners such as Tiqets and GetYourGuide sell entry combined with a service, such as a host at the door, a guide or a combined visit. See St Mark's Basilica tickets.

Is sanmarco1957.it the official website?

No. We are an independent guide and are not connected with the Procuratoria di San Marco. We earn a commission when you book through our partner links; the price you pay is the same. More on about us.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes, if you want to be sure of a slot. Tickets are sold for half-hour time slots, and sales open 90 days before the date of the visit. Each account can buy up to 5 tickets a year.

Can I change or cancel an official ticket?

No changes or transfers are possible. A refund is possible only if the Procuratoria cancels or moves the visit, or for a documented, objective reason notified at least 48 hours before by email to accrediti@procuratoriasanmarco.it. Some partner products offer free cancellation; others don't, so check the terms on each.

Are there discounts for children, students and seniors?

Yes. Children under 11 go free according to the price page and the shop (ages 0–10); the official tariff document says under 10. Ages 11–18, students up to 26 and over-65s pay half price. There are no discounts on evening visits.

Does the ticket include other churches?

Yes. Any Basilica ticket also gives entry within six months to the cathedral on Torcello, the sacristy of the Salute, the Pinacoteca Manfrediniana and about forty Venetian churches, and free entry to the home of The Human Safety Net in the Procuratie.

Hours and timing

What are the opening hours?

Monday to Saturday 9.30am–5.15pm; Sundays and holy days of obligation 2pm–5.15pm; last entry 4.45pm. On Sunday mornings only the Museum is open. Hours may change on major feasts and for celebrations with the Patriarch. Full details on opening hours.

How long does the visit take?

The route through the Basilica lasts at most 20 minutes. The Pala d'Oro has a limit of 10 minutes. The Museum and Horses' Loggia upstairs are a separate visit. An audio guide can be hired just past the entrance turnstile.

What if I arrive late?

The official terms and conditions allow up to 15 minutes before or after your slot. The official FAQ speaks of about 5 minutes. Arrive on time to be safe.

What happens during acqua alta?

If high water enters the narthex, staff set out signposted alternative routes and visitors use the walkways. See acqua alta and the Basilica.

Rules

Is there a dress code?

Yes. Shoulders and knees must be covered; very short skirts or trousers, low necklines and bare feet are not admitted, and men must remove their hats. See the dress code.

Can I bring a backpack or suitcase?

Bags up to 40×30×20 cm are allowed. Larger backpacks and luggage are not, and trolley cases are never admitted. Everyone passes through a metal detector, and bags may be checked.

Can I take photos inside?

Yes, for strictly personal use. Professional photo or video equipment, tripods, drones and live streaming are not allowed.

Do I need ID?

Yes. All tickets carry the visitor's name, and you must show a valid identity document at the entrance.

Access and services

Is St Mark's Basilica wheelchair accessible?

Yes. People with disabilities and their companions enter free on showing documentation at the door, and staff escort them to a suitable entrance. The Porta dei Fiori has a platform for wheelchair users. The Museum, upstairs, has a lift and a stair-lift. The Campanile is reached by lift only.

Can I attend Mass?

Yes, free of charge, through the Porta dei Fiori. On Sundays and holy days of obligation Masses in the nave are at 8am, 10am (Solemn Mass sung by the Cappella Marciana), 12pm and 6.45pm, with Vespers at 5.45pm. Monday to Saturday, Masses are at 8am and 10am at the altar of the Nicopeia, and at 6.45pm. Full times are on Mass times.

Are there concerts in St Mark's Basilica?

No. The Basilica's liturgical services page states that it does not host concerts. Its music is heard at services, above all the Sunday Solemn Mass.

What to see

Is the Pala d'Oro included in the ticket?

Not in the basic €10 ticket. It costs €20 together with the Basilica, or €30 in the full ticket with the Museum and Loggia. If you have only a Basilica ticket, you can extend it on site. See the Pala d'Oro.

Can I go out on the terrace?

The terrace is the Horses' Loggia, part of the Museum upstairs, where the four original bronze horses are kept and copies stand outside. It needs the Museum ticket: €20 with the Basilica or €30 in the full ticket. On Sunday mornings, when the church is closed to visitors, the Museum and Loggia alone cost €14. See Museum and Horses' Loggia.

Is the Campanile included?

No. The Campanile is a separate ticket at €15 (€7.50 reduced), and the residents' free entry doesn't apply. A lift takes you up. See the Campanile.

Can I visit the Basilica at night?

The Procuratoria runs private evening visits of the lit Basilica, crypt and Pala d'Oro for groups, with a compulsory guide not included in the price: from €1,500 for 1–30 people. Partners sell after-hours tours per person; see after-hours visits.

Can I see St Mark's tomb or the crypt?

The crypt, where the body of St Mark was laid in 1094, is part of the evening visits. It is not listed as part of the daytime ticket. The story of the saint is on St Mark the Evangelist.